Here are some snaps from a few weeks ago. We tried to get a pic of the girls on the ice right beside the sign that says, "please stay off the ice." We are clever like that! For all you worry warts, had the ice broken it was ankle deep there and we were a few short feet from a nice warm car! This was taken at Deer Lake Park. We were not the only idiots out on the ice. There were many more idiots that were alot more idiotic? Some dood was out super far on the lake, had cut a sweet hole for some ice fishin'. He was escorted off the ice. Luckily he didn't crash

 through and freeze/drown!

The girls shore do make skating look fun:

Not to mention stylish and beautiful!

Gymtastic

Hidey Ho faithful fans!  I'm so late to blog these days.  We are busy busy as usual.  To recap, last week there was some gaming industry lay offs.  Thankfully we were spared this round.  Michael's work, Action Pants Inc.  had a big meeting.  The big meeting was about Ubisoft and how Actions Pants is no more.  Now good ole AP is Ubisoft Vancouver.  The news sounds great.  Michael is happy about it and thats all I need!

In other news, Maeve and Madigan joined gymnastics!  They are both card carrying members of Jump!  Madigan's first class:

Maeve's first class:

They both did brilliantly and seem to like it so far.  They have really good adult:child ratios!  Maeve's whole class  was super flushed and had lots of big smiles so they must have had fun!  Madigan's class.. well.. believe it or not Madigan was the one who was listening to the teacher! Go figure, she doesn't listen to me!

Monday again!

I am such a sporadic blogger these days.  Life here is as usual, fast forward!  Last week I was down and out with this cold.  I got my ass handed to me on a platter.  Thank goodness Michael's milestone was done at noon on friday.  We picked him up at 3:30 and I just barely made it!  

Life has been pretty scary around here.  There have been lots and lots of layoffs in the games industry.  We've had it happen before unfortunately but if it happened now we would be screwed.  And not just a little bit screwed.. alot screwed!  Ahh being a homeowner sure has perks!  Boo!  Whenever we've been laid off before, we have been renting.  Cutting short your lease by a month isn't too much of a big deal.  Now reality sets in!  I don't want to have to move abroad where most of the work is.  I love my life.  I love my work.  I love my community.  I love my life!  If we had to, we would. I would just be disgruntled about it!

Maeve is doing really well in school.  She LOVES her teacher.  Her teacher is very fashionable and almost always teaches in heels.  Maeve seems to think I should wear them too.  Too bad my fred flinstoned fallen arched hobbitt feet don't do high heels!  Maeve decided I should wear boots to work and then slip on some lovely heels to teach!  My god what are we to do when she finds out she can buy her own footwear!! Yikes!

Madigan is still Mommy's little girl.  I've noted before taking her to work with me is a total challenge.  I have to balance and juggle alot to succeed with her at preschool.  Next year I will be putting her in the 4 year old class in the downstairs preschool.  I know she'll do great without me to whine on.. er.. i mean lean on!

editor's note * yes they do wear pants, just not inside our home!  Viva Donald Duck!

**Thanks Mel and Carter for the gifts!  

Monday Monday...

Hiya frizends and fizamily !  Today was ANOTHER Monday... wtf.. where are these Mondays coming from anywayz?  The weekends go by too quickly!   

This Monday Michael stayed home in the am because there was a pro d day.  No school for Maeve and a forced no school for Madigan because there is no way I'll take her to work if I can avoid it!  That sounds mean but really.. having your child(ren) at work with you is HARD!  So, if Michael and Maeve are at home then so is Madigan!

After work we dropped Daddy off at his work and we hit the seawall.  Maeve was given a super awesome old skool big girl trike and we got kitted out for it this weekend.  Both girls now have helmets and lilypads..  Lilypads are kneepads for all of you not Madigans out there!  The girls drove all the way from pacific to Cambie and back.  They were amazing.  Madigan was more than a little pooped but we survived the experience!  We met up with our very favorite little man.. Carter!  Mel snapped this pic of them all!

Now we are at home and I'm trying to come up with dinner plans.  Michael is on deadline at work so we are Daddy less in the evenings.  Boo... and even more boo because he was late going in he'll be even later coming home.. bah hum boo!

**recent edit**

The time is 7:49 pm and look what the girls are doing!  I tired them OUT today!  Happy snoozing little princesses!  

ps they love each other so much they hold hands in their sleep!

Wednesday

Hidey ho friends and fam!  

I just wanted to let you know that I am an Auntie to the cutest baby on the planet.  Behold. the cutest little baby girl!

srsly.. isn't she the cutest?  I love her so much and since her Mother isn't blogging pictures of her I will.  I totally.. TOTALLY ripped this pic off Dinks' facebook and let that be lesson to us all to watermark our photos!  

This has been a GREAT week for me so far!  I now have 13 children enrolled in my class with 2 more expected next week and 1 more expected in Feb.  The children are all so great!  Definitely unique personalities and different developmental levels but great great and so much fun!  I love my class!!!  

Another reason my week has been great was Sara and Jakers popped over for a visit!  They are both doing well.  Jakers is just the sweetest boy alive!  I say, "Oh Jakers I sure love you."  He replies, "I love you too Auntie"!  He loves me.. he reaaaaally loves me!!!!  Sara came to our weekly yogaflex class.  It was nice to see that even a super toight fit girl like Sara was red faced and sweating like I was!  Tough tough class last night.. so, obviously to stretch out the kinks we went up to our local for a pint of strongbow!!! hahahah  Crazy night.. silly foolish drunk dood tries to hit on an entire table of married women, fresh from a very challenging yoga class!  You know he was drunk when!  Oh well, he really liked Sara and all the girls looked hot so, I guess who could blame him!!  He very kindly bought us all a shot and I wobbled my old ass home!  Luckily I bounced out of bed with NO hangover and NO crippling muscle spasms!  Woot me!!

Today Sara, Jakers and Clan Mussellams met Great Gramma Mimi for lunch.  She just loves her Great Grandchildren!  Everyone was really well behaved at lunch but it was a short sweet visit.  GG Mimi had to hit the Community Center and Sara and Jakers had to get their gear rounded up to head home.  Since Maeve was up at 5:30am and Madigan was up at 6:30 am I made the executive decision that naps were in order!  So I drove to Mr Hortons, got myself a coffee and forced the children into a nap.. well.. Madigan, not Maeve.  Maeve rested with her eyes closed and did NOT sleep!  Since we were in Richmond we decided to go visit my favorite crazy Mussellam.. Great Granny Gracie!  We had a lovely visit.  She is one hell of a lady!  I admire her, she is a troublemaker tho.. real pot stirrer like her sons and grandsons!  The girls and I made it home around 6pm had a quick dinner and then bedtime!  

Holy Tamole!

Helloo up there!!

Spidey Maeve towering over her Mama!

What we did this weekend

DSCF6393
Originally uploaded by Clan Mussellam

Saturday we went skating. Sunday we met up with Mr Carter! We also met up with Mel, his Mommy! We played at Dorothy Lam park and it was cccccccccold! To say I wasn't dressed warm enough was an understatement! Yes yes , I know a smarter person would have moved around to generate heat. I guess I could have done that!

Carter is just the cutest little guy. He is full of smiles thats for sure. Well, until I accidentally poked him on the freezing cold hand with my fingernail. Nice move Vashti.. make the baby cry.. nice!

Maeve was very good at taking care of Carter and making sure he was safe. Madigan was peeling rubber driving her trike around the playground. After much playing we grabbed a hot drink to warm up. We sure do love Monkey Duncan's fambily

DSCF6388

DSCF6388
Originally uploaded by Clan Mussellam

Hidey ho friends.

thought I would blog about our exciting adventure. Michael took a, yes a singular, picture of the event. We went to Kits rink and took the girls "skating". I haven't worn skates since I was 4 months pregnant with Maeve. Turns out the joys of pregnancy don't end with hemorrhoids, fat asses/guts and saggy boobs. The joy continues and expands (literally) to our feet! My feet have gained an entire size lengthwise and are even more Barney Rubble-ish than before. It sure is fair being of the fairer sex! So here is my fat ass, fat gut, toight rack (post op) and a portion of my gigantic barney rubbles squeezed into my old hockey skates! Ahhh Michael must just LOVE the returns on his investment made nigh 16 years ago!

At least the girls look adorable! They seemed to have "fun". Fun= Less tears than I expected! Madigan was pretty brave about the whole event and Maeve took some loops around the ice with Daddy! I'm tossing the idea of joining a beginner woman's league to see if I can't undo some of this pregnancy damage!

Ohhhh Jakers!

Ohhh Jakers!!!

Where are you?  We called and called for your birthday but your Mommy wont pick up the phone.   Rumour has it she is busy.. working.. or some lame excuse like that!  Anyhoo, I made you this hat and now we are just waiting for you to come and visit us!  So come visit us would you!!!

For xmas my friend Stacey gave me a great book  I lobe it.  It is totally daunting and I haven't done most of the stitches required to create such works of art but what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger right?  I made this hat over the last week or so.  I had started it, pulled it apart and re started it about 3 times!!  I'm going to make some for the girls.  Knitting is supposed to be a relaxing activity.  I swear alot while I knit!  How unusual!  I swear while doing almost everything!  Except teaching at Preschool!  Somehow I manage to reign it in!  

Longest month ever

Hidey ho!  Well, we are back at work, back at school and back to the general everyday craziness that goes on here at Casa Mussellam!  Maeve is thrilled to be back at school.  I'm back to working just at my preschool class and fortunately I don't have to work morning care anymore!  Being at work for 7:30am ages a woman!  Trust me!

Here is our favorite little peanut wearing as Lisa calls it, "a Vashti special design".    Believe it or not I actually made this hat for Maeve and as it turns out its a bit on the small side!  I really should pay attention to the "instructions" more this year!  Oh well, it sure looks great on our beautiful little Winter!  If she is like anyone else in our family it wont be long before her head grows into it!  

And here is our very own, "space puppy".  We were getting ready for jammies when Madigan gave herself the coveted, "space puppy" title!  All hail the space puppy!

Auntie Mel.   Good luck tomorrow!  All our fingers and space paws are crossed for you!  It really would be best for us if you lived/worked a bit closer!  Think of all the free babysitting we could squeeze you for!  

I'm in love

Talk about new addition to the family!  We have 2 new family members and Michael and I love them.   Not as much as the first two but its close I tell ya!

Oh turn your head bitches.. I can't flip this pic!  it doesn't give me the option.. boo!

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!