Alaina's Stories

Since Alaina is talking primarily in English now, she is telling us more and more about her life in China. Recently, she told us many details about how she had a broken arm when she was 5 in China. (No way to confirm this, so I suppose we will take her at her word) She was climbing up some rocks and slipped and fell on her arm. Her "China Daddy" borrowed a car from a friend and took her to the hospital, where a doctor put on a white cast from her hand to her elbow. No one signed her cast (she said "that's silly" -- Lauren's is covered in writing). She wore a sling around her neck because her arm was heavy. It hurt very bad and she cried when she fell and at the doctors. She didn't remember which arm she broke.

She and Ally continue to be "best buds" and are really playing together so nicely (well, for the most part). They played school and came to me with strips of paper and a stapler. They wanted me to staple them around their wrist. Sara realized that they were playing "Mickey Boat" and were recreating the arm bands they wore on the cruise ship!

They also were playing "Miss Debbie" - their swimming lesson teacher. They set up Ally's little soft chair (about 6 inches off the floor) and put 4 pillows in front of it. They took turns standing on the chair and "flying" across the water, "just like at Miss Debbies".

Sara began her first "real" job today as a lifeguard. She was quite nervous, but said the day went OK and was easy and a little boring -- boring is good for a lifeguard! She did got a little sunburned. She was excited tonight that she got called to "sub" at another pool tomorrow!

Lauren spent her mornings this week volunteering at her friend's church's VBS. She had fun and especially enjoyed working with the special needs kids.

Another funny note about A and A on the cruise -- we had 2 rooms that adjoined. S and L had one and the little girls were in with us (Ally on a futon, Alaina on a bed that lowered out of the ceiling -- talk about exciting!!!). Because room service (anything, anytime) was "free", we ordered cookies and milk at bedtime several nights (thanks to Miss Randi's vast knowledge of "all things Disney"). I guess the girls obviously took note of me calling -- make a call, cookies show up at the door! One morning toward the end of the cruise, Alaina picked up the phone and said (without really dialing anyone) "Hello, cookies and milk, please". When she hung up the phone, Ally said "What'd he say?" We laughed! Too bad the little cookie man doesn't come to our house!!!