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Dear Jack: Monster Jam 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 2/3)

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 2/3)

Dear Jack,

The next stop of our Weekend of Manliness! was Monster Jam in downtown Nashville. We loaded up in my salty and dusty 2004 Honda Element (which doesn’t even have cruise control) and made our way through 40 miles of country roads and interstate to the Bridgestone Arena.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

We thoroughly enjoyed seeing Monster Jam this past summer at Nissan Stadium when Papa was in town. Fortunately, we got to see those monster trucks just 6 months later- this time along with their dune buggy and ATV counterparts!

I have to say; there is definitely something therapeutic about two guys- a father and son– sitting up in the nosebleeds watching beastly trucks fly into the air. It was like we were sitting on top of the world, watching the monster trucks race around the truck, secretly hoping to see them roll over- especially if it wasn’t one of our favorites, like Zombie or Gravedigger.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 2/3)

During the show, we didn’t have much to say to each other… we didn’t need to. For us, watching the monster trucks at Monster Jam, over these past 3 years I’ve been taking you to Monster Jam, has become like seeing art.

We soak it in. We appreciate it. We become one with the monster truck experience.

As I expected, the moment we got home that day, you immediately ran upstairs and got your toy monster trucks. All your indoor playtime then revolved around monster truck competitions: The twist was that your toy dinosaurs got involved and caused some additional chaos.

Dear Jack: Monster Jam 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 2/3)

It’s a given: Boys like monster trucks.

Therefore, it was very important for us to attend Monster Jam as part of our Weekend of Manliness! I was so proud to share that experience with you.

Granted, that wasn’t our last stop on our Weekend of Manliness! tour. After Monster Jam, we made our way to the Green Hills Mall to see what we already knew would be an amazing movie: Rogue One!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Monster Jam 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 2/3)

Weekend of Manliness! January 2017 Series:

1st Snow of 2017

Monster Jam 2017

Rogue One Star Wars

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Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

Dear Jack,

Our Weekend of Manliness! began Friday evening when I got home from work and there was enough snow for us to try out the old sled Nonna gave us when we were in Alabama for Christmas. Fortunately, we happen to live in a great neighborhood for sledding in the snow.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

After all, we do live in Spring Hill, Tennessee. And our town lives up to the name. Not only are there plenty of hills all around, but apparently there are also plenty of springs as well- because it was no challenge finding new places to explore frozen puddles.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

The next morning, on Saturday, I explained to you: “Jack, this is your day. We’ll be going to the monster truck show and the new Star Wars movie later, but what else do you want to do today?”

You instantly responded: “I want to go back in the snow!”

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

So we did. Even though I told you we’d only be out there no more than 30 minutes, we ended up staying out there an hour and 15 minutes. And it was awesome!

Fortunately, the sun start coming out to help our endurance.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

In addition to getting to sled down every hill we found in our neighborhood, you also made it your personal mission to attempt to crack all the ice you could by jumping on it- and then eventually, by having me throw heavy stones on the ice.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

Because it was so cold, and because I made sure all the frozen water we walked on was no deeper than 6 inches deep, the ice was extremely thick- and therefore, quite challenging to burst through.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

Undeniably, our Weekend of Manliness! was off to a great start. Our snow and ice adventures couldn’t have been appreciated by the likes of Mommy, who isn’t used to the cold since she’s from California- or by your 8 month-old sister, who is constantly catching and fighting sicknesses as she is naturally building up her immune system.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

No, this was clearly a job for the boys.

Had I realized a month ago what all would have occurred, I would have reached out to Toyota or Lexus and got us a vehicle to feature each part of Weekend of Manliness! But I didn’t know the awesome baby blizzard was coming, that we would see Rogue One, or that we’d be going to Monster Jam until it was too late to get us a manly and adventurous Toyota or Lexus to match the energy of the father and son duo.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

So instead, we settled for my 2004 Honda Element, which I’ve officially owned 11 years as of this month; and have had paid off for 10 years.

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

Now it was time to make the 40 mile drive to downtown Nashville for Monster Jam…

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: 1st Snow of 2017 (Weekend of Manliness! in a 2004 Honda Element, Part 1/3)

Weekend of Manliness! January 2017 Series:

1st Snow of 2017

Monster Jam 2017

Rogue One Star Wars

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Dear Holly: In Sickness and in Health

8 months.

Dear Holly: In Sickness and in Health

Dear Holly,

I have to accept that you’re simply in that stage of life right now where you’re ultimately building immunity to sicknesses- in other words, you’re getting sick a lot these days.

Really though, I’d prefer for you to just to get it all out of the way now, while you’re still a baby.

As a parent, this is one of the most anxious stages of raising a child. Since Mommy and I both work full time, there are only so many sick days and vacation days we can take turns using to stay home with you when you can’t go to daycare.

Mommy and I both worked the New Year’s Holiday this year, while Nonna and Papa watched you, so we can help rebuild our dwindling pool of sick and vacation days.

Of course, there’s obviously some irony in there. We work so hard to provide for you, yet we have to keep you in daycare- but then when you get sick, we actually get to spend all day with you, not working- while we care for you in your sickness.

I have this theory that because it’s been such a warm winter so far, that it creates an environment for sickness to abound. So maybe I welcome the cold, the ice, the snow.

The sad thing is I can’t remember the last time you weren’t either sick, recovering from being sick, or about to get sick again. In the midst of adding new viruses and illnesses to your collection, it’s as if you don’t know what it’s like to be normal… to not be sick.

Yet still, you are the same smiley little baby girl- who, might I add, is really enjoying crawling these days. It’s like you’re a cute little puppy who follows us around.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You’re an Independent & Confident Boy Raised by Independent & Confident Parents

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack: You’re an Independent & Confident Boy Raised by Independent & Confident Parents

Dear Jack,

All last week you were 3 hours away, staying at Nonna and Papa’s house in Alabama for Christmas break. When Mommy and I left you there the day after Christmas, there was no emotional, dramatic goodbye. It wasn’t really any different than when I drop you off at school each morning.

You weren’t worried. I say that’s because you’re an independent, confident boy.

I don’t believe you simply were born that way. I don’t believe that it’s simply your personality.

Instead, I take partial credit for it. And I give the rest of the credit to Mommy.

Both Mommy and I are independent and confident people. So naturally, we are going to proactively raise children who are the same.

Dear Jack: You’re an Independent & Confident Boy Raised by Independent & Confident Parents

I can’t say I was always this way. I feel like I’ve always been confident and believed in myself, but becoming independent was an evolving process for me.

When I was your age, I wouldn’t have been okay with spending the night away from my own parents; especially not 3 hours away!

In fact, the first time I remember spending the night at a grandparent’s house was when I was 8 years-old, and it was just 5 miles down the road.

I think it was actually a really good thing that I was 29 and a half when you were born. Had I only been in my early or mid-twenties, you would have turned out differently; I’m sure of it.

But because I had finally gained much of the maturity I needed by the time you were born, I was more prepared by life experience to raise you.

Therefore, you are not anxious or nervous to leave Mommy and I when we drop you off at places. I just wasn’t that way when I was your age.

I am so proud though that you are.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your 1st Christmas (A Very Warm One)

8 months.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Christmas (A Very Warm One)

Dear Holly,

With all the Christmas music I’ve been hearing for the past month, I realized just how Christmas-themed your name is. It’s hard to find a song without either the word “holly” or “joy” in it. I suppose it will always be too tempting for Mommy and me to say “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” on our Christmas cards.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Christmas (A Very Warm One)

However, it would be difficult to fit your brother into that theme, as Jack has more of a natural Halloween theme.

Your brother’s first Christmas, 6 years ago, was filled with snow. However, yours was sunny and in the lower 70’s. And obviously you were more aware of what was going on for your first Christmas, as you turned 8 months old on Christmas Eve; whereas your brother was only a month old on his first Christmas.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Christmas (A Very Warm One)

Therefore, you weren’t simply a newborn baby who was completely unaware of the glory of Christmas. Instead, you were a very aware little girl who learned to crawl just in time for extra fun!

While your brother obviously helped you unwrap your gifts, and took pride in doing so, you undeniably loved being able to savor the surprise of each new gift box that was placed in front of you.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Christmas (A Very Warm One) h6

The main gift Mommy and I bought you is a ball pit just big enough for you for play in. We also got you a picnic play set as well.

You loved all your gifts. I’m really looking forward to helping you play with them; especially as Mommy prepares dinner each evening while my role is to entertain you.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Christmas (A Very Warm One)

I know that you can be just as easily occupied by playing with a Rubbermaid container on the kitchen floor. I realize and admit that so much of the fun of giving an 8 month-old little girl an array of age-appropriate toys for Christmas is getting to see your cute reactions to them.

But I’m okay with that.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your 1st Christmas (A Very Warm One)