Dear Holly: You Like to Help Put the Groceries Away

4 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

We’ve stumbled into a new routine over the past few weeks now on Saturday mornings: I buy groceries right after I go to the gym. Then once I get home and unload the groceries, you immediately start helping organize them so Mommy can put them away.

You also have this habit of when I unload the dryer, you run over and start folding all the towels- that’s your specialty!

It’s always such a sweet surprise whenever you volunteer to help me with household chores, without ever even asking me if you can… of course, you know the answer is always yes.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Your Red Ryder BB Gun

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

No doubt, you had quite a big Christmas. But you also had some money in gift cards that was burning a hole in your pocket; thanks to the idea you came up with…

To get a Red Ryder BB gun!

Our backyard has been converted into a shooting range. We have spent a good amount of time now, having shooting contests to see who has the most accurate shot.

I’m decent… but you are really good!

And on top of that, you take gun safety very seriously.

It is a fun activity we both really enjoy doing together.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: You and Isabella Have Matching Dolls of Yourselves

4 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

Recently, your friend Isabella came over to our house to visit. She brought you a fun Christmas gift, that happened to match one of her own:

It is a miniature American Girl doll that looks like you, to compliment the doll that Isabella got that looks like her.

You have been carrying around your “Little Holly” with you everywhere we go- in the car, to school, and to bed.

It’s always a nice surprise to get a Christmas present, after Christmas.

And this one was especially thoughtful- as you and Isabella both now have one!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Turning Our Living Room into an Army Base

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

While your sister has been using the new folding cushion beds to make a house downstairs in the living room, you and your friend Levi are using them to construct a military fort; as you shoot at each other with Nerf guns. (Your sister likes to hang out right in the middle of the action!)

It’s a good activity in the dead of winter, during Covid Culture:

Invite a friend over to the house on Saturday morning and play live action Fortnight, in between rounds of Battleship eating pizza.

Sounds perfect for a 10 year-old boy.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: A Snow Day When You Were Finally Supposed to Go Back to Your Classroom

10 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

You were definitely ready to go back to the actual classroom on Monday; as it had been a month, between Christmas vacation and Covid cases going up.

But instead, you had to stay home one more day; because on Monday, snow prevented the school from opening.

Not that you minded!

I spent my lunch hour taking you sledding on all the best hills in our neighborhood.

During that time, we pretty much used up all the good snow, and then the snow was starting to melt anyway.

But we made the most of it and we had a lot of fun together!

Dear Jack,

Love,

Daddy