family

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Dear Jack: It’s Obvious You Got the Mechanical Gene from Papa

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

There is definitely some irony in me having so little skills in anything mechanical, since Papa raised me. I should be able to rebuild cars, build a treehouse, or do pretty much any kind of handyman work around the house.

However, I’m pretty much useless when it comes to all the amazing skills that I grew up seeing Papa do my while life.

The good news? While that gene completely bypassed me, it went straight to you!

That is evident in this picture that Nonna sent me from this week when you and Papa were building birdhouses.

You speak that language completely. Your life will definitely be easier than mine in that regard!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are the Only One Without a Tan!

6 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

It’s not for a lack of you not being outside in the sun enough. You love being outside. In fact, you accompany me most days on my morning walk; whether you’re walking the two miles alongside me, or whether I’m pulling you in the wagon.

Yet still, in any group, you remained the “untanned” one of the group.

Whether it’s in our family of 4, or among your cousins, or your friends… the sun simply turns you pink at best- or should I say, at worst?

As you like to say, “Daddy, I’m always the brightest one!”

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Seeking Danger at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week on our way down to Naples for our family summer vacation, Mommy set us up with a visit to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa.

Your favorite part was getting to check out all the most dangerous animals there, starting out with the crocodile; who apparently decided to swim up and have his photo made with you.

When it came time for the jellyfish, you actually got to pet some of them. Even now, I’m not sure how that works without you getting stung!

Same thing with the stingray!

And though it wasn’t necessarily dangerous, you and I both kept laughing when we saw some weird fish with teeth that looked human!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your New Day Bed!

6 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

You have been very excited this week because you now have a brand-new day bed, to replace your smaller older one that we got you two years ago when you started Pre-K.

So now, you have an even bigger bed, and one that has another roll-out bed underneath it!

It took Mommy and me three days to put it to together- and when I say “Mommy and me”, what I really should say is “mostly Mommy”… because I am not mechanical-minded at all!

Your new bed is so comfortable. I look forward to taking a nap on it sometime soon!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Visit to the Alpaca Farm

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

A few weekends ago, Mommy set us up with a visit to Mistletoe Farm, where our family was able to hang out with alpacas!

It’s funny to think that a whole farm of alpacas is just down the road from where we live; that though alpacas are animals native to South America, that they can live here in Tennessee as well!

And of course, Mommy and I let you pick out your own little alpaca souvenir to take home, which was made using real alpaca wool from the alpacas we met at the farm that day!

 

Love,

Daddy