I did it! I graduated first grade like a boss! My teacher, Mrs. Ramsey, said I “blew the first grade benchmarks for reading and math out of the water!” According to her, my word accuracy and comprehension skills were very solid, I was an expressive & fluent reader, I used class time constructively, and I always got right to work.

More importantly, Mrs. Ramsey always trusted me to run errands and to work with my classmates who needed help. She said, “I know he will be patient and kind.”

And also notable was when she signed my final report card with “Keep shooting hoops! NBA all the way!” because she knows I’m a baller!

I loved having Mrs. Ramsey for my main teacher, being supported by Mrs. Nicole in our classroom, and also knowing that my Aunt Julie was teaching right next door! I enjoyed Share Days when I would often showcase my blog, but especially when I got to teach my class about the Tuskegee Airmen by bragging about my Great Great Uncle Alfred Gorham. And, I became good friends with Danny, Wyatt, Ashlyn, and Austin, among many other new buddies.

Now, I’ll be moving on up to second grade. But first, summer vacation!

My first soccer season is in the books! As it turns out, not only do I look good in shin guards and cleats, but I was also named “most coachable” and “most valuable player.” And even though it’s less about the awards and recognition and more about the post-game treats, it’s affirming to know that my listening skills and hustling spirit can set a good foundation for my future soccer career.

Thanks for a great season, coach Katie!

The good news: My sister has no fear of water.

The bad news: My sister has no fear of water.

Good thing we’re getting this fish swimming lessons!

On April 23rd, we loaded the family and my grandparents into the Suburban and headed for Montana to accompany dad on his bear hunt. The last time I stayed at a quaint, remote cabin in the middle of nowhere Montana was when I was in my mom’s belly! This time, however, Dad promised much nicer lodging, with indoor, functioning plumbing.

First, we had to drive through Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming until we found a hotel with a pool! And that’s when we learned that my sister is actually a mermaid… completely fearless in the water! And by “in the water,” I mean, she obsessively bobbed her head underneath the surface so much and for so long that mom didn’t know if we should all be impressed or call for a lifeguard. I guess Genesee’s YMCA swim lessons have had an impact!? Luckily, we all survived to enjoy a delicious Applebee’s dinner in the comfort of our hotel sheets.

Eventually, after 1^1/2 days of driving, we arrived at our final destination and Dad did not disappoint!

Once we got settled into our home-away-from-home, it was time to get serious about hunting by scoping out 12,000 acres of wildlife paradise. Then, after learning the lay of the land, we made a game plan to wake up at 5:15 a.m. every morning to search for a bear that didn’t want to be found.

Not all was lost, however, because we won the hide-and-seek contest against the elk cows and bulls, turkeys, mule deer, prong horns, porcupines, gophers, long billed curlews, and Clark’s Nutcrackers… all discovered against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped mountains. But, in case that wasn’t enough to call the trip a success, Dad and I also caught a nice rainbow trout at the fishing pond and, just to keep the ladies happy and fed, we harvested a turkey on our final hunt!

My favorite part of hunting was shooting Mountain Dew cans with my BB gun and playing chauffeur for Dad and Grandpa by driving the Honda across the rugged terrain. Still, some of the best memories made happened outside of hunting hours when we enjoyed movie marathons with buttered popcorn (Genesee’s new favorite movie is Flicka 2, particularly the kissing scene), played Chutes & Ladders championships, practiced our golf swings and soccer moves, learned how to play Euchre, caught up on lost beauty sleep, went on long hikes, took joyrides on the 4-wheeler, ate LOTS of food, and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of limited internet connectivity.

Thanks for a great trip, Montana! We love your wide open spaces, but you can keep your steady 25 mph winds.

Until next time…

On April 16th, I got lucky.

It was my 7th birthday, we had no school, and I found a surprise delivery at my front door: my good friend, Danny! We played our hearts out at my house and then mom took us to a movie, followed by a drive through Taco Bell, which ended with lunch at the park!

Then, over my birthday weekend, we hosted a pizza party… the first family gathering at our house since summer!

Just like every birthday, I have lots to be thankful for…. mostly the presence and good health of my loving family, but I’m not mad about the presents I got either! I will surely become quite active with my new bike, golf clubs, smart basketball, and smart soccer ball; keep up with me if you can!

I’ve officially launched my soccer career. And let me tell you, I’ve got moves you’ve never seen!

Like at my first game, I leaned my upper body strangely far ahead of my feet (even though I’ve never run with that posture before) and then I clumsily fell forward every time I touched the ball. My fan club seemed confused, yet entertained, so I just kept running myself to the ground.

For game 2, I tried a different strategy: Staying upright. (Which worked, because I scored a goal!)

Lesson for the next game: Remembering that throw-ins on the soccer field are not like jump shots on the basketball court.

Follow me for more soccer tips!

Despite forgetting to leave out carrots, the Easter Bunny was gracious enough to pay us a visit anyway, and left behind chocolates, toys, movies, and baskets full of happiness.

That’s what you call classy, thoughtful, and selfless… spreading goodness to others without needing to chase a dangled carrot.

The world needs more Easter Bunnies.

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” – Jamie Anderson

We miss you, Papa Murphy….

On March 19, 2021, almost one year after Papa died, Mom walked away from her 17-year career at UW-La Crosse to bet on herself.

We’re excited to watch mom be her own boss and work from home on a regular basis, as she jumps into the world of self-employment and entrepreneurship! Mom says Papa (and Nana) would be cheering her on as she chose family and freedom, because as Brittney Packnett Buckingham says, it’s time to “build a dream life instead of a dream job. Ain’t no way [our] ancestors only wanted [us] to dream of labor. Ain’t no way.”

Winter 2020-2021: It was fun while it lasted.