Dear Jack: Your 1st Birthday Gift for Your 13th Birthday a Week from Today

12 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

Exactly one week from today, you will became a teenager! You were so excited to be able to “open” your first birthday gift: A brand-new mountain bike from Nonna and Papa!

It’s actually been several years since you’ve gotten a new bicyle. A few years ago when you outgrew your old one, I happened to be taking my morning walk and found a bike that was put out next to the garbage for pick-up.

That became your bike for these past few years, until you decided to rebuild it with some parts of your sister’s outgrown bike earlier this year.

But here recently, as you’ve been going fishing to the creek about a half a mile from our house, it has been difficult for you to drive that silly bike there with your fishing gear.

As for this week, you have been able to enjoy riding your new mountain bike to go fishing.

It is such a perfect gift for you for your 13th birthday!

 

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Proof You’re Doing a Good Job of Brushing Your Teeth on Your Own

7 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

We are now several months into me not helping nor supervising you brushing your teeth in the morning and at night.

This goes alongside your new habit of eating sugary cereal for breakfast most mornings, like Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries.

Well, this morning before school, Mommy took you your dentist visit for teeth cleaning and a check-up.

The report: No cavities!

This serves as great confirmation that you are truly doing a solid job of brushing your teeth, while still being able to enjoy fun, silly cereal for breakfast every morning.

I am happy for you… and relieved!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: You Won “Best Costume” at Mommy’s Halloween Office Party

7 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

There has been a lot of hype this year leading up to your Halloween costume.

Because it wasn’t just about your costume; it was also ensuring that your doll June had a costume to match yours!

Your careful planning paid off, because at Mommy’s Halloween office party, you were voted “Best Costume” by everyone there!

Not only did you get some major bragging rights, but you also got a $15 gift card for Barnes & Noble.

Good thing June came along with us. I know she had a fun time there at the party with everyone!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Your Final Halloween as a “Kid”

12 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

In two weeks, you will be turning 13 years old. For Halloween this year, I have been very mindful that, for what it’s worth, this is your final Halloween as a “kid”.

Despite your proximity to being a cool teenager, you were definitely were not too cool for the Halloween activities our family participated in this week.

You truly enjoyed picking out your monkey costume and wearing it to Mommy’s work party and for trick-or-treating.

It was probably the coldest Halloween this year.

After Mommy and your sister turned around and walked back home because of the cold, you decided you wanted to keep on going.

I walked with you another 45 minutes or so.

It was so cold, my throat is still sore from it.

But it was worth it.

 

 

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Playing Bongos at Uncle Tom’s Bob Marley Party

7 and a half years old.

Dear Holly,

I am so glad that Uncle Tom and Aunt Jen were able to plan their Bob Marley party around your week of Fall Break.

You kept making your rounds to the bongo drums, getting as much practice as you could; even when no one else was around to see it.

It was a chilly week back home in Tennessee, but in Naples where we were, it was definitely warm enough that you and your brother had plenty of time to swim in the pool.

And that includes when we arrived from the airport around midnight!

What a perfect way to spend Fall Break.

 

Love,

Daddy