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Dear Holly: Yardwork on Christmas Eve

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

You and your cousin Darla decided to join in on the Twins’ 5K Run on Christmas Eve, about a month ago.

Once we all got back to our house, the sun was out, so you both took it upon yourselves to rake up the leaves that had fallen in our front yard; after I did my final mow for the year.

Your brother saw you both working and he decided to help out as well.

It’s little moments like this that remind me… this is what life is all about.

Little memories like this are big memories to me.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Are the Same Height as Mommy Now?

15 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

There’s no way around it. I started noticing around Christmas that in pictures now, you and Mommy appear to be the same height:

5′ 6″.

So now, the new questions become A) when will you outgrow her and B) at what point will you catch up to me, at 5′ 9″?

Assuming it helps, I continue to bake you two baked potatoes and cook you 4 eggs everyday when you get home from school… and then you still eat a full dinner after that.

It appears to be helping!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Brother Seems Nicer to You Now?

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

One of our family’s traditions is to go to Mentone Market for dinner on Saturday nights. Part of that ritual includes us stopping by the Dollar General at the bottom of the mountain on the way home, so that you and your brother and Mommy can get some kind of candy treat.

While we were there, your brother bought a $5 Zen Fountain; conisting of water flowing up through some stones that came with it.

Your brother decided he wanted to add some more stones to it, so he invited you to go on a ride with him in his UTV to the creek to pick out some new rocks.

Once the two of you collected them, you spent the next couple of days working on the Zen Fountain as a project together.

He also is now regularly giving you his toys that he would otherwise give away. Just a few years ago, he was so proud to order these hilarious plush slippers that look like sneakers.

You proudly accepted them as your own now. I love the way the two of you are getting along these days!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Life with Your New Dirt Bike

15 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

You’re one lucky boy. You wanted a dirt bike for Christmas and you got one. Not just any dirt bike, but specifically the one you did all the research on and determined would be the best.

I did have reservations that it might not be exactly what you wanted once it arrived, but fortunately, I was wrong.

It is very clear that this dirt bike is not only important for you in that it gives you the ability to go exploring, but it also means that new friends show up in our driveway to go riding with you.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Getting Yourself Ready for School

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

I’d say around once a month, Mommy has to drive to Nashville for a day or two for work. When that happens, as is the case this week, I am always amazed at your miraculous ability to care for yourself.

Completely on your own initiative without me ever saying a word, you confidently work your way around the kitchen, putting together your lunch and snack for school.

You get dressed and even brush your hair… as if I’m not even in the room.

Ah, but that will all change once Mommy is back on Friday.

Love,

Daddy