Dear Holly: Your Father’s Day Picture of Me

5 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

I was very proud to receive a picture you colored of me for Father’s Day, that you made at school.

Your teacher had you fill in some blanks about me.

I love your perception of me; like how my pockets are full of money and how said you like the way I make you mac-and-cheese.

And that my favorite food is “pasta with hot sauce”… even though what you are actually watching me eat each night with dinner is sauerkraut with hot sauce.

But my favorite thing is what you said I always say:

“I can plan with you.”

And that’s true. I don’t want to ever miss an opportunity to stop what I’m doing, to spend time having fun with you!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: The Corn Behind Our House Sure is Getting Tall

10 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Ever since we moved into our “new” house 6 and a half years ago, we’ve been fortunate enough to have farmland on the other side of our back fence. For the past couple of years, it was soy that was being grown behind our house.

But this year, the farmers switched it over to corn.

We were out of town for just a few days, and when we left, it probably wasn’t any taller than your sister. But when we got back from our trip, the corn had grown taller than our fence!

I have a feeling that corn isn’t organic…

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your 1st Ever Show-and-Tell at School

5 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

Last week made the first official time I ever recall you having a show-and-tell at your school.

I helped you prepare what to say, in case you didn’t know once it was your turn.

You chose the Wellie Wishers doll that you got for your 1st birthday from American Girl.

Back when we bought it for you, Mommy and I chose the Willa one because she had strawberry blonde hair and an adventurous personality.

Four years letter, the prophecy came true; as the little girl version of you has definitely fulfilled our prediction!

Your teacher immediately agreed!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Catching Your 1st Fish with Papa

10 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week on your first dose of “summer camp” this year, you were at Nonna and Papa’s house in Alabama.

It was very special because you got to spend some time at the lake in Cedar Bluff; thanks to my Aunt Rosa.

You explained to Nonna and Papa, “I could just live here… this place has everything!”

As I knew you would, you caught your first fish while you were there!

Hopefully we’ll be able to send you back there at least once more this summer; in between all of our other upcoming family trips.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: And Now Your Summer Before Kindergarten Begins!

5 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

We have a very exciting summer planned, which will end with you starting Kindergarten.

In addition to going to Alabama to spend time with your cousins here on this side of the country, we will also be travelling to California; where you will be reacquainted with many of those cousins who haven’t seen you since you were a baby!

Plus, we’ll be heading to the mountains of Georgia again; this time with Nonna and Papa.

And the week before you start Kindergarten, I have a special surprise trip for our family of 4… if I can manage to keep it a secret for nearly 2 more months!

Love,

Daddy