For this assignment I had to write about exciting event in my life. Here’s what I came up with…

In Tullocks Woods, we have a fourth of July celebration every year! The fun starts at the beginning of the day with the fishing derby at 9:30. I have participated in this for 7 years and I have never won. My brother has twice and my sister once. We were all around the pond and ready to cast off our lines… 5…4….3…2….1! There was a swish as we cast off our lines followed by a plop! After a half  hour, my brother, that lazy luck bag, decided he didn’t want to spent the time fishing! So he went off and took a shower while the rest of us fished. Forty minutes passed with an occasional catch by someone, when Nate comes back and starts fishing again. Twenty minutes to go…five. Ten seconds! The count down starts… 3….2….Nate screams with delight…1! Nate has caught the last fish and won the derby!

After the fishing derby, we wait until 6:00 pm to go to the Pow Wow clubhouse. There was a dunking tank last year! And on my second try – 15 feet away  from the target – I pulled back my arm, gripped the ball and threw-whiz. Bonk! I had hit the target!!! Moments later – Splash! The neighborhood volunteer fell into the tank. Soon he had to go somewhere and left. I, tomboy that I was, ran to mom and asked her, “ Please, can I get dunked!! Please!”
“Well, – I guess if you want to…”
“Thank you!” I rushed home to get my suit. I, Sam, was in the fun. Not a part of, but in.

So a few minutes later, I was on the bench in the tank ready to get wet! Whiz… nothing. Again- Whiz…bonk splash! I gave a scream of delight as I fell into the water below! It felt so good to be in water; it was so hot out! As I jumped back onto the bench, I was struck with cold. Then before I knew what happened, I was in the water gasping for breath. I have to say that it was probably one of the best days of my life! But, when it came time for the bike parade, I was a little sad that I had gotten wet.

For the bike parade, I had decorated my bike with red, white, and blue streamers and flags! Of course, in my opinion, it was the best bike there. But when my wet, dripping body sat on the seat, the streamers fell apart and the flags bled color! By the end of the parade, my bike was more like soggy rags. I was so sad that I didn’t win! But I couldn’t be too sad because my friend Morgan won! She got a blue ribbon, and a prize of candy and…I forget! But I was not going to give up! Next, was the pet parade!

OK, I don’t really have a pet. But every summer I catch and keep toads in my cage! I picked my favorite, Pete, to be the lucky one! I tied a red bow on him and decorated his private chamber (AKA bug cage) with blue and red fabric! He looked so cute in there! But my hart sank when adorable pups,  hamsters, and cats in little dresses and ribbons assembled around the circle. I kept my chin high and walked with my Pete! After the three complete circles were finished, and the judges were talking, I looked down to see if Pete was looking his best. Shock –  he was gone! Hurriedly, I looked around to see Pete hopping as fast as his little legs could go towards the pond! Surreptitiously, I left the circle and ran off to catch him! At the sight of me, Pete, who was scared out of his wits, took a sharp turn, much like a bull dog would, and fell head over heels right at my feet. As soon as I had him in my hand, I heard the judges calling out the magic number…29! My number! I had won! My Pete had won as best pet! I didn’t get a blue ribbon, but I did get modeling clay! I was so happy, not so much for the clay, but because I had won! Pete had won!

Pete had one more task. He would enter the frog racing contest! Although he’s not a frog, he’s a fast jumper! I, Sam-I-am, was the only girl who had entered! And now was the sign to begin! We’re not allowed to touch the frogs, but we can clap or something. I have learned the secret: Blow! The frogs and toads must not like it because if you blow on them, they will jump like they’re on fire! While I am going “ whoooo….whoooo”, everybody else is clapping their hands violently and jumping up and down! Two inches to go… one…He’s over! I grab up Pete and shout, “He’s done it! He’s over first!” Pete had also won the race! I got a pocket radio, which was big stuff to me then!

Now, although I loved Pete, I have a little ceremony that I do after my toad has won something. I take him to the pond, sprinkle flower petals into the pond, and gently give him back to freedom. As I watched Pete swim away, I didn’t feel sad, for he had made me happy, and now I have made him happy, too!