Asleep on a Sunday Afternoon

Lorelai Leigh

Mona Lisa Smile

A definite similarity, don't you agree?

In other news, the winner of the Claude Coats print is my dear friend Kristen. Congrats Kristen! I hope that you'll be able to find the perfect place to hang it in your beautiful new home!

A Milestone

500 posts!

I think this calls for a celebration, don't you?

A giveaway, perhaps?

In honor of this, my 500th post, I will be awarding one lucky commenter a print from Claude Coats.com. As you may recall, my grandfather, Claude Coats, was a Disney artist and imagineer for over 50 years (I wrote about it here). Of all his many paintings, my favorite is 'Across the Way' (pictured above). It is a painting of the Hollywood Hills, directly across the way from the home that he designed and built in Burbank, CA. This is the home that my father was raised in, and the home that my grandmother passed away in (just 3 days ago). 'Across the Way' has always held a special place in my heart, and so I thought it the perfect gift to offer on this special occasion.

To be entered, please leave a comment by 10:00 tonight PDT. The winner will receive a 13x15 inch print.

Thank you for reading this little journal of mine. My family and I have found such great support through the blogging world as we have dealt with Elisabeth's medical issues over the past few years. Your comments and emails have meant so very much.

Thank you, thank you!

(Winner will be announced tomorrow morning.)

An Ordinary Day

Yesterday was an ordinary day. Elisabeth and I went to Spokane where she had a CT scan, shunt x-rays, and a visit with the neurosurgeon.

What's that? You don't think that sounds like an ordinary day? Well, you're right, but don't tell Elisabeth....she doesn't know (he he he). For her this is usual and routine.

Everything came back looking marvelous. Her shunt is functioning well and her brain is growing. The following are two different views of her brain. The light gray is brain tissue and the darker gray is fluid. It looks phenomenal considering that when she was born her entire head was filled with fluid and only the smallest amount of brain tissue could be seen.

I also wanted to share these 3D reconstructive photos of Elisabeth's skull. Isn't technology amazing? This really gives you a good view of the shunt:

Interested in how a shunt works? Here is a quick overview:

A incision is made in the scalp and a small hole is drilled in the skull. A small catheter is passed into a ventricle of the brain.

A pump (valve which controls flow of fluid) is attached to the catheter to keep the fluid away from the brain. Another catheter is attached to the pump and tunneled under the skin, behind the ear, down the neck and chest and into the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity).


Here is an x-ray showing the tubing that is coiled in Elisabeth's abdominal cavity. There is enough length to last her several more years.

So that was our day.
Like I said, it was ordinary.....for us at least!

June 14, 1908 ~ July 13, 2009

Goodbye Grandma.

101 years, well lived.

On Holiday

The summer can seem quite long when your
best friends are away for 5 weeks.

My girls have been missing their best friends. I snapped this picture of Alexandra (pink socks) with Henry, Tessa, and Lilly (not pictured: Lorelai and Evelyn) the day before they left on their long summer holiday.

A Mid-summer questionnaire:

Me: What do you like to play with Evelyn, Lilly, and Tessa?
Lex: uhhh.....dog and owner.
Me: What message do you want to send to them in Michigan?
Lex: Hi Evelyn, Lilly, and Tessa. Your new house is looking good. Have fun on your trip. Your friend, Alexandra

Part II

Me: Lorelai, what do you love most about Evelyn, Lilly, and Tessa?
Lor: They are so nice.
Me: What do you want to do when they get home from their trip?
Lor: Play with them.
Me: Do you have a message you want to tell them?
Lor: Thank you for the postcards. I love you. Bye bye. From, Lorelai

The Best Part

Yesterday Donald was eating a Nestle Drumstick. When he got to the bottom (the end of the cone that is filled with solid chocolate) he handed it to me.

"But this is the best part," I said, flattered that he would offer it to me.

"Well, you're the best wife," he replied.

It was delicious.

Destination: Russia

We strategically planned to study Russia the week that my sister and her family came to visit. Kristin and her husband, Matt, both served missions in Russia and I knew that they would be a wealth of knowledge.

Boy oh boy, was I right.

Not only did Matt cook a delicious Russian meal (which my girls loved), but he spoke Russian for the children and taught them different words as dinner was served. Later that night Kristin conducted a show and tell. The kids gathered around and watched as she shared some of her treasured Russian keepsakes:

A Russian childrens book.

A wooden toy.

An ornate salt cellar.

We are so grateful to the Malovich family for sharing a little piece of Russia with us. Alexandra and Lorelai were so impressed.

Another (unexpected) treat came as we watched So You Think You Can Dance. As luck would have it, one of the couples were assigned a traditional Russian folk dance. It was wonderful and the costumes beautiful. We watched it three times over (thank goodness for DVR's).

Next Week: Turkey

What's this all about? Click here.

Past studies:

• Spain
• China

Books

This past April, when I travelled to Salt Lake City for the half marathon, I had the opportunity to spend lots of time at my sister Kristin's house (the same sister who came to visit over the weekend with her family). As I wandered through her home I took notice of her extensive collection of books. The walls were lined with bookcases; each and every room.

It made an impression on me. Her home was warm, cozy, and inviting. I knew that somehow I wanted to replicate that feeling in my own home. As it turns out, Donald was having the same thoughts (we often have the same thoughts).

My sister shared her secret. She collects most of her books from second hand stores and yard sales. Not only are they extremely inexpensive, but an old book has a certain charm to it.

Upon returning to Washington, Donald began browsing for books; making a point to stop at things like church rummage sales and old antique shops. He frequently comes home with armloads of books that he has purchased for only a few dollars. I love filling our bookcases with these old treasures as well as stacking piles of books here and there throughout the house.

I hope that building a large collection of literature will not only add a decorative charm to our home, but create an atmosphere for learning as well. A place where my children will feel inclined to pick up a book off the shelf and sit down for an afternoon of reading. And I hope that they will discover the joy that can be found within the pages of a good book.

Thriving

On Monday Donald and I snacked on some cucumbers plucked directly from our little patch of Earth. May I just say that cucumbers never tasted so good! And the tomatoes....oh the tomatoes....there are dozens of them (growing rapidly). Luckily, I am married to a master salsa maker; needless to say, those dozens and dozens of tomatoes will be put to good use. Yum.

Independence Day

Watermelon.

Fireworks. Wagon Rides. Red.

America. Backyard Campout. Cousins.

Concert at the Park. Naps. White. Blue.

Twins. Oreo Stacking Contest.

Fried Chicken. Risk. Frisbee.

4th of July.

Dear Malovich Family,

Thank you for travelling from Utah to spend the 4th of July with us. Our girls loved getting to spend time with their cousins (Alexandra broke into tears as you drove away). So what do you say we make a tradition of this? Sound good to you? Me too.

Love, Lisa

Whispers

I look at this picture and imagine that Elisabeth is whispering,
"Hey Mom, I love you".

***Tomorrow: 4th of July review.

Destination: China

We have thoroughly enjoyed studying about China this week. Highlights included eating dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, learning to use chopsticks (Alexandra mastered it), reading about the Great Wall, and making decorative chopsticks to wear in our hair (my favorite activity).

Do you want to make some too? You're in luck:

~A Chopstick Tutorial~

1. Purchase some wooden chopsticks
(we got ours from the restaurant we dined at).

2. Buy some stick-on jewels from your local craft store.

3. Rummage through your garage and find
a small bit of sandpaper.

4. Use the sandpaper to smooth out any rough
edges on the lower end of the chopsticks.

5. Round out the tips as well. This will make it easier
for the chopsticks to slide through the hair.

6. Turn the chopsticks to the squared end.

7. Adorn with jewels of your choice.
I opted for these green and blue gems.

8. Twist hair into a bun and slide a chopstick
through each side to secure.

The perfect summer hair-do!

Next Week: Russia

What's this all about? Click here.

Concert at the Park

When: July 3rd

Time: 7:00 pm

Place: Flat Top Park, West Richland, WA

Who: Bring the whole family!

Cost: Free!

[2006]

I look forward to performing this concert each year.
It's fun, festive, and patriotic.
So come, bring a picnic, and enjoy the show!

See you there!

Inching Along

A few days ago, Elisabeth made her first attempt at army crawling. Needless to say, Donald and I are ecstatic! Our dear baby has beat all the odds and continues to amaze us with her development.

Have a look:

Elisabeth Elva ~ 21 months old

***Video of 'peek-a-boo 'coming next week.