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

Dear Holly: You’ve Now Graduated Kindergarten!

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

Yesterday morning I stood with you and your brother at the bus stop across from our house, for the last time; since your brother will be getting on a different bus at a different time, when he starts Middle School this fall.

It’s been our family tradition all this year for me to wait outside with both of you every morning for the bus.

But you are very excited about starting 1st grade next year!

This has been such a perfect Kindergarten year for you.

As for now, it’s time to enjoy the summer!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Your Final Week of Elementary School

11 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Exactly a week ago, I took you to STREAM Night at your school, where each class of each grade sponsored a unique science activity or craft for the rest of the school to participate in.

You were chosen for a 30 minute shift to host the “Snap Circuits” activity for your 5th grade class. Once we got there, you noticed there wasn’t a teacher there to explain what to do.

But leave it to you, it only took you a minute to figure out how to put the circuits together to make the gears move.

And from there, you were successfully able to show the younger kids how to do the activity.

Yep, I’d say your ready for Junior High!

 

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: You Loved Singing in the Kindergarten Presentation!

6 years old.

Dear Holly,

It’s funny to think about, but because of “Covid Culture” still going on for much of your Kindergarten year, your grade just now had its first and only presentation for all the parents.

Your class dressed up as puppies, as the musical presentation was based on farm animals; called Down on the Farm.

You so proudly sang all the words and did all the months for each song, with such enthusiasm!

I hadn’t realized that I had been hearing you sing all these song for weeks now.

I have a feeling this is only the beginning of your interest in music and theater!

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