Storytelling

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Dear Jack: Seeking Danger at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week on our way down to Naples for our family summer vacation, Mommy set us up with a visit to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa.

Your favorite part was getting to check out all the most dangerous animals there, starting out with the crocodile; who apparently decided to swim up and have his photo made with you.

When it came time for the jellyfish, you actually got to pet some of them. Even now, I’m not sure how that works without you getting stung!

Same thing with the stingray!

And though it wasn’t necessarily dangerous, you and I both kept laughing when we saw some weird fish with teeth that looked human!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You are an Amazing Sculptor!

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

In the sporadic weeks of this summer like this one, when you’re not doing a camp or on vacation, it’s up to you to find fun creative ways to keep yourself entertained; as Mommy and I work full-time from home.

You took it upon yourself to train with some YouTube videos on how to carve clay sculptures, and then with my assistance, to put them in the oven to preserve them.

I am so amazed at your talent. And again, you taught yourself how to do this!

You are seriously considering my idea of making a small business out of this for your upcoming school year.

I could see your classmates wanting to buy these hand-carved sculptures as keychains to put on their backpacks!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your New Day Bed!

6 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

You have been very excited this week because you now have a brand-new day bed, to replace your smaller older one that we got you two years ago when you started Pre-K.

So now, you have an even bigger bed, and one that has another roll-out bed underneath it!

It took Mommy and me three days to put it to together- and when I say “Mommy and me”, what I really should say is “mostly Mommy”… because I am not mechanical-minded at all!

Your new bed is so comfortable. I look forward to taking a nap on it sometime soon!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Very Interactive “Daddy Puppet”

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

On Father’s Day at church this week, the craft was to make a puppet out of a paper bag to look like your Daddy.

Turns out, in the likeness of Forky in Toy Story 4, the Daddy puppet came alive the moment you created him!

So for all this week, you have been following me around ,with your hand activating the Daddy puppet, having him mimic my every move:

Whether I’m making dinner, mumbling to myself, or working!

You happened to be sitting in my lap as I was finishing up my final phone call of the day.

“Goodbye, Frank!” I said.

Needless to say, there was an immediate echo of “Goodbye, Frank!” – but this time, in the voice of a 6 year-old girl trying to sound like a 41 year-old man!

And yes, Frank heard you.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Turns Out, I Do Have FOMO After All…

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

When it comes to “FOMO” (fear of missing out), I typically can’t relate. In most cases, I have JOMO instead: I have joy of missing out.

I usually am so relieved when plans get cancelled. Most people have major trouble believing me when I say I truly am an introvert, but it’s true: I love not having to go do the thing, whatever the thing is- if it involves driving more than 5 minutes, waiting in line, or being in a crowd of people.

But when it comes to being involved in your life and your sister’s, I totally have fear of missing out. I just realized that this week.

It makes sense now why I have faithfully written you and your sister every week of your lives. I see now that it’s my way of being involved as I can in your lives; to always have a souvenir of what we experienced together that week.

 

Love,

Daddy