Matt Sprouts and the Search for the Chompy Wompers
10 MATT SPROUTS AND THE SEARCH FOR THE CHOMPY WOMPERS participated in my first cross country race and oh yeah there was that day Nora ate the sun I'd rather not recap that last one There's a whole book about it though MATT SPROUTS AND THE DAY NORA ATE THE SUN MATT EICHELDINGER Now that's all over with I figured it was time to enjoy the rest of my summer vacation and have fun It would be just me my friends and a bunch of new exciting memories memories to make That's what I was aiming for when I suggested to Mom and Dad that we host a summer party We could have everyone in the neighborhood over We could grill hamburgers outside play games and even have a huge bonfire at the end of the night when the stars are out
Cookies CHIPS PARTY TIME 11 We had just sat down at the dinner table which is usually where all my brilliant ideas show up Maybe it's because our family has these awkward silent moments when no one has anything to say so my brain tries to fill in the dull moment with some random thoughts Today's random thought a summer party Luckily my younger brother Elliott loved this idea And when Elliott loves something he will never ever stop talking about it Yes Yes Yes A party Oh We could have watermelon and cake and run around the house playing hide and seek and we should probably have
12 MATT SPROUTS AND THE SEARCH FOR THE CHOMPY WOMPERS Whoa Slow down there buddy Dad laughed as he served Elliott some salad One idea at a time I can barely keep up See Even Elliott thinks it's a good idea I said I looked at Mom to try to get her involved in the conversation And we never agree on anything It's true Elliott agreed I think the last thing we agreed on was to take a break from wrestling each other That was my decision Dad reminded us You two were getting the carpet full of dirt and grime with your tumbling and rumbling Anyway Mom redirected What inspired you to want a neighborhood party I bet he just wants his girlfriend to come Elliott said He batted his eyes like a cartoon princess You love her Elliott was referring to Grace Yes she was my girlfriend And yes I wanted her to come But that's not why I wanted to have the summer party It was just an amazing bonus to having a summer party Zip it Elliott You're supposed to be on my side with this one remember I asked him But then I noticed he wasn't paying attention Elliott Elliott Are you even listening to me Elliott's attention is about as long as the hair on my chin which is to say not very long In the short time that had passed he had moved on to something else and I could tell
PARTY TIME 13 he was playing with something underneath the table so I called him out Hey Elliott I smirked I thought the rule was no toys at the table MATT Stop it Elliott shouted It's not a toy I told you to keep that thing in your room Mom said It gives me the creeps What are you talking about I asked What gives you the creeps This Elliott said and then put it on the table Mom's description of that thing was pretty accurate It was a toy but it was very strange and awkward looking I wanted to call it a stuffed animal but that would be an insult to all stuffed animals This thing was more of a creature It was short green and chubby Its face was basically flat and carried a weird expression like the face you make when you are having a hard time going to the bathroom
