Dear Jack: Still Catchin’ Crawdads on a Saturday Afternoon

11 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

As you are now in your final month of Elementary School, I am constantly aware that anytime you do anything that a typical boy would do, it may be the last time you do it- because are you now inching into the Junior High phase.

This past Saturday while Mommy and your sister were out at a birthday party, I offered to do anything you wanted to do.

You chose to go to Harvey Park and catch crawdads.

So with your trusty net and small aquarium, you were able to find quite a few creatures in the couple of hours we spent together.

Other kids in the park were quite impressed!

I am so happy to be in your life.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your 6th Birthday Party!

6 years old.

Dear Holly,

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that you had the most exciting 6th birthday party that you could possibly imagine!

I even heard one of your friends proclaim, “This is the best day of my life!”

And I must say, you were not one bit skeptical or fearful about being launched up in the air on the bungee… or as you explain it: “When I got to fly!”

It makes me so happy to be there with you having so much fun.

I always want the best for you- especially when it comes to getting to experience excitement and adventure with your friends and family!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Because Painting a Basketball is Important When You’re 11

11 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Saturday, we had been planning to go see Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on its opening weekend. It was going to be a day that just you and I spent the day together- and I was also going to take you to my new favorite Asian restaurant near our house.

But the weather was decent, so you and your best friend Landon decided to hang out our at house instead.

And when I say “our house”, I should say, our driveway.

I am not exaggerating when I say the two of you proudly spent over 3 hours outside, painting your basketball.

Now I realize that, the concept of “painting a basketball” may be outside the laws of logic.

But I get it. You’re 11 years old. You’re still a kid, but not yet a teenager.

I am happy to see you happy with such simple things.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Are You the Comedian of the Family?

5 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

I just recently had a conversation with your brother, explaining to him that all 4 of us have certain roles we fill in our family.

He’s the achiever. Mommy’s the manager. I’m the negotiator.

As for you, you’re definitely the fun one! And on top of that, probably the comedian as well!

You never mean to be funny, which is part of the reason you are so hilarious.

I still often think about the day you asked me, very seriously yet apathetically, “Daddy, how many bucks does the Tooth Fairy even give you?”

I have a feeling you are going to continue to grow into your “no nonsense” approach to humor!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: You Won a Leadership Award for Kindness at Your School

5 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

I am not surprised at all by this, but you came home last week with an award you won at your school, specifically acknowledging you for being kind.

You naturally are so upbeat and fun-loving, that it only makes sense you would be seen as kind by your teachers and classmates.

Also, here recently, you have been wearing your pink glasses a lot, too.

Granted, they are toy LOL glasses you got from the treasure box a while back when you were still in Pre-K.

But you did confirm with me that you see better when you have them on!

 

Love,

Daddy