family

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Dear Jack: Christmas Cookies

14 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

I had no expectations of you joining Mommy and your sister in making Christmas cookies this year. I figured that surely you had outgrown such an activity at this point.

But since our family’s move to Alabama this year, one of the things I officially learned about you is that traditions play an extremely important role in your life.

So when it was time to start making Christmas cookies, you definitely showed up to participate.

Granted, you put your personal spin on the tradition by veering away from using the standard cookie cutters we had and instead customizing the shapes yourself.

Some of them were even 3-D.

They may look different from the other cookies, but I know for a fact you didn’t change the recipe of your cookies.

So at least all the cookies taste the same.

All I care about is that you had fun participating in a family tradition. Though actually, my only contribution was taking pictures of the event!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Whole Finally Joined the Christmas Parade!

8 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

Apparently the plan was for you and your brother to ride with Nonna and Papa in the Christmas parade last Friday, as Papa is part of the local Jeep club.

But the night before, there was so much logistical planning involved. I explained to Mommy, “Okay, so before the parade starts, we need to park one of our cars on one side of the town to pick up the kids once the parade is over, so we can easily get to the kids to take them home. It’s going to be so cold and they will already be outside for so long already.”

She simply responded, “Do we all just want to be the parade?”

And that is how our whole family ended up throwing candy in the Fort Payne Christmas parade. I feel confident that we have now begun a new Christmas family tradition here on our first Christmas as a family in Alabama.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Hanging Out at Our House after the Thanksgiving Meal

8 years, 7 months.

 

Dear Holly,

As I came across more photos from Thanksgiving Day at our house, what stood out to me was how we all had a space to just casually hang out for the afternoon after the big meal.

You and your cousin Darla spent most of the time “selling” things from your bedroom, using the cash registers with credit card readers you made.

Meanwhile, those of us in our 40s played old school Nintendo games.

I’m still not over the fact that we don’t have to drive three hours across state lines with Christmas gifts, after having worked all week; in order to be with everyone at Thanksgiving.

It’s just easier to be thankful at Thanksgiving now.

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

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Dear Holly: You are the Helper and the Host

8 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

Both for your brother’s recent birthday dinner as well as our big Thanksgiving dinner at our house coming up today, you assigned yourself the task of setting the table and assigning everyone’s places at the table.

This is particularly interesting to me, as this year I have pinpointed exactly which Enneagram each person in our family is. As an Enneagram 2 Wing 3, yours is referred to as “The Hostess”.

As your Daddy, you truly make it so easy to adore you. I love your gentle and kind spirit. I love how you are always aware of others’ needs.

You are so special to me.

Love,

Daddy