parenting

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Teaching Your Sister to Shoot a Bow and Arrow

9 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

Because of your continued interested in learning how to shoot a bow and arrow, we have now set up a target range in our backyard.

Mommy and I recently made a small investment in getting you and me our own “professional practice bows” to train on.

That means you donated your Nerf bow and arrow to your sister.

You even gave her a free lesson.

Granted, she stood a lot closer to the target than you and I stand when we shoot arrows at the target.

It was about a year ago that you first showed interested in archery.

I’m glad to see we are able to make this a reality for you.

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Jack: Going to Olive Garden is a Special Treat for You and Your Sister

9 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Friday while Mommy and I were enjoying our final full day in Colorado, you and your sister got to go somewhere special for dinner: Olive Garden.

Shortly after you arrived, you quietly announced, “Wow, this Olive Garden is really fancy!”

I find that hilarious because I’ve never known you to be impressed by a “fancy” restaurant.

It’s funny because when I was a kid, my idea of a good time at a restaurant was any place where the meal came with a toy and where there was a playground to enjoy after I ate.

But now, for the modern kid in 2020, maybe Olive Garden is the new McDonald’s!

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Holly: Your Idea to Make Pumpkin Pie with Nonna

4 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Knowing that Nonna and Papa would be coming up to take care of you while Mommy and I were away in Colorado, you put in your requests ahead of time:

“I want to make pumpkin pie with Nonna.”

So I let her know to bring the supplies up from Alabama.

You loved getting to make the pie while we were gone.

It was ready, perfectly in time for our return.

For the record, the pumpkin pie was exceptionally delicious!

And to think, this all happened because of your idea!

You thought of it all yourself. It was a plan that came together!

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Holly: Have I Called You “Daddy’s Girl” Yet?

4 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Either I say this all the time or somehow I’ve only implied it so often I figured it didn’t need to say it…

But for the record, I totally claim you as “Daddy’s Girl”.

What helped me realize this is when Grandma got you a shirt that says that on it.

And it wasn’t really even until I took a picture of you wearing the shirt that I processed what it said:

That “Daddy’s Girl” is obviously how I see you.

You and I have a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else in this entire world.

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Holly: Little Drummer Girl

4 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

One of the many personal advantages I’ve had during 2020, the Year of Covid Culture, is that I have had more time than ever to focus on writing new songs.

While I was at the kitchen table practicing my newest song, “Ecclesiastes”, getting it ready to record for one of my YouTube channels, you decided to turn my practice into a jam session.

You found a big plastic bucket and two toy plastic forks and dragged them into the kitchen.

Surprisingly in sync with the rhythm of my song, you began planning the drums

I think you may be on to something there…

Love,

Daddy