Plot diagram of this story. Joey was devastated when his parents told him he would be staying at his grandparents’ house for a whole week while they went away on vacation. He loved his grandparents, but he wanted to spend the last week of his summer vacation playing video games with his friends and splashing around in the neighborhood pool. He just knew his grandpa would want to spend every day watching CNN News while his grandma sat on the couch knitting her latest blanket. “Before we go, you need to do some cleaning. Your room is a pig pen!” his mom said. “Once you’re done cleaning, start packing your suitcase. We’re leaving in the morning.”  As Joey’s parents dropped him off at his grandparents’ house the next day, they each gave him a big hug. “This is the worst summer of my life,” he grumbled.  “Oh, Joey,” replied his mom, “stop making mountains out of molehills. You might actually enjoy yourself while you’re here.” “Maybe they’re right,” Joey thought to himself.  He smiled as his grandpa patted the couch next to him, motioning for Joey to sit beside him. He knew he had to be polite and treat his grandparents with respect. After all, his grandpa was a big teddy bear, and his grandma was as sweet as a peach. He would try to relax and have a good attitude.  “You’d better get a good night’s sleep tonight,” said his grandma. “Your grandpa is taking you to an amusement park tomorrow!” Joey’s eyes lit up like fireflies. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Nellie! You let the cat out of the bag!” accused his grandpa. “It was supposed to be a surprise!” His grandma’s face turned as red as a rose. “Oh, dear! I’m so sorry!” his grandma replied. As Joey laid in bed that evening, he couldn’t fall asleep. He listened to the wind whip wildly outside his window as he imagined what his first trip to an amusement park would be like. The next day, the sun smiled down on Joey and his grandpa while they had the time of their lives. They raced from ride to ride and challenged each other to keep their hands in the air as the rollercoasters zoomed down the giant hills. The amusement park was only the beginning of Joey’s adventurous week. Every day his grandparents had another fun surprise planned for him. On Tuesday they went putt-putt golfing and had ice cream afterwards. On Wednesday they went to the neighborhood pool party. On Thursday his grandparents took him to the museum, and on Friday they checked into the Great Wolf Lodge! Each day, Joey was fascinated to hear his grandpa’s stories about his time served in the military. Joey had no idea his grandpa was a hero! Joey didn’t want the week to end, but when Sunday came around, his parents were back to pick him up. “What was your favorite part of your summer vacation?” his mom asked as she prepared him for the new school year on Sunday evening. “Oh, that’s easy!” replied Joey. “My surprise adventures with grandpa and grandma! Thank you for bringing me there! This was the BEST summer of my life!”