You little sunburn! and pillows

While growing up, I always volunteered to help or teach Vacation Bible School. We had begun driving big school buses through the neighborhood and would pick up all the kids who wanted to go.

One summer I had a large class of rowdies, maybe 2nd graders? Anyway, one day a little girl was sobbing her heart out. Still being in my teens it was great that I knew EVERYTHING! So I was going to resolve this issue.

I put my arm around her and asked her what was wrong. She told me the little boy at her table had called her "a little sunburn".

I have no idea how I kept from laughing, especially since this child had probably never had a sunburn, but it has stuck with me how delicate a child's ego can be when denounced by another. It's also a trademark expression that Lisa and I still exchange showing contempt for someone, "You little Sunburn!!!".

Last night after getting everyone settled into bed, or so I thought, Grace came to tell me that Annabel was crying under her covers.

Earlier in the day I told her about the report I had received regarding her development before adopting her and how accurate the information had been. It reported that she liked to play outside, liked small animals, and not too fond of school. She wanted to see the report, so I had shown her.

I am never sure how protective to be of my daughters and their past, not to ignore their beginnings, but not to focus on it either. I know it brings up lots of memories that sometimes can result in tears late at night when it is quiet and they start thinking about things.

But I was wrong this time. It was FAR worse!!

I was afraid she was missing China, but instead, she and Grace had discussed the fact that Grace had 3 pillows and Annabel only had 2. Grace's response had been that she was lucky, according to Annabel, which of course implies that Annabel is not. Luck must be an important quality in China.

So now it was a BIG deal that she was still short a pillow.

I love it when I can solve something easily.

Of course she could have another pillow. I told her she could have one from my bed.

It meant a lot to me that she chose my pillow and then dumped the others on the floor. I guess just having it is the important point.

But when you are this upset it sometimes takes even more. I volunteered to sleep with her but she said I was too big. Maybe she needs the Dale Carnegie course on how to win friends and influence people.

Annabel announced that she wanted Grace to sleep with her.

Grace looked at me pleading, but I felt it was important that Annabel wanted her and it seemed the perfect payback since I had spent a LOT of nights recently in Grace's bed.

Somehow in swapping beds it was decided I should sleep in Grace's.

But first, there was a need for a story, a first time request from Annabel.

So we each climbed into our newly assigned beds and I told a story that ended with the 2 little girls needing to go to sleep! I finally got permission to leave, but Grace told me she stuck it out until 3:00 a.m.

Today has been quiet except for the bursts of coughing and sneezing from Grace. We stayed home and Annabel went with her grandparents to church. I think we have had almost 12 hours straight of Disney TV and I might be close to insanity.

I have to be at work tomorrow, so I hope it has paid off staying in and being quiet all weekend.