VBS

This past week was VBS at our church. Glenwood does an amazing job putting on a Vacation Bible School. This was Allyson's first official time to participate. I took both of the girls up each morning because in theory I was helping out with one of the stations ... luckily there was enough help at that station because I basically ended up with the littles - Lauren being the youngest of the group, and the oldest was a little over three. Allyson couldn't bear the being left part yet and Lauren was too busy wanting to walk around for the lone group leader to keep up with it. Two of the others in the group wanted to be held a lot so between those two and mine, there was no way for one adult to manage the group which totaled 6. 6 kids doesn't sound like much, but the little ones are really a handful.

All in all the girls really had a great time. During any of the singing times before or after the station rotations Lauren was fully ready to join in the fun. Every time there was a song with hand motions - such as the ever famous Father Abraham - she was up marching her little legs as fast as they could go around in circles and clapping her hands. She even got the "nod your head" part occasionally. I have never seen anything so cute. Allyson who tends to be somewhat of an observer was mostly happy to sit on a front pew and watch while holding her blankie (I would only let her have one or the other of Lorelai or the blankie .... the blankie wins in the nervous moments). By the end of the week she had warmed up to all of it quite a bit. Her favorite part was crafts - she really loved making things. Lauren's favorite part was most certainly the singing. Of course, Allyson would sing the songs all the way home each day and make sure we were going back to VVS tomorrow. She is just a little more shy than Lauren. Lauren seemed somewhat frustrated to not be "big enough" to do what the other kids were doing. She doesn't understand that kids aren't paying attention when she is underfoot and she tends to get trampled and get her feelings hurt. During snacks or free time she also had a little group of mother hens following her around and trying to help her a lot. She has grown quite a following!

Last night was the final program and Allyson willingly went up to participate in the songs. She has the coordination of her mother. If they are saying, "right arm" she was turning her head. If they were saying "nod your head" she was stomping her feet. What can I say - it was so sweet to watch! Lauren was trying to wiggle out of my arms and was pretty frustrated and screeching, so Justin told me to put her down. She went straight up to the front in joined right in with Father Abraham, stealing the show with her circular, hand clapping, head nodding march!

We are already looking forward to VBS next year.

I didn't really get many good pictures chasing them both around, but here are a couple from snack time one day- Justin was the "professor" - the theme this year was "Power Lab.

Out and about

The girls and I have begun to explore our new surroundings. We live in a very small town - only about 2000 people - and though there isn't much to it, everything "in town" is within walking distance. We have wandered near and far and found some fun things. Of course it helps that they are easily impressesed! All I have to do is be excited about something and it is cool to them. I love that! We are also walking around in the rural areas finding horses and fields and gardens, as well as seeing all the mountains. Allyson thinks whenever we walk up a steep hill we are on a mountain. So she asks to go on the mountain to see the horses. We see lots of birds and bugs as well. We also have walked to the elementary school - brand new this past school year - and played on the playground there.
Here are a handful of pictures of us playing at the school the other day.

A few pictures to share

Sicko II

"Share with your sister", is heard quite a bit around the Bruner household. So, Allyson decided to take the encouragement quite literally and "share" her germs with Lauren! Now that Allyson is on the upside of the sick junk, Lauren is heading right down into it.

I visited the doctor this morning with Lauren and she has a sinus infection - he didn't think she had bronchitis - and so here goes part two of antibiotics. Lauren has spent a good part of today sitting on my lap crying. She is even crying in her sleep. She is pretty miserable. I am assuming she has a sinus headache and we all know how wonderful that is. Also, the new recommendations are to not give babies under two decongestants - so aside from the humidifier and saline drops (aren't those a fun time!?) she is just having to deal with it.

My guess is Justin will be the next sick one - any one want to place bets on it? :)

We still have Sonic!

Despite all that we left behind in Texas - we still have a Sonic! It is just about 10 minutes away in the next town. And, as we are accustomed to, the 2pm-4pm half price happy hour on drinks exists here also. Allyson usually asks for an ice tea (like mommy) and says she needs a "sonics". So, the other afternoon after being shut in the house for a week with Allyson being sick, the girls and I headed out the door and enjoyed some sunshine and a yummy drink!

Sicko

I am tired! Allyson has been sick since Saturday. I guess technically since Friday - she was slightly feverish then, and I told Justin that I thought she may be coming down with something. She seemed to have just a common cold. Monday night she came down with pink eye (AGAIN - she gets it a lot, you'd think we never wash her hands at all) and luckily we had antibiotics from the last bout of it. I figured that was the culprit of her other symptoms. Then Tuesday afternoon it seemed to be getting worse, she started coughing a lot and her fever went up. So, yesterday we got up and went to the doctor. She has bronchitis and the beginnings of an ear infection. Poor thing. All of that combined has made her quite miserable for the past few days. She has been waking up each morning between 5:30 and 6 because of the cough and consequently is very tired and grumpy all day. Also, due to the cough she is not sleeping very well during nap time or at night. Her nose and upper lip are all chapped from the tissues and mouth breathing. We have a permanent bed made up on the love seat.

She is taking: 2 antibiotics (one for pink eye, one for the bronchitis) mucinex, triaminic, and ibuprofen. We did buy some Cinderella Kleenex and that seems to put her in better spirits. Also our old humidifier broke so we got a Hello Kitty one. Her and Lauren are both pretty intrigued by it.

As would be the way of things, Lauren is going through some kind of growth spurt and sleeping in until around 8:30 or 8:45 - I could be sleeping in if only ... Oh well, what are you going to do? Such is life with the little ones. Now I am just praying that Lauren doesn't get sick too and we can be through with this in a few days.

Currently we are watching an episode of Blues Clues for the 20th time and I am working my way through a cup of nice strong coffee! And, Lauren is asleep.

Lorelai

So, I was loading some new pictures off of my camera into the computer and as I was editing some of them, I noticed something. Lorelai ... in a lot of the pictures. I often joke about having 3 girls, not just 2. It would seem that this is really the case. Lorelai is Allyson's doll. Having two little girls, we have a great many dolls in our house. But, above all of them, Allyson has placed her love on a $5 doll from Wal-Mart. I just happened to throw into the cart when she was only about 6 months old to keep her busy while I shopped. As attached as she is to her blankie, I think she may be even more attached to this doll. We take her everywhere. When we get places (grocery stores and such) I give her the choice of bringing in Lorelai or the blanket. She almost always chooses Lorelai. Lorelai gets changed into different clothes a million times a day. She gets medicine if Allyson is sick, she gets a diaper change every time Lauren does. I hold her, and even rock her sometimes. The other night when I went to tuck Allyson in, I noticed that Lorelai was uncovered in the doll bed, and without a second thought I found a blanket and covered her up too! We talk about her by name, put band aids on her, lay her down for naps, and the list goes on.