summer

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Dear Holly: Playing with Your Dolls This Summer

9 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

My office is my bedroom. Most of the day, the door is shut and it’s actually pretty rare that I come out; even for food.

But when I do, I love it when I see you out on the living room floor playing with your dolls.

You easily spend hours at a time in your own little world; carefully feeding them, entertaining them, and helping them fall asleep to take their naps.

This is what I want to see from my 9 year-old little girl when I step out of my office.

It’s just perfect.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Doctor Squish Squishy Maker

14 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

I love to see how it is a regular thing now for you to proactively find ways to help your sister. It was the middle of the week during the middle of the day, while Mommy and I were both working.

Your sister needed something new and creative to work on, so we pulled out one of her birthday gifts she got a few months ago: Doctor Squish Squishy Maker.

Thanks to you, she was able to make sort some of slime-filled water balloon ball.

I guess in a way, it felt like we had a “3rd parent” there to help entertain your sister while we worked. I really like this concept because it’s not only helping Mommy and me, but I know it means a lot to your sister as well; as it provides quality time for you and her.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: What “Homeschool Summer School” Looks Like

12 and a half years.

Dear Jack,

Mommy joked with you this week, “What if we started homeschooling you?”

You immediately replied, “No! Then I couldn’t be around any people.”

However, during the summer, I suppose things do resemble the concept of homeschool a little bit.

We are paying you and your sister a “reading allowance” this summer, to help encourage you both to use your brains on books… and it’s totally working.

You always self-elect some “P.E.” time right before lunch, as you go on a bike ride through surrounding neighborhoods.

And then usually after lunch, you join me at the kitchen table; which also serves as my “office” and your “shop” for rebuilding cars.

That’s pretty much what the next two months are going to look like.

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: 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