Fireside Chat 2019 Edition

NO CLOSE UPS PLEASE

Fireside Chat There’s a high schooler living amoung us

2019 brought it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. We laughed, we cried, and we sent more emojis to each other that may or may not have meant what we intended.

David and Susan learned that everything they do or say is embarrassing to their now 15 year old high school student. So in the spirit that this is intended, we bring the very special:

SHE WHO CANNOT BE NAMED ISSUE. Susan, David and Elli Fireside

this one may or may not have graduated middle school On the down-low In June of this year it is rumored that a fourteen year old girl received her first in what will be many diplomas in her life. Since her parents celebrated with her friends and their families, we’re going to say it happened despite very few pictures on social media to document the day.

World’s Best Worst Dog downgraded to World’s Worst Dog Despite thinking it couldn’t get worse, the destruction continues as the word’s most expensive free dog continues his love of destroying all the things that bring joy to Susan.

After last years partial destruction of the new couch, he has continued his quest with a number of really lovely throw pillows, slippers, and Susan’s favorite jacket.

And yes, we still have the other two dogs, who continue to be the favorites, but let’s be honest, the bar is really low now.

Married Couple Actually Goes Out and Does Things It turns out one of the upsides to having a very social teenager means a lot of time to spend together as a couple. This year’s highlights included kayaking, Dinner en Blanc, India Arie, and one anniversary night spent in Bay View Wisconsin in the middle of February. Whoever said romance was dead has never been to the arctic cold of Wisconsin in the middle of winter.

too school Seriously badass As parents we continue to protect the sanctity of respecting our child’s wishes (NOT) in sharing our yearly update.

A round of applause goes out to the nameless one who graduated middle school, won a medal at a state archery competition, and kicked some serious ass at Krav Maga.

This summer marked her final year of camp Chi, culminating in a Pacific Northwest adventure, where surprisingly this North Shore teenager CHOSE to spend 6 weeks hard core camping and loved it.

for cool

Susan finished her full sleeve.

In what might be the most obvious midlife crisis, Susan finally finished the work on her sleeve. This was a project two years in the making and ended with the most painful elbow tattoo. Had she started with that, that would have been the only one she ever got.

It was a busy year for Susan Her constant quest for the perfect red lipstick continued, with a stop along the way at a more natural look, which included a brief stint in exploring new hair styles along with a lighter shade in lip color. Don’t worry, she’s back to red and her sassy short hair paired with an all black wardrobe so as not to confuse anyone in the design community that she is one of them.

Her year ended with a presentation on her passion project, The Momento Archive Project, where she shows others how to document their personal treasures. She participated once again in Highland Park High School’s Focus on the Arts, where she used Cardi B as an example of great branding, which may or may not have included some inappropriate language and visuals.

Travel this year consisted of a week in LA for a design conference and ended with a week in Costa Rica where she gets her zen on but usually loses it about a week back into reality.

David gets his cool on Besides being the one in the house to remind us to “go get some fresh air� David is also busy as the newly elected Illinois State delegate for the American Massage Therapy Association.

This gives him the opportunity to spend countless hours on Skpe calls as he looks to make changes in the industry.

He also encourages the family to try new things, as witnessed by his brief stint with skateboarding. We look forward to seeing him try snowboarding this winter.

What’s the secret?

The Fireside’s continue to do things as a family, even if it’s under duress. Usually we make “she who cannot be named” come along for hours of torture as: 1. Her mother drags her to art shows and museums 2. Her dad takes her to nature activities 3. We declare Sunday a family day and she has no choice

Family road trip to feed bears (you read that correct)

“

I don’t understand why I need algebra when I can be taking classes that give me life skills I can use.

— Elli Fireside

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