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Our Trip to the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento

12 years, 9 months. 

Dear Jack,

It’s getting to the point now, that when I write my weekly letter to you and it doesn’t have something to do with cars, it’s the exception to the rule!

On our family’s recent visit to Sacramento, we made sure to stop by the California Automobile Museum.

Needless to say, it was the equivalent of when you were younger, taking you to a toy store.

You are a 12 year-old boy who is fascinated with cars to the same level of hysteria as old men at car shows. And yes, you do attend car shows for fun now.

Now Mommy and I are curious what your first car will be…

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Took Good Care of Your Doll June on Our California Trip

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

As we packed for our week-long family trip to Sacramento, you made sure that your doll June had everything she needed.

Not just for the time we would be spending in California, but also for the 4 and a half hour flight there.

What we weren’t expecting was a 5 hour delay at the Nashville airport after we checked into our gate.

But you made sure June was well taken care of as we had some mandatory chill out time, waiting for the plane part to be flown in from Chicago.

We survived!

Not to mention, we received an $800 voucher for our next flight with Southwest.

I wonder if June will be making that trip too?

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Got to Ride in a Hot Rod for the 4th of July!

12 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week, I would say you had a dream come true: You were invited to ride in a hot rod on the 4th of July!

As we were setting up our lawn chairs in Grandma’s neighbors’ driveway, you couldn’t help but notice the festive classic car parked out front.

It didn’t take the neighbor long to realize you are as crazy about cars as he is, so he decided to drive you around the block, right before the parade started.

For you, it was a whole lot better than actually being in the parade!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: I Can’t Slow Down Time, Any More Than I Already Am

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

If anyone has been the most prepared and was made the most aware that “kids go up so fast” before they became a parent, it was me.

For both you and your brother, I have been writing at least one letter to you each, since several months before you both were born.

I have made a point to take as many pictures as I could and document a particular story that best served as a highlight for your childhood development that week.

Yet still, that doesn’t slow things down. It’s my feeble attempt at sort of freezing real life happening right in front of me.

I do my best. I do everything I can to celebrate your life every day; to not take you or your brother for granted.

I cherish our morning routine of pushing you in the stroller on my daily three mile walk; only stopping to let you see if there are any good children’s books available in the tiny “give a book, take a book” community libraries in each neighborhood we pass.

It’s memories like that… I will always hold on to.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: What “Homeschool Summer School” Looks Like

12 and a half years.

Dear Jack,

Mommy joked with you this week, “What if we started homeschooling you?”

You immediately replied, “No! Then I couldn’t be around any people.”

However, during the summer, I suppose things do resemble the concept of homeschool a little bit.

We are paying you and your sister a “reading allowance” this summer, to help encourage you both to use your brains on books… and it’s totally working.

You always self-elect some “P.E.” time right before lunch, as you go on a bike ride through surrounding neighborhoods.

And then usually after lunch, you join me at the kitchen table; which also serves as my “office” and your “shop” for rebuilding cars.

That’s pretty much what the next two months are going to look like.

Love,

Daddy