Chaved up in Cornwall!

Having endured eight hours of travelling on tender hooks simply waiting to hear the words 'are we there yet!' the family Hammond has arrived in Cornwall and it is quite simply beautiful. Instead of enjoying the sunshine, amazing views and fresh air - what do we do - go shopping and Lucy has bought her first Cath Kidston handbag! Oh my god - I have no hope at all! We have already had an amazing time and we are only a couple of days into our holiday, packing in much entertainment and relaxation with hot tubing, ice cream, paddling, rock pooling, candy floss, sand castle making, fake tattoos, hair braids, more shopping and a bit more shopping, Anna has been naked whenever she can, giggling and much quality time together that has not been forthcoming of late, which is by far the best bit. I have even managed an afternoon snooze and read a book for the first time in well over a year...

How we missed ice cream!

The sunshine is out at last and the wonderful experience of ice cream has returned into our lives. The rain that has continued for the last month or so seems a distant past and we are now enjoying summer activities in the garden and out and about. Wiggle's trampoline is being finally used with big smiles. Anna told me yesterday that I could not go on it as I was too old and fat! She may have had a point - but I snuck on and had great fun! Only seven more sleeps and then The family Hammond is hitting Cornwall for two weeks of sunshine, more ice cream, fun and much more...

Worth recording a fantastic record for posterity - Lucy is one of only three children out of two hundred or so that went to school every day this year in her school. Great job Looby chick! Too bad it has exhausted her and she is yet to find her holiday mojo. That will come in the next few days....

Spies like us...

I had two cunning, top secret spies in my house on Saturday. They arrived, made a den in the hall and defended me against the evil emperor Zurg for well over an hour. They were highly trained in combat, imagination and had all the gadgets that even the most accomplished spies in the world have. They went by the code names 'Storm' and 'Dizzy' and in a puff of smoke they were gone again. Will I ever see them again, time will only tell? It has been another eventful weekend in the Hammond house that has meant I have been through several parental emotions: school and nursery reports came in this week and both the girls did really well (proud father), Anna inexplicably decided to poo in the garden (angry father), the girls broke a drinks holder in my new car (very angry father), Anna is close to having dry nights again (proud father), Lucy spilt black current squash over the cream couch (desperately frustrated father) and the girls helped me in the garden (happy and content father). Life is never dull. I will miss them desperately next week though as I am hardly home....

Hands off!

Lucy still loves her small and secret things. She has loved these kinds of toys, collectables and bits and bobs since she was about two. There is a clear message that comes from my eldest daughter - hands off these are mine and special. Whatever the time of the day she can be heard playing with her collection of miniature dogs and other animals, small boxes to keep the trinkets in, moshi monster cards and stickers, little diaries and notebooks with secret messages in. They all are interwoven into her wonderful imagination. Despite this none of her possessions still come close to the love she has for Oddball (who incidentally is stricken with an injury having been put on a hot hob)..... 

Pirate Lightyear!

The guests have gone after the birthday pyjama party, the food and cake all eaten, the presents opened and Anna is now the ripe old age of four. She has had a fantastic day and much swag! A trampoline (which I managed to put together with lots of help!), a Buzz skateboard, swingball and load of goodies.  She is a very lucky girl. Her manners have been impeccable with so many thank you's. The smile of her face this morning when we took her down to the bottom of the garden to see the trampoline was wonderful.  The day started brightly with chocolate pancakes and Anna never looked back. I was very worried that she might find the day quite overwhelming, but to my relief she took every moment in the spot light in her stride. Happy birthday Wiggle. P.S Your parents and sister are exhausted!