wednesday

Pictures of the girls on our chair train. Something I used to do as a child all the time. Whenever my mom would pull out all the chairs to clean we would line them up and choo choo choooooo. The pics are pretty funny. Maeve has great posture in one of them! Madigan just keeps on looking like Jason! Michael is really starting to question paternity!

Short post today because blogger has already eaten one... damn them and their lack of autosave! We are all good here. Seems like we might be on the mend from this killer cold. School was good. Madigan/Mommy time was great. Daddy got home and the girls are jumping on him. Ha ha.. Madigan is big on jumping. She plays with all her toys while saying, "jump jump jump". Tis very cute I tell ya! We are having a low key evening and I must go check my roasting chicken in the oven!


Today's eagle eye competition was won by a Miss Cookie Doucette. She very cleverly spotted the baking I was obviously bragging about in yesterday's post. Your 'prize' is in the mail! Hahha no its not! Good luck with first post today bitches!

Tuesday

Hey kids.. Michael and I are still sick. What the hell is this some sort of super bug? Anyhoo, we played a bit of hookie today! We made fairy cakes!



Oh and did a little pole dancing! hahahahahaha

Monday oh monday

Madigan in a basket and her Daddy. When she wears this outfit, given by my friend Melanie Fellers to Maeve, we call her little boy blue.




A most awesome brown jacket with a gorgeous girl full of balance and beautiosity!




Don't worry Mom there are no blue hairs actually trying to capture them.. they just adored the girls from afar. These are the toys at the Parish Church cafe.


Ok, so my craptastic couple of days are on their way out. Yesterday (sunday) we had a great family day. We didn't have to be anywhere at any time, we didn't have to 'do' anything! We did a little family spring cleaning and Michael and Maeve did an AWESOME job on the garden! I don't have any pics of it but trust me,they did great!

Today we dropped Maeve off at school and went to THE BIG CUP. Just a greasy spoon that sells cheap breakfast.... well, cheap breakfast was 2.20, cuppa tea was 1.20! Hmm, one was hot water one was a traditional english breaky with toast. I asked the lady for some jam for the toast and she stood for a moment before telling me, "jam is 25 p each". Bloody friggin hell...who has toast for breakfast with no jam? Cuckoo, cuckoo! After our awesome breakfast we went to the Sally Ann for our staynplay. It was really fun. Alot of the Mommies come over to talk to me! My friend Erica was there with her little boy Finn. There was a birthday party for Joe and Emma twins. Madigan got her first "fairy cake"! How exciting! Fairy cakes are really cupcakes but it does sound nicer to call them fairy cakes! After school we had lunch with ERica and then did a little ELC browsing.. we never buy anything in that store and the girls that work there are great! Off to tescos and then back home for co naps! Yahooooo co naps!! Wahoooooo! I got to read the paper AND the roast is in the oven! All I did was set it and forget it! hahah ok, its a brisket roast and it has to basically boil or it will taste like rubber!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Hey kids! Big happy anniversary shout out to Auntie Sara and Uncle Brad. I totally jacked this picture from their friend's blog site! I'm big on swiping these days. I'm not good at remember my own anniversary so sorry it is late by a day! In my defense, Sara wasn't supposed to get married until later soooo... I get to be pissy because I never got to be bridesmaid! hahaha love you both very much and hope you had a wonderful anniversary

Friday, saturday

*disclaimer**ok, so thursday and friday were a bit tough for me. I've been cranky, miserable and shitty to everyone. Not nice, I know. I've been slowly dying of cold over here and lack of sleep because Madigan and Maeve are suffering too. Michael has had to stay late at work a couple of times and I've been miserable. I'm feeling a bit better now and just wanted everyone to know that life here is like life everywhere. Sometimes it is great and sometimes it sucks ass. I'm working on trying to stop feeling sorry for myself. Total work in progress!


So, here is what we did on friday. The girls and I went to church! the Parish Church at the bottom of the parade. We had a lovely lunch with, and served by the whitest of the white hairs and bluest of the blue hairs! Besides us there was no one in there u nder 80! We really brought down the average age in there! The wonderful thing was, it was a great inexpensive lunch and they had playthings for the girls. The ladies at the table next to us said the girls are just wonderful and so smart and well behaved! It is so nice when other people think they are marvellous! Other people that aren't related that is! hereare the girls on the toys, then infront of the gigantic church. Michael calls it the gothic church. it is huge and beautiful inside.

Saturday, today, we managed to get into town early enough to pick up some things at the farmers market. On this farmer's market I even picked up a little bit of knowledge that I shall pass unto you. Brussell sprouts look like this:




Pretty neat huh, who knew! We had a fantastic roast pork with applesauce and mustard.. YUM .. Michael liked the crackling part the best.. for those of you not in the know.. the crackling is charred fat.. mmmm yum yummy! We picked up some pork burgers and a brisket roast for sunday dinner! Not both for sunday of course! This is the first time in our life here that we've actually hit the market before they close down at 2!!! It is only once a month and we've never managed to attend! We got the girls some pinwheel biscuits (cookies) and a big ole cauliflower and went for coffee! We ran in to some folks from good old north america and chatted to them for a while before heading to the park.

Maeve got to wow us all with her awesome balance. Usually she needs to hold a hand as she walks along this fence. Today in her new gorgeous coat she did it by herself! She is wonderful! So is the coat! Chocolate brown with a super soft pink fleecey lining. How much you ask? Almost 40 pounds.. how much did I pay? 12!!!! What a bargain! I don't think we could have squeezed one more days worth of wearing out of her pink one. Sara bought it for Maeve 2 years ago!! It was fantastic and we love it and we used it to death! Now off into a box so Madigan can squeeze the life out of it too! Love you all oh and just for the record, this picture is what I actually look like... it is not a trick of the mirror. I am 5'8" and I weigh 120lbs!



Ok.. its the mirror in the gap where I got Maeve's jacket!!! hahaha also blogger is being a bitch and i can't upload the pics of the church the girls playing or the awesome jacket.. i'll try tomorrow!

Happy Birthday

January 25 was a pretty big day for a boy we know! His name is Milo and he is fantastic. Milo, his little brother Theo and his Mommy Ange read our blog every day.. or so they claim!!!! Soooo today in honour of Milo's 4th birthday, he gets to see himself! The Kwan D'eons are some great people who we miss dearly. They live in a fantastic loft downtown vancouver. They have the seawall, the beach ALL of vancouver's fantastic play places science world, the aquarium, stanley park etc... I am very jealous of them! I wish we were in vancouver so we could come to Milo's birthday part at the planetarium. Milo always has great parties! Last year we went to his party at Granville Island kids place. It was fantastic and Maeve got to paint herself a little ceramic airplane. Casey and Ange, you have fantastic kids and we miss them and you very much! We are lucky enough to be in the loop for the Kwan boys info circuit and that is where I ripped off this pic! So, happy birthday Milo, hope your birthday extravaganza is fantastico!

Thursday

Hello everyone. Still wondering where my mother is. wonder if she is even going to come back from Mexico. I can't say that I would!! We are all well and good. It is still really cold but also sunny and blue skies of gorgeousness! Michael has been coming home before 6 so that has been GREAT! Yesterday Madigan opened a picture album and kissed Michael's picture. It was so sweet. I'm glad he isnt working 11 hours overtime like he did last week. Its nice to have him around here. So.. todays pics are Maeve in the gazebo @ Mill gardens....Maeve and Madigan wait for the bus. In England you actually have to flag down your bus, EVEN if you take that same bus everyday and are standing directly under the sign. If you do not flag down the bus, it may or may not stop for you! Bizarre but fun, everday Maeve stands with her hand out to signal to our bus driver lady (in the am) and our bus driver dood (after school). It is tres cute and she even knows which one we take. it is the 67 for the record!

Wonderful Wednesday

Yes, minus one person this is what sleeping looks like in our house! Michael had a good chuckle this morning while us lazy ladies were sawing logs.





Today we had SNOW!!!!! It was such a surprise! Actually everyone in L Spa is 'gobsmacked'! It hasn't snowed that much (ok it was like 2 inches tops) in 20 odd years! Too funny! I took the first picture at 8:30am on our way to school and the second one was after school! It was a beautiful yet chilly brrrr kinda day! Madigan and I met up with Erica and Finn for late breakfast and cappucinos! Then it was off to find a cheap vase for some awesome tulips on sale! Mission accomplished! Tulips look fab in the kitchen!

Terrific Tuesday

Hello to you all! Today was GORGEOUS! Frickin' cold but GORGEOUS! Madigan and I dropped Maeve off at school and then headed off for second breakfast. Where you all ask? McDonalds of course, altho they do call it Mac Donalds here! Mommy needed a cheap coffee and Madigan had some "awesome" pancakes! Madigan had the entire restaurant in stitches. Everyone was oohing and ahhing over her! She is so funny! She was waving and yelling goodbye to anyone who walked past. They may or may not have been leaving, but they got a goodbye anyway! After the much needed coffee and pancakes we strolled down the parade. The parade is the "high street" which is the strip of shops in good ole L Spa. It was too cold to play in the early hours of the am so I let the beast loose on the royal priors (mall). Madigan had a blast ... and then as pictured a nice little temper tantrum... then had another blast. Some old guy was nearly beside himself trying to catch her attention so he and his wife could chat with her. I think Madigan had alot of fun being able to wander wherever she liked today!
We picked Maeve up from school and headed over to the veggie table. Veggie enchiladas all around. It was ok.. so not as good as the mexican in Cali tho! FAAAAR from! After lunching with pals we went to Mill Gardens to play. On our way over Maeve found an icy puddle on which she could skate! Too funny and too cute. Madigan seemed to have decided it was much to cold for her because after 2 mins in the sandbox she decided to scream! Maeve had fun riding that weird dog toy. A blast was had... NO co napping today.. booo and Madigan only napped for like a half hour.. double boo... oh well, early bed time to beat these bloody colds!

Oh and on a side note, can you say "LOOKS LIKE JASON MUCH?"

monday oh monday

Hello everyone! We last left you with a wonderful pic of baby Finn. We had a nice time watching him. He was a good baby. Not too fussy. I said to Michael, "maybe we should have another one". Well long story short we are going to be sticking with the two wonderful beings we have already created and shall create no more at this time! We are just getting out of the difficult stage (knock on wood). The girls are so fantastic. Maeve will do something nice for Madigan and Madigan will say, "thank you Maeve-y." It is so sweet. They do peeve each other off every now and then but for the most part they seem to love each other very much! Michael doesn't get any time on his own so baby #3 would put him in Michael time overdraft! I am getting a little time to myself these days and it is nice!
Today Madigan and I dropped Maeve off at school and it went like this, "see ya later skater". All that could be seen of Maeve was dust trails and a little blur in her wake! I thought that since we are still a little under the weather and the fact that Maeve didn't go to school on friday, she might be a little hesitant to go to school today... as usual, Vashti you are WRONG! I am so proud of that self confident little bugger! She is amazing, wait unti our time is up here and you get to meet her again. She is truly the most amazing little person. Madigan and I fed the geese, pigeons and swans today. It was GORGEOUS.. but bloody cold! Ok ok, not -27 like Auntie Sara is getting hit with but pretty cold!! After the bird fest we were off to "little angels" play school. I am now happy to admit I have a wonderful circle of friends! When we first started there I was a bit of an outsider and all these other Mommies were super tight knit. Well now I am a part of it and it feels great! There are lots of wonderful women with equally wonderful children! I think Madigan has fun at preschool, she loves getting chased around by one of the Mommies. Her name is Helena and she invited us round to her place next week! After a long day of playing at school, both girls co napped again! I think part of what we used to be missing around here was a routine. now that we have one I kick myself for not instituting it earlier! Michael is going to be home on time instead of staying late like he has since starting b ack after xmas. I can't wait! I love the way the girls greet their Daddy at the door! What a wonderful family I have!

wwwwwwww WINDY!!

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts! You see it all happened last week. We have been almost literally blown away here!! The winds have been INSANE!!! On Thursday the girls and I got stuck in a torrential downpour! It was really weird.. we walked to the bus, no big whoop, a little rain no biggie! On the bus it was sprinkling and for the first block of our walk it was beginning to rain a bit harder. A block from Maeve's school and the rain began to pour... coupled with the 100mph winds the rain was coming UP at us!! In one block both Maeve and I were soaked through to the bone! We both had rain gear on!!!! Oh what a day!! Friday we called in sick to school. We all have sore throats, coughs and sneezes! Today (saturday) not too much excitement. We might be watching baby Finn for Erica and Chay so they can go celebrate Chay's birthday! Being this is their first child and he is only 4 months old, I'll believe we are going to babysit when I see them at the door!!!! I know how hard it is to leave your first born with someone, even for an hour!! I was talking with Neil today and he asked me what the longest time I've spent away from the girls! My reply dazzled him, "the longest I've been away from Maeve was overnight when I went in to have Madigan"!!! hahahaha I'm sure by the time they are 10 and 12 I'll be flying them out just to have some peace and quiet. They are only going to be babies for another few years and I selfishly want to enjoy every day of their babyhood!!! The pics are random cameraphone pics. I believe Maeve took the picture of Madigan. Little bugger has figured out how to use the camera phone now! My god she is amazing!

PS: They did drop Baby Finn off! Here he is with Vashti.

halfway wednesday!

So here we are halfway through the week! Maeve seems to be getting on really well at school. She comes home with pages and pages of art! She is also very fond of gluing, here they call it sticking though!! So, lets see. Every day Madigan and I head to Jephson Gardens to feed the pigeons, swans and Canadian Geese. Yes, she has been bitten before but she is so brave and wonderful! After the feeding frenzy we head up the parade. Sometimes we window shop, today I let her loose in the priors (mall) She went in every shop, listened to see what music they were playing.. if she liked it she stayed and danced. if she didn't like it she headed out. It was priceless!
So our friend Fil spent xmas in Mexico. Now let me explain about Fil. Fil is a single dude, lives by himself, isn't a spring chicken but is far from old. Fil and Michael like to have game nights. he is not fond of RISK but is fond of The history of the world. Anyhoo, I digress. Fil was away from dec 16 until jan 1. while he was away in mexico, he picked up a present for the girls. They are featured in today's photos but not the video! Fil also got the girls a poncho which may just be great for us baby backpackers! Give them a little rain coverage while they get carried into the wild er ness! It was so nice that Fil thought of the girls, let alone brough them back a very special gift. So, thank you Fil you are very kind and we are lucky to have you!

hahah Michael and I were looking at Maeve's teeth trying to determine if she has his teeth or mine. I said, "she has yours because all her molars have extra points on them.' Michael said, "Look at these fangs" Maeve says, "I'm not a monster". Mommy and Daddy doubling over laughing. No Maeve honey, you aren't. You are the cutest sweetest most adorable brilliant 3 year old we've ever met!

I was a little worried that Maeve might not want to go to school today but guess what, game on! She did great! No worries or hesitations just jumped right in! Thats my girl!! Madigan and I went to playschool today and we had a blast! Poor Madigan got rocked acouple of times by the big meany boys. Oh well, she seems to be doing ok. They rock her, take something and she stands there a bit in shock.. how rude someone taking something from her! Today I'm up for awesome Mommy of the year award. After getting Madigan down for her stroller nap around 10:30 and walking to wetherspoons for my cheapo cappucino, I look at my watch and yelp out a holy (insert not so nice word here)! Its 11:45!!! I'm late to pick up my first born!!!! I had to run 15 blocks to go pick her up!! What a walk of shame I had! Poor Maeve was the last one to leave.. she was perfectly happy and not worried one bit but boy did I feel like a giant chunk of poop! hahah look what a little independence gets me!!! hahah I"ll insert pics later! ta



Ok so its later. I went up to asda to get some groceries and came across these beauties. Now say it with me in your best Monty Python voice... I'll have the spam spam spam spam with a side of spam please... gotta love the UK

Ok, this first one is on our bimble today. We no longer roll with a stroller so it is backpack X2! So, basically I'm packing my extra 20, Madigan's 20 and probably 20 pounds of mud on my boots! hahah These bimbles are great excercise! Michael gets to look at ruins with his friends Neil and Fil and I get to bitch and moan about how much my hips hurt because Madigan is heavy!!! We normally let the girls down to roam on these bimbles but sometimes the muck is too mucky and the wind tooooo windy! Today our bimble was out at Kenilworth Castle. Well, about an hours walk past the castle after going all the way around it! It was really nice and crisp and the girls did really well. After our bimble we hit the chinese buffet! YUM! I sure love duck pancakes! Sounds odd but really nice! The video of Maeve talking is on the bus ride into town to pick up Neil and Fil! Sorry for the crappy video yet again but what she says.. or.. how she says it rather is classic! Cheers!

Moms great "GIFT"

I'm not sure if this video has any sound but you are lucky if it doesn't! We are all great. Believe it or not I actually LIKE living here these days! Our day starts out at 7am believe THAT or not!! Michael helps with the girls while I grab a quick shower. then, its breaky, getting dressed and hair and makeup! Ok, no makeup but definately hair! I know almost all kids that go to school get head lice and if there is anything I can do to avoid it I'm going to! Soooo.. we roll outta here at 8:25 for the 8:30 bus then we hit Maeve's school for 8:55! Dropping Maeve off is a dream. She runs right it and starts doing any of the thousand things the teachers have set up! First Maeve has to find her name in a row of names, then put it up on the board under how old she is. She is good at it but there are like four other names that begin with Ma !! So, its kiss kiss get out Mommy, I need you no more! Ok, well that is what I think she is thinking. I can't very well talk for her or even begin to know what is going on in that big beautiful head of hers! So now it is 9am and Madigan and I are on our own. It costs a pound each way on the bus so we stay in LSpa since we have to be back in 2 hours 45mins anyway. Well the joy of L Spa @ 9am is fab. NOTHING is open! Not the library nothing. So, we generally kick it at a restaurant and enjoy a 69pence capuccino! The ones at starbux is 2.79!! I wander over to the priors (Mall) and nurse Madigan, get her off to snoozy land and enjoy 45 mins of peace! We pick Maeve up at 11:45 and have lunch at the "Veggie Table" which is the cafe at bath place center. www.bathplace.org Basically, we pay 1.20 for lunch and 50p for a kids lunch. After lunch we head home and play and then nap! Well, they nap not me! Ok, they have napped at the same time twice. I'm not going to get my hopes up but if it continues! yay for me!! Here are some snaps of today! Maeve ever the ballerina and Maeve who is "famoose"! Thanks to auntie sara for Madigan's cute onesie!

Eve is over

So, I should have done a poll. Tears or no Tears. Maeve is so great! First pic is Daddy's goodbye to Maeve on her first day of school. Note the clock. Yes we were up and out of the house by 8:15! Second pic is Mommy and Maeve on the bus on the way to school! Second pic is the two sisters rocking the new preschool! It was really great. Madigan wanted to stay too.. she just walked over to tables, had a look around then selected the counting bears! It was priceless! I'm going to upload a video in a bit! But now bread is a bakin!




Guess what? NO TEARS! Maeve did SO well, the teachers all commented how great she did for a first timer! No tears for Mommy either! We both did great! I might have sniffled a little but no tears were spilt! She did so fantastic, she had SO much fun! She was even invited to her first birthday party! Maeve made a friend who is a girl. The jury is still out on what her name is. Apparently they drove strollers, splashed in puddles and looked for footprints or tracks as she calls them!! Must be the indian in her!! All in all a WONDERFUL day! Madigan and I had some nice one on one time. We went to the pub and had a 60pence cappucino! What a day!

I would also like to send out a HUGE thank you to Uncle Jaycie and Auntie Barbie! They sent a package in NOVEMBER and it just got here! The books are fab, the outfit is adorable thank you both so much! The girls love the wheels with the books! What a hit! We got the package friday. Madigan is wearing the outfit in her kitchen chair jail pic featured previoiusly!

Today we came home and another package was rammed in our recycling bin from Auntie Robyn and Siobhan!! Big hugs and loves to Siobhan and Auntie Robyn. They also sent a package way back in NOVEMBER and it JUST GOT HERE TODAY!@ This package was OUTRAGEOUS! Filled with hearts, which are now all over the carpet! Colouring books, books, window writer pens, crayons and all things wonderful. That was very nice of you and we LOVE everything inside!!! The canadian flags are a hit!! I'll hope to get a picture soon. Big thanks to Auntie Robyn for getting it all together and much love to Siobhan for the biggest, loveliest most wonderfully gigantic red heart made with so much love it was bursting! It is the prettiest most special heart we have ever received!

First day of school Eve

Well, tomorrow is Maeve's big day! First day of school. Ok ok, so its not kindergarten but what a HUGE step for Maeve! We've talked about lots of school related things. For example, what to do if someone is naught to you. Maeve's answer? "run". Okayyyy not what Mommy would do but I'm sure she'll figure things out quickly. I'm not totally sure how things are going to pan out, it could go either way. Today Maeve asked me if I remembered ballet in Canada. I did of couse, she said maybe I could stay and watch her at preschool like I did for ballet! haha smart cookie! I think she'll be just fine. I am prepared for tears, but hoping we don't get any! Here are some awesome pics of pantsless fun at casa mussellam!

Rub a dub dub

Ok Grammas.. this one is for you! Totally check out my face when I realize Michael is FILMING us all in the bathtub... priceless!!

The Queen of the Castle

Just wanted the world to see my beauty.

Michael

Big Switch

Ok, although not very exciting I've finally switched over to the new improved Blogger. I'm feeling crappy today so I don't have any wonderful words to dazzle you with! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Things are rather sluggish going into the LONGEST month of the year. I don't know who it is that stretches January out but when I find him.. I'll throttle him!! hahaha! We are on the countdown for Maeve to start school. She really is hilarious! I have no prediction as to how it will all unfold. Could go either way. She could love it or hate it. Who knows! We are however, talking about it alot. Maeve has decided that if any naughty kids are naughty to her she is going to run. Now, we have never shown her Forrest Gump so we talk alot about what to say to other kids that are mean/naughty. Not sure where it all came from but I hope my girl stands her ground and refuses to be bullied. So, January 9th I may have to get her a new pair of running shoes! hahaha



]Random shot of MAdigan..




and a sweet sweet look at my ass! hahahahahahahhahaha the reason for the ass shot isn't really the ass at all. This is how the girls were today. CLingy, screamy (although you can't see or hear it), and in need of being carried ALL DAY! The good news is this must mean they love me! The bad news is, in a few years they are more than likely to tell me to piss off

Happy New Year

Happy Birthday to Auntie Erin and Great Gramma Mimi! We love you both very much and are very sad we didn't get to wish you happy birthday in person!

So, a year in review. Wow, what a whirlwind life we lead! I can't believe we have two beautiful children and we live in England! We have done so much in the last year it is crazy! Big moves, big life changes and so many caring friends and family that have been or that will be here in the new year! Looks like Grampa George will be flying in for a visit in April! We are thrilled, can't wait to see him !!!! Towards the end of april Gramma Susie and Darryl are thinking about heading our way too! The girls will be over the moon! This year we are planning on doing ALOT of travel. We are tentatively looking at a week in Egypt! Then a long weekend in Spain. They have alot of Bank holidays here so we are going to try and use some vacation days to turn a bank holiday into an even longer one! I'm trying to get Michael to take us to Tenerife! It sounds gooooorgeous! This spring we are planning on seeing as much of Europe as possible. ANNND if you come to visit you can too. Some flights cost as little as 20GBP each way! Our new year resolution is to actually do all the things we want to do! So, hopefully it works out for us!


We aren't party hardy kinda peeps so we had our friends Erica and Chay along with the adorable baby Finn over for dinner. The roast, over cooked. The carrots, undercooked. The buns, extremely crusty. The mashed potato, a little too smooth. The home made sausage rolls, not as good as the xmas eve ones. All in all this was a very rough start to the new year! Fortunately I will not let my bad cooking dictate how the rest of the year will pan out!

sorry no pics but blogger is being a beotch.. and not a first post beotch either! Here is some video instead. NOw.. a back story. Madigan has a very peculiar way of saying the name of two characters in our house. One is Pocoyo and the other is Cinderella. Madigan has never looked more "special" than when she names those two peoples! I hope you find it as amusing as we do! Having her say Cinderella usually reduces us all into fits of giggles! These vids will be shown at her wedding and will cause her much embarassment! I love my little tard! Ok, I'm so totally joking and if you don't get that you are well out of order!! hahah oh ya.. while you are at youtube do a search for little britian. I've heard it is coming to a tv near you all and its hilarous!