parenting

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Dear Holly: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter on Her 4th Birthday

4 years old today!

Dear Holly,

I have to say: You’ve been wanting to turn 4 years old for a long time now… I’d say for about a year, actually!

Your day has finally come: Today is your 4th birthday!

This is your COVID-19 birthday, but you will never remember that part of it- other than the fact that for some reason, both Mommy and Daddy stayed at home with you on that birthday.

It is obvious how I am so proud to be your Daddy. I am so glad that all of the little girls in the world, I get to have you, my little “Squeaky”, as my daughter.

I love you Holly!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Tamed a Pet Snake? Of Course You Did!

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

At no point in my boyhood, nor in my adulthood, have I ever thought to A) look for a snake in the woods, B) find one, C) hand tame it, and D) proceed to keep it as a temporary pet.

Needless to say, that is exactly what you have done this week.

Granted, I looked it up immediately to ensure it is not poisonous to humans; which it is not.

It’s a garter snake.

And all because 3rd grade ended early due to COVID-19.

Otherwise, you’d be in math class right about now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Is Your Generation Going to Be Called “Covid-19 Kids”?

9 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

In theory, you are going back to school at the end of this month to finish out the 3rd grade. I have my doubts about that. I have seen so many events delayed, and then delayed several more times since this all started with COVID-19.

You are definitely old enough to understand what is going on and old enough to remember it for the rest of your life. I feel that your generation is going to be bookmarked by living through the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

However, you seem to be taking it pretty well. Actually, you’re living it up: Everyday is a Saturday for you now!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Making Buckwheat Pancakes for Breakfast

3 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

Last year, Mommy and I started a tradition of having Nonna and Papa come up the Saturday that Mommy and I go to get our taxes done.

Afterwards, we go out for dinner and stay at a hotel in Nashville while you and your brother spend the day and night with Nonna and Papa.

Meanwhile, this time around, you and your brother decided to have a slumber party in their home.

You put down your sleeping bags, like one big pallet on the carpet.

Then the next morning, you helped Nonna make buckwheat pancakes for breakfast.

You had a lot of fun!

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Jack: Diggin’ Up Onions

9 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

While Nonna and Papa were in town a few weeks ago, you spent one afternoon with them digging up little wild onions in the community area of our neighborhood.

I had always wondered why often, it smells like onions when people mow their lawns. Now I know why- little wild onions are often growing in the lawn.

Once you collected several pounds of the wild onions, you washed them off over the sink. Your sister helped.

Now that I think of it, the two of you should have opened a “Wild Onion” stand in our neighborhood. Nothing like a refreshing wild onion on a crisp Spring morning!

Love,

Daddy