Two go to Cambridge...

Lucy and Amy headed off for a girls day out to Cambridge today for a spot of shopping and a bit of culture in taking in a museum. As Lucy is studying the ancient Egyptians at school, they visited the Fitzwilliam museum to see the exhibition currently on. Lucy would not stop talking about her day with her mummy when she got home, she does enjoy time with just the two of them. Anna, reluctantly spent the day with me helping in the house and was delighted to go and spend some time at her friend's house this afternoon and at the park. In fact she could not get there quick enough! I have to say I was overwhelmed by her enthusiasm at having to spend time with her father! I can't blame her really as I did not really have an exciting day planned....

A den of her own!

After nearly ten hours of graft, much swearing, personal injury and general levels of discourse among the grown ups in the Hammond House last weekend, Anna finally has a bedroom of her own. Having found a bunk bed on e-bay and after several hours of violence with a screwdriver and using every ounce of practical ability that I have (limited) and a very helpful Ben; her new bed was put up. Slight problem - I built it the wrong way around and lets just say it was reluctant to spin around in such a small room! Ahh! Having watched the benefit to their relationship over the last year or so that the girls got from sharing a room, it was now clearly time to allow them to both have their own space. Anna thinks it is absolutely fabulous, although small, it is pretty cool if I say so myself. One slight problem, that bed is never coming out of there unless I take an electric highly powered tool to it! Enjoy your own space Wiggle - you deserve it. Now this weeks task is to make Lucy's room all pink and fluffy and cover it in 'One Direction' posters...

Final memories of the summer....

As the weather turns and the cold starts to set in, the family Hammond  begins it's winter hibernation and activities such as the 'Sunday afternoon' film kick in. The memories of sunshine and ice cream seem a long time ago but still firmly in the mind. The school term is well underway and I am delighted with the girls start as head teacher awards, gymnastic certificates, 50 metres swims all come their way and bear the fruit of their hard work, all be it sometimes reluctant! 

The comments come thick and fast including Anna's cracker yesterday in reference to my stomach -'Oh my god, he's got chubby sides!' My children never fail to raise my self esteem. Good temperaments that benefited from summer rest and relaxation also now start to fade as the tiring school routine kicks in. In particular Anna who is can only be described as 'challenging her father at every step of the way' at the moment and defies much of what I ask her to do. I am standing my ground and not going back on difficult discussion at the moment. With more time away from home and another battle with Anna, I can feel the lovely affects of the summer waning too..

Creating her own individual style....

We have always actively encouraged both the girls to have choice and understand how to make the right choices. Sometimes it goes well and sometimes it is a complete disaster as they start to really get to grips with the world around them.  None more so than what they wear. Lucy is quite simple in her taste - pretty dresses, leggings and handbags (just like her mummy really, without such evolved and expensive taste handbags as yet!). Anna is more complex and eclectic. She is definitely a 'jeans and a t-shirt' kind of girl, with a leaning towards clothes that boys wear and a bit of eccentric 'art house' about her too. A complex mix of styles that sometimes works and sometimes she pulls off with amazing results. On Sunday she really did her finest work to date with a combination of 'cow girl' and 'funky boy band'. You work it baby! Her outfit could only have possibly suited her and it encapsulated her wacky character. Good choice Wiggle. Lucy wore a simple dress on Sunday with grace and looked stunning and beautiful.

Operation 'first day back'....

Excitement levels really rose last night as the first day of school approached today. Both girls were very upbeat and excited as the military operation that was labelling school clothes, getting bags ready, lunch money, PE kits, pencil cases and all the new things needed was set in motion well into the evening. I did expect the wheels to come off today, but no such worries. Armed with her new One Direction satchel Lucy seemed to have a really good first day at Junior school and unusually was very descriptive in telling me how the day had gone. I have to say I was really worried about how Anna would react at not having her big sister with her at school every day, but that seems to have gone well too, although Anna kept her cards close to her chest and did not reveal many details.  Long may it continue. Lucy even had enthusiasm about having a homework book for the year, we will have to see what happens when the homework finally arrives!