parenting

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Dear Holly: Our Whole Finally Joined the Christmas Parade!

8 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

Apparently the plan was for you and your brother to ride with Nonna and Papa in the Christmas parade last Friday, as Papa is part of the local Jeep club.

But the night before, there was so much logistical planning involved. I explained to Mommy, “Okay, so before the parade starts, we need to park one of our cars on one side of the town to pick up the kids once the parade is over, so we can easily get to the kids to take them home. It’s going to be so cold and they will already be outside for so long already.”

She simply responded, “Do we all just want to be the parade?”

And that is how our whole family ended up throwing candy in the Fort Payne Christmas parade. I feel confident that we have now begun a new Christmas family tradition here on our first Christmas as a family in Alabama.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Earning Money to Afford a PS5

14 years old.

Dear Jack,

You have your sights set on getting a “PS5″… a PlayStation 5, that is.

It’s interesting to think how you have never actually owned a video game system; your entire life. You’ve just always played games on your tablet or phone.

Granted, at $400, a PlayStation 5 is a lot to ask for. Fortunately, Nonna and Papa have been hiring you on the weekends to help them keep bugs, mold, and moisture out of the house.

Maybe you’ll afford that PS5 sooner than later…

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Hanging Out at Our House after the Thanksgiving Meal

8 years, 7 months.

 

Dear Holly,

As I came across more photos from Thanksgiving Day at our house, what stood out to me was how we all had a space to just casually hang out for the afternoon after the big meal.

You and your cousin Darla spent most of the time “selling” things from your bedroom, using the cash registers with credit card readers you made.

Meanwhile, those of us in our 40s played old school Nintendo games.

I’m still not over the fact that we don’t have to drive three hours across state lines with Christmas gifts, after having worked all week; in order to be with everyone at Thanksgiving.

It’s just easier to be thankful at Thanksgiving now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: I’m Not the Handyman, but You Are!

14 years old.

Dear Jack,

One of my many life mottos is this:

“Be proud of your strengths and make jokes about your weaknesses.”

With that being said, there has never been any question that the “handyman gene” went straight from one Jack Shell (Papa) to the next Jack Shell (you).

In other words, it totally skipped me!

But I am happy for you that you have the kind of brain that is eager to get in there and figure out how to fix whatever it is that needs fixing; when it comes to home repairs.

Yes, it’s true we paid off our mortgage a few weeks ago. However, that doesn’t change the fact that owning a home means that there is always something that must be considered “under construction”.

And I am certainly not the man for the job!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Cousin Darla’s 9th Birthday

8 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

With your brother’s birthday, Papa’s birthday, and your cousin Darla’s birthday all being within about a week of each other, it has been a marathon of birthdays leading up to Thanksgiving next week.

And while that has always been the case, the difference is now we live in the same town as Papa and your cousin Darla.

So that means for the first time, our family of 4 is able to celebrate each other’s birthdays together; as a family of ten.

Now we can just all meet up in the middle of the week.

This concept is finally starting to set in. It’s a really nice change.

Love,

Daddy