Do you all remember many months ago in the winter when I shared how my eleven-year-old daughter, Kenzy, wrote a story about our river lot because she missed being up there so much?
We had all the grandparents over for dinner and she handed out tickets she had made for the reading of her first chapter story.
Well, I had videoed a minute of her reading part of this story and shared it to my Instagram/Facebook story, and people were messaging me saying they wish they could have heard more. I didn’t record the whole thing because I wanted to live in the moment. Hearing this story read by her was so good because she made voices for each person who was in the story.
Now, you have to remember, she is eleven. This is the first long story she has ever written. I wish she could personally read it to you because, honestly, she would absolutely love that. Kenz is truly made to be on stage. But I thought, why not just share it with you through my column? She is going to think this is SOOO cool being in a local paper. Now, it’s definitely going to be at least a two or three-parter because it is longer.
I thought now was a good time because we are nearing the time we get to go spend two weeks at our river lot over the Fourth of July, so I am going to wrap up everything between now and the beginning to middle of July! You just need to read this knowing Kenzy wrote this as herself in this story. Each chapter gets a little better, and as you can tell, she gets a little more confident in her writing. I did none of this. This was all Kenzy. My favorite chapter is definitely chapter 6, but you may have to wait a week or two to see that! I hope you enjoy!
The River Story
Chapter One: Getting Ready for the River
We are getting ready for the river. I’m all done packing. My mom, dad and Ty are still packing. Why I am here, I can tell you about the river. It’s so cozy when it rains, but not when Ty is playing his guitar. I’m either playing on my tablet, coloring or we play games all together. OK, so back to what we are doing. We are leaving tomorrow (that day later). I’m hungry.
“Mom.”
“Yes honey?”
“Can I have something to eat?”
“Yes of course!”
“OK!”
“Dad…”
“Yes?”
“Can you hand me a yogurt please?”
“Yea.”
“Thanks!”
“Hey honey you got to go to bed so you can get some sleep for tomorrow.”
“Ughhh fine! Love you.”
“Love you.”
Tomorrow:
“Good morning!!” (yawns)
“Good morning time for the river!!” (pulls up the blinds)
“OK!” (yawns again)
“Get ready please, we are leaving soon.”
“What time?”
“12:30 to 12:45 OK? So, hurry up.”
“OK.”
(Gets clothes on, gets hair brushed, teeth brushed, and gets shoes on.)
“I’m all done! Let’s go to the river!”
Yes, we are here!
Chapter 2 – At the River
Yay we are here!
“OK honey I want you to get your stuff all ready, you too Ty.”
“OK.”
So I am going to put my clothes on this table in my pop up and then decorate. I made Ty’s side boring and my side BEAUTIFUL!
“Hey Ty, can you put the lights up?”
“Later.”
“Please?”
“NOO!”
“Pleaseee??”
“No, after we get our stuff done, OK?”
That day a little later on….
“OK, we are done.”
“Ty Ty can you please put up the lights now?”
“Yeah.”
10 minutes later……
“OK all done.”
“O-M-G. It’s time for dinner already”
“Yup. Come on.”
“Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“What are we having for dinner?”
“Burgers!”
“Yassssss!!”
“Dad is almost done with them.”
“And Mom, I just realized that Aunt Winny and Uncle Joe aren’t here yet.”
“They are coming very soon.”
“OK.”
“Hey there they are! Mom, can I go say hi?”
“Yeah.”
“OK.”
“Hi Aunt Winny!”
“Hi Kenzy Mae Mae!”
“Hiiii Mochaaaa!” (Lindsay and Joe’s doggie.)
I love Mocha!
“We for sure know that.”
“It’s time for dinner.”
“OK.”
“We are having burgers.”
“OK.”
Done eating.
“Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I go get my pajamas on?”
“Yeah.”
“OK!”
Get’s pajamas on.
“Mom, can I play on my tablet?”
“Yeah, just for a little bit.”
“OK.”
“Dad, can I have your internet please?”
“I guess.”
“Yayyy thanks.”
“Sure!”
“I am going to call my friends now.”
1 hour later.
“Hey hun.”
“Yeah?”
“Come brush your teeth.”
“Ughhh. OK.”
Walks out of the camper and gets teeth brushed.
“Good night mom.”
“Good night honey.”
Walks into the camper.
“Good night Ty.”
“Good night.”
TO BE CONTINUED……
Garlic and Butter Smashed Potatoes
(Another great grill recipe for you!)
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. small red potatoes ( or Yukon Gold, choose them not too big)
• 1 teaspoon of oil
• 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Directions:
To prepare the garlic butter parmesan smashed potatoes: Preheat your oven in broil mode (or grill) to 400ºF.
Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring the pot to a boil and cook, covered for 30-35 minutes or until potatoes are just fork-tender. Drain well and set aside.
Lightly grease a large baking sheet with a teaspoon of oil or oil spray. Arrange the cooked potatoes onto the baking sheet and use a potato masher or the bottom of a measuring cup to flatten the potatoes in one piece lightly. Do not push too hard, or potatoes will end up mashed.
In a medium bowl, mix the butter, salt, pepper, minced garlic, parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Pour the mixture generously over each potato using a rubber brush.
Transfer the baking sheet with potatoes in the oven and broil (or grill) until potatoes are golden and crispy — about 10-15 minutes. Serve the garlic butter parmesan smashed potatoes with parsley and more parmesan if you like. Enjoy!
