Busy Lives Chapter 1, a penderwicks series fanfic

Hi, everyone! Crumpet #1 and I are both posting chapters, so you will always read two chapters at a time. This chapter won't be as exciting as other chapters, though. We hope you enjoy this set of chapters!

The green grass in the backyard was slightly bending in the soft wind. It was summer, but it wasn't crazy hot. My story starts on a Sunday, the first Sunday of summer. Jeffrey would be visiting for the week and the whole family was expecting to have a good time. My three sisters and I complained to our parents that Jeffrey should stay longer, but our parents were wise and told us that Mrs. Tifton-Dupree would be very upset and would not let him stay again. So we all sighed and decided it was for the best, but no one would ever expect something like this.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! My alarm clock went off. I opened one eye then another. I yawned sleepily and then realized that Jeffrey would be arriving today. Energy sprung into my legs and I happily hit my alarm clock to turn it off. I jumped over to my closet to pick out an outfit. Then, I ran to my bathroom to do my hair. I never wear makeup when I'm at home. I quickly made my bed and ran downstairs. I would be making breakfast because Iantha and Daddys' complete focus on their jobs. They told us they were extremely close to earning a promotion! That is what got us up in the morning, especially Skye. I stirred the pancake batter furiously. But, happily. I dumped a bag of chocolate chips into the bowl, and then poured a few pancakes onto the stove. I turned up the heat and then sat at the kitchen table. Suddenly, I heard a deep groaning coming from outside. I slowly stood up. A wet nose appeared through the dog door, followed by Hound. His furry cheeks sagged and his small eyes were pink.

"What's up, buddy?" I whispered. He looked up at me.

"Where were you? Takin' a pee?" I asked. He tilted his head. I chuckled.

Footsteps pounded down the stairs. It sounded like thunder. I heard Skye and Jane shouting. I yelled back up to tell them to be quiet. Finally, they had come down and were helping out with setting the table.

"Jane was babbling rudely when we came down the stairs!" Skye announced.

"I'm not sure that I want to know, but hit me with your best shot" I told Skye.

"She literally 'asked' me "If Jeffrey came for another reason" and looked directly at me while made kissy noises. Then I shoved her. That was all that yelling" Skye answered. I sighed, slapped my forehead, and shook my head. My sisters can be a pain in the butt.

After breakfast, Daddy and Iantha went back to work and I sent Batty, Jane and Skye upstairs to clean their room. Then I told Ben to try to push Hound outside so I can clean. The rest of the day included cleaning, sadly without Iantha or Daddy. They were still hard at work. Later around 1:50 PM, Iantha and Daddy came downstairs. Jeffrey would be arriving soon. We all sat in the family room fidgeting, waiting for the doorbell to ring. Finally, at 2:00 the doorbell went off. Skye was first at the door. She opened it. Behind the screen door stood a cheerful Jeffrey with his green suitcase.

"Jeffrey!" We exclaimed and ran over to the door area. Skye opened the screen door and pounced on top of him.

"Don't kill him! Mrs. Dupree would not like that!" Daddy called. Skye turned pink and stepped back.

"You look like a tomato!" I whispered to her.

"Shut up!" She hissed back.. I smirked.

"Jeffrey! How are you?" Iantha asked him, then hugged him.

"Hello, Jeffrey!" Daddy said and shook his hand. Then he picked up Jeffrey's bag and carried it to the guest room. Jane, Batty and I took turns exchanging greetings with and hugging Jeffrey. Ben said hi by friendly saying "Duck". Iantha went upstairs to work and the rest of us went upstairs to Skye's and Jane's room. We all sat down, with Ben on my lap. We just chatted. Jeffrey told us how he begged a lot to his mother to let him come and how Cagney is teaching Jeffrey more about plants. After, we all played a huge game of soccer and then had dinner. After dinner, Batty, Ben and Hound watched Ponyo upstairs, while Skye, Jane, Jeffrey and I watched Pitch Perfect. Iantha and Daddy were still working. And that's how my Sunday went.