parenting

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Dear Jack: You Finally Got to Try the Prime “Energy Drink”!

12 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

I remember the initial conversation starting out like this:

“Hey Daddy, I want to get Prime.”

I responded to you that I was pretty sure that, even though Mommy had cancelled Amazon Prime again, we still had it for at least a few more days.

You then explained, “No, Prime is actually this energy drink that everybody at school is talking about. Can we go to the mall so I can try it?”

We had to go back to the mall anyway to make an exchange. Once we walked by GNC, of all places, you announced, “Look, Daddy, I found it!”

I was hesitant about an “energy drink” that all the 6th grade kids are apparently drinking right now. I turned over to the label and immediately received confirmation of my reservations:

It contained the caffeine of about 8 cups of coffee!

Fortunately, later that day we were at Target, and you saw the flavor you really wanted- which happened to be caffeine free. The thing that apparently qualifies the caffeine-free version as an “energy drink” is that it contains coconut water.

You were so proud of your Prime “energy drink”, you rationed it out for several days; keeping a close watch on it in the fridge.

I have a feeling we’re going to end up at Target again this weekend.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Helped Mommy Make Chocolate Pie!

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

It is no secret that you love to be helping. This weekend, you were so excited to learn that Mommy was making a chocolate pie for our family.

When I returned home from buying groceries on Saturday, I saw that you literally put in a “helping hand”.

Your entire hand, and mouth, was fully covered in chocolate.

I can’t say either way whether that improved or hurt the quality of the pie.

What I do know is, our family enjoyed having a little slice of it each night this week after dinner.

So keep helping Mommy make pies!

Love,

Daddy

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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

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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

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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