Another family year roles by...

No picture to go with my last post of the year. There is simply no need to make a comical statement with a humorous picture attached. Another year in the life of my fledgling family goes by and it has been nothing short of amazing. As a father and a husband this year I have experienced every single emotion possible - positive and negative, happiness and sadness, thrill and worry - the list goes on, but every experience is shaping me on this journey and ride that I don't ever want to get off. The most amazing part is the pure and simple unconditional love I feel and receive from my girls. My family completes me. The job I do to fill my day-to-day life is bonded by my family and the wish that they will always be proud of me. To coin a phrase from the amazing film 'Love actually', 'whenever I feel gloomy about the state of the world...' I don't think about the departure lounge at Heathrow, I think about my girls and my wife and what they mean to me and how they make me feel. So here's to my girls. Happy new year to all three of you. I love you dearly and can't wait for the ride to continue next year. Every day I learn so much about myself and understand what it is really important, just by being your dad and your husband...

We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

It has been a wonderful day in the Hammond household, no photographic evidence available as the camera got snowed in at Amy's school, so attached is a picturesque snow scene from last week (the chapel next to our house). We have danced, sung, eaten huge amounts (fabulous lunch Mrs H), made a snow man, had a puppet show and had some amazing gifts. All in the company of Kate, Stu and the girls. The sight of Lucy and Anna opening their presents brought tears to my eyes this morning. I have never felt such a sense of family as I did in that moment. To say I have enjoyed and will remember Christmas this year would be an understatement. Lucy - mental note - turn the volume down a tad. Excitement levels did reach a peak at around 4pm today and so did the volume! Anna - thank you for your help in hoovering the house with your new toy 'Hetty'. Merry Christmas to all my girls......

Oh boy it's been snowing!

It has been snowing for days. In Norfolk we are not at all used to it and it has been a nightmare, the whole county has virtually shut down. Anna is not used to it at all and has absolutely loved her first real snow experience. Maybe, just maybe, we are going to get a white Christmas. Five days to go!! I on the other hand have not enjoyed the snow. I know I am a miserable sod, but my shoes are always wet, work has been so busy as staff can't get in, it's freezing bloody cold, I spent hours trying to dig out Amy's car today (still not out) and I have not been able to enjoy the snow with the girls. Christmas bauble update - Lucy still has five to colour in. So come on Looby Chick - five more good deeds and the presents will come rolling in. I do wish the snow would go away as work will slow down and I may get time to spend with my family. Watch this space, although as I am writing it's snowing again as Lucy watches last night's recorded 'Strictly Come Dancing' final. Chris and Ola were her favourite - Granny would approve!

She who has the most spots is the winner...

Lucy is delighted that she has more spots than Anna. She feels that makes her the winner and she was not having any of it. I tried to explain to her that will mean more scratching in a few days time! At present Anna's spot count is about six, come on Wiggle catch up. I spent the day with the girls and we had a lovely day. Neither were feeling poorly, so we had a great time. The game of hairdressers that Lucy wanted to play was a tad disturbing as she measured my body with a tape measure as she made me lie on the floor. What it had to do with hairdressing I do not know, but I felt like I was being fitted for my coffin in advance!

Itchy and Scratchy...

The Hammond children have both succumbed to the dreaded Chicken Pox. Not much scratching yet, but that may be yet to come. Both girls have been really groggy and low this week - feeling poorly and not sleeping, we now know why! Today Lucy started to go very spotty and Anna is following. As Anna has less spots, she seems quite happy to go before the camera and smile, Lucy has to hide behind the couch! Most disappointing is that it looks likely that Lucy will not be able to take part in the nursery nativity play on Tuesday - I was really looking forward to seeing it, it would have been a very proud moment in my life. Lucy was going to be a 'star shining in the sky' and has been practicing the carols for weeks, sometimes even at 3am! Lucy's first nativity performance will be something that we will have to look forward to next year....Get well soon girls.

God help me - Christmas is on the way!

Bah humbug to the lot of you! Christmas is indeed on the way and my house has gone mad with consumerism and I have another three shopping weeks to survive before I go into financial meltdown and have a nervous breakdown. This is the year that Lucy seems to be getting a 'modern' grasp of the holiday we call Christmas - completely ignore the bit about the birth of some bloke called Jesus and go for as many presents as you can. The requests keep coming and the parental battle of this week is to ensure that she is not too expectant and earns her presents. The whole thing has sent her loopy - please see picture of her wearing her mother's trainers and generally prating around. The Christmas tree colouring scheme is working really well and she has fifteen more baubles to colour in before Santa can be contacted and instructions to give presents to a good girl can be passed over. Family wise it has been a tough week - Grandma is in hospital after having a serious operation and I am completely knackered by the whole thing. I truly hope she is on the mend and will see the girls soon. Fingers very very crossed indeed...