family

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Dear Jack: Your Graduation to Middle School

11 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

This was a big week for you. Your school held a very special graduation ceremony for all the 5th grade classes, celebrating the past 6 years of elementary school, while sending you off with excitement to middle school.

You took it upon yourself to wear your snazzy bowtie for this special occasion!

I tried, but there has been nothing I could do to help live in the moment any more than I have, as I’ve watched you grow up these past 11 and a half years.

The best I could do has been to write to you every single week of your life, to capture a glimpse of what was going on so that our family would be able to revisit.

You are growing up. And I couldn’t be prouder of you.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: When Mommy Joined You for Taekwondo

11 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

This past Saturday at Taekwondo, all the moms were invited to join in on the action; a special event the day before Mother’s Day.

I admit, I had the impression it would just be a somewhat easygoing event.

But then I saw the picture of Mommy breaking a board for the first (and last?) time in her life. She made it look easy, though.

Fortunately, she had you there to hold the board steady in place for her.

You started Taekwondo at the beginning of this school year- and now here you are, still at it strong, at the end of the school year.

Nice work!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Helping Your Sister with Her Birthday Legos

11 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

One of the birthday gifts Mommy and I got for your sister was a Lego Friends set, featuring two girls, an elephant, and a purple Jeep.

The set clearly says it’s designed for ages 6 and older, but why would your sister bother building the thing, when she has you?

Granted, you didn’t mind at all, volunteering for the job once we sensed that she was feeling a little intimidated by the construction project ahead of her.

I am proud to see you step up to help her like you do. And I’m seeing it more often now than ever before.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You and Nonna Still Love Coloring Together

5 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

I know this can’t be the first time I’ve mentioned this, because it seems so familiar. But when you and Nonna are together, the two of you have a tradition of doing coloring books.

This past weekend while your brother and Papa were outside catching crawdads, you and Nonna spent the same amount of time inside coloring.

It is quite on common in the morning before school, like today, you will announce to me: “Daddy, I am going upstairs to work on my pictures.”

You’re really good about taking it upon yourself to enroll in quiet and creative activities!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Wore Your Tutu on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

5 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

This past Tuesday was a very special day at your school. The date was 2-22-22. That’s a lot of two’s if you also counting the “tue” in Tuesday!

So at your school, all the girls were invited to wear tutus to celebrate the very special day.

Mommy had to drive into Nashville that morning, so it was actually me who got you all dressed that morning.

That happened to be the same day that your brother his business day at school, as he role played as the CEO of Dollar General.

So both of you had a reason to dress special on Tuesday, 2-22-22!

Love,

Daddy