Merry Christmas!
Beloved Friends and Family,
I hope your holiday has been peaceful and full of joy. We are basking in the afterglow here. Charlie is singing to herself as she spreads her new crafts all over the floor. In the background, I can hear the clacking of Philip’s new juggling rings getting away from him. Brunch awaits us, when we are hungry again after our early morning “breakfast” of leftover Christmas candy.
Merry Christmas! Photo by Leslie Huff
Just like every year, I asked the kids, what do you think we should tell everyone in the Christmas letter this year? Usually, I get adorable insight into what’s important to them. This year, they barely looked up from their phones. Philip grunted, and said, “I don’t think you really have to write a Christmas letter.” Charlie said, “You could tell them about when we ran out of gas on the freeway.” Friends, we have teenagers.
Teenagers on the last day of school, June 2023. Photo by teens’ dad, Matt Taron
Philip, who at 16 had what he thought of as the “most teenager summer ever”, (which we described here) is learning to drive. Now, my patter while chauffeuring the kids around includes some standard caveats: “Now, this move, you are only allowed to do when you are in your 40’s” and “As you know, being in a hurry doesn’t mean you start to drive unsafely. Now hold on and close your eyes.” Matt has done most of the miles with Philip behind the wheel, helping the boy out by flipping off drivers who deserve it so Philip can keep both hands on the wheel.
First drive thru! Photo by author
Matt eventually got one of those “student driver” signs to hopefully cut down on the number of people who need flipping off while the boy is driving. Philip has been spending time with friends, watching tons of movies, and trying to figure out how to fix climate change through sustainable agriculture, and what kind of college one would have to go to in order to do that.
The Most Middle-Aged Summer Ever!
Matt has continued his amazing production of sourdough creations and delicious, Instagram-worthy meals. Charlie has been learning to cook from her dad and has clearly inherited his passion and talent. She blew us away with some remarkable tender and sweet babka this holiday season. Charlie and I did a spring break road trip to the Grand Canyon this year. About three hours into our trip, at our first (non-donut-related) stop, we walked down to Bridal Veil Falls along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Charlie gazed at the waterfall and said, “I don’t think we’ll be able to top this, Mom.” At that point I realized I could have planned a much shorter trip than what we did.
Bridal Veil Falls OR. Selfie.
You may be wondering what new and interesting restaurants we went to on this trip. And if that is the case, I will guess that you haven't traveled with a 13-year-old recently. We went to Panda Express in every state between here and the Grand Canyon. We camped in our car, and stayed with friends, and in cheap hotels. We weathered an unanticipated (by us) winter storm in Utah, dug out the car with the hotel ice bucket, and bought winter clothes at one of the Targets of the great Southwest.
“Did you pack pants?” “Kinda.” Photo, kid, and whole ridiculous situation by author
We visited family, lost all our maps during a mis-timed car window opening, listened to three Percy Jackson books, and all around had a wonderful adventure.
Photo by author, with iPhone, because kid is using real camera
Charlie was in two musical productions this year, but it’s really Sunny who is the musical actor of the family. He loves music and loves to participate, loudly howling along to the piano to join the jam. He regularly gaslights us into believing we haven’t fed him yet by pretending to be near about to faint away from hunger until he gets second dinner. Perhaps related, Sunny also holds the family record for most expensive tummy ache. We were so happy when he felt better and started singing again, that we’ve almost completely forgiven him for the hit to the family budget.
Photo by Matt Taron
Much love to you and yours!
Lauren, Matt, Philip, and Charlie