When it comes to Christmas, my school doesn’t mess around.

During our annual Holiday Open House, every family arrived in seasonal pajamas and every classroom, decorated from ceiling to floor, was equipped with a fun activity or a delicious treat. Additionally, there was a live concert every 20 minutes, featuring the cutest and most distracted carolers you’ve ever seen! Genesee’s class sang Jingle-Bell-Rock (with no help from my sister who ran off stage as soon as she spotted Dad), and I did the Reindeer Pokey like nobody’s business. Plus, we got to meet & greet Mr. Snowman, Mr. Reindeer, AND my main man, Santa!!

It was awesome! I made the most of what every room had to offer while Genesee trained for a marathon throughout the hallways. On one of her laps, however, she seemed to learn a new move called the “hug.” She’s never been the affectionate type, but the holiday spirit must have moved her when she saw her little friend, Annalia. Everyone thought it was soooo cute… until Genesee pushed Annalia to the ground when the hugging session concluded. How embarrassing!

Needless to say, my bully sister will likely make an appearance on the naughty list. But better Genesee than me… I can’t afford any missteps; I’ve got high hopes for all my circled toys in the latest Target catalog.

Thanks for the fun night out, Children’s Tree House!

As tradition would have it, we set out for the great Christmas tree hunt on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. But first, Perkins. Because the search party requires muffins, bacon, & omelets energy to successfully find trees.

On the way to Patterson’s Christmas Tree Farm, Mom and I decided that we would settle for nothing less than a 10-foot tree. Dad objected and Genesee abstained, so with a 2-1 victory, we brought home the 10-footer! (Fingers crossed that Genesee joins the winning team when she can vote next year.)

This is always one of my favorite days because it’s beginning to look a lot like the most wonderful time of year is coming to town, and oh what fun it is, so you better watch out ’cause I’ll be rocking around the Christmas tree like only an overly-excited 4-year-old can:

On Thanksgiving this year, I paused to reflect on how grateful I am for family, friends, food, and the fun that ensues from a competitive game of Jenga.

Genesee gave thanks to her teeth. Because the appetizers. And the turkey. And the pies.

Cheers to Grandma and Grandpa for always hosting a holiday that fills our hearts and bellies!

My first hunting trip was a success! Mostly because I got to stay home from school, but also because Grandma and Grandpa ordered KFC takeouts for our lunch at the cabin! Oh, and did I mention that we also shot a buck!?

To prepare for my big hunt with dad, we first shopped for a bright orange winter coat, then I got home and took a shower with no-scent soap, and finally, I packed my own backpack before getting a good night’s sleep. At 6 a.m. the next morning, I woke up with a smile on my face, sent mom off to work with a kiss on her cheek, and then grabbed my fresh-from-the-Keurig hot chocolate and headed out into the cold, dark woods. And even though boredom got the best of me a couple times, and despite some tears that fell because I “missed my sister,” and never mind that I regularly inquired about when we could return home, I’m so glad I got to spend such quality time with my dad and the squirrels. Because suddenly, before all was said and done, Dad spotted an injured buck that we needed to put out of its misery. So, I covered my ears, dad pulled the trigger, and just like that, we were climbing down the deer blind in search of our soon-to-be venison jerky.

“Just go, Dad. I’ll catch up,” I exclaimed as I tripped over all the branches. But eventually, I arrived at the scene of the crime, and instead of feeling sad, scared or distraught like Mom feared I would, I had a weird urge to pee on Mr. Buck. I mean, I didn’t actually urinate; it was just an idea that popped into my head. Little did Mom know, she has other reasons to be concerned about me.

All in all, it was a hunting season for the books… from opening day when the Docan-Morgans came over for a playdate, to the very last supper at the cabin… Genesee enjoyed Uncle Cory’s snuggles and I loved being dad’s little hunting buddy.

It was awesome! We took nothing but memories and left nothing but a trail of crumbs behind Genesee’s path. So look out, wounded deer and clean cabin floors… we’ll be back next year!

On November 6, we took Genesee in for her 15-month Well Child Appointment and learned that my lil’ sis is healthy, strong, and unrestrainable.

She weighed 20 lbs, 8 oz. (37th percentile), her head measured 45 cm (30th percentile), and her height remains undetermined (hence, the aforementioned “unrestrainable” trait.) However, she’s not so tough when she’s getting poked with a needle. All. three. times.

I, on the other hand, took my flu vaccine like a champ, with no screams or tears whatsoever. Apparently, once you turn 4 years of age, you can choose between the needle shot or the nasal spray. I chose the latter. Call me chicken or call me smart.

Someday, Genesee will be as tough/smart as me. But for now, Genesee is a mover and shaker who likes to hit me on the head, slap me in the face, and pounce on anyone who dares to relax on the floor. She’s a lover of books, shoes, spaghetti, most male figures, and all things sweet. She’s a homewrecker, so don’t put anything nice within arms reach of her, and careful when you give her a bath… she tends to perform dangerous maneuvers.

These days, you can often find Genesee snacking, reading books, looking out the window, wrestling with me, riding my scooter, playing basketball, hiking with Dad, or splashing in self-made milk puddles. She’s got more teeth, more words, and more attitude than her last Well Child Appointment. But after this check-up, she’ll have less bottle time because Doc ordered a full transition to sippy cups.

So, our little, bottle-banned baby girl is growing up right before our eyes… She’s blossomed into quite a healthy, strong and unrestrainable toddler who moves through life on her own terms. And while it’s become quite clear that this is her world and the rest of us are just living in it, we wouldn’t want it any other way!

Future basketball star

This is not my idea of relaxing on the floor.

G loves story time!

Spaghetti dinners are the best…

…and quite messy!

G lounging on the couch

Wrestle wars!

G loves a good scooter ride.

A hiking they will go

She loves me!

Baller

…for Halloween this year.

But no one jumped or screamed because the monster trick-or-treated her way through Festival’s BooFest, the Enchanted Forest, and Viterbo University’s Halloween event by also assuming the role of Welcoming Committee. Hence, Genesee’s cover was blown every. single. time. she opened her cute mouth and let out a sweet “Hiiii!!!” (Her newest trick.)

Luckily, Genesee’s Midwest-nice was Marvel-ously balanced by her sidekick… the righteous king, noble Avenger, and fearsome warrior:

…THE PINK PANTHER.

Ha. Just kidding!

But I did connect with some of my roots to embody Wakanda’s fierce and powerful Black Panther.

And so I used my powers to sweet-talk lots of treats into our buckets with phrases like “please,” “thank you,” “trick or treat,” and “how many am I allowed to take for my sister?” Because despite Genesee’s limited vocabulary and lacking manners, I vigilantly ensured that her bucket got filled alongside mine because the perk of having a complete set of teeth is that I get to consume my sister’s candy that’s what loving, responsible, superhero-brothers do.

Needless to say, it was a happy and delicious Halloween!

Me: “Woohoooo!! It’s snowing! I can’t believe it’s Christmas now! YESSS!”

Fun-spoiler mother: “It’s not Christmas, Jaeger. It’s just snowing.”

Me: “Oh… Well, still, I’ve been waiting so long for a snow day. I love it! Woohoo!! SNOW IS THE BEST…”

Also me: …particularly when observed from inside my warm and dry house, under a fuzzy blanket, and snuggled up next to our cozy fireplace.

First, she took a stand.

Then, she started a movement.

[Video evidence of G’s new walking skills.]

Indeed, my little sister is quite the inspiration… Fierce. Courageous. And ready to change the world, one step at a time.

But before you jump on her bandwagon or sign up to become her campaign manager, I’d like to remind everyone that Genesee still poops her pants.

My mom’s not the best swimmer in the world, but she’s determined to make me one. So, here I am, back at swimming lessons because, apparently, it’s an important life skill blah, blah, blah. But even though I pretend not to like it, I’m all smiles and giggles once I get to the pool. In fact, I’m no longer afraid of the locker room, now that I have an easier time getting myself un/dressed. Also, I’ve become fearless when it comes time to put my head under water. Even more, I jump right off the diving board like I never have before. And the best part? In between strokes and splashes, I think about how awesome it is that the life lessons I’m learning take place in the same pool that my dad was taught how to swim!

Every year around this time, I start to fall for Fall… especially when the season brings together some of my favorites: friends, farm-fresh Winghaven pizza, and Ferguson’s Apple Orchard! Each visit to these Galesville fall-tour fun spots creates precious memories and marks new milestones. When I look back on this particular day, I will probably tell the story of that time when our new friend Noah joined the party, and how Genesee ate more pizza than I did, and that I was brave enough to enter the Slightly Scary Haunted House all by myself, and somehow, the final score of the cornfield adventure was Corn Maze: 1, Us: 0.