Storytelling

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Dear Holly: You are Now in Pre-K!

4 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

I didn’t realize it until your teacher sent us a picture on Monday, but as of this week, you are now officially in Pre-K.

All these years leading up to this, you have been in preschool.

But now, this is Pre-K; the year designed to specifically prepare you for Kindergarten, which you will be starting a year from now.

It snuck up on me. I’m the last person to ever say, “They grow up so fast.”

I admit though, it feels like you shouldn’t already be old enough to be starting Kindergarten a year from now!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Now Love Music from 1983, Like Me

9 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

As I was getting you ready for bed Tuesday night, you showed me Mommy’s old cell phone with a cracked screen, and said, “Daddy, watch this.”

I immediately knew what it was from the first note of the song: It was the music video for the song “Our House” by Madness.

You were so excited when you learned that I have owned that CD since I was in high school, along with Men at Work; another band whose string of hits you can’t help but love: “Who Can It Be Now?”, “Down Under”, and “Be Good Johnny”.

This week as I’ve worked from the kitchen table (which currently serves as my office), you have been playing a music video playlist from 1983; which happens to be my favorite year of music.

While you play war with your action figures, along barricades you made from Jenga blocks, you have Mommy’s phone propped up playing the soundtrack: “We can dance if we want to…”

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Getting 2nd Place in Your 1st Archery Tournament

9 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Friday, Mommy and I got to see you in action on your final day of Archery Camp, at Music City Archery.

The week of camp ended with a tournament for all the parents to see.

You were so proud that we both were able to come see you shoot the arrow at the target.

I was impressed that you seemed to effortless hit the bull’s eye, multiple times.

And that’s amazing, for a boy who had never done archery before.

You won the 2nd place prize for your age group.

Needless to say, you are currently searching for a bow and arrow of your own!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Keeping You Physically Active During the Summer of Covid

9 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

With Mommy and I both working from home this summer, and you being stuck here with us, we’re doing what we can to be able to get you out of the house and have some fun whenever we can.

I have made a routine of taking you out to parks on Saturday mornings before it gets too hot. We go on hikes, play in creeks, and sometimes you get to get some exercise on playgrounds that aren’t closed.

This week has been particularly special, because Mommy signed you up for Archery Camp! You love coming home each afternoon and telling me about all the fun you’ve had getting to shoot arrows at different types of targets.

I won’t be surprised if archery becomes an ongoing interest for you!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Started Taking Ballet Classes

4 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

Last week you were so excited to get to start going to ballet class.

It just so happened that in the same strip mall as your preschool, there is a dance studio that is offering a trial dance class for your age group.

Needless to say, I knew there weren’t be much of a “trial” to it, because after your first class last week, you made the decision to start taking tap dance lessons once the trial period ends.

As I look at this picture of you in your ballet dress, I can’t help but think of the Elton John song:

“Hold me closer, tiny dancer.”

Love,

Daddy