The Not So Perfect Home By: Kassidea

When Kassidea got off her bus, [bus 75] it was pouring down rain. A flash of lightening and a crack of thunder warned her to go inside, or she would be drenched by the cold water. The wind started to pick up, and her wet hair started to whip across her face. She ran inside to dry off.
Kassidea shook her hair like a dog trying to dry it off. Rain drops flew everywhere. But her hair refused to dry. Kassidea decided to wait ‘till she got inside. She trudged into the house. First thing she noticed was that she had already made puddles underneath her feet. Momma’s not going to be happy. Kassidea thought she might as well clean it up now. Kassidea walked into the bedroom to find Momma on the phone saying how she couldn’t tell her something. Kassidea listened a little longer, then her mom hung up the phone. Kassidea walked in. “Who died and who’s moving?” she asked. "Do you know Aunt Sis's mother?" “Yes,” Kassidea replied. “Her mother died” she said softly. Kassidea's face turned pale, and she felt tears swell up in her eyes threatening to come out. Yet she just stood there like a stone. It looked like she wasn’t breathing. She finally let out a gasp of air which let the tears out. “Who’s moving?” she asked.
“Honey, I found the perfect home in the country, but don’t worry about changing schools because you don’t have to! It is the most perfect cobblestone house”. Kassidea’s world seemed to stop spinning. Not again - she’s doing to me again! Kassidea thought. Kassidea thought back when she stuck her head out the window to wave to her friends. She had her head out that window until her friends' cries could not be heard ever again. Her Momma went on about the “perfect house”. Couldn’t her Momma see that not everything can be solved by a new house? All Kassidea heard was the howl of the wind. All she could do was stand there, and her Momma's voice broke through the silence. “Are you even listening to me?” “No”, she said. “Start packing”, her mom said. Just then her mom's head popped in and she said “Also while you’re cleaning out your dresser, change your clothes." “Kassidea? Kassidea?” her Momma asked. Kassidea’s head snapped back from her vision from what’s been happening for the last few weeks. But now she was riding down a dusty and bumpy road awaiting what destiny had in store for her. She was very hot and sweaty. At last she arrived at a little cobblestone cottage. There were many beautiful flowers, of many colors of blues, yellows, oranges, and purples. But what was most interesting to Kassidea was a man-made pond with many living things. But why did this feel terribly wrong? Kassidea kept hearing whispers that said that said to get away if you value your life. When she got close to the flowers, it got louder. But when she got close to this tree, she heard "don’t worry I’ll protect you." Kassidea went to bed that night. She had a strange dream. Then the next day, the dream really happened! This went on for weeks. One day, her momma said that the house just didn’t fit her. So they were going to move back. Kassidea said goodbye to the tree then left. When she was back home she mourned the old tree. But she knew she was safer at home. The old tree would be in her heart forever.

Making Peanut Butter Apples By: Lincoln

When I am watching movies, I like to have a healthy snack. Peanut butter apples are good for a healthy snack. To make them, first you get in the car and go to the store and buy apples and peanut butter. Once back at home, get two knives, a spoon, bowl, an apple and the peanut butter. Open the peanut butter and take the bowl and spoon and scoop out some peanut butter. Put it in the bowl. Cut the apple with one of the knives into eight slices. After cutting the apple, take the bowl of peanut butter and spread it on the top of the apple slices. Put the apple slices on a clean plate. Now you are ready to put it in your mouth and chew. That's how you make a quick, healthy snack.

The Best Sniffers By: Abby

More and more people have been moving into areas that once were "bear country." Today, there are strict laws about when and where bears may be hunted, so they're making a big comeback. Even so, for many years, some people shot or poisoned the bears until their numbers went way down. Even after wandering far off, black bears can find their way home. They use all of their senses to find the way back especially they may be the best "sniffers" of all the mammals in North America. Black bears can be white, light brown, cinnamon, blond, or blue-black. Most of the black bears that aren't black live in western North America. Sometimes western cubs from the same family are different colors. Soon the bears start looking for food, hear people, and that causes problems. Nuts, fruits, seeds, roots, grasses, and honey are all on a bear's menu. They'll also eat animals such as insects, fish, and rodents. They may be the best "sniffers" of all the mammals.

My Attic By: Kyle

My favorite room is the attic. There is a door that you pull down with a pole and a hook on the end that comes down from the ceiling. Every time I pull down the door, the ladder hits me in the forehead. I get a lot of splinters in my feet from the plywood on the floor. It is dark, but I pull a string to turn the light bulb on. I get to see pictures of my mom and dad from high school. There are lots of neat pictures in a translucent tub. My mom played basketball. She could play basketball, but she couldn't run well. My dad played football. He was the fastest one on the whole team. My attic has some really interesting things.

Grilled Chicken Salad By: Brett

Grilled chicken salad is one of my favorite foods. I make it very often most of the time for dinner for my family. When my mom gets sick, then I don't want her to cook. My recipe for grilled chicken salad is really easy. First, you get lettuce and other vegetables and some chicken. Put some water in a pot and place the chicken in the pot. Turn the fire on high. When the water is boiling, stick a fork in the chicken. If you can stick it clear through, you fry it and cut it up. Get a bowl and put the salad in then the grilled chicken and some ranch dressing. If you prefer, you could use Italian sauce instead or whatever you want. There! You have a grilled chicken salad.

My First Dog, Princess By: Levi

One of the best times in my life was when I got Princess. I got Princess in first grade, and I was seven. She was pure white, and at first I wanted to name her Snow White. But, my mom and I decided to name her Princess. I got her as a birthday present. One time, she got loose. My brother Vinnie and I were jumping on the trampoline, and Princess jumped on the trampoline. We stopped jumping, and it was hilarious! I loved that dog, but now I miss Princess. I wish I didn't have to give her away, although I got to have her for one year. I will always remember when I had Princess. She was my first dog and my favorite dog in the world. If I could get her back, then I would be happy. I really miss her. I would do anything to get her back. I really would. Princess is the one that changed my life, and I really miss her.

My Magic Monkey By: Becky

I have lots of dreams, and in this story, they come true. My mom bought me this stuffed monkey. The next day, it came to life. It game me six wishes. It's name was Bobbie Joe. When I make a wish, he claps his hands. I love this monkey. Then I made my first wish. My first wish was to go to Texas. I loved going there. I loved the food. Texas is great. My favorite food there is the ribs. I love the mechanical bull. I had to go back by 5:00 for dinner. I went back home outside of Fairview. I got home at 4:55 , and dinner was sitting on the table. I got done and went to my room. I made my next wish to go to the White House. I got there and met Barack Obama and his wife. They were very, very nice. I left and went to the White House kitchen. The cook made me some "Oodles of Noodles." It was very good. Then I went home at 8:00 P.M. I got home at 9:30 P.M. I put on my pajamas and went to bed. The next day, I woke up and put on my clothes. Then I went to New York. I love the food, although I had not much fun. I made some friends, though. Bob and Sally own a restaurant. I got home at 6:00 P.M. My parents were at the table. I ran upstairs and ate my dinner. Then I took my bath and got on my pjs and went to bed. I woke up and made two more wishes. One was that dinner was at 7:00 P.M., and the other one was that I have a great life. Then my monkey went away. I have never seen him again.