Summertime Girl

What trouble can you get into when you are on summer vacation? I guess it wasn’t trouble, but it was fun.

It all started when mom and dad bought a summer cottage — 5 bedroom, 4 baths, 2 car garage, so really it was more of a house —in Maine on a lake, when I was 8. The house was on 6 acres of land. They bought it during a tax auction and we saw how nice it was. The lake it was on, Togue Lake — togue being a word for brown trout, was a K shaped, 318 acre lake near Sebago.

Besides my mom and dad, I had three brothers 11, 10 and 4 and 2 sisters 9 and 6. I’m Sawyer Sage Madenford. My brothers are William, who is 11, Kyle, who is 10 and David (DJ), who is 4. My sisters are Logan, who is 9 and Sydney, who is 6. My parent’s names are David, who is 37, and Mary, who is 35.

The first time we were going to go to the cottage, mom packed for us. It was Memorial Day weekend and since we didn’t have school on Friday and only a half day on Thursday, mom and dad said we are leaving after school on Wednesday.

While we were in school on Wednesday, mom packed our clothes. Mom put the luggage in the foyer while dad was getting the boat hitched to our Expedition. Mom packed enough clothes for my sisters, which is 2 suitcases each. Mom packed 1 suitcase each for me and my brothers.
When we got home, mom told us to get our suitcases, but I picked up DJ’s suitcase for him and carried it to the car. I thought mom would carry mine, but somehow it was forgotten in the foyer. We packed the Expedition and started to our cottage.

We drove and we were talking about the lake. Dad wanted to do some fishing with us, along with water skiing. We thought about making friends at the lake and having great time. We stopped in New Hampshire for dinner, and then we continued to our cottage.

After we ate dinner, we still had about 2 hours to drive to the cottage. We got off the interstate and headed north on a federal highway for about 25 miles. We then turn onto a dirt road — the first of three — that takes us to the cottage.

When we turned onto ‘Sokoki Creek Road’, we took it for about a mile, crossing a river which flows into the lake, and then we turned right onto ‘Lakeshore Drive’ following the lake’s shoreline, before turning right on ‘Pequaki River Road’, where our cottage is.

We pulled into our driveway and dad said, “We will unpack tomorrow. Just take your suitcases in and I’ll bring in the cooler.”

I was looking for my suitcase, but I couldn’t find it. I told mom that I can’t find my suitcase, so mom said, “Did you put it in the car?”

I said, “I told you if you would take it since I had DJ’s suitcase. I asked you if you would.” I knew William and Kyle’s would be too big on me, but I said, “I guess I’ll have to wear Kyle’s clothes.”

Mom said, “You know they are too big on you, Sage. I know you’ll hate what I’ll suggest.”

I said, “Mom, what is it?” I know I can’t wear DJ’s clothes, so is mom going to suggest Logan or Sydney. I looked at mom and said, “What is it?”

Mom said, “You'll have to to wear Sydney 's clothes this weekend. Nobody knows you, so it might be fun.

Sydney is the most girly-girl person I ever saw. Logan is more of a tom-boy and I know mom didn't pack her a dress, but knowing Sydney , mom packed her a few dresses for her.

I sighed and said, “Mom, this is serious! I can't wear Sydney 's clothes.” Sydney and I are about the same size. “What happened if we meet someone when we are boating?”

Dad said, “Don't worry Sawyer. It won't be that bad.”

I sighed and said, “I guess I'll stick around the cottage. I don't want to be mistaken for a girl!”

Logan looked at me and said, “Sawyer, I bet you'd be a cute girl. Your hair is as long as mine.”

Sydney said, “Sawyer, we could be twins. It would be fun.” Sydney looked at mom and said, “Mommy wouldn’t Sawyer have fun?”

William and Kyle looked at each other, then William said, “We have another sister this weekend?”

Mom said, “William and Kyle, no kidding Sawyer. You two could be beautiful girls, too.”

Kyle and William looked at mom and William said, “We can't kid our new sister? You aren't any fun, mom”

Mom said, “Sawyer, I'm sorry. I thought everything was pack. Your brothers won't kid you this weekend and you and Sydney could be twins.”

I sighed and said, “Okay. I guess we can't do anything about my clothes. Isn't there a Wal-Mart around?”

Dad said, “Sawyer, we aren't going to buy you clothes. Yes, we forgot yours but it isn't the end of the world.”

Sydney said, “We’ll have fun Sawyer. You might like being my sister. Logan doesn’t like to play dolls with me.”

There was no other way, so I carried DJ’s suitcase into the house. I looked around, so mom said, “Sawyer, we are sorry, but it is only for a few days.”

I looked at mom and dad and said, “Mom, I know. I just hope I won’t meet anyone this weekend. I might stay inside.”

Dad said, “No you aren’t we are going to explore the lake. You aren’t going to hide in the cottage. Sawyer, we asked before we left if everything was packed and you said it was.”

Mom said, “Noone will know you are a boy, this weekend, Sawyer. Let me get you ready.”

Mom took me to the bathroom and filled the tub, as she told me to strip. I did and got into the tub as mom washed me. Mom then dried me off, and got me some panties with hearts on them along with a Barbie nightgown.

As I want to the bedroom that was mine, I thought about the briefs I was wearing. It was more comfortable than boys’ briefs. Mom and dad told me night, so I went to sleep.

In the morning, I forgot I was wearing Sydney ’s nightgown, but mom woke me up and said, “Do you want to wear your swimsuit? Or jeans?”
I wanted to swim, so I said, “Could I wear a swimsuit under the jeans, mom. I want to swim, but I’m not going to comfortable wearing just a suit today.” I knew mom was going to ask me something, but how did I sleep, and sure enough, she asked me.

When mom asked me, I said, “I slept fine, mom. What are we having for breakfast?” I could smell pancakes cooking, so I said, “Pancakes?” dad loves making pancakes for us on the weekends, so today dad was going to make breakfast — which is usually pancakes, eggs, toast, orange juice and milk.

Mom said, “We are having pancakes. The boat is going to be launched after breakfast; do you want to go with them? Logan is going with dad to launch the boat. Sydney is staying here.” She hugged me and said, “Let’s get you ready for the day, honey?”

Mom helped me get dressed in a one piece swimsuit, then a pink t-shirt and blue jeans. Mom then got me to put on a pair of lacey socks and pink sneakers. Mom said, “Now, let’s do your hair and you’ll be beautiful.” Mom hugged me as she did my hair. “Now, you’re ready for the day. Want to see how beautiful you are?”

‘No, not really,’ I thought to myself, but I sighed and said, “I guess I have to see how stupid I look. I will be laughed at.”

Mom said, “No, you look like a beautiful young lady.” She led me to the mirror and said, “Sawyer, see how beautiful you are? You look like a girl.”

Mom was right, I did. With the way mom did my hair, and did a ponytail, I look like I could be Sydney ’s identical twin. I thought it was a blow to my ego about being a boy, but I said, “I look like I could be Syd’s twin.”

Mom smiled and said, “I told you that you could be a beautiful girl. Ready for breakfast, honey?”

I walked to the kitchen with mom and Sydney was in her jeans and a pink t-shirt, so we looked like twins. I saw Logan in a pair of tan boys shorts, a black shirt and white and black sneaker, and she looked more of a boy than I did. Sydney said, “We look like twins, mommy!! Don’t we daddy?”

Dad looked at us and said, “Yes, honey, you and Sawyer look like twins. Wow, dear, I didn’t think he’d be that beautiful. Sawyer, How do you feel?”
William and Kyle whistled at me and said, “Wow! He looks like he was a girl.” William looked at Kyle and whispered, “I think we need to keep an eye on Sawyer. The boys might want to go on a date with him.”

Kyle laughed, so Dad looked at William and Kyle and said, “What is funny, Kyle. If you two are making fun of Sawyer, you will be punished.” Dad looked at me and smiled, then said, “Even if he makes a beautiful girl.”

Sitting at the kitchen table, I put my face in my hands and blushed. I then said, “Dad! You are making fun of me. May I have some pancakes please?” I looked at mom who was smiling at me. I looked at mom and said, “What?”

Mom laughed and said, “You were blushing, dear.” Mom got a plate of pancakes and fried eggs, over easy, from dad and placed it in front of me. Kyle poured me a glass of milk, while William pour me a glass of orange juice.

I said, “Thank you.” I then waited for dad and mom to sit down before I eat, since we have prayers before our meals. Soon, dad, with a stack of pancakes on a dish and mom, with dad’s and hers plates, sat at the table.

Dad said, “Would you do the prayers, Sawyer? You really are beautiful, buddy. You look like Syd’s twin.”

I sighed and did the prayer, then we started to eat. As we were eating, dad said that the boat will be launched and when he gets back we can go and cruise the lake.

I had my usual 4 pancakes and my 2 eggs, as we were talking about the day and about the lake. Soon dad got up and William, Kyle and Logan went with him to help launch the boat, so Sydney and I helped mom clean breakfast. Sydney and I put the dishes into the dishwasher, then we helped mom with tidying up.

After, we tidying up the house, Sydney and DJ wanted to go swimming, so I decide to go with them. I knew mom won’t let me stay hidden in the cottage. I went into my room and took off me t-shirt and jeans, then went out and walked with mom, Sydney and DJ, who was in a ‘Cars’ swimsuit. Again, Sydney and I looked like twins as we both had on one piece suits — Sydney in a yellow stripped ruffled one piece and me in the same but pink.

The previous owner made a 150’ sandy beach to the right of the dock. About 100 foot out is a swim raft. Mom told Sydney and me not to go past the end of the dock, so we started to swim as DJ started to make a sand castle.

In about an half hour, dad cruised into the dock with our boat, so mom, Sydney, DJ and me got into the boat and cruised around the lake.

I said that Touge Lake was a K shaped lake, but it does have a few coves and islands. Most of the cottages are summer homes, still closed, but a few are year round homes — like ours is. Though the residents kids might be in school still.

We were cruising the lake, making sure not to hit any logs or submerged objects, when a family cruised towards us. ‘Darn,’ I thought to myself. ‘They’ll think I’m a girl.’

The family, the Yetzers, introduced themselves to mom and dad. They were a year round resident of the lake. Mr. and Mrs. Yetzer, Dan and Lisa, introduced their kids, 14 year old Clay, 12 year old Graham, 10 year old Jarred, 9 year old Ashley, 7 year old Kayla, 4 year old Cooper and 21 month old Chandler , to us.

Logan and Ashley, who were both dressed in boys outfits, which was shorts and a t-shirt started talking while Clay, Graham and Jarred started talking to William and Kyle. Sydney started to talk to Kyla and then Sydney said, “My younger sister is shy.”

‘Younger sister,’ I thought to myself. Yes I know I’m about an inch smaller then Sydney , but me saying I’m YOUNGER than her is upsetting. Sydney said, “We are twins.”

Kayla said, “Friday, is the official opening of the summer season. There are lots of games to play and a cookout. I hope you can come. It is at Clubhouse 4.”

Sydney said, “Mommy, could we go to the cookout at clubhouse 4? Can we, daddy?”

Mom laughed and said, “We might be going Lisa was telling us about it. It would be nice to know some people around the lake.”

The Yetzers cruised back to their cottage, while we cruised around the lake. I wanted to go home — back to our house, not the cottage. I looked at mom and said, “Mom, Sydney called me her younger sister to Kyla. I know I’m smaller and I look like her twin, but I’m still older.”

Mom said, “You are shorter then Sydney , so why not be her younger sister? I mean, mommy and daddy wouldn’t mind.”

Logan said, “Mom, she is our younger sister. I mean this is her first time as a girl, right?”

Mom looked at me and said, “Sawyer, do you mind being her younger sister? Did you say anything to Clay, Graham or Jarred?”

‘No,’ I thought to myself, so I said, “No, they were talking football and baseball with William and Kyle.” I was a klutz at sports, especially baseball and football, so I wasn’t interested in them. I was more into swimming, figure skating and the WNBA. ‘This suit I’m in isn’t that bad,’ I thought to myself.

Mom said, “So would you be Sydney ’s younger sister, honey? Mommy and daddy wouldn’t mind.”

I sighed, and then said, “I guess I will be her younger sister, mommy and daddy.” I was thinking that I am failing as a boy.

We cruised around the lake, and then the Yetzers and another family, who was introduced to us as the Knoxes, came up to us. The Knoxes, George, who was the dad and Bethany, the mom, who were summer residents who came up because of the Memorial Day weekend, had 5 kids — 12 year old Bradley,10 year old Julie, 7 year old Savannah, 4 year old Luke and 10 month old Erika.

Sydney started to talk to Kyla and Savannah , while William and Kyle started to talk sports with Clay, Graham, Jarred and Brad. Logan, Ashley and Julie started to talk, so I was listening to Sydney, Kyla and Savannah talk about dolls.

The Knoxes invited us — and the Yetzers - to their house for lunch. So mom and dad agreed. We cruised towards the Knoxes’ house and tied up at their dock. Looking around, I could see they have a small beach but a pine tree at the edge of the lake with a rope swing.

William, Kyle, Clay, Graham Jarred and Brad started to go off the swing, while Kyla, Sydney, Savannah and me sat in chairs, while our moms asked if ‘us girls’ could watch Cooper, DJ, Luke, Chandler and Erika for them while they get lunch.

I thought I would be upset when mom said ‘us girls’, but I didn’t. I watched them, while Logan, Ashley and Julie asked the boys if they could try the swing. They lets the girls swing off it, but I was watching the younger kids, when Kyla said, “This is like babysitting. Mommy let me watch Cooper and Chandler when she is cooking or doing laundry. Do you watch DJ, Sydney and Sawyer?”

Sydney said, “Not yet, but when we turn 7 in August, we can watch DJ.” I looked at Sydney and thought about her birthday last year. She had a pool party at our house and I bet she would have a party here on the lake. “ Logan doesn’t want to babysit, but we do.”

I just hope Sydney won’t ask mom or dad if ‘we’ can have our birthday party here, as she was telling Kyla and Savannah about ‘our’ birthday party and what we got. One of the dolls that Sydney received, Savannah said that she have it, so she said, “Let me get my dolls and we can play.” Savannah ran into her house, while Kyla listened to Sydney ’s story about ‘our’ birthday party. My birthday party is in June, so I guess I could have it with Sydney .

Savannah and our moms came down with the beach, and sure enough, Sydney asked, “Mommy, can we have our birthday party here? It would be fun having our new friends at it. Can we, please?”

Mom smiled at us both and said, “Would you girls like that? It would be nice to have it up here. We might spend the whole summer here. You girls can invite your friends to the party.”

Sydney said, “We would love it. Wouldn’t be fun, Sawyer?” She saw the doll that she got for her birthday and said, “Sawyer, it is like the one we got. You can play with it.” She handed me the doll.

Sometimes I do play with Sydney , so playing with dolls is not a big deal for me. We all started to play, then our moms said that lunch was ready.

We ate our lunch, as we pretended to feed our dolls, then we swam, before we left for home. Sydney and I were in the bow, wrapped in our towels, when mommy came and sit with us.

Mommy looked at us and said, “Mrs. Knox and Mrs. Yetzer both said that you are very beautiful girls. Mrs. Yetzer said that Kyla is happy another family with girls are here. Kyla said she wishes you lived here year around.

Sydney said, “Mommy, I think Kyla and Savannah will be my bestest friends here. I think Sawyer likes them, too. I want them at our birthday party.”

Mom said, “Kyla already wants you two at her birthday party in June. She is going to have a party at a nice restaurant, then a movie. Kyla invited 8 other girls to go, along with her aunt, uncles, cousins and grandparents.”

I looked at mommy and said, “Mommy, I had fun with Kyla and Savannah .” Really, I did, but will it mean I am failing as a boy, I wondered. I know, I'm a klutz playing sports and when Sydney and I play together, we play with her dolls. Even today, I was having fun with Kyla and Savannah playing with their dolls.

Mommy hugged me and said, “That's good. Mrs Knox and Mrs. Yetzer hope they'll see more of you two. They said that you are very polite.”

When we got home, daddy moored the boat, then mommy got Sydney and I ready for bed, before we had dinner. I was tired, so after dinner and dessert, mommy told us to go to bed.

Mommy tucked me in and kissed me, and then daddy did, too. Mommy said, “Sleep tight, my beautiful girl.”

Mommy woke me up in the morning, and mommy fulled the tub and Sydney and I were bathed by mommy. After, mommy took me to Sydney 's room and started to dress me. Mommy didn't put a swimsuit on my but panties, stockings and a lilac colored satiny dress, then mommy dressed Sydney in the same, but her dress is a pale blue. Mommy then put fancy shoes on me and we went out to the kitchen, Sydney skipping all the way.
Daddy was in the kitchen and looked at us and said, “How are my beautiful girls today? You are ready to go? We are going sightseeing today.” Daddy kissed us on the cheek. Mommy picked me up as daddy picked up Sydney and we were carried to the car.

We were put into our car seat and then daddy started the car. We went to the Knoxes' house, where they, the Yetzers and another family, the Dukes. We were introduced to Mr and Mrs. Duke — Todd and Wendy, and to their kids, 11 year old Chris, 10 year old Courtney, 7 year old Chelsea and 3 year old Steven. Chelsea was wearing a dress, as was Kyla and Savannah so Sydney and I were complemented on our dresses.

I looked at theirs and I said, “Your dresses are nice, too.” Chelsea was in a flower print sundress, Kyla in a satin looking pale green dress with sleeves and Savannah was in a pink colored satin dress. I looked at Logan, who was more boyish looking — jeans and a red polo shirt with boat shoes.

Two more families drove up, so we were introduced to the Mitchells and the Russells. The Russells, Paul and Shannon, have 10 year old Aaron, 8 year old Heather and 6 year old Kimberly, while the Mitchells, Mike and Amy, had 12 year old Adam, 10 year old Morgan, 8 year old Kelsey, 6 year old Alexis and 3 year old Ben.

We were waiting for two more families, so as we waited for them, the Kilbrides and the Hatfields, Sydney and I were told by mommy that it was a tradition of the Knoxes and their friends to have breakfast while up here at a local restaurant.

Sydney and I went up to Mrs. Knox and we said, “Mrs. Knox, thank you for inviting us.”

Mrs. Knox smiled and said, “Girls, you are very welcome. I hope you’ll be here for the summer. There is a lot of things to do here.”

There is the ‘girls’ word again, but I looked like a girl. Truthfully, I don’t mind calling me a girl. Maybe I am. At school, some of the boys kid me about being a klutz at sports.

One of the two families, the Kilbrides, drove up. The Kilbrides were a soon to be blended family — the Kilbrides, headed by a dad who wife was killed with breast cancer. The dad, Peter, have a 12 year old, Peter, a 10 year old girl, Elizabeth, a 9 y/o girl Taylor and a 5 year old girl, Lindsey. Peter, is dating a divorced mom with a 10 year old boy Paxton, an 8 year old girl, Harper and a 4 year old boy London .

We were introduced to them, so Harper, Taylor and Lindsey came and talked to Sydney, me, Savannah and Kyla. We were talking about our dresses and about the summer.

We didn’t wait long for the next family, and the last to drive up. That was the Hatfields. The Hatfields, Patricia and Andrew, had a 13 year old boy, Andy, 10 year old Tori, 8 year of Sierra and 6 year old Leah. Tori, Sierra and Leah came up and started talking to Sydney and me.

When the Hatfields drove up and after we chatted for a bit, we started the drive to the restaurant. While we were driving, mommy turned to me and said, “Honey, are you enjoying it? I heard you talking about your dress and the other dresses.”

In my car seat, I said, “Mommy, I am. I thought I’d look stupid as a girl. Mrs. Knox said that I am so beautiful.”

Mommy said, “Mrs. Yetzer, Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Mitchell all said that you and Sydney are so beautiful. You and Logan aren’t fighting.”

That is true, we aren’t. Usually, Logan wants me to try things that I think would be dangerous, so she is always saying that she was more of a boy then me. I looked at Logan and said, “We aren’t mommy. Logan is not asking me to do stuff she wants to do.”

I was thinking about the past day and really, I was more cooperative to Sydney, Logan and mommy and daddy. I am still worried about what will happen the next time I’m up here, but I’m having fun.

We pulled into the restaurant’s parking lots and we got out. Sydney and I were told by mommy to hold her hand, so we did. At the restaurant, we met 2 more families, the Holts and the Turkingtons.

The Turkingtons, Wayne and Kristi, had 4 kids, 10 year old Dan, 7 year old Sarah, 4 year old Josh and 9 month old Eve. The Holts, dad was Chad and the mom was Susan, has a big family — 16 year old Matt, 14 year old Dylan, 13 year old Edward, 10 year old Jenna, 8 year old Catherine, 8 year old Sabrina, 7 year old Christine, 6 year old Hailey and 15 month old Chad , Jr.

Sarah, Catherine, Sabrina, Christine and Hailey started to talk to Sydney and me, so we talked about the lake, as we walked to the table. We all sat down, with me sitting next to daddy and Sydney, who was sitting next to mommy.

The restaurant was a buffet style restaurant, so Mommy and daddy got Sydney and me our breakfast. We ate our breakfast and then after breakfast, we left, with daddy looking to explore the Sebago lake area, so we said good-bye to our friends.

We enjoyed the day, as we did our sightseeing. Most of the places were still closed, but we did go to Seacoast Fun Park . Mommy took Sydney and I on the Ferris wheel, while Logan, Kyle and William went to try the zip line. Daddy watched DJ.

After the Ferris wheel, mommy, daddy, DJ, Sydney and I played mini-golf, then we went to the arcade. Sydney and I heard comments about how beautiful we are from other park goers.

After we spend time at Seacoast, we stopped at a Wal-Mart. Mommy took me, DJ, and Sydney shopping, while daddy went in another direction. Kyle, William and Logan went to the electronics.

While we were in Wal-Mart, daddy bought 2 18” Next Misty bikes for Sydney and me. Daddy put them in the car, and then covered them up. Mommy bought DJ more clothes, and then we went to the girls department and shopped.

After an hour, we were on the way back and I was in my car seat and I was thinking about school on Tuesday. I really didn’t want to go back.

Mommy saw me thinking about school, so mommy said, “Sweetie, what’s the matter?”

I told mommy and daddy about my thoughts about school. Mommy said, “The Yetzers homeschools their kids. I wonder if you’d like that, honey. You and Sydney can do the same work.”

I wouldn’t mind being away from the school I go to. I have a few friends, but like me they aren’t popular or good at sports. The past two days, I had more fun with Sydney , Kyla and Savannah — and now the others I just met, then with my friends at home.

When we got home, mommy unbuckled DJ, Sydney and me and said, “Would you girls watch DJ? I’m going to bring in the groceries.”

Before, I would told mom I’m not a girl, but after the comments Sydney and I had today, as twin sisters, I don’t mind it. We both grabbed DJ’s hand and we took him into the house, as soon as daddy unlocked the door.

Mommy bought in the groceries as we watched DJ. Mommy, handed us our new dolls and said, “DJ, time for a nap. Girls want to help?” Mommy carried DJ into his room, then we kissed DJ and told him to have a nice nap.

Mommy asked us if we want to help her with a dish for the festival the lake is having, so we said yes. Mommy took us into Sydney ’s room and there were two girl’s twin canopy beds.

I looked at Sydney ’s room and mommy said, “Would my two wonderful girls, like to sleep in the same room?”

Sydney said, “I want my younger sister in here, mommy. We would have fun. Sawyer, wouldn’t we?”

Mommy took off our dresses and put on jeans with pink t-shirt with ‘Barbie’ on it, as I said that it would be nice. Mommy hung the dresses up in the closet and we went to help mommy.

Mommy was going to make two dishes — a ricotta vegetable pie and a blueberry pie. Sydney and I were finishing up the blueberry pie when daddy, William, Kyle and Logan came in.

Daddy looked at us and said, “Are you girls helping mommy? It smells good, so I think you’ll have a hit on your hands, dear.”

Mommy said, “Our girls were big help. They had fun. Didn’t you, girls?” She hugged us, and then said, “Our girls even helped with dinner.”
Mommy helped Sydney and me with dinner, Apricot-Orange Chicken, corn and for dessert, Lemonade Cupcakes. Really, we helped mommy, but we had fun. While dinner was cooking, I set the table.

We ate dinner, then daddy, Logan, Kyle and William went fishing, while we helped mommy bath DJ and then mommy bathed us. We were dressed in our nightgown and fell asleep in Sydney ’s — and now, my — room.

Mommy and Daddy woke us up in the morning as they give us kisses and daddy said, “Morning, girls. How are my girls today?”

Mommy dressed us in jeans shorts and a lilac colored t-shirts, then Sydney and I skipped to the kitchen. There daddy was making eggs so Sydney and I sat in our seats.

After breakfast, we left to go to the Lake Togue Association’s annual ‘Memorial Day Weekend — Welcome Back Residents Festival’ at Clubhouse 4.

Clubhouse 4, the biggest of Lake Togue Association’s 5 clubhouses, has 2 indoor pools, a recreation room, a community kitchen, locker rooms with saunas, an outdoor pool with a toddler pool area, 3 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, mini-golf course, horseshoe pits, volleyball area and a picnic area. The community kitchen has a sitting area with a table, so when we got there, Kyla and Savannah were playing with their dolls, when I saw them, I said, “Hi Kyla and Savannah .”

Kyla said, “Did you see the jumping house, Sawyer and Sydney?? I’m glad you came. We are waiting for more of our friends. We are going to have fun this summer. Too bad you aren’t here all the time.”

Now, if you told me Wednesday morning that I would be dressed like a girl and having fun, I would have laughed. I think now, I would rather be a girl here, then a boy home. I looked at Kyla and said, “That is a nice jumping house. I asked mommy if we could go in it and mommy said we can. Did you help your mommy with a meal? We did.”

Kyla said, “Yes, Chicken Pot Pie and Blueberry Dumplings. Mommy said I’ll be a good cook.”

Savannah said, “Yes, I made Chocolate peanut butter cookies. Mommy made Mac and cheese with 6 different cheeses.” Savannah turned to her mommy, and asked, “Could we have the cookies, mommy?”

Mommy, Mrs. Yetzer and Mrs. Knox were talking when 3 more mommies came in. Kyla and Savannah both looked at 6 girls coming in, so Kyla said, “Yes. They’re here.” They took Sydney’s and my hand and ran toward the 6 girls.

Sydney and I were introduced to the 6 girls. They were Arianna, Zoe and Nicole Jones, who were 7 year old triplets, 8 year old Kendra Bafford, 7 year old Piper Tipton and her sister 5 year old Megan.

We started to talk about summer and about the festival as we were playing with our dolls. After a while, our mommies can over and mommy said, “Would you girls like to go to the jumping house? The party will be starting soon.”

We all started towards the jumping house and we started to bounce in it. After, we had the pot luck meal and then we played with our dolls before we got into our suits to swim.

Daddy saw me in the pool, so he jumped in and said, “Having fun, honey? You have nice friends.”

I told him that I was having fun and we were swimming for most of the afternoon. Sydney and I met 5 other friends of Kyla and Savannah, who were Anna Wacaster, who is 8, Lauryn Tisdale, who is 9, Alison Polander, who is 7, Madison Bowling, who is 6 and Abigail Wagley, who is 6.

I didn’t know it was time to go until mommy told Sydney and me that it was time to leave. We were still in the pool with our friends, so we said good bye to them and I said, “See you tomorrow.”

Mommy took us to the locker room and we got changed and we went home. On the way home, we were talking about the day and I was thinking about the last day as a girl here — Sunday, since we are leaving for home on Monday. I wish I didn’t have to go to school. ‘Oh well,’ I thought to myself, ‘I still have one more day as a girl.’

When we got home, mommy helped Sydney and me into our night gown and we fell asleep.

Daddy came to wake Sydney and me up. When I saw him he took a picture of us in our nightgown. I guess he wanted a picture of me as a girl, since it will the last day — or would it.

Mommy came in and gave us a bath, and then we got dressed in our swimsuits. Mommy said that we are going to take it easy today, so we are going to stay around the house.

Sydney and I were playing in the water and playing with our dolls, but as the day was getting later, I kept on thinking about going home and school. I was having fun pretending to be a girl.

Daddy showed us our new bikes, so I looked at mommy and daddy and said, “I’m a girl, mommy and daddy?”

Mommy and daddy looked at each other and said, “If you want to be when we are here. Are you having a good time? It seem you are?”

Sydney, already on her bike, and riding on the driveway, came into the garage and said, “Sawyer lets ride. Thank you, mommy and daddy.”

The day went all too quickly, with biking and swimming, so soon it was time for bed, and thinking about being a boy. Mommy told us to take a shower, so we did and got into our nightgown and went to bed.

When Daddy woke us up, mommy put us in our jeans we were on Friday. We ate breakfast, cereal, milk and orange juice, then Sydney and I helped mommy tidy up the cottage while William, Kyle and Logan helped daddy. We had lunch, then mommy gave us a bath and put us in dresses. Sydney and I in a light pink satiny dress.

Soon we were on our way home. As we were on the road, I was thinking about the weekend — and my new friends. I looked at my dress and thought t would be nice to wear this to school.

We stopped at a restaurant for dinner, and as usual, people were commenting on how pretty we are. I got used to the comments and I don’t care if I ever wore boys’ clothes again.

I knew I had to, at school, so when I got home, mommy helped me put my dress away and told me to take a shower. I did and I walked into my room and saw my suitcase on my bed. Mom and Dad were in there and they wanted to talk to me.

They told me that I might be happier as a girl, so they wanted to see if they were correct. They said that we might be moving to the lake, if I want to continue to be a girl and if we all like the lake.

I told them that it was fun. They agreed then mom said, “I know you’d rather have panties, but here’s your briefs, honey.”

I put them on, and I said, “I like girl’s panties better, mommy and daddy.” I put on my pajamas, then fell asleep, thinking about tomorrow and school.

When I woke up by my alarm, I put on my dark blue polo shirt and jeans. The jeans weren’t as nice as girls jeans, but I had to endure it for 2 more weeks. Mommy was on the phone with her boss and I knew daddy was already at work. We all ate breakfast and William, Kyle, Logan, me and Sydney started to walk to school. I didn’t want to, but I had to.

I just hope the 2 weeks would go fast…

TBC…