family

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Dear Holly: You Helped Mommy Repaint Our Backyard Sign

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

We have always talked as a family about the idea of buying one of those giant metal chickens for our backyard. This past weekend, we settled for two lifesize metal chickens instead.

After we set them up in the backyard, Mommy decided our sign that hanging up on the fence needed to be repainted, since the words had completed faded. They originally read, “This is My Happy Place.”

Our backyard has now had a little makeover. We can enjoy it for about another week… until the mosquitoes and humidity make it too miserable to be outside in Tennessee for the rest of the summer.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Like My Jeep in the Summertime

12 and a half years.

Dear Jack,

It is understood that during the months when the weather is cold, I am in the only one who is ever in my Jeep. Our family only rides in Mommy’s Equinox during the school year.

But once it gets warm enough outside to take the front panels off the top of my Jeep, suddenly everyone wants me to drive wherever we go.

And that’s how I know summer has officially begun. Because this past weekend, we took a family drive in my Jeep out in the country.

I have the cool car… until around October, that is.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Graduating 6th Grade on the Honor Roll with All A’s!

12 and a half.

Dear Jack,

Today was your last day of 6th grade.

You did it!

And you did it well, because yesterday, Mommy and I went to go see you win an award for All A’s.

I can tell you for certain that I did not get that award 30 years ago in 1993 when I was in 6th grade.

And though I feel like I say this a lot… it’s one less thing to worry about in life, knowing that my son who is 30 years younger than me is much smarter than I am!

You make Mommy and I so proud.

Now it’s time to have a fun summer!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your Mother’s Day Gift Was Not Wearing Sweatpants to Church?

12 and a half.

Dear Jack,

I reminded our family Saturday night that there would surely be a specific photo opp for Mother’s Day at church the next day.

So Sunday morning, you came downstairs wearing jeans; as opposed to one of the dozen pairs of Nike sweatpants you wear pretty much anytime “pants” are required.

I said out loud, “Jack… you are actually wearing jeans? You never wear jeans. When’s the last year I have seen you wearing jeans?!”

You explained, “That’s my gift to Mommy for Mother’s day: I’m wearing jeans to church, instead of sweatpants.”

Granted, you still wore your Champion “slides” instead of real shoes… but nice effort!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Doing Chores to Earn Souvenirs?

7 years old.

Dear Holly,

Last week while Mommy and I were on vacation in Michigan, Nonna and Papa came up to take care of you and your brother.

While I definitely received many pictures of you playing and having fun, I also got this photo of you helping clean the house.

I am so grateful that you recognize the importance of contributing to chores; especially that you perceive it as fun, to some degree.

Of course, you knew good and well that Mommy and I would be bringing you souvenirs from Traverse City…

So I guess you earned them!

 

Love,

Daddy