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Dear Jack: You Eat 4 Eggs and 3 Potatoes Every Day After School

14 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

For nearly a month now, Mommy and I have been providing your “after school snack”,  the moment you get home from school each day:

She bakes you three potatoes and I fry you four eggs. And you eat it all, every time.

I am so happy that you are choosing a daily ritual that includes a healthy amount of protein and fiber.

Maybe this means you’re growing out of your childhood cuisine of pasta and cheese, cheese pizza, and grilled cheese.

I think it’s that your body is growing so much right now, you instinctively are craving food that has more substance and nutrition to it.

So I am happy to help cook for you!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Being the Official Entertainment of Sleepovers

14 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

You have made it clear that I have a reputation, as a dad, of being extremely strict when it comes to bedtime routine at our house. (That’s something I am very proud of!)

I’m all about having fun and experiencing adventure during daylight hours, but once the sun starts going down… it’s time to settle down.

But, hey… when I’m not there with you, I don’t care what time you go to sleep or how rowdy you get! Not my problem.

And that is exactly how I felt as Nonna sent me photos of you, your sister, and your cousin at their house while Mommy and I went away for a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago.

I was happy for all of you! You definitely served as the entertainment, making the sleepover even more exciting for your sister and cousin.

So much for setting down that night.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: What You Do at Sleepovers as a 9 Year-Old

9 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

I am still not over the fact that Mommy and I are at the point in life where she and I can just go away for a weekend, leaving you and your brother at Nonna and Papa’s… and it’s totally okay with everybody!

And it helps even more that your cousin Darla joined in at your most recent sleepover, ensuring that there would be nonstop 9 year-old activities the whole time!

Of course, much of it revolves around your collection of dolls… as the event becomes “the dolls’ sleepover” perhaps more than your own, as you perceive it.

I love it that we live in the same state as family now!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Working on Your Mechanic Skills

14 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

It is pretty typical that you go drive your side-by-side vehicle after school, to return by dinner.

A few weeks ago when you got back to the house, you casually announced, “I flipped it. One of the parts broke. I was able to turn it back up on its wheels and then I had to push it home.”

We thought you were joking.

Fortunately, you barely had a scratch on you. Not only were you okay, but the new parts (a steering tire rod and hubcap) only cost about $60. (I was expecting the wreck to have caused hundreds of dollars in damage.)

With some help from Papa, the new parts have now been installed and you are actually out driving right now as I write this.

Now… no more flipping it over!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: How You Resemble Your Brother in Appearance

9 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Yesterday your school pictures came in the mail, along with your brother’s pictures. Mommy had set your pictures right next to each other on the kitchen table.

I never really think about it, but by seeing your photos together like that, I realized, “Oh, my kids really do look a lot alike.”

You both have the same caramel colored hair; with hints of red and blonde.

And you both have the same almond-shaped eyes that could cause a person to wonder: “Is their mom Asian?” (Some of your brother’s football teammates asked him if his mom was Asian last year when they saw her at one of the games.)

I see the similarity in the way you both smile as well.

To me, your bother resembles Mommy more and you resemble me more.

As I look at these two pictures, I think, “Wow, these are my kids. I’m one lucky guy.”

Love,

Daddy