parenting

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Dear Jack: Turns Out, I Do Have FOMO After All…

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

When it comes to “FOMO” (fear of missing out), I typically can’t relate. In most cases, I have JOMO instead: I have joy of missing out.

I usually am so relieved when plans get cancelled. Most people have major trouble believing me when I say I truly am an introvert, but it’s true: I love not having to go do the thing, whatever the thing is- if it involves driving more than 5 minutes, waiting in line, or being in a crowd of people.

But when it comes to being involved in your life and your sister’s, I totally have fear of missing out. I just realized that this week.

It makes sense now why I have faithfully written you and your sister every week of your lives. I see now that it’s my way of being involved as I can in your lives; to always have a souvenir of what we experienced together that week.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: It’s an All Summer Long Slumber Party

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

I’m not sure how the conversation happened, but at some point once school was out for the summer, you and your brother decided that you would be sleeping on the floor of his bedroom; until further notice.

What’s funny is, he just hangs out in his tent next to his bed and plays his games on his computer until you fall asleep.

So there’s not necessarily any real quality time going on, but the unspoken truth is that you both prefer sleeping in the same room as opposed to separate ones.

I cracked up last Saturday as Jack and I were hanging out in the bonus room, and you discreetly went up to him and whispered to him, “I’m going to bed now.”

As if you needed his approval? And I was right there!

That was hilarious.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Practiced Being a Tattoo Artist, On Your Sister

11 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

We’re a couple of weeks into the summer now and I am watching you and your sister come up with fun activities to do, as I work from home at the kitchen table.

One of the most interesting events was last week when you easily convinced your sister to let you give her some “tattoos” with watercolor paints.

She was so proud of all the tattoos you gave her, that she cried in the bath when they washed off.

And that includes the face tattoo!

But I’m pretty she will have more opportunities this summer to get more tattoos from you.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Visit to the Alpaca Farm

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

A few weekends ago, Mommy set us up with a visit to Mistletoe Farm, where our family was able to hang out with alpacas!

It’s funny to think that a whole farm of alpacas is just down the road from where we live; that though alpacas are animals native to South America, that they can live here in Tennessee as well!

And of course, Mommy and I let you pick out your own little alpaca souvenir to take home, which was made using real alpaca wool from the alpacas we met at the farm that day!

 

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Jack: Your Graduation to Middle School

11 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

This was a big week for you. Your school held a very special graduation ceremony for all the 5th grade classes, celebrating the past 6 years of elementary school, while sending you off with excitement to middle school.

You took it upon yourself to wear your snazzy bowtie for this special occasion!

I tried, but there has been nothing I could do to help live in the moment any more than I have, as I’ve watched you grow up these past 11 and a half years.

The best I could do has been to write to you every single week of your life, to capture a glimpse of what was going on so that our family would be able to revisit.

You are growing up. And I couldn’t be prouder of you.

Love,

Daddy