family

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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 Holly: The Backyard Swings

8 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

Exactly a year ago, our family spent Spring Vacation by coming down here to this house we just bought in Alabama, to begin doing renovations.

I believe it was then that Mommy first recognized the tree on the edge of our property and said, “Oh, Papa needs to help us put up a swing on that tree. That would be so much fun.”

As of this month, we now not only have a commercial grade swing, but also a rope swing, hanging from that tree.

It has been nice to see how our family naturally ends up there on the swings.

Mommy made a good call about that tree.

 

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Jack: You are Currently about 5′ 3″

14 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

When we bought you new shoes to begin your 8th grade school year, I learned that you officially have a larger shoe size than me. And since then, you have continued growing taller.

I don’t think I grew after the 8th grade. I’m pretty sure I’ve been 5′ 9″ since 1995.

You were curious enough this weekend for me to measure you. Looks like you are currently a little over 5′ 3″.

But if your shoe size is already size 10, it seems like by the time you are finished growing, there’s a decent chance you will end up being at least a little taller than me.

We’ll know for sure in a few more years.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Our 1st Time Hosting a Super Bowl Party at Our House in Alabama

14 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

A week before the Super Bowl this year, we realized we didn’t actually have plans. So we solved that problem by hosting a small party at our house this year.

This is something we have never done before!

But it came together quite effortlessly.

The only real challenge was figuring out how to watch the Super Bowl on our TV. You heard Mommy and I discussing it. Less than two minutes later, you walked over to us and announced, “Okay, I set it up now.

You mumbled something about downloading an app on our TV, then creating a login and password… I think.

It’s convenient having a 14 year-old boy around!

As for the Super Bowl, your favorite part was watching Kendrick Lamar perform at the Halftime Show. Afterwards, you slept through the second half of the game.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Making a Resin Craft for Your Sister

14 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

You had seen some videos about people making tables out of resin. So to try it out on a much smaller scale first, you ordered a kit online.

From my perspective, it looked like you were conducting a science experiment at the kitchen table; like you used to for so much of your childhood.

(These pictures of you from nearly a decade ago, when you were 4 years old, clearly demonstrate this.)

Turns out, your resin project attracted an audience: Your sister had a front row seat for the entertainment.

And you totally made her day when you let her customize of the resin potholders with “golden flakes” and then you let her keep it for herself.

Nicely done.

Love,

Daddy