Storytelling

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Dear Holly: Our Whole Finally Joined the Christmas Parade!

8 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

Apparently the plan was for you and your brother to ride with Nonna and Papa in the Christmas parade last Friday, as Papa is part of the local Jeep club.

But the night before, there was so much logistical planning involved. I explained to Mommy, “Okay, so before the parade starts, we need to park one of our cars on one side of the town to pick up the kids once the parade is over, so we can easily get to the kids to take them home. It’s going to be so cold and they will already be outside for so long already.”

She simply responded, “Do we all just want to be the parade?”

And that is how our whole family ended up throwing candy in the Fort Payne Christmas parade. I feel confident that we have now begun a new Christmas family tradition here on our first Christmas as a family in Alabama.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Earning Money to Afford a PS5

14 years old.

Dear Jack,

You have your sights set on getting a “PS5″… a PlayStation 5, that is.

It’s interesting to think how you have never actually owned a video game system; your entire life. You’ve just always played games on your tablet or phone.

Granted, at $400, a PlayStation 5 is a lot to ask for. Fortunately, Nonna and Papa have been hiring you on the weekends to help them keep bugs, mold, and moisture out of the house.

Maybe you’ll afford that PS5 sooner than later…

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Hanging Out at Our House after the Thanksgiving Meal

8 years, 7 months.

 

Dear Holly,

As I came across more photos from Thanksgiving Day at our house, what stood out to me was how we all had a space to just casually hang out for the afternoon after the big meal.

You and your cousin Darla spent most of the time “selling” things from your bedroom, using the cash registers with credit card readers you made.

Meanwhile, those of us in our 40s played old school Nintendo games.

I’m still not over the fact that we don’t have to drive three hours across state lines with Christmas gifts, after having worked all week; in order to be with everyone at Thanksgiving.

It’s just easier to be thankful at Thanksgiving now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You are Now Entering Your Skateboarding Phase

14 years old. 

Dear Jack,

And just like that, your football days are in the rearview mirror and now you have officially entered your skateboarding phase.

Suddenly now all your jeans are baggy skateboarding jeans and your shoes are skateboarding shoes.

To make it official, you spent your own money to buy your very own skateboard.

The very day you got it, you skated over to Uncle Andrew and Aunt Dana’s house. With their house under renovation, they temporarily have plenty of smooth concrete poured.

Perfect timing.

And for the record, about 30 years ago, I entered my skateboarding phase too.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our 1st Alabama Thanksgiving was a Success!

8 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

It’s unanimous:

Our family’s first time hosting Thanksgiving here in Alabama was a success!

We had a total of 15 people at our home- and we all actually fit in the kitchen for the Thanksgiving meal.

With it being a collaboration for the food, it wasn’t all on us to feed everyone. Hosting Thanksgiving is not bad at all. I truly enjoyed sharing our home with family.

It’s funny how not stressful Thanksgiving is when we’re not having to drive three hours to get there and then not sleep in our own beds.

So, yeah… I think we officially made Thanksgiving great again.

 

Love,

Daddy