Storytelling

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Dear Holly: Your Trip to Build-A-Bear for Your 9th Birthday

9 years old.

Dear Holly,

For your first birthday party since we moved to Alabama, I was certain you would choose to have it at Alice Circle; which is like the ideal place for 9 year-old girls.

But no- instead, you chose… to not have a birthday party?

I suppose you overheard Mommy and I talking about how much a birthday party would cost and then thought to yourself, “Well I could get a lot of gifts for less than a birthday party would cost…”

So in addition to your many birthday gifts you received, you asked if we would take you to Build-A-Bear; as we happened to have a trip planned to Nashville the week after your birthday.

You chose a kitty. And you decided she definitely needed a cheer squad hoodie, and 4 shoes, and to be lavender scented. Oh, of course she needed her own cell phone.

Seems like things a 9 year-old little girl would think of…

Grand total at Build-A-Bear: $76.

Still cheaper than birthday party, right?

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: High Speed Go-Karts

14 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

This past weekend we took a day trip back to Nashville, as we still make an effort to catch up with our friends there every couple of months.

Since you got your PlayStation 5 last Christmas, you and your old neighborhood friend Aiden have been playing your games together online.

So you spent the whole day with him, doing 14 year-old boy stuff:

You both went to see the Minecraft movie… a 2nd time now.

You both went axe throwing… something I have yet to do.

And your personal favorite, you both went Music City Kartplex, where you both got to race at a “high speed go-kart” facility.

Oh, and you both got to play your PlayStation 5 games together, in the same room, at his house.

So yeah, you had a good weekend!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: What We Did on Your 9th Birthday

9 years old.

Dear Holly,

Exactly a week ago for your 9th birthday, you chose to have your birthday dinner at Toke, where you could get some sushi. (I didn’t even know what sushi was when I was nine!)

Then we came back to our house to enjoy Nonna’s homemade strawberry cake you requested.

The birthday celebration will continue this week, as you have requested to go to Build-A-Bear.

You certainly have no shortage of stuffed animals, especially if we are including Warmies.

But, you are still a kid, and I love to watch you enjoy things that are for kids, while you still are one!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Getting Your Car Running

14 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Just two weeks ago, it was all about the anticipation of whether the deal would actually go through on you getting your dream car through the estate sale.

This past week, the focus has shifted to you and Papa actually getting your car running. And apparently, it didn’t take quite as much time and effort as we thought.

In fact, Papa was even able to let you drive down the driveway and learn the basics of how not only how to drive a car, but a stick shift.

You and I both have vehicles that are a manual transmission, which have become so uncommon these days.

We will both be of the minority who still practices this lost art.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Bucketful of Jellyfish

14 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Last month on our family Spring Break vacation to Florida, we stayed on a beach where the jellyfish were particularly abundant. I didn’t realize how much entertainment this would provide for you.

We were unclear on whether the giant jellyfish that washed up on the shore were still alive, but that didn’t stop you from trying to save as many as you could… one pink bucket at at time.

I love it that even as a teenager, I still see you caught up in the same kinds of activities you would do when you were a little boy.

 

 

Love,

Daddy