3. Waiting and Waiting

3 Waiting and Waiting On Saturday morning, I jumped out of bed very excited. 'Cause today was the day of the party, of course! "The Easter-egg hunt! The Easter-egg hunt! Today is the day of the Easter-egg hunt!" I sang real loud. I ran into Mother and Daddy's room. And I turned on their light. "The Easter-egg hunt! The Easter-egg hunt! Today is the day of the Easter-egg hunt!" I sang again.

Mother opened one eyeball. "It's not time to get up yet, Junie B.," she said. "It's still dark outside. Please go back to bed." I put my head next to her face. "Yeah, only I don't think that's actually possible," I said. "On account of my brain is already activated." Mother put her pillow over her head. I lifted it up. "I'm going to find the golden egg today," I said. "I told you about that. Right, Mother? Whoever finds the golden egg gets to swim in Lucille's hot water." I hugged myself very happy. "I would love, love, love to swim in hot water," I said. "Except for Sheldon and May want that prize, too. Plus Lucille loves Sheldon. And so maybe she might give him a hint or something. And a hint would not be good."

I did a little frown. "Plus here is another problem," I said. "May has bird parts. And birds can see as good as a hawk." Mother pretended to snore. I did a huffy breath at her. Sometimes mothers do not act their old age. Finally, I put the pillow back on her head. And I went back to my room. Then I picked up my stuffed elephant named Philip Johnny Bob. And we skipped to my closet to pick out party clothes. We looked at all my hangers. "Hmm," I said. "Hmm, hmm, hmm. What kind of clothes are good egg-hunting clothes, do you think, Phil?" Philip tapped on his trunk. Well, let's see. Good egg-hunting clothes should be easy to run in, probably. 'Cause when you spot an egg, you will have to beat

people to it. Right? he asked. "Right," I said. "Plus good egg-hunting clothes should not be a dress, either. On account of sometimes—when I am beating people to an egg—I will have to tackle them and get in a scuffle." Correct, said Philip. Tackling and scuffling often happens in egg hunts. He thought some more. Also, good egg-hunting clothes should have big pockets to carry all the eggs you're going to find, he said. I nodded. "Yes. Plus good egg clothes have to be pretty. Right, Phil?" I said. "Because this is a fancy party, you know." I know, said Phil. Egg clothes should definitely be pretty… like… like… We looked some more. Then ha! Both of us spotted the pretty clothes at once! "LIKE THOSE BRAND-NEW

LAVENDER OVERALLS THAT MOTHER JUST BOUGHT!" we shouted real joyful. Phil threw himself way high in the air. Yes! Yes! The brand-new lavender overalls will be perfect, Junie B.! 'Cause lavender is 'zactly like purple, almost! And purple is the color of your favorite glasses! He flung himself in the air again. We are a genius at picking egg clothes! he said. "Yes! We are a genius, Philip!" I said back. "I cannot lose the egg hunt in this perfect outfit!" After that, I quick put on my lavender overalls. And then me and Philip ran to the window. And we sat down on the floor. And we waited and waited for daylight to come. The party was supposed to start at lunch

time. There was going to be a picnic before the egg hunt. That information was printed right on Lucille's fancy invitation. I read it to Mother and Daddy at breakfast. "A picnic lunch will be served on the grounds before the event," I read. I smiled. "I enjoy eating on the ground," I said. Mother laughed. "Oh, I don't think you'll be eating on the ground, Junie B.," she said. "Grounds are what rich people call their lawns and gardens." I got down from the table and looked outside. "Do we have grounds?" I asked. Mother rolled her eyes and looked at Daddy. "Heavens no, Junie B.," she said. "What we