Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Your 1st Overnight at a Friend’s House

10 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Despite you spending a week at a time out at Nonna and Papa’s house 3 hours away in Alabama multiple times now, you had never spent the night at a friend’s house… until this past weekend.

With as much time as you’ve been spending with your friend Landon over the past month or so, including his entire family driving down to Alabama for my 40th birthday party, we’ve definitely got to a certain level of comfort where it made sense to say yes when you asked if you could spend the night at his house.

Needless to say, it was a success.

This is a milestone in you growing up!

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Your Preschool Graduation!

5 years.

For most of your life, and definitely for all of your life you can actually remember, you have been enrolled at the same Christian preschool.

That means teachers who were your teachers when you were an infant have watched you grow into a 5 year-old girl.

Many members of the staff have made a point to tell me how much they are going to miss you once you leave for Kindergarten in a couple months.

Tonight, Mommy and I attended your official preschool graduation. We are so proud of you!

While it is a bit sad to think how you are old enough to be leaving preschool, I know you are going to love moving up to Kindergarten!

 

 

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Your Final Week of 4th Grade

10 and a half years!

This week as you turn 10 and a half years old, it coincides with your final week of the 4th grade. Hopefully, this will be the last time you have to spend an entire school year wearing a mask!

All the parents were invited to spend time with our 4th graders at a graduation picnic at your school’s playground.

I brought the football I keep in the Jeep and we played catch out in the field. Mommy and I staggered it to where she showed up right about the time I was leaving.

Next year is your final year of elementary school! It will be the only year you and your sister are at the same school; as she will starting Kindergarten.

You are growing up!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling

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

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: A Day at the Lake, in Our Front Yard

5 years.

Dear Holly,

What happens when Mommy runs out for errand on a Saturday afternoon and I stay home with you and your brother?

I never know… it typically is something random that I wouldn’t necessarily plan for the two of you.

This particular most recent time, it ended up being you wearing a life vest and holding on to a little boogie board, while your brother chased you down with his new water gun.

So basically, it was like a Saturday afternoon at the lake… only the lake happened to be the cul-de-sac connected to our driveway.

 

Love,

Daddy