Happy December!

Ours has started with a bit of a limp — a mix of sickness and injuries (more on that in this week’s Palmetto Piece) — but even so, it’s been fun to see the festive spirit coming to life around Summerville. Downtown looks especially magical now that the tree is lit after Tuesday night’s celebration. We hope your December is off to a good start, filled with some holiday cheer and time to soak it all in.

December is packed with chances to visit the big guy around Summerville, from pancake breakfasts and pajama parties to simple, festive photo ops. Whether you’re looking for a cozy event with crafts and cocoa or just want to snap a quick picture while running errands, there’s something for every kind of holiday schedule. And don’t forget about tomorrow’s breakfast with the Grinch— we’re planning to be there (if we can all continue to be healthy 🤞🏻) and would love to meet you!

Get all your Summerville Mom and Dad gear at the Palmetto Parents store to represent your favorite city this holiday season!

We’ve rounded up some of the best opportunities to catch Santa in Summerville this month!

We recently had a photo session with local mom and experienced photographer Kayla Vaughters, and our jaws dropped when we got our photos back!

Kayla made the whole experience feel effortless — even with a silly 3-year-old and a very clingy 18 month old in tow. She was calm, flexible, and full of kindness and patience. Before our session, she even scouted downtown Summerville to find the perfect backdrops to highlight both our family and the charm of our town.

There are plenty of great photographers in the area, but here’s why Kayla truly stands out:

If you’re looking for someone to capture real connection and joy (even in the chaos), Kayla’s your person. She offers maternity, lifestyle newborn, family, and heirloom sessions.

Visit vaughtersphotography.com to learn more and book your session.

If your family loves visiting West Farm during the fall, here’s your chance to return for some Christmas magic — and it’s just as festive (maybe even a little cozier)!

Santa’s Pancake Pajama Party is back and it’s everything you’d want in a holiday night out with the kids: pancakes, pajamas, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Come dressed in your coziest PJs and get ready for an evening packed with memory-making moments.

Here’s what to expect:

Whether it’s your first time or a returning favorite, this sweet and silly celebration might just become your new favorite holiday tradition. Tickets are limited and tend to go quickly, so if you’re interested purchase them sooner than later.

Get ready to snuggle up, fill your bellies, and celebrate the holiday season with some seriously jolly vibes at West Farm!

📆 Dates: December 13, 14, 20 & 21
⏰ Time: 4:30-7:30pm
🎟️ Tickets: Ages 2 & under: $15; Ages 3–6: $25; Ages 7–11: $35; Ages 12 & up: $45. Everyone attending needs a ticket, whether you plan to eat or not! Purchase tickets here.

El Jalapeño is hands down the one of the best local Mexican restaurants in Summerville. The whole place has a fun vibe and the cutest aesthetic and it is always loud in the best way. There is a lively energy that carries well into the evenings even on a school night but it never feels too crazy. It is upbeat and welcoming every time you walk in. They have three locations in Summerville (1585 Central Ave) Ladson (3786 Ladson Rd) and Goose Creek (2507 North Main Street).

Their house margaritas hit the spot every time and they also have a great selection of wine. The fresh corn chips are warm and crisp and the salsa and guacamole are always made fresh and full of flavor. These are truly a highlight of their menu and something I look forward to at every visit.

El Jalapeño also has some standout dishes that keep people coming back. The Fajita Fries are a must try with steak or chicken cooked with peppers and onions and served over seasoned fries topped with creamy queso. The Esquite Street Corn is another favorite with sweet and savory Mexican corn off the cob that pairs perfectly with anything on the menu. And if you want something a little indulgent the chori-papas are incredible with seasoned fries loaded with ground chorizo queso jalapeños sour cream and pico de gallo. They are the kind of dish that disappears fast because everyone keeps sneaking another bite.

I often stop in after church and it is always a win. It is casual enough that it is perfect for kids while still feeling like a treat for the adults. El Jalapeño continues to be a local favorite for good reason and it is one of those spots that always feels fun no matter when you go.

Lately, it’s been feeling a bit like déjà vu in our house.

Daniel is once again dealing with a pretty intense back injury—eerily similar to this time last year. I somehow managed to injure my upper back and neck at the same time, and our youngest seems to be on a never-ending rotation of sniffles and fevers. Needless to say, we’ve had to cancel or scale back on a lot of things we were really looking forward to. The kind of things we’d marked on the calendar and counted down the days for.

But in the midst of all this disruption, something has been grounding me: the reminder that these are still the days we’ll look back on as some of the best of our lives.

The days when our boys still want to be held constantly. The days filled with sticky little hands, spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, and never-ending requests for snuggles. Yes, it’s exhausting. And yes, sometimes the days feel impossibly long. But even through the fog of injuries and setbacks, I keep thinking about how fleeting this season is—and how deeply special it is, too.

For those of you with older kids, I imagine your season is just as meaningful, with its own challenges and joys. But my guess is that maybe you look back and remember when the hardest part of your day was simply being needed so much, and that seems kinda nice.

This week has forced us to slow down—even when we didn’t want to—and make some of our own December magic at home. We’ve leaned into the simple things: playing holiday videos of snow and a crackling fireplace while we make breakfast (like the one shown above), soaking in the sound of our kids laughing at each other’s jokes, and discovering a few new festive family shows. Most of all, it’s been a chance to practice gratitude—pausing to appreciate the healthy days we do have, the plans that do work out, and learning to be flexible and find joy in the slower pace when life doesn’t go as expected. And being honest with ourselves, there’s been a lot of good things and things that have gone according to plan, so we want to celebrate those things.

Wherever you are—busy, slowed down, hurting, or fully soaking it all in—I hope you can find some simple joys each day and create magic in your own way. And if this month hasn’t started quite how you imagined, you’re not alone. Here’s to making the most of what we’re given and finding connection with our families, one day at a time.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

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