This past week, I experienced several “firsts…”

I went on my first boys-only fishing trip with Dad and Grandpa! We had to leave really early, but I was so excited that I woke up at 5:00 a.m., before Dad’s alarm had a chance to ring.

Then, Dad decided to remove the front of my crib so I could sleep in a big-boy-bed for the first time ever. I was so thrilled to experience freedom and independence. In fact, I decided to practice my newfound freedom by escaping from my bed in the middle of the night…

…and sneaking right into my parents’ bed. It was perfect; I felt so independent as I snuggled myself safely between mom and dad!!

Finally, I went to my first big-screen movie (Cars 3) at the Sparta Cinema 6 Movie Theatre! It was the 3-D version so I was provided a super cool pair of sunglasses (that I grew tired of wearing about 30 minutes into the movie). Luckily, there was no getting tired of the popcorn, root beer, Skittles and Reese’s pieces! And just to treasure the experience even more, mom and dad bought me a couple Cars 3 characters to play with (and sleep with and never part with) at home.

I will always remember my firsts!

While June is still happening, we decided to hit up another Dairy Breakfast! This one took place last weekend in Trempealeau County and featured a live band, batter-fried cheese curds, and a tractor display! I think I might be a little sad once July comes around… and a little chunkier! (Unapologetically chunkier.)

YUM!!

Standing ovation for the band!

I’m the leader!

Away we go….

It was a dusty ride!

Look… no hands!

… Dairy Month! And Dairy Month means Dairy Breakfasts on the local farms!!

Petting zoo…

I really just came for the balloon.

Getting my first tattoo!

Got Milk?

Moooo!

Milk mustache

Holy cheese curd!!

Eyeing up the Culver’s ice cream

I’m not ready to leave yet.

Afterward, we stopped in Viroqua to check out the local shops and then visited Connie (who just retired from UWL).

Shopping for a new bike helmet

Safety first!

Strawberries from Connie’s garden

If summerofthevacation means a belly full of cheese curds and pancakes, a new bike helmet, sunny days, and several fresh-garden-picked strawberries, then we should probably consider canceling the rest of the year because it doesn’t get better than this!

I did it! I graduated from the 2/3 year-old room at the Campus Child Center! Do you know what that means (besides that I’m probably brilliant)? It’s officially “SUMMEROFTHEVACATION!”

This year, I have no diapers to hold me back, so I’m about to show summer who’s boss! But, I will miss seeing all my campus buddies on the regular. Luckily, I made lots of memories before the school year was all said and done:

Outdoor picnic lunch with the parents!

Last day of the 2016-17 school year!

At the busy intersection

I LOVE a good hot dog!

Field trip to Rudy’s!

My Campus Climate buddies came over for a retreat!

Last day of IOPA for the year

I had so much fun at the “Dragon Show!” (Drag show)

Week of the Young Child – Concert

Me and my back-up singers

Free rides!

My fan club!

Yum!

Congrats on your award, Jamie! (I’m her manager)

Why am I the only one clapping?

I was so excited for our first camping adventure of the season that I decided to try out the bed before we even left the driveway!

Yep, it works!

Luckily, the bed passed inspection, so I told Dad to set the GPS for Hayward, and away we went! 3 hours later, we had arrived at my happy place…. just in time to set up camp for the night and sneak in a late supper. I jumped and jumped and jumped for joy! The only problem was when you play hard, you sleep hard…

Oops.

But, the rest of the weekend was no accident. I went fishing, relaxed by the mosquito-free campfire, roasted S’mores, watched fireworks, cruised the Flowage, stopped for the obligatory ice cream cone, played at a park, tried out new tricks on my bike, ate our freshly-caught fish, and fell asleep to gentle rain showers and thunderstorms! I had so much fun that I probably don’t need to go camping again anytime soon…. said nobody ever!! See you next time, Hayward, WI!!

Teaching Dad how to fish.

Good job, Ashlee!

Awww… that’s a cute family of Geesers.

Here, fishy, fishy….

I caught one!

We’ll keep this one for breakfast!

Life is good.

Blue tongue from my Superman ice cream

Relaxing at Treeland Resort

Cory and Ashlee fishing

Whoa!

Teeter-tottering

[Ash:] “Want a S’more, Jaeger? [Me:] More of what?!

Silly selfie!

Look, no feet!

Multitasking

Eggs & chorizo! One of my favs.

Swing time!

Look, no hands!

Brrrr!

Snuggling with mom!

Saying goodbye to Great Aunt Mary.

On May 21st, my Dad turned 93 years old, as you can see from the below picture:

Just kidding! He’s only a young, hip 39-year-old. Fooled ya, didn’t I?!

To celebrate, we treated Dad to gifts, birthday cake, and a trip to Manny’s Mexican Cocina for non-alcoholic margarita drinks, Mahi Mahi fish tacos, and fried ice cream. It. Was. Good. Cheers to being 39 and not 93, Dad!

In the months preceding my 3rd birthday, I might have been classified as a silly-willy.

But since then, I’ve matured into a much older and wiser version of myself and I must say that three looks good on me!

As a 3-year-old:

• Some of my favorite phrases are:
  • “What did you said?”
  • “What did I did?”
  • and “Because why?”
• Once I get picked up from school, you’ll often hear me ask, “How was your day, mom/dad?”
• And on Fridays, I exclaim, “It’s the WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!”
• Currently, my main sport is basketball. I love to watch it, I love to play it, but I do get a bit traumatized when someone falls down on the court.
• I suddenly have strong opinions about my wardrobe. (Just put down the jeans, hand over my fleecey pants & light-up crocs, and nobody will get hurt.)
• I remain a silent pouter.
• I’ve improved on my nose-blowing skills.
• I’m a really good eater, especially when I’m presented with Ramen noodles, strawberries, scrambled eggs with sausage or chorizo, Cheerios, macaroni and cheese, cheeseburgers, pizza…..
• My eczema still bothers me, but it gets better as summer nears.
• I’m pretty good at sticking fruit loops and cheerios up my nose.
• Instead of being scared of storms, I now look forward to snuggling safely between mom and dad in their bed!
• I’ve gone from zero to hero on my gift-opening skills.

The list goes on, but as you can see, it’s good to be three! This year is sure to be triple the fun… just watch!!

Three at last, three at last. I’m finally, FINALLY three at last!

My first conscious moments as a three-year-old looked something like this:

The minutes that followed were spent on an Easter egg hunt, because although it was MOSTLY my birthday, it was also Easter Sunday!

After finding a gazillion eggs that were hidden around the house, I also discovered some birthday presents that I sweet-talked my way into opening early.

At long last, it was time to get my birthday party started! And guess what I got?! Lots of love, ballons (by request), lovely gifts, and my very own 4-wheeler!!

After several test-drives on my new wheels, it was time for birthday cake and candles (also on my list of requests)!!! Being serenaded by a bunch of loved ones wearing Mickey Mouse ears was just what I needed!

And just to maximize our day while soaking up the sunshine, we hit the trails in caravan-style and enjoyed everything our backyard had to offer. It was refreshing and beautiful and….

…..zzzzzzz…. and, it was a wrap!

When we arrived at the much-anticipated day-before-my-birthday, I was a little disappointed to learn that I still had to wait a day until my birthday. But, Grandma and Grandpa averted a meltdown by letting me open a couple gifts early: the fanciest Crocs you’ve ever seen and a Harlem Globetrotters basketball!!! It was love at first sight. You should see how my shoes light up and how I can do fancy spin moves with my new basketball. It’s quite impressive.

Next, my neighbors (the Nicolais) invited me to their house to color Easter eggs! Who knew I had a hidden talent for decorating hard-boiled eggs?! It was so much fun, but the best part was when we paused for a Cheeto break.

After I woke up from a nap I didn’t agree to, the parents and I traveled to La Crosse to pick up my Mickey Mouse birthday cake and then headed to Sparta for some of my mom’s favorite PIZZA! I love when we order pizza-to-go and take it to the local park. I get to slide on the slides and swing on the swings between every bite, and once I eat my pizza all gone, we go on a bike ride all around town! Final destination? Rudy’s Drive-In of course. Root beer floats are the only way to conclude my birthday eve.

Light-up Crocs!

Yes! A Harlem Globetrotter’s basketball!

A birthday card from Papa Florence in the mail!

Here. We. Go!

Alright, girls… here’s how it’s done.

Just follow my lead, Ashlee.

Harley came to say hello

Cheeto break!

Done!

A masterpiece!

Thumbs up.

You can have this one, Dad.

Rudy’s Drive-In

I love you, Root Beer Float.

The countdown to my birthday officially began on Friday. I arrived at school, equipped with Mickey Mouse bubbles and egg-shaped rice krispy treats (compliments of Grandma and Cortney) so everyone would know who the birthday boy was: ME! Although it was fun commanding all the attention, I left school early that day and was greeted by Jackie, who surprised me with a Mickey Mouse balloon and two fun books for my reading pleasure. Thanks, Jackie!

After that, we picked up Dad and headed to Rochester to meet up with the rest of the fam for dinner at Newt’s before experiencing the most entertaining basketball team I’ve ever seen: The Harlem Globetrotters! (Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!) They were SILLL-LY!

The night was complete after I consumed my grape slushy, received a couple autographs, and memorized some new basketball tricks.

What a FUN day! I love turning almost-three.

Birthday treats for my buds!

Jackie giving me an early b-day gift

Books!!!

Dinner at Newt’s

Walking to the Civic Center

Cheese!

It’s a family affair!

These athletes are awesome!

We had awesome seats. 2nd row!!

Warming up

Ugh. That should have been me out there. It’s MY birthday.

Me and Dad

Whoa. What’s he doing up there?

Sign here, please.

Hi! My name is Jaeger and I’m your future teammate.

Slurp!