We ended our Spring 2024 soccer season with the Tonka Splash tournament in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It was a trip of many firsts! …Our first time playing in that tournament, it was Artemis’ first trip in the camper, it was my first time playing indoor soccer on the retired Vikings training field, and it was our first time going shopping with the pup (Thanks to Scheels for being a dog friendly store)!

Unfortunately, it was also a trip of lasts. It was my last time playing with some of my teammates (since some decided not to play for Rush next year) and it was my last time being coached by Coach Aimane, who believes I have the potential to play up at U12 or U13 next year.

So, as we packed up and headed home, I couldn’t help but feel a little bittersweet. But I know I’ll carry everything I’ve learned with me into the next season. Mom says my game has really improved and another parent called me her superhero because of my skill and attitude!

Soccer is indeed all about growing, mentally and physically. And while this chapter is closing, I’m excited for what’s next. So here’s to new adventures, new teammates and coaches, and new memories—because if there’s one thing this season taught me, it’s that the game doesn’t stop. It just gets better!

This spring was all about soccer—like, seriously, ALL about soccer! My sister and I basically lived in the car because we had to drive into town for practice four days a week, and then weekends were spent traveling to my games in Madison. Similar to the fall season, Genesee played in the Pre-Academy, and I was on the U11 team.

The days were long, but the weeks flew by quickly. And besides improving our soccer skills, my sister and I found joy in getting outside, moving our body, and making new friends.

This school year was straight-up bussin’! I crushed 4th grade and Genesee slayed the 1st grade. We low key expanded our vocabulary this year and you know what’s the most sus?! We learned the majority of our newfound terminology outside of the classroom. And that’s facts. Honestly, I’m not sure we even need a formal education, especially if it’s just mid. Besides my drip and Genesee’s rizz, we’re feeling like sigmas with all this free knowledge from TikTok, YouTube shorts, and my fellow Gen Alpha bruhs. Now it’s time to skibidy out of the school year because we know summer is gonna be fire. Ready or not, the last day of school is here. Bet!

Do NOT be fooled by her cuteness.

Nothing is safe.

This one-dog wrecking crew has chewed up several shoes, ruined favorite hats, and turned my socks into confetti. And that’s just the casualty count for one day! Mom’s robe strings? Consider them chomped. The expensive leash we bought our “princess”? Completely shredded. Stuffed (innocent) animals? No survivors. She even tries to snack on Nerf bullets and dryer balls.

Keeping up with her chaos is a full-time job. While Mom, Genesee, and I yell, chase, and threaten to take away Artemis’ recess, she just gets a twinkle in her eye, laughs in our faces, and hurdles the couch the second we think we’ve got her cornered. Then, Dad comes home from work and catches our pup in the final lap of the house-destroying marathon, and says something ridiculous like, “Oh sweetie, let’s make better choices.” And just like that, Artemis drops her latest victim and rolls over for a tummy rub. It’s pretty insulting that she only listens to Dad. Even more insulting? Dad doesn’t see the devil in Artemis because she magically grows wings and a halo in his presence.

Still, even though Mom, Sis, and I don’t always agree with Artemis’ “choices,” we love her anyway. Sure, she’s a whirlwind of destruction, but she’s our whirlwind. And maybe someday she’ll decide to listen to the rest of us, but until then, we’ll let Dad enjoy his dog-whispering superpower. However, if you plan on visiting Artemis-the-Naughty-Miss, I’d advise against wearing your favorite socks, shoes, or hats. In fact, I would encourage you to arrive naked, but that would be kind of weird. Besides, I have attempted to roam the house clothes-less and it didn’t end well. In fact, it was a painful lesson, if you know what I mean.

Again, nothing is safe.

Our school concert this year was called “Rock Around the 50’s,” and we got to sing all these classic songs from way back when the dinosaurs roamed. I had so much fun performing hits like “Yakety Yak” and “La Bamba;” It was truly a blast from the past!

As the story goes, Dad used to be mom’s favorite subject for her college photography class assignments.

Then, Genesee and I came along and Dad lost his spot in front of the lens.

Chapter 3: Move over all of us because there’s a new cutie that mom is focused on:

Mom says life is fast and full and so the camera helps her slow down and remember. Or as Dorothea Lange says, “Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”