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1 Comment Posted on December 30, 2014 parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Christmas Is Always Quirky Wherever We Are

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

There is no way around it. By now, you’ve just accepted it as normal that every daddy in the entire world apparently carries around a camera with him wherever he goes, knowing that any potential event will serve as another quirky story for his website.

Of course, while these letters are available for the free world to read, in real time, my main reason for writing them is to do the best job I can of chronicling your life; as I’ve been doing at least weekly since April 2010, when Mommy and I went public with her being pregnant with you.

It’s my way of helping you travel back in time, as I’m sure you’ll be a nostalgic person like I’ve always been.

With that being said, I made sure to capture some good family Christmas memories for you, like when your new Ninja Turtle decided to hang out at (your cousin Calla’s) Barbie’s beach house.

Seriously, what boy hasn’t played with his sister’s or girl cousin’s toys in a masculine way?

Granted, as a joke, Leonardo came disguised in a pink princess box:

There’s also the excitement of knowing that in our new house, which we close on exactly a month from today, you now have some gear to help us have cool camp-outs in our back yard:

Uncle “Owl” (Al) and Sharon got you a huge Noah’s Ark tent and Spiderman walkie talkies! Not to mention a Bumblebee remote control car to drive around in our cul-de-sac.

You and also had fun after breakfast when we used rolls of wrapping paper as ninja swords. Not the safest idea on my part, but as usual, you managed not to get hurt or break anything in the house.

And then there’s the fun you had in playing with the laundry chute: Mommy stayed upstairs in the bathroom while you threw stuffed animals down to the laundry room, trying to hit Nonna in the face.

Just another classic Christmas memory, which I will assume is relatively exclusive to our family.

That’s the thing. I know we’re not the only family who did weird and funny stuff on Christmas day. It’s just a matter of questioning what weird and random (yet fun) things their family did during Christmas break.

A lot of what makes Christmas such a warm and sentimental holiday is knowing that you get to just be yourself with people who know you way too well.

Therefore, new quirky memories are made and traditions are born.

Like this: How many children in America got to burst open a giant paper Mache egg, carefully created and crafted by their aunt and uncle, to find more Christmas goodies inside?

I’m sure there were some others, but by no means was that normal.

Granted, some of the gifts given and received were full of character as well…

Mommy and I got you the Jack character from Thomas & Friends, who I believe actually pays a resemblance to you.

There was also the “pinball machine” you asked for, which was delivered in the form of a much smaller version…

By the way, this was the first Christmas you were able to spot which gifts your specifically yours, now that can you can read your own name and recognize it on the tags.

Meanwhile, I received a can of “vegan Pringles,” some new pairs of funky socks, deer warnings (because my personal vehicle got hit by an albino deer), a new carabineer for my keys (the last one which I’ve owned for 9 years had a busted compass and didn’t quite mesh well with the keys to the $90,000 Lexus LX we have been reviewing this week), and a much needed new wallet. I immediately gave you my old one, which you instantly began “Play-Dohing” during breakfast.

Yes, our Christmas morning was quite unique, but the quirkiness didn’t end there. I’ve still got more letters to write about the rest of our Christmas vacation…

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on December 29, 2014December 30, 2014 Nostalgia, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: My Childhood Christmas Tree, The 1980s Time Capsule

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

This year for Christmas, it worked out for our family to spend about 5 days at my parents’ house in Fort Payne, Alabama.

So last Tuesday after I got off work, and after you and Mommy had visited both Primrose and Rainbow daycare facilities as we decide which one to transfer you to once we move into our new house in a month (our closing date is exactly a month from today), we loaded up the 2014 Lexus LX 570 and made our way across the Tennessee state line.

After we settled in that night (December 23^rd), I noticed something:

The Christmas tree’s ornaments serve as a 1980s time capsule.

Those ornaments mainly consist of decorations collected during my childhood.

There are crocheted ornaments clearly displaying the year “1987” on them. There is also an array of ornaments I made in school and church, from 1987 to 1991.

In fact, the one from 1987, where I am sitting on (a very lousy looking) Santa, features me wearing a McDonald’s sweat suit.

The irony is very present; never knowing back then that I would eventually become a vegan, nor would I have been able really understand what that word even meant back then.

I also noticed a 25 year-old egg shell ornament. Back in 3^rd grade, for Christmas 1989, I had made an ornament in Mrs. Lawrence’s class, where we all brought in an egg, poked it with a needle to drain it, then covered it in sparkles, a sticker, and some glue.

Somewhat miraculously, than 25 year-old egg has never cracked or shattered!

I also laughed when I saw the Star of David made out of tongue depressors. It helps explain why I always sort of assumed we were Jewish.

And don’t forget the bubble lights! It’s amazing those things still work…

The next morning on Christmas Eve (December 24^th), your cousin Calla came over and the two of you both got to open one present early.

She got a Play-Doh factory and you got a really cool Lego set that was a tree house; which contained a Lego treasure map and a pizza!

It’s a bit of a blur, but at some point while your Uncle Andrew helped you build the new Lego set, I ended up wearing the top part of a broken sombrero that I think my Great-aunt Jennie had bought for me as a souvenir while visiting Mexico, where her parents were born.

You were pleasantly surprised when you discovered a Brother Bear figurine of the Berentstain Bears (from a McDonald’s Happy Meal); being that you had just watched on the DVD on the drive there in the car, on the Lexus LX’s built-in system.

So I guess it’s safe to say in addition to the Christmas tree’s ornaments serving as a 1980’s time capsule, my overflowing collection of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys helped add to that undeniable sense of nostalgia at your Nonna and Papa’s house.

Just check out that ice cream cone that transforms into a robot!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on December 24, 2014 funny, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: “How Do Babies Get Into Mommies’ Bellies? From Santa?”

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

We are currently living with some friends, as the closing date on our new house is about 6 weeks away now.

Karen, the wife and Mommy of the family we are renting space from, is pregnant; her baby is due right about the same time as we are supposed to move out.

Last night at dinner, you asked Mommy and me:

“How do babies get into Mommies’ bellies? From Santa?”

We immediately burst out laughing, as did you.

Mommy explained that’s a conversation we’ll have with you when you’re a bit older.

Of course, it won’t be “we,” it will be me that has that talk with you. I’m not afraid. I’m as prepared now as I’ll ever be.

After I gained my composure, I think I responded with something like, “Yeah, I guess Santa does help with that.”

Granted, my answer was technically right; in the same way the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” makes sense.

Of course, I know the real reason you assumed Santa has something to do with babies getting into Mommies’ bellies.

This past weekend, we watched Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! To my surprise, I actually really loved that movie! I wouldn’t mind seeing it every Christmas. You’re at the perfect age to really appreciate a movie like that.

However, you’ll always troubled when they say “roast beast” because you always explain: “No, Daddy, it’s supposed to be ‘roast beef’!”

One of our favorite parts was when it showed the Grinch arriving at his parents’ house, riding in a basket floating down from the sky, slowed down by an umbrella which helped guide it down safely.

I think that imagery led you to believe Santa has something to do babies getting into Mommies’ bellies.

You followed up your first question by asking me if Santa is real. I cleverly replied, “Is Batman real?”

You confirmed he is.

I continued: “Well, then Batman is as real as Santa.”

And we’ll just keep it at that for now.

Love,

Daddy

1 Comment Posted on December 18, 2014December 18, 2014 new house, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Our New House’s Shutters, Mailbox, & Interior Paint (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

This past weekend, in between going to Marvel Universe Live, seeing Santa with Sophie, and going to Jacob’s birthday party, we also penciled in some to visit our new house that we are building.

We started off with lunch at Whole Foods, of course.

You and Mommy had some good times playing around in the back as I enjoyed driving what I have referred to as the “Super Mario cloud,” the Lexus RX 450h, around Nashville.

We arrived to see some subtle changes that helped make our new home seem even more like a real house and not simply a construction project.

There is now a mailbox in front of our house! As long as we’ve lived in our townhouse, nearly 7 years, we’ve never had an actual mailbox.

But now we will. You can help Mommy and me check the mail. That’ll be fun!

I also noticed that they were actually finishing up the curb there as well. It wasn’t until we pulled away in the Lexus RX 450h that I realized the workers were actually waiting on us to leave so we’d be out of the way to finish the job.

As we stepped into the driveway, we were able to see our new wooden shutters, which I assume may be stained darker by the time the house is finished. I love them!

We saw in the garage that our ceiling fans have arrived and will likely be installed in the next couple of weeks.

Inside our house, we noticed the interior doors are now all installed.

And… the walls are now painted! They are the shade of crème that we chose, contrasted against the white base boards. Eventually, we will probably paint some of the downstairs that willow green color that we used in our townhome.

We drove back over to the model home and checked in with the in-house agent. You insisted on showing her your new sword from Marvel Universe Live. She was very impressed.

Then you had to check in on the snowman doll, as well as your “pizza parlor” that you hid under the Christmas tree last time we were there.

Linda, the agent, told us that she’s had many visitors curiously ask about that piece of foam under the tree so she has explained that you were behind it being there.

She also told us that one of the next major changes on our house will be that the hardwood floors and carpet will be put in.

Our closing date is January 29, just about a month and a half from now. It won’t be long until we’re in our new house… as long as everything goes according to schedule.

We finished off our visit by driving by preschools in the area. I wonder where you’ll go…

Love,

Daddy

Catch up on the entire series of the Lexus RX 450h Weekend. A lot of exiciting things happened!

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

Dear Jack: Marvel Universe Live- Family Friendly Review (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Meeting Santa With Sophie At Bass Pro Shop (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Jacob’s 5th Birthday Party In A Tractor Store (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: The Old Abandoned Silo Tower On Main Street in Spring Hill, TN (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Our New House’s Shutters, Mailbox, & Interior Paint (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

1 Comment Posted on December 16, 2014December 18, 2014 funny, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Meeting Santa With Sophie At Bass Pro Shop (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

Two years ago, when you had just turned 2, Mommy and I took you to go meet Santa Claus for the first time at the Bass Pro Shop in Nashville.

Last year you expressed zero interest in seeing Santa again, so we let you off the hook.

But this year, your best friend Sophie just happened to be visiting Nashville again since she moved nearly a year ago, in February.

As expected, you brought your illuminating sword we had bought you the night before at Marvel Universe Live. Just as appropriate on her end, Sophie brought her Anna doll.

I enjoyed watching the two you play together in front of the fish tank with your gender-specific toys.

Having still an hour to go before your appointment with Santa, we decided to hang out at the Lexus RX 450h that our family was reviewing this week.

With Sophie’s 4^th birthday on December 21^st, we decided to give her both her birthday and Christmas gifts there in the back of the Lexus; which sort of transformed into a stage, as we parents watched the endearing entertainment.

Your birthday gift to Sophie was very special; a penguin from Whole Foods- the exact same one as you have, who you named Pingy.

We still had a solid 30 minutes or so after, so we headed back into Bass Pro Shop to check out the activities for kids; like coloring funny pictures, racing cars, engineering trains, and “hunting.”

When it came time to go see Santa, we learned that Sophie is troubled by gloves; she just doesn’t like them.

So I explained to Santa and he agreed to remove them for the picture, which he gladly agreed to as he did his best to hide the confused look in his eyes and as I tried not to laugh. Notice the picture below of him removing them…

As you can see from the picture at the very top, Santa was wearing no gloves for the picture of you and Sophie on his lap.

And of all random things, the one and only thing you asked Santa for was… a pinball machine.

Yes, a pinball machine. Granted, our new house is going to have more space than our town house that we’ve been living in all these years, but still, I don’t think you’re exactly sure of what a pinball machine really is.

Turns out, I learned that last week your teacher Ms. Michelle created a pinball machine concept for your class to play with. So that’s where you got the idea. Now to figure out how I’m going to arrange that with Santa. Time for me to start Googling “small pinball machines”…

Fun and unforgettable memories were made, that’s for sure. And if it all works out, we’ll be visiting Sophie again the day after Christmas, while reviewing another Lexus.

Love,

Daddy

Catch up on the entire series of the Lexus RX 450h Weekend. A lot of exiciting things happened!

2014 Lexus RX 450h 5-DR SUV (DVD Player Equipped): Family Friendly Review

Dear Jack: Marvel Universe Live- Family Friendly Review (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Meeting Santa With Sophie At Bass Pro Shop (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Jacob’s 5th Birthday Party In A Tractor Store (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: The Old Abandoned Silo Tower On Main Street in Spring Hill, TN (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)

Dear Jack: Our New House’s Shutters, Mailbox, & Interior Paint (Lexus RX 450h Weekend)