parenting

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: You are Camouflaged in Our Living Room

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

You have this habit of sneaking up on me when I’m in the kitchen. You’re not necessarily trying, but you are so quiet when you come downstairs.

A few days ago, I had looked up from doing the dishes, and you were standing a few feet away, smiling at me. It took a second to realize you were even there!

I said, “Holly, you’re the same colors as our living room! I couldn’t actually see you!”

Since then, you have been playing this to your advantage..

This morning, it was time for me take you outside to the bus stop. I walked right past you.

You were effortlessly hiding underneath the blanket on the rug.

When you realized I assumed you were upstairs instead, you started giggling, and gave yourself away.

If you hadn’t, I would have been looking for you for a while!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Christmas with Your Cousins

6 years, 8 months.

Dear Holly,

Two days before Christmas, we spent the entire day with your cousins. We took you all to one of the most fun places for kids these days in my home town of Fort Payne, Alabama; called Alice Circle.

While your brother and cousin Calla worked on creating scented slime, you and your cousin Darla painted Christmas mugs. It was the perfect way to spend a morning that would have been too cold to do anything else!

Afterwards, we all enjoyed lunch at everyone’s collectively favorite restaurant: Cracker Barrell.

Then, that night, we hosted a sleepover at Nonna and Papa’s house.

A good time was had by all!

 

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Your Sister Bought a Grinch Doll Because She Said It Looks Like You

12 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

In the aftermath of Christmas gift cards, our family recently made a trip to Barnes & Noble. Fate would have it, Mommy and I bought books; while you and your sister bought toys… of course!

For years now, I have been jokingly telling your sister she is like Cindy Lou Who each Christmas. Apparently, she agreed so much this year that she decided to spend some of her Christmas money on a stuffed animal of Cindy Lou Who, that came with a stuffed animal of The Grinch.

With no hesitation she explained to me, “I bought the Grinch because Jack makes that same face a lot!”

Love,

Daddy

 

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, toy reviews, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: You are Finally Really into Barbie Dolls Now!

6 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

I figured you missed the boat, when it came to caring about Barbie dolls. I assumed that you just happened to be a girl who never really got into them. I didn’t give it much thought.

But clearly, at age 6 and a half, you totally care about Barbie dolls now!

Last weekend, you managed to scrape together all the loose change and 2 dollar bills you could find in your room, and were able to buy an 8 dollar Chelsea doll to add to your now growing collection.

I get the feeling this might be a Barbie kind of Christmas…

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on Enneagram, fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: I See You Working on Emotionally Maturing

11 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

As you are now only a few weeks away from your 12th birthday, I am definitely seeing signs of your maturing on an emotional level; more than ever before.

You are better embracing your role as protector and mentor, as an older brother; as opposed to seeing your sister as a threat to attention on you.

I can relate.  I have grown this year as well.

I feel that this year for me has been the greatest amount of personal growth I have ever experienced; as I have learned who I actually am from an Enneagram perspective.

Similarly, I understand you better as well. And I think that, in turn, as helped you in your role as an older brother.

 

Love,

Daddy