Storytelling

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Dear Jack: You’re an Independent & Confident Boy Raised by Independent & Confident Parents

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack: You’re an Independent & Confident Boy Raised by Independent & Confident Parents

Dear Jack,

All last week you were 3 hours away, staying at Nonna and Papa’s house in Alabama for Christmas break. When Mommy and I left you there the day after Christmas, there was no emotional, dramatic goodbye. It wasn’t really any different than when I drop you off at school each morning.

You weren’t worried. I say that’s because you’re an independent, confident boy.

I don’t believe you simply were born that way. I don’t believe that it’s simply your personality.

Instead, I take partial credit for it. And I give the rest of the credit to Mommy.

Both Mommy and I are independent and confident people. So naturally, we are going to proactively raise children who are the same.

Dear Jack: You’re an Independent & Confident Boy Raised by Independent & Confident Parents

I can’t say I was always this way. I feel like I’ve always been confident and believed in myself, but becoming independent was an evolving process for me.

When I was your age, I wouldn’t have been okay with spending the night away from my own parents; especially not 3 hours away!

In fact, the first time I remember spending the night at a grandparent’s house was when I was 8 years-old, and it was just 5 miles down the road.

I think it was actually a really good thing that I was 29 and a half when you were born. Had I only been in my early or mid-twenties, you would have turned out differently; I’m sure of it.

But because I had finally gained much of the maturity I needed by the time you were born, I was more prepared by life experience to raise you.

Therefore, you are not anxious or nervous to leave Mommy and I when we drop you off at places. I just wasn’t that way when I was your age.

I am so proud though that you are.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

Dear Jack,

Sure, you completely appreciated the enormous Lego set you’ve been wanting for months. That was actually your main gift from Mommy and me. Granted, it took you less than half a day to complete it; despite it being designed for 8 years and up. Yet still, it served its role in your Christmas gift line-up.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

But of all the gifts you received for Christmas, the one that produced the most excited reaction from you was the one you asked Santa for: a stuffed animal of Rudolph. What’s funny is, I happen to know that toy cost only $20, which is much less than any other toy you received this year.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

Last week I reminded you of the importance of always also telling me and Mommy what you tell Santa you want for Christmas.  Fortunately, even with just a few days’ notice prior to Christmas, Rudolph showed up under the tree.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

But while Santa is definitely an exciting part of Christmas for you, perhaps it is actually The Elf on the Shelf who you find even more interesting.

Ever faithfully, that elf was sure to show up somewhere new in your bedroom each morning you woke up, for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

I picked up on the fact that you and your friends from school began trading stories: “Really? Well my elf…”

Coincidentally, your Elf on the Shelf began getting into even more trouble for the days following; your personal favorite being a zip-line made out of toilet paper.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa j5

It may appear I have quite purposely kept up with the details of both Santa and The Elf on the Shelf this year. I know one day you’ll be able to appreciate my interest in these magical aspects of Christmas.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

But in the meantime, I’ll still secretly take credit for the excitement that both Santa and the Elf on the Shelf brought you this year in Christmas anticipation.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

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Upcoming Monster Jam Event: January 7th-8th at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

Upcoming Monster Jam Event: January 7th & 8th at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

Yep, it’s that time again! We’re going to the upcoming Monster Jam event in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena; taking place January 7th and 8th, 2017.

There are 3 shows:

The first is on Saturday, January 7th at 1 PM.

Then the next is that night at 7 PM.

And the final show is the next day on Sunday, January 8th at 1 PM.

For years now, we have been attending Monster Jam. We are huge fans, as you surely know by now!

And today, thanks to the folks at Monster Jam, I am able to give away 4 tickets to giveaway away for the show of your choice!

The winner is Adrianne Smith, who was the first to leave a comment here on this blog (not on Facebook) asking me if you just won tickets to the upcoming Monster Jam event.

Maybe you’ll see us there!

Upcoming Monster Jam Event: January 7th & 8th at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

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Dear Jack: Always Tell Mommy and Me What You Tell Santa What You Want for Christmas… (Featuring Red 7 Pizza in Columbia, TN)

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack: Always Tell Mommy and Me What You Tell Santa What You Want for Christmas… (Featuring Red 7 Pizza in Columbia, TN)

Dear Jack,

On Saturday we drove to the neighboring town of Columbia so that you and your sister could get your picture taken with Santa. Despite having lived in our new house in Spring Hill for almost two years now, I had never driven past the Target and movie theater on the edge of town.

It was as if I had always subconsciously assumed that civilization just ended on the other side of the Spring Hill city limits sign. Turns out, on the other side is a slightly larger city with a charming culture of its own.

Before we had left the house, you had specifically asked Mommy and me, “Is this going to be the real Santa, or just one of his helpers?”

We replied that we wanted you to decide for yourself after you met him…

You then submitted the idea of pulling his beard to see if it was real. We didn’t advise against doing so- because, you know- we’re cool parents.

I really enjoyed our visit to Columbia. Our family arrived at the health food store in downtown: It was in the very back of the store where Santa was. I know that sounds random- and it was.

Dear Jack: Always Tell Mommy and Me What You Tell Santa What You Want for Christmas… (Featuring Red 7 Pizza in Columbia, TN)

For $7, Mommy and I got our very first picture of you and your sister with Santa. As we were paying for the photo, I noticed you remained on Santa’s lap… with a sort of sneaky look on your face as he was talking to you.

I interpreted it as you thinking, “This isn’t really Santa and I know it- but I’m just going to go along with it.” After all, he was a young-looking Santa.

The thought ran through my head: “I wonder if Jack is about to try to pull Santa’s beard…”

But I didn’t get a chance at that point to ask you what that conversation was about. Instead, I got distracted as we took a family walk: It was just 3 blocks to Red Seven Pizza Co. for dinner.

(Featuring Red 7 Pizza in Columbia, TN)

Mommy found out about the place while Googling “vegan restaurants in Columbia” before we left the house. She told me that even had vegan cheese available. I am so glad she found it! In fact, we were all so glad she found it!

(Featuring Red 7 Pizza in Columbia, TN)

We will definitely be going back- and in the near future. Each of us got to choose exactly what we wanted on our pizzas, out of dozens of ingredients… same thing with our salads. I took advantage of the fact they had pineapples and artichokes.

(Featuring Red 7 Pizza in Columbia, TN)

I was the only one in our family to be able to finish my pizza, but I was perfectly full by the time we left. You and Mommy got to enjoy your leftovers the next day for lunch.

A few hours later as I was putting you to bed, you suddenly revealed to me, “Daddy, I asked Santa for a Rudolph stuffed animal.”

I instantly reminded you that you already bought a reindeer stuffed animal last month during your $100 shopping spree at Opry Mills Mall.

r1

But then you explained to me that was just a reindeer, but not Rudolph, like from the classic claymation Christmas movie…

That’s when I made sure to tell you it’s important to always also tell Mommy and me what you told Santa you want for Christmas.

Because, well- for some families, Santa’s gifts were taken care of back in September and Santa wasn’t expecting to rush to Target, Toys “R” Us, or Walmart just a few days before Christmas…

Something tells me though, Rudolph and his red nose will find his way underneath the Christmas tree.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Always Tell Mommy and Me What You Tell Santa What You Want for Christmas… (Featuring Red 7 Pizza in Columbia, TN)

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Dear Jack: You Bought a Poop Emoji Hat… and You’re Very Proud of It!

6 years.

Dear Jack: You Bought a Poop Emoji Hat… and You’re Very Proud of It!

Dear Jack,

For your birthday, you had been planning to spend some of your $100 shopping spree money at Opry Mills Mall on a poop emoji stuffed animal you saw at a candy store; of all places. But once we arrived, the poop emoji doll was gone. You ended up buying a holiday-themed big-eyed animal instead.

But I figured it was just a matter of time before you would find a poop emoji to purchase…

This past weekend as we were waiting at the crosswalk to reach the Bridgestone Arena where the circus was taking place, a street vendor selling “the same stuff as inside” happened to also randomly have a poop emoji hat, in the likeness of a stuffed animal.

Mommy suggested you wait until after the circus was over before you decided how to spend your remaining $11 from your birthday money; to make sure there wasn’t anything you’d want more once you got inside to the circus.

Dear Jack: You Bought a Poop Emoji Hat… and You’re Very Proud of It!

I could tell for the last 20 minutes of the circus that you were distracted: You just wanted to get back to the street vendor to buy that poop emoji hat; assuming there was still one left.

The nice vendor man smiled and said, “That’ll be $15.”

We thought it was only $10 because earlier we had heard him name the prices of the light-up toys.

He saw that you had 11 one-dollar bills as you looked down into you vinyl skateboard-themed wallet.

“Oh, you’re using your own money? I’ll give it to you for $11 then.”

Needless to say, Poopy (as you’ve named it) has been a main character in your world since last Saturday. Poopy goes with you everywhere in the car and sleeps with you in the bed each night.

Dear Jack: You Bought a Poop Emoji Hat… and You’re Very Proud of It!

Not to mention, Poopy has made an appearance in your artwork at school. Not only did you do a profile picture of Poopy, but you also drew one of your classmates- with Poopy instead of the girl’s actual head.

Dear Jack: You Bought a Poop Emoji Hat… and You’re Very Proud of It!

She apparently liked your work. I’m almost surprised you didn’t tell me that other friends at school requested you to draw them with Poopy heads as well!

Love,

Daddy