Reading Santa's note and looking at the demolished snacks!


What the frizzle.. who gave them sugar cereal?? Daddddddddddyyyyy!! Yes, once a year in my childhood all 5 (yes 5) of us got sugar cereal for breakfast! The toughest part?? All 5 of us agreeing on which cereal! I believe I always voted for Cap'N'Crunch! That stuff ripped the heck out of my mouth but I sure did love it!

Christmas has gone?

Well friends, it has been a while since we posted. Sorry for the delay! We have been busy busy busy!

Christmas Eve Papa George and his wife Cynthia came to visit us. We had a delish dinner of roast beast! Maeve elected to make Christmas Eve an all day pj event!

More pictures and xmas happiness to follow.. xo bitches!

Winter

Hello everyone!  I pulled together a top ten list of the things I love about this winter.

#10  Winter means Cold Crisp days!

#9    Winter means the year is coming to a close and starting a New Year!

#8    Winter means sleeping in through cold mornings!

#7    Winter means Christmas

#6    Winter means special times with my family

#5    Winter means maybe it will snow

#4    Winter means holy crap it did snow

#3    Winter means my kids get to play in the snow

#2    Winter means.. ok honestly, I'm running out trying to get you to #1

And the number 1 reason I love this Winter?

Because our family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl who we love so much. 

Because Winter helped complete my sister's family. 

Because my Mom and I were almost there in the delivery room!

Because we waited and waited to find out if she was a boy or a girl! 

Because Mike and Danica were able to share the biggest gift with the rest of us.  

Because our Winter is here with all of us on the outside!

Because  Winter is just the most beautiful baby!

Because Winter looks like herself, but also shares features with Madigan!

Because Gramma Luvvie/Nonie/Whatever Winter will call her deserves another Grandchild to spoil and love!

But most importantly, I love Winter;

Because Winter transformed Mike and Danica into Mommy and Daddy

The Wacky One

Introducing:

Super Workout Princess Madigan (just in case you were unsure of her personality).

Last week we went to visit Auntie Mel Fellers at Tinsel Town.  Not sure if you are familiar with the area but it a little rough around the edges but it has some nice shops!

Right now they have a HUGE xmas tree up with a bunch of benches all around it.  We've been here before around xmas but the magic was not lost on these two!  

The girls danced and played around the tree while Mel and I watched.  Funny kids those two are! 

 

Saturday

Madigan's artwork!  She is learning how to write her own name.  The character in her picture is Totoro!  There might be some extra 'o's' in her name.. we are working on it!

Long time no hear!!

hello!

We are all doing well.  The girls are busy growing... and driving me crazy... hahah not all the way crazy, I do some of that myself!  I officially quit Save on and I don't have to work on Saturdays anymore!  I'll still be working every morning from 7:30am - 9:00am with my morning care group. I'll still be teaching my preschool class every monday wednesday and friday.  Looks like things are picking up again, I expect 2 new students to start in January!  I really really love teaching these kids!  They are all so great and also so so different!

Here are a bunch of pictures over the last couple of months or so:

Happy Halloween sister love

Mommy and the most beautiful girls in the world

A lady(maeve) and her puppy (madigan) and kitty (mr doucette)

  

A rousing game of Elefun*.

*If you have children or know children and don't own this game, go out and get it!

woops!day

Where the hell have we been? I have no excuse!  We have just been very very busy!  

Here are some snaps from Disneyland.. yes yes, I know well over 2 months ago...

update,  I finally gave notice at my save on foods job.  My last day of work will be Nov 22.  Its hard working every day.  Michael does a great job with the girls all day saturdays but I was thinking once Danica's baby decides to evacuate the current residence i'd like to be able to drop everything and run over.  Or, just head over to the island with the fam and visit our new addition to the family.  Working saturday although fun, totally blows!

At long last.

A haiku:

Maeve's first haircut today
Almost a foot of hair snipped
Pictures to follow


Thank you, thank you. My blogging obligations are complete, talk amoungst yourselves.

~Michael

More Disney pics!

Life has been moving along here... I've been feeling pretty craptastic and I've been working alot the last week or so. No complaining tho because we had a fabbity fab Thanksgiving at my Mom's place on the Island! Our little Saige celebrated her bday a bit early and we were lucky enough to take part!


Loves you Saige,

xo
Auntie Awesome

Here are the girls with Minnie. She is pretty much the only non princess disney character that Maeve would stand near! Can't wait until we get to the Cruella DeVille ones!

hahahaha bitches


hahahahha..more pupppiiiiiiieees!

Here is maeve at Bug's Life waterpark

M*I*C.... wait a second... thats Minnie!

Well kids.  Looks like it is the third day running that I have blogged.  It is getting harder and harder to sneak some time away to do this.  You might have noticed the blogs have been very short.  Danica, if you read my post you would also see that blogger will only let me upload one picture per posting.  

The girls LOVED Minnie Mouse.  She was really really great!  We went to her house and played with all her stuff too.  She left all her makeup and parfumes on her vanity in Toon Town.  The girls seemed to like it.  Well, once we got Maeve over the fear of us tricking her onto a ride!  

Here is the fizzam at California Land!   It was spec-frigging-tacular!  The Hollywood Tower of Terror was AMAZING!!

Maeve and Madigan LOVED Disney Playhouse theatre and Erin LOVED the baby coaster!  Hahhaha burn... now don't show that picture of me and my many chins on that ride!!  

Don and I rode the California Screaming ride a million times.. it was AWESOME!!

Well surprise surprise!  Look who blogged!  

Sorry it has been so long.  We have been busy busy busy around here and this was just a trial to see if blogger would even let me upload pics!

surprise surprise, guess who wont let me upload more than one pic?

Hi gang!  Sorry for not posting AGAIN!  Life is getting busy busy busy for us again.. I am busy program planning for my class.  I don't remember if I posted it on here but I am now an instructor at Mount Pleasant Community Center!  I teach the 3-5 year olds at Happy Hands Preschool!  Currently I hav 7 children enrolled and I'm so so very excited!  I am so happy teaching my wonderful class!   Madigan goes to HappyHands as does our best bud Liam!  Madigan is having a bit of a challenge figuring out when i am Mommy and when I am "bashti"!  

Maeve is doing really really well in kindergarten.  She seems happy and confident and I am so proud of her!  Tuesday I had a parent teacher meeting with Maeve's kindergarten and talked about what to expect this year.  I for one am expecting big big things!  

(Auntie Nina, stop reading because its going to get mooshy)

I am in such a happy place right now.  I love my family, my children amaze me every day.  Michael is such a wonderful parent and he does so much around here.  I love my jobs, I love life!  I am feeling so incredibly lucky and just so fortunate!  I am back working in the field that I love, Madigan is getting a great social opportunity.  Maeve is growing wiser and learning every day!  Not to mention all the cupcakes she is getting because it seems there is a birthday every day!!!  I don't think I really have the words to convey how I feel about life these days!  My bestie Lisa is a block away.  We walk everywhere, she invites us over for coffee/snacks after school!  The kids all really love each other and ... AND... annnnnnd.... In 2 more sleeps we are going to DISNEYLAND!!  Life just does not get any better than this!!!  

Just a shout out to the universe and a big thank you for making my life so complete!  

Hi ho

So,  busy busy week for the Mussellam family.  Maeve's first day of kindergarten, Michael is on deadline, Madigan and I start at the Happy Hands program at Mt Pleasant (sept 8).  Things have been crazy!!!

Maeve's first day of school was yesterday and she did very well.  It was only for 2o minutes tho, so as it turns out it is a verrrrry gradual entry!  

This is what Maeve looks like today, and this is why she wont be going to school today.  She has a fever of 100.9 and is complaining of being cold.  Today I got to call my big girl in sick for school and its her second day.. :(

Happy Birthday to Tiggy

Happy Birthday toooo Tiggy.....

You are so frigging lucky I don't have you right number.....

Or we would have sung this to you at your time of 6:05 am!

You are a lucky duck today Tig! I was trying to beat Jason for the earliest/most annoying birthdady wakeup call!  

so Happy Birthday to my little brother Tig.  We were so happy to have you here in August.  Come back and visit us soon!  We love you , miss you and wish you were here!

xo

all of us at Casa de Mussellam

Missing Mussellams

Hey gang,

Sorry we have been MIA for so long.  I am exhausted!  We have been busy busy busy all summer.  

My sister Danica got married Aug 8 and we were over on the island.  Got lots of good visiting in on the farm!  

We drove up Island to go visit Mhari and family.  They are all doing well!

On our way back from the Island we brought Auntie Erin back with us.  We rocked out at Motley Cruefest Aug 11.  It seems like it was weeks ago but really, was just last week!

This weekend we kicked it at Granny Gracie's outdoor pool where Maeve decided she could swim.  She just pushed off from Michael carrying her and swam to me!  I can't believe what a mermaid she is turning out to be!!

I have no idea what this week holds in store.  I'm sort of flying by the seat of my pants until Kindergarten starts in September!  Can YOU believe it??? I can't.... my baby going to school for the first time!!  it is MINDBLOWING for me! 

We are taking the girls to DisneyLand Sept 13- 20th!  Should be a blast since Madigan hates all things rides!!  I'm sure we'll figure something out!!  Auntie Erin and Don will be joining us!  I can't wait!

Madigan is a very funny little girl.  Always making faces and silly dances!  She is so kind to her sister Maeve.  All Maeve has to do is ask for something and Madigan will give it to her.  We are so lucky to have the girls who really do make our lives complete!  I love you Maeve and Madigan!

Guess what we picked up today?

Just in time for pride weekend!

Tigger is home!!!!!

HOLY COW!

Hello everyone and Happy Anniversary to Michael and I!

It has been 10 years!  Time has flown past.  It seems like just yesterday we met!  Michael driving up in his giant muscle car!  Driving up to Victoria to meet one of Michael's best friends, Greg.  Kenny coming over to Michael's basement suite in Nanaimo!!!  

Michael and I have shared tears of joy, tears of pain, laughter and so very much more.  We are so lucky to have each other.  I think we compliment each other in a way only we can!  I have learned that we both have our own particular strengths and we both certainly have our weaknesses!

I am so lucky to have Michael.  I might complain (alot) but I wouldn't trade my life in for the world.    

Michael and I have grown, adapted, learned and I think we have become very successful.  We still bicker and argue all the time but it works for us!  

So today on our 10 year wedding anniversary, we are going out for dinner, drinks and a movie courtesy of our friend Melanie Fellers Troyer!  Well, she is kind enough to watch the girls for us while we celebrate tonight!

Mommy and the Chocolate Chipettes cutting a rug! Look how long my hair was!

The Cousins *just* before it all went horribly wrong!  All three of them hit the dirt when the bench tipped over.  Great job Mommies!!

blogger is being a cow and wont let me upload anymore... sorry!

Brian and Megan's Wedding

Here is the happy couple reciting their vows!  

due to blogger acting like a big baby I can't upload any more pics at the moment.. 

will update with pics of the girls and jakers as soon as blogger lets me... i guess i should go to bed.. it is 12:30 am!!

xo

v

YOU WIN DINK!

Howdy howdy!

Hope everyone is well and ready to rock out on Canada day!

We were in Powell River for the weekend.  Brian Mussellam lucked out and married Megan!  It was a very nice wedding.  Auntie Nina and Uncle Gary sure lucked out!  We stayed at Papa George's, well, next door to his clubhouse that is!  Auntie Sara and Jakers & Granny Gracie were there when we got there and Auntie Erin and Don arrived later that night.  The wedding was great, the reception was nice!  Maeve and Madigan made a bunch of friends and seemed to have a great time dancing! 

 It was mentioned that my past blogs were a little mushy  so I'll try to toughen up again bitches!  To clear up some confusion Michael and I are not expecting nor are we expecting to be expecting!  My current workload is on the heavy side and I'm not really ready to add another to our happy home!  Plus I just got my boobs did and I"m not ruining my self all over again!  Some of you thought that I was up to some shenanigans with my mushy tone but I assure you.  I'm happy, thankful and greatful for my wonderfully hectic, busy, hard, challenging but oh so rewarding life!

The pic above is of Maeve hosing down her quick little sister!  Maeve has amazing tracking and aiming capabilities!  I think my girls are capable of great things and I can't wait to see what they'll be when they grow up!  The shot isn't from this weekend tho.  I haven't unloaded the camera because I am lazy!

After a fairly difficult week, a day off!  

Today I had a great Bitch'n'Brunch with my girlfriends.  It was GREAT!  Everyone of my friends are so much fun!  I think everyone had a really good time.  Unfortch my restaurant choice didn't work out exactly as planned but we are women and we adapt!  Onward and upward I say!  

Some of the crew couldn't make it for this one and I totally understand!  You were missed my friends, you were missed!  There is always next month!  There was a bigger turnout this month so I expect more girls for August!  

After brunch Melanie Fellers came over with a "gift" for the girls.  The lovely gift was an adorable teddy bear from Seattle.  The less adorable part was that the teddy bear was clutching a lollipop the size of the Space Needle.  NIce Mel, nice!  Should have seen the looks on their faces.   They were in heaven.  Mel laughed and laughed knowing there wasn't a way in hell I would be able to not let them have the lollies!  I get the last laugh tho, I took a hammer and smashed off a large percentage of the offending lollie leaving a manageable piece at the top!  ha ha.. here are the little piggies, er.. darlings:

With giant lollies in hand we paced us up a yesteryear british lunch picnic and hit Riley Park.  Once there we ran into some friends from the neighbourhood!

 I love Vancouver.  I love our community and I love that we don't have to drive if we don't want to!  I am so lucky to have everything!  All my petty complaints aside I have a wonderful husband who loves me, two of the most beautiful, smartest children I've ever met, not one but 2 fun part time jobs, the very best friends a girl can ask for and a great family that keeps  on growing with little ones popping up at least once a year!  I have everything and I'm so lucky!  I love you all everyone and I'm so lucky to have you!

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Tomorrow is a very special day.  

Tomorrow is the day my Mother was born.

I am up late because I just got off work but I know my Mom will be on here at the crack of dawn. Also I wrote this last night when I should be writing it to-night!  It is a day early but hopefully not a dollar short!

Because I'm a day early,  I would like to be the first person to wish you the very best of birthdays.  You are a fantastic Mother and an even more fantastic Grandmother.  No one loves all of our kids more than you Mom.  You have an amazing capacity to love.  I love you for that.  

I also love you for loving every single grandchild the best, not one more than the other but all equally. Funny how you tell each and every one you love them the most and I believe you actually do!  I can't wait til Danica and Mike's little on is in the outside world getting a little slice of the love you have in store for him/her.  Here is my Mom sharing a little of the love with my girls:

No one is more proud of all her children than my Mom.  She brags about all of us, to us, but also to complete strangers. The good in us  comes from the woman who gave birth to us, loves us helps us, hurt us (think throwing rocks), holds us, pushes us and supports us through all the good times and the challenging times.  I love you Mom, have a great birthday!

silly wabbits

silly wabbits
Originally uploaded by Clan Mussellam

Funny thing kids are. Today I was talking to Michael on the phone about going out for a girls night tonight. While talking on the phone He overheard the girls fending for themselves for something or other. Then he heard Maeve say, "I'm spanking my own butt." Michael asked me why I get to have a girls night out when obviously I don't do anything all day. I pointed out that there are just a few things that I do all day.. but it seems like the girls are pushing me out of my own job by putting themselves down for 'naps' and by disciplining themselves by spanking their own butts!**

They are so talented but I do request I get to hold onto my most important job for a lot more years!


**In our family, the spanking of the butts is a term of endearment. Also shaking one's butt at another. Ask Mel Snagg, Madigan endeared the hell out of her yesterday!

***please disregard incredibly creepy looking mother in the background!

DSCF3031

DSCF3031
Originally uploaded by Clan Mussellam

as neil says, "all for one and one for all"!!

good times at the zoo!

DSCF3026

DSCF3026
Originally uploaded by Clan Mussellam

team doucette graciously donated a spare pass to the clan and we hit the Greater Vancouver Zoo... much fun! thanks doucettes..



note today's blog is short and terse due to stupid blogger andnot letting me upload pics of video.. grr

ahem....

Hmmmm Hmmmm Hmmmmm

eh hem......

Happy Birthday toooo youuuuuu

Happy Birthday toooooo youuuuuuu

Happy Birthday Auntie Barbieeeeeeeeeee

Happy Birthday tooooo youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

Auntie Barbie, we loves you so much!

Holy Tamole

Hi friends!  Today was a scorcher!  To bring you all up to speed, Michael has been away since friday with a bunch of his friends.  Nice I know!  They are off having a 'gay' old time and I'm working my tail off!  Ok, truth be told my Mom has been here watching the girls.  THEY have been having a fantastic time!  My Mother should be uploading pics at some point.  I can only assume she made it home safely because she didn't call me to let me know.. anyhoo I digress..

TOday I was treated to a pedicure for my BIRTHDAY!  My bestie Lisa, took me to Pink Lime to have our piggies did!  We ROCKED those pedi-chairs! 

Of course, before we hit Pink Lime, we rang in the 11th hour with cocktails at Milestones!  How decadent!  

Apres piggie fest, we marched over to Pacific Center Mall where we fought valiantly through the throngs at the new H&M store!  My god that place was a nut house!  It was going to be too much work to wait in line to try stuff on (at least 100 ppl in line) or for the other odd thousand or so buying stuff so.. we headed out.  

I dragged Lisa in to a shop because I need some clothes.  Me and the new boobs *thought* we'd fit into some cute new tops.  Keep in mind I had a full POUND of boobage removed from my person.  I am still registering in at a "D"  (sorry for those of you who didn't need to know that, ie everyone)!  Anyhoo, I scored bigtime at this one shop.  I picked up a sweet pair of plaid board shorts.. and yes they are pink.  I nabbed a sweet little pink a-line skirt for under $20!  I also grabbed this wild and crazy yellow/black/white possible hornet attractor that I'll wait til Michael gives it a thumbs up or down number!  I also managed to grab a suitable outfit to wear to Michael's cousin Brian's wedding at the end of June!  Woot go me! 

 I couldn't have done any of it without Lisa tho, she was very helpful not to mention honest which I value! Sooo, big thanks to Lisa for today. My piggies salute you!  I needed it! 

The colour you asked?  Of course you did... well for those of you that want to know it is;

Don't Socra-TEASE me!

 Also MASSIVE thanks to my Mom for coming over to the mainland to kick it with the girls.  They baked, crafted, snuggled, played, danced and had a GREAT time together!  I loves ya Mom!

 I totally got Pwned by my own daughter!

Today we were watching Yo Gabba Gabba (awesome).  Anyhoo there is one portion of the show where they have a kid and s/he says their name and then says, "My name is ... and I like dancing."

So I said, "Hi, my name is Maeve and I like dancing."

Maeve smiled and laughed then laid this one on me, "Hi, my name is Mommy and I like bossing me around."

Classic!

Then to add further fuel to the fire she adds, "Hi, my name is Madigan and I like to bother Maeve."  

God I love her!

Sunshine!

Here we are at Trout Lake!  British Columbia, specifically Vancouver is absolutely the best place for us!   The girls had a blast splashing around in the lake while I picked up a splatter pattern sunburn on both legs!  Sweet!  We hit the lake friday last week to soak up some vitamin D!  

Maeve is getting SO big!  She is a little on the pasty side but that is a good thing!  I slathered on the sun-block, I don't want the girls to burn this year.  We go through a lot of sun-block!

She is just so bloody gorgeous!  I lobe her!

Two beach beauties and a beach bucket being watched by beautiful snow tipped mountains.  Ahh this is the life!

Last thursday we hit Dorothy Lam park and Maeve 'the brave' wanted to tackle this climbing structure.  Maeve has never really been a big climber but she has been taking tentative steps and venturing up on some around town.  Maeve climbed ALL the way to the top of this one.  She needed a bit of a hand up but once she figured it out she went up up UP!   Sorry you have to tilt  your head to see but look at that little monkey!