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Dear Jack: Being the Official Entertainment of Sleepovers

14 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

You have made it clear that I have a reputation, as a dad, of being extremely strict when it comes to bedtime routine at our house. (That’s something I am very proud of!)

I’m all about having fun and experiencing adventure during daylight hours, but once the sun starts going down… it’s time to settle down.

But, hey… when I’m not there with you, I don’t care what time you go to sleep or how rowdy you get! Not my problem.

And that is exactly how I felt as Nonna sent me photos of you, your sister, and your cousin at their house while Mommy and I went away for a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago.

I was happy for all of you! You definitely served as the entertainment, making the sleepover even more exciting for your sister and cousin.

So much for setting down that night.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Buying Your First Car

14 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

This week you turned 14 and a half years old. And, this week, you bought your first car!

Your dream car for so long now has been “an early 90s Mazda Miata”.

That was exactly what was available, thanks to an estate sale this week.

Mommy and I had money set aside for when this time would come. We got an amazing deal on it. Not to mention, it only has 75,000 miles for a 1991!

We always pictured you and Papa working on your first car together in his shop. It makes it even better that we actually live here now.

I am so happy for you and I am so proud to have a front row seat for this momentous occasion!

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Holly: Saturday Morning Flowers

8 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

Last Saturday morning, right after we returned from our family vacation to Florida for Spring Break, Mommy found out about a place she wanted to go where “you pick your own flowers”.

No further questions were necessary. All I knew is that I would be driving my wife and daughter there to Moonflower Farms.

You and Mommy had so much fun picking flowers, while I had fun taking pictures of you both.

There were also local vendors with booths set up all around us. At one point, I heard Mommy tell you, “Ask Daddy. See what he says.”

You had found a handcrafted bracelet with a turtle on it that you wanted.

Like I was going to say no…

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You are Now Entering Your Skateboarding Phase

14 years old. 

Dear Jack,

And just like that, your football days are in the rearview mirror and now you have officially entered your skateboarding phase.

Suddenly now all your jeans are baggy skateboarding jeans and your shoes are skateboarding shoes.

To make it official, you spent your own money to buy your very own skateboard.

The very day you got it, you skated over to Uncle Andrew and Aunt Dana’s house. With their house under renovation, they temporarily have plenty of smooth concrete poured.

Perfect timing.

And for the record, about 30 years ago, I entered my skateboarding phase too.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our 1st Alabama Thanksgiving was a Success!

8 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

It’s unanimous:

Our family’s first time hosting Thanksgiving here in Alabama was a success!

We had a total of 15 people at our home- and we all actually fit in the kitchen for the Thanksgiving meal.

With it being a collaboration for the food, it wasn’t all on us to feed everyone. Hosting Thanksgiving is not bad at all. I truly enjoyed sharing our home with family.

It’s funny how not stressful Thanksgiving is when we’re not having to drive three hours to get there and then not sleep in our own beds.

So, yeah… I think we officially made Thanksgiving great again.

 

Love,

Daddy