parenting

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Dear Jack: Seeing Your Friend Sophie, After 5 and a Half Years

9 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

You first met Sophie when you were 8 months old and she was 7 months; back in 2011. We had just moved back to Nashville, and the two of you were in the same infant class at Kindercare.

Eventually Sophie moved away to Alabama (where we had just moved back from). Over the years, we have been able to meet up with Sophie a few times in passing.

However, I didn’t realize it had been 5 and a half years since we saw Sophie last! Back then, the two of you had just turned 4 years old.

That means that more time has passed since you saw each other, than how old you were when you last saw each other.

It’s funny how you have known each other your entire lives, but neither of you really remember each other; other than perhaps from 5 and a half years ago.

But this is the tradition now, at this point; that we will continually meet up with Sophie, in passing- and that will be the thing you two know each other from at this point!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: How Many More Years Before You Can Drink Coffee Too?

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

It is pretty much a daily conversation at our house. You say to me, “Daddy, when I’m older, I can drink coffee too.”

During the month and a half I was home from my job on furlough, which ended last week, you watched me everyday in the morning and afternoon, as I made myself instant black coffee.

Not to mention, you and brother join Mommy and me at whatever coffee shop we end up on the weekends.

I see Starbacks Frappucinos in your future. We just now let your brother start drinking the non-coffee flavors, and he’s 9 and a half.

You still have several more years, it sounds like.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your 4 Year Check-Up at the Doctor- You’re a Petite

4 years old.

Dear Holly,

Last week, during my final week on furlough before going back to work, it was up to me to take you to the doctor for your 4 year check-up appointment.

I was so proud of you how you barely cried during the two vaccinations you had to get, in order to start Kindergarten in a year and a half.

The doctor confirmed you are perfectly healthy- and also that you are officially petite.

You’re below the 25th percentile for height and the 20th for weight.

The funny thing is, you undeniably eat so much more food than your brother, who is 5 and a half years older than you!

Little girl, big appetite!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You are Now 9 and a Half Years Old

9 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

You turned 9 and a half this week, during the time which was supposed to be your last week of 3rd grade.

It was sad yesterday as I drove to your school to pick up all your belongings from your teachers. The closest thing to closure you had for finishing 3rd grade was some Zoom calls with your class.

The tragedy is that, as I predicted last fall, 3rd grade would be your favorite by far. It is unfortunate it had to be cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But we still have each other and we still have our health. And we continue to still make life fun!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Since You Didn’t Get to Have Your Double Birthday Party with Isabella…

4 years old.

Dear Holly,

We had much bigger plans for your recent 4th birthday. But like many things this year due to COVID-19, as it is for everyone else, we had to majorly alter what we originally had in mind.

The original plan was to have a double birthday party with your friend Isabella from your class at school, since the two of you were born just 6 days apart.

We bought you matching unicorn dresses and even had a pony ride lined up.

But instead, you got to spend some time with Isabella long enough for the two of you to play together in your dresses- and to exchange gifts.

You are so happy about the bath time Barbie she got you. Not only do you bath with it, but you also sleep with it.

Technically, this is your first Barbie doll, at age 4, since you don’t perceive your Elsa or Anna dolls as Barbies; even though they are.

Here’s to hoping that next year for your 5th birthday, we can have the kind of birthday party we had planned for you this year!

Love,

Daddy