Where’d all the time go?
It’s starting to fly…
We hear that all parents go through this, this feeling of both joy and some melancholy as we watch our children reach a certain age where we can really feel them separating themselves…kinda from us! They’re growing…that’s it, and it’s all organically perfect. It’s independence & freedom…the(ir) theme of 2023, we think.
Logan is 17, and he’s halfway through his junior year of high school. It seems impossible that he only has 1 year left… 1 year left of organized sports… 1 year left of that certain kind of freedom & weightlessness that really seems to define the high school years…his anyway! We’ve often joked that since he got his license a year ago, we have a new roommate, because he’s seemingly always just coming & going.
He’s showing his independence in so many ways, taking the initiative to get a job over the summer and also starting a car detailing business with his friends. Eric has some thoughts on Logan’s definition of “detailing” though, and Emily is wondering how he can clean the inside of cars so well, yet not his own room! He’s got a great group of friends, and they have a ton of fun. And, while he can still use a nudge here & there on certain things (i.e. his room, the bathroom…basic teenage dude stuff), we’re watching our oldest become a wonderful young man.
Vaughn will be 14 in May, is in 8th grade, and he is so ready to be in high school. He’s actually taking 2 high school courses now, his first two of the day. So, if it’s a good morning at the house, the boys can go to (the same) school together! Next year, they’ll have their only full year of high school together, so this is a nice little preview.
We bit the bullet and got Vaughn an e-bike for his birthday last year, and that has certainly helped him find more room to explore…more freedom, more independence. You’ll see in our video that he has explored another sport this year, having a blast on his middle school’s volleyball time. Baseball is still his #1 though!
The boys are still thick as thieves. Vaughn has designed his room to look like a modern hotel, so you’ll often find Logan hanging out in there with him. (See note above about the general state of Logan’s room, so he’s making a good choice here.)
With the kids doing more & more of their own thing, we’ve had more free time in the evenings. Kinda loving the impromptu dinners out for two again! On the flipside, however, we’re now those parents waiting up for our teenager to come home for the night!
The additional free time has definitely allowed Emily more time for her art. And, if you’ve followed her on any social media, @havetocreate, you’ll know that she had a super busy year. Most notably, she joined-up with Armelle Ngo, and they completely transformed the Hermosa Valley School gym with a 2,700 square ft. mural that is breathtaking. You’ll see it in the video! She is also super excited about her group called, “The Art Hive,” who recently produced their own DEBUT show which was a blast. Watch out for her in 2024! Eric is hoping that this additional time will (finally) manifest into more string time. Stay “tuned.”
Other tidbits:
We had the Savages out here for the first time since 2019!
Couple trips to Indiana.
Took a quick trip to see Pauline and Art in Oahu, and the boys got to surf in some famous spots!
Eric’s mom is regularly coming over a few times a week for dinner, and we’ve loving the additional time with her. She’ll be 92 this year!!
As we wave goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, and feeling the pending big changes for our kids coming-up, we are trying to remind ourselves to slow down and enjoy every moment. Hoping some of those moments will include more great times with you, our family & friends.
Cheers,
Eric, Emily, Logan & Vaughn
Here’s our annual video . . .