The Baby-Sitters belong to Ann M. Martin

I was packing my suitcase because we- includes my friends, Dad, and Mr. Thomas- who recently moved back to Stoneybrook (Kristy decided to visit him on weekends)- would be traveling for entire summer and I, Mary Anne Spier, am so excited! In fact, we'd be camping in some of the states. I never been camping before even though my friends and I went to Camp Mowark, but we didn't do it near the woods. I'm 13 years old and just graduated from Stoneybrook Middle School, here in Stoneybrook, Connecticut and would be in tenth grade in September- only I won't be here, I'll explain in a minute.

We would be using two RVs. Dad, who would be off from work, rented one of them and Mr. Thomas rented the other one. My friends are thrilled, too. My neighbors, Kayla and her twin, Kaylee Willis, and my adopted brother, Carlos Peters, will be coming as well, which is even nicer. Kathi, Patti, and Marci had family plans, so they couldn't make it, which is understandable. But since there would be changes, they promised to come to my birthday party.

My family is getting ready to move Maine, so Dad took the summer off until he starts his new job in late August. Oh: Kayla and Kaylee are moving there. Best part: we're going to be next door neighbors (we were three houses apart). Happy Days were here and we had a pizza party along with the graduation, which was fun. Also, my grandmother's moving in with us, so I'm excited about it. We planned to get her when we stop in Iowa. The only person I knew in Maine was April. I saw her recently to give me a tour at the new school I just got accepted to: Portland Voc- Tech High School. Kayla and Kaylee will be going there, too.

"Girls, Carlos, can I gather you guys for a moment before your friends get here tonight?" asked Dad.

"Yes, what's up?" asked Dawn as we gathered in the living room.

"I'm doing some thinking here while we're doing the road. Our new house is ready for us to move in, so we can bring our stuff there before we continue on," said Dad. "I already packed my things."

"So did we," said Carlos.

"Your mom can't join us. She had to work. Her last day here is late July and we'll be finished by August, so she offered to unpack her things," said Dad.

"Should we unpack our things there before it gets lost or misplaced?" I asked.

"If you want to," said Dad.

"It would be a perfect timing for our friends to see our new house in between," said Dawn.

"Yes," said Dad. "Mrs. Willis will be helping out. Your grandmother still needed to get things organized before we get her halfway."

"Okay, sounds good," I said. "Too bad Sharon's working because she would've join us and enjoy her vacation before we get settled in Maine."

Here are the people in my dad's RV:

Me

Kaylee

Kayla

Dawn

Carlos

Here are the others that are joining Mr. Thomas:

Kristy

Mallory

Jessi

Stacey

Claudia

All of my friends and Mr. Thomas are staying over at my house because we are leaving at seven tomorrow morning, so we would have to get up at between 6:00 and 6:30 am. They'll be here shortly.

First came were Kristy and her father. Claudia and Stacey came together. The rest came thirteen minutes apart. Dad decided we can sleep in the basement since it's bigger.

"We still can't believe this would be our last time together," said Kristy.

"I know. At least we'd be together the whole summer though," I said.

"True," said Claudia.

The next day, at 5:50 am, I was up before anyone and went to get dressed. I couldn't wait for our trip. The others got up by the time I was finished. I also put my nightgown in my suitcase before I went to go put it in the RV.

At 6:55 am, we were all ready to leave as we went into both RVs and we took off five minutes later.

We stopped at Dunkin Donuts. My friends and I liked that idea. So, that's what we did. Later, we stopped in Cape Cod. When I looked out the window, it was the fair. Kayla, Kaylee, and I enjoy that in New York City.

In the fair, I was watching my friends going on rides. I was on the bench. Dad got some cotton candy and sat with me.

"I got some cotton candy. Do you want some?" asked Dad.

"Sure," I said.

"There's a camping site down the road from here," said Dad.

"This would be my first time going camping near the woods using the RV," I said.

"Us, too," said Dad. "We can hang out while we're there."

"Really?" I asked.

"Of course," said Dad.

When we got to the campground, Dad said, "Mr. Thomas and I just need to go check in, I'll be right back in a moment."

After he stepped out, most of us got there, too."

"This is going to exciting," said Kayla.

"When we move to Maine, does your dad plan to keep the RV?" asked Kaylee.

"Yes. He already got his car attached to the RV," I said.

"Oh, yeah," said Kaylee.

"Speaking of that, Dad had a plan last night," I said as I told them about his plan.

"That sounds like a good idea to save time," said Kayla.

"I forgot that Mom told us last night," said Kaylee.

"I know, but my grandmother still needs to get things ready before we get her," I said.

"That's fine," said Kayla.

Dad came back. "All set. You guys can do your own thing for the afternoon."

Dad and I ended up hanging out together. After that, it was time for dinner.

"Today was fun," I said.

After dinner, we did our own thing before we went to bed by 10:00 pm.