Dear Holly: Hiking to the Secret Cabin in the Woods!

5 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

I’m so glad our family was able to go back to Big Canoe, Georgia. And this time, I got to take my Jeep- and take it out on the Jeep trail near our cabin we stayed in.

Halfway through the Jeep trail there is a very old cabin that we got to explore.

You loved it! And you loved Disharoon Creek that flowed right in front of it.

I think one of your favorite parts of our trip was hiking and exploring around the cabin with me.

It is my hope that as you get older, you and I can become hiking buddies.

I always loved hiking and exploring in the words.

That’s one of the traits you got from me- that, and not eating bread or popcorn!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your Father’s Day Picture of Me

5 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

I was very proud to receive a picture you colored of me for Father’s Day, that you made at school.

Your teacher had you fill in some blanks about me.

I love your perception of me; like how my pockets are full of money and how said you like the way I make you mac-and-cheese.

And that my favorite food is “pasta with hot sauce”… even though what you are actually watching me eat each night with dinner is sauerkraut with hot sauce.

But my favorite thing is what you said I always say:

“I can plan with you.”

And that’s true. I don’t want to ever miss an opportunity to stop what I’m doing, to spend time having fun with you!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Your Week of Coding Camp

10 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week you got to spend a whole week at Coding Camp, where you learned some skills in how to program computer games; from behind the scenes.

It was really cool how you were able to come home each night and log in to your laptop to show Mommy and me some of the games that you created and customized.

“Coding” wasn’t really a thing back when I was your age- at least not in a capacity where a 10 year-old could easily learn how to do it at camp.

Like I always say, you’re a very smart boy. I’m sure you’ll take what you are learning now and apply it to your future career.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Picking Out Your Flower Girl Dress!

5 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

Last weekend was very special, following your preschool graduation.

Our friend Kaylie is getting married this fall and has selected you to be the flower girl for her upcoming wedding in Indiana.

So she drove down 5 hours to spend the weekend with our family in Tennessee, during which we all went to David’s Bridal to pick out and purchase your flower girl dress.

You tried on 3 different dresses, but you ended up going with the first one; which I knew you would… because it’s a shade of light pink.

Kaylie even got you cool sunglasses to match!

I am really looking forward to seeing you in action as the flower girl this September.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: You Now Bike Over to Your Friend’s House Everyday After School

10 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

I feel like my generation, The Oregon Trail Generation (in between Generation X and Millennials), was the last generation to be able to freely roam around as kids, while our parents didn’t really know where we were… until we drove our bikes back in time for dinner.

But now, as you are about to finish 4th grade, you are officially at the point where when you get off the bus after school, you now come in, grab a snack, then bike over to your friend Landon’s house until it’s time for dinner.

And he doesn’t simply live down the street. He technically lives two neighborhoods beyond ours.

I bought you a digital watch with an alarm, to alert you when it’s time to come back home for dinner.

You are growing up!

 

Love,

Daddy