An emotional experience that nearly broke me...

I have just had an experience that I really did not expect, I went to watch Toy Story 3 on my own and I sobbed and sobbed. This film was just amazing and it provided an emotional link between me, my wife and my children that I just simply did not realise was there, such is the genius of the film making. Other people other than Hammond's reading this may wonder what on earth I am talking about. The Toy Story films mean so much to my family. My girls have grown up with them and to both of them Woody and the gang are real - the films fuel their imagination and wonder and remind Amy and I as adults of that magic and the bond between a child and their toys; the special relationship that exists between the two that nobody can replicate or understand except 'owner' and 'toy'. We had it with our toys when we were children, in that time before our imagination started to waver and our mind was clogged with less innocent things. This is when the clever film makers at Pixar completely had me. Bearing in mind these characters mean so much to my children, the scene in the film in the incinerator when you believe all the characters are going to be burned alive in a scene reminiscent of Auschwitz just left you with such fear and worry about the sense of loss that Anna and Lucy would feel if this happened, it just crippled me completely. I was an emotional wreck. The same thing happened to Amy when she took Lucy a couple of weeks ago and I mocked her for it. How wrong I was and then I got it. These films are so special, they are as much for adults as they are for children and they are so clever that they pull on the love you have your children and beyond.They remind you of the innocence of your children and the magic of childhood that you have long since forgotten and these characters become so real to you as a adult that for an amazing hour and a half - you are a child again. The film removes all the rationalisation of adulthood and transports you back to a time where you directed your own play and your imagination took you wherever you wanted to go without constraint and worry. In that two minutes of film they took me to brink of parental despair as I wondered how my girls would react to the loss of their imaginary friends and how I would console them. The problem is they are not imaginary. The worry is that I believe in Buzz and Woody as much as my girls do. Amazing. Just simply amazing...

An unexpected treat!

I have just spent a magical hour or two with Anna on our own and it transported me back to a lovely time with Lucy when she was two and the parental dilemma about sharing your time equally between your children and ensuring they both get your attention, time and love was not prevalent. Lucy and Amy have headed up to the coast to celebrate Auntie Kate's birthday and Wiggle, who has had a hell of a week and is very tired stayed at home with me. It turned out to be the best bit of quality time I have ever spent with Anna. First we watched the Gruffalo with Milk and biscuits and a cuddle, followed by a very splashy and giggly bath, then bouncing on the bed and much giggling and tickling, followed by dancing and chatting through the night garden and lastly into bed for a Miffy story and funny kisses and splats on our cheeks. What a fantastic couple of hours that has left me with a beaming smile on my face. Thank you Anna, just what I needed and so unexpected. P.S I also passed my driving test on the first attempt this week! Next step I need to honour a promise to a very persistent four year old about trying to quit smoking.....

Family day chilling out. Just what the doctor ordered...

Without wishing to bore anybody rigid, but this Sunday turned out to be yet another lovely family day full of the simple things, nothing exciting, just quality time with people you love and cherish. I have really enjoyed today. Eating, drinking, relaxing, chatting, prating around, silly games, hoolahoop (which is not one of my skills), talking with other parents about experiences, chocolate brownies, sunshine, golfing banter, seeing family we have not seen for a while, watching my children and nieces play for hours, roulade (umm!), my father-in-law washing my crocs, more sunshine, giggling, tickling, dancing and Lucy finishing with the oneliner as we drove past a man with no shirt on - 'We don't need to see his nipples!' Good day...

Don't know what went on there?

An incident occurred yesterday that I need help with - one minute the girls were sitting quite happily at our friend's barbecue last night eating their sausages and the next minute things were not going well! Readers are welcome to post possible answers in the comments box at the bottom of this post.....Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sometimes I do worry about them! They can be very odd my family....

Biker girls!

The incredible Hammond girls are going great guns in the bike riding stakes! Anna, not to be undone by her big sister, has taken to the two wheeled variety of transport like a duck out of water, with a little bit of help from her daddy. Anna is more of an expert on her tricycle, but I am unable to provide photographic evidence as it would be indecent as she has taken to naked riding in the last few days! There is nothing like embracing the joys of a lovely summer day. Lucy continues to just get better and better at riding her bike without stabilisers, what I am really impressed with is her awareness of what is going on around her. Her complete and utter refusal to use her breaks is something that we will have to work on in the next few weeks. The only reason she won't use them is because it involves somebody showing her what to do and I have no idea where she gets that personality trait from at all! It is a constant source of amazement to me how quickly children learn new things; if I have to tackle something new these days it fills me me with dread and I rationalise every reason possible not to do it. Childhood is so simple and with no fear. Fantastic..

Shrek takes on the poo monster!

I am truly not sure what the highlight of today was - the enjoyment of the cinema with Lucy when we watched 'Shrek - the final chapter' or the fact that Anna finally did a poo on the toilet as well as two on the floor! My decision is likely to need a moderator or a casting vote, it is so close. Result will be announced on tomorrow night's results show! I have not seen the girls at all this week with driving lessons and a couple of nights away taking up all my time so it was really lovely to have such positive experiences with both of them today! The whole of the family Hammond has been really tired today, not greatly helped by the heat and humidity, so my wish of the day is a good old fashioned weather breaking thunder storm so that we can all cool down and regain our good temperaments. No need to wait till Sunday, I have made my decision, Shrek wins hands down, mainly for the hour and a half cuddle that Lucy gave me whilst we watched the film. Sorry Anna, clearing up your poo does just not rank high enough in my all time parental memories...

Every day should be a birthday celebration....

We have continued the birthday celebrations today and we had a cracking day, not even the worst service I have ever received at a pub could dampen my spirits. Anna received more lovely gifts and we spent the afternoon lazing in the Norfolk sunshine, eating lunch and fabulous birthday cake (thank you Mrs Hammond!) with friends. Even Lucy managed to collect a few pressies this weekend for what can only be described as her half birthday. I think she had more than I did on my proper birthday last year. Best present of the day was by far 'The evil Dr Porkchop' from Toy Story 2 - class, pure class. We finished off with coffee, Emma Bridgewater china and strawberry picking on the coast in more glorious sunshine followed by tea in the yard in even more glorious sunshine. Anna's t-shirt this morning summed the day up - 'Life is great and I am happy'. This weekend I have been very thoughtful and reflective of how lucky I am as a colleague and friend of mine fights for her life in hospital following a car crash and I am reminded once again that all this could be quickly taken away from me in an instant, so I must enjoy it and always embrace family life. I am beaming with pride to have my special family and the joy they bring me, a beautiful wife and friends who share in the joy of my children and family...

The birthday girl who decided to become independent..

I cannot believe that we have celebrated Anna's second birthday this week. I know it is a cliche but it only seems like yesterday I held her in my arms for the first time. Anna turned two on Thursday and then immediately decided that she did not need any help with anything any more! Phrase of the week is without a doubt - 'I can do it!'. She has grown up so much in recent weeks it is very hard to keep up with the pace of her development and independence. Now armed with her own Barbie Bistro table, chairs and brolly (thank you Libby!?!) she is the height of adult sophistication and is determined to show it! She has had loads of pressies and lovely cards that show me just how lucky we are to have such a loved young lady. She charms the pants off anybody that she meets and leaves an indelible mark! Tomorrow we continue the celebrations and head to Chelsea-on-sea (Burnham) for lunch. A venue that is indicative of her new found sophistication. She can however back out of all this with one simple phrase - 'I am not a big girl anymore!' and then she just needs a parental cuddle and a story and the stress of modern independent life just simple fades away. Well perhaps after a warm milk as well....