Mom was EXTREMELY encouraging of having Genesee join the boys at fishing camp this summer. And although Genesee had a blast and I enjoyed having my little sidekick in the boat, I think mom had ulterior motives… When we returned home, we found Mom kicked back in the recliner, sipping hot chocolate, and watching Netflix.

Someone once said, “I don’t go fishing to escape my life, I go fishing to live my life.”

Apparently, mom lives her life by sending us fishing, so she can reunite with her long-lost, peaceful weekend mornings. She said it’s been nine years since she’s seen them.

Well played, Mom. Well played.

On July 26, at roughly 7:15 a.m., Gigi Luigi became a 6-year-old.

We celebrated with spaghetti, pizza, cake, ice cream, and gifts galore, while team U.S.A. played a World Cup soccer match in the background.

Just as it should be, Genesee was surrounded with love, including a special 10 p.m. visit from Aunt Nay Nay (not pictured).

What can I write about my sister that she may want to be embarrassed reminded of in the future?

To start off, the snuggle is real with this girl, although she’s also a fighter who too often uses her hands instead of her words. (I am usually her totally innocent victim, who doesn’t provoke anything.)

Genesee is super duper artistic. Like, impressively so.

And she loves hot chocolate, year round.

She has a million stuffed animals and plays with almost all of them, but she prefers to make human friends whenever the opportunity arises.

And even though she’s quite mature for her age, she still talks like a baby.

Her favorite food is burnt popcorn, she’s quite hilarious most days, and she’d like to have a future career in pet rescue.

My sister has also decided that she doesn’t want kids, and she plans to live with me in her adult years.

In summary, Genesee is a dork. And even though I display my love language through snubs, jabs, and a general feeling of annoyance, I do love having a little dork in my life.

Happy Birthday, lil’ sis!

To celebrate G’s upcoming birthday, we threw her a cow-themed party!

Have you herd how one accomplishes such a task? Well, first, you design a cow-inspired party invitation:

Next, because the steaks are high, you order a fancy cow cake:

Then, you take the birthday girl and her friends to Hammer & Stain to get them in the party mooood so they can build their very own stuffed…

…dog?!

What the what? That’s a bunch of bull.

Well, even though that plot twist butchered our plans, at least we tried to milk the cow theme for all it was worth, and we still had an udderly amazing time!

And because we have never steered Genesee wrong, we even made plans to splash the afternoon away at Sparta’s Aquatic Center! Afterall, you only turn 6 once, so it’s important to grab this milestone by the horns!

All in all, I’d say Genesee was amoosed at how hard we tried to put the “happy” in birthday for her. In fact, the party was absolutely legen-dairy… except for that final stop, at home, when we had to tell Genesee “it’s pasture bedtime.”

P.S. Do you know why cows have hooves instead of feet? Because they lactose.

We made it to the La Crosse Interstate Fair, one day before it ended, and about 60 minutes before the storm rolled in. This year, we brought mom’s friends along: Ale, Sheyda, and their kids!

Genesee was thrilled to ride a pony, despite mom being unthrilled by the $8 price tag. I ran into my friend, Jackson, and together we went on as many rides as $20 could buy us (not many). But, one rainbow snow cone and a bucket of mini donuts later, and we were rushing out of the fairgrounds due to imminent weather. It was good while it lasted!

We had so much fun in the Champions sun, we thought we’d visit again! This time, we were better prepared, with floaties, a shade tent, cash for dippin’ dots, and the events calendar (so Genesee didn’t miss the great goat launch). Because that’s how you do summer!

8:50 a.m. lessons are chilly. But we jump in anyway. Because pool kids are cool kids. Literally.

Life is best discovered on hikes and bikes.

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – J.M.

Sundays are for sundaes on the farm!

In honor of National Ice Cream Month, Lincoln Road Dairy hosted an event, where we enjoyed free grilled cheese sandwiches, fresh cheese curds, made-to-order ice cream sandwiches, and ice-cold chocolate milk, underneath a shaded picnic table and in the presence of a live, local band!

We especially loved the scavenger hunt, kids games, petting zoo, and balloon station! But Genesee was most smitten by the stinkin’ cute cows (literally), who seemed to adore her right back!

Moooove over unicorns…. you’ve now been replaced with “pet cow”on my sister’s birthday list.

For the extended 4th of July weekend, we decided to make our return to Jellystone. As mom worked hard to strategically pack the camper with only the necessities, she gave strict instructions to my overpacker sister.

Mom: “Genesee, pick out JUST ONE stuffy to bring along for the trip; we don’t have a lot of room.”

Genesee:

Welp, you can’t blame a girl for trying.

Grandma and Grandpa secured the perfect campsites so we were close to all the action! Jellystone never disappoints, but this year was extra fun because there was a new floating water park / obstacle course (Wibit Sports), Genesee made friends with fellow campers who introduced us to reusable water balloons, and we got mom and Genesee to go down the big green slide!

Other highlights included miniature golfing, late-night outdoor movies, mini donuts, firework displays, sparkler fun, the glow stick parade, touring the premises on our electric scooters, and eating like we were the royal family of Jellystone (thanks to Grandma and Grandpa)!!

Life is always good in the Jellystone neighborhood.

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa, for helping us slow down to make memories that only camping with beloved family can provide!