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Dear Holly: You Took Good Care of Your Doll June on Our California Trip

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

As we packed for our week-long family trip to Sacramento, you made sure that your doll June had everything she needed.

Not just for the time we would be spending in California, but also for the 4 and a half hour flight there.

What we weren’t expecting was a 5 hour delay at the Nashville airport after we checked into our gate.

But you made sure June was well taken care of as we had some mandatory chill out time, waiting for the plane part to be flown in from Chicago.

We survived!

Not to mention, we received an $800 voucher for our next flight with Southwest.

I wonder if June will be making that trip too?

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Throwing Water Balloons at the 4th of July Parade

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

Last week for July 4th, our family was visiting Grandma in California. We had never been there before on that holiday to see their Walnut Grove community parade.

We were invited to hang out with some of Grandma’s friends in their yard for the festivities.

I was very surprised and confused to see Grandma’s neighbors pull out a bucket of water balloons and water guns to attack the participants in the parade.

You and your brother were encouraged to proactively attack the people in the parade floats as they drove by the house.

Granted, they were prepared for battle as well. The fire trucks even used their hose to soak everyone!

It was a one of a kind experience!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Got to Ride in a Hot Rod for the 4th of July!

12 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week, I would say you had a dream come true: You were invited to ride in a hot rod on the 4th of July!

As we were setting up our lawn chairs in Grandma’s neighbors’ driveway, you couldn’t help but notice the festive classic car parked out front.

It didn’t take the neighbor long to realize you are as crazy about cars as he is, so he decided to drive you around the block, right before the parade started.

For you, it was a whole lot better than actually being in the parade!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: I Can’t Slow Down Time, Any More Than I Already Am

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

If anyone has been the most prepared and was made the most aware that “kids go up so fast” before they became a parent, it was me.

For both you and your brother, I have been writing at least one letter to you each, since several months before you both were born.

I have made a point to take as many pictures as I could and document a particular story that best served as a highlight for your childhood development that week.

Yet still, that doesn’t slow things down. It’s my feeble attempt at sort of freezing real life happening right in front of me.

I do my best. I do everything I can to celebrate your life every day; to not take you or your brother for granted.

I cherish our morning routine of pushing you in the stroller on my daily three mile walk; only stopping to let you see if there are any good children’s books available in the tiny “give a book, take a book” community libraries in each neighborhood we pass.

It’s memories like that… I will always hold on to.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Now Join Me at the Actual Barbershop

12 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

When it comes to getting our haircuts, you and I have always done things together.

Back when you were a toddler, I buzzed off your hair myself, as I did the same on mine.

For most of your life though, we would go to Great Clips together.

But recently, I decided I was worth it: It was time for me to start going to an actual barber.

It was no surprise to me when Mommy told me that you wanted to start going with me to my personal barber, Leo.

You are so proud to be going to the real deal now.

Love,

Daddy