Expectations

A person's expectations sometimes do not line up with reality. This happens repeatedly in this novel when Greg Heffley and his family set out on a vacation. They begin by being despondent over their limited budget and their inability to agree on what to do, but the family members get excited when an unexpected opportunity arises. The problem is that their experiences do not live up to their expectations, at least not until a miracle happens to change the situation.

Greg is living in Gramma's basement along with Mom, Dad, and his brothers (Rodrick and three-year-old Manny) when Gammie calls with a request for Dad to move a motor home out of her drive. Dad's first reaction is anger that he is having to take on the chore, but Mom realizes it could be the answer to their summer vacation dilemma – providing an opportunity to get...