Simple little things make my day...

I have had a wonderful week in the girls company doing simple every day things with them that have given me so much pleasure. Walking them to school and seeing them off for their day, spotting spiders webs with Anna on the way, picking them up and hearing about their day, watching Toy Story 2 with them and listening to their giggles.  Tucking them in at night each night has been a real highlight, washing up with Lucy and chatting about history and her Anglo Saxon projects at school and watching Anna's footy today complete with her comedy own goal when she forget which end she was shooting at! My favourite part of the week was doing homework with Lucy on Tuesday evening where she was enthusiastic, worked hard and got real joy out of learning and her reading was excellent. Homework can often be am emotional battle and struggle when she is tired, but this went smooth and by the numbers. Lovely, simple moments and uncomplicated parts of life that stay with you. Lucy stayed over a friends last night and I missed her terribly having not spent a night away from any of my crew in months. It was great to hear about the fun time she had and good to see her smile when she saw me...

Building increased values...

Most of the time my girls are pretty good kids, they do have their moments of completely satanic behaviour (as you have probably read on occasion) but in the last few weeks I have decided there is one value where a great deal of work still needs to be done to bring them up to scratch! This is learning the value of money and appreciation of what they have. It's mainly my fault as I have spoilt them rotten over the years and I need to back track and fast! Starting about ten days ago, the girls now have to earn their pocket money through doing house work, good behaviour and working hard at school. They are required to save half of what they earn each week in their piggy banks for half term and are free to spend the rest on what they want. So far, I would say Anna had embraced this new family system more than Lucy - taking on a few more jobs to earn as much cash as she can including a marathon five hour garden session last Saturday. Lucy, has yet to grasp the connection between putting the effort in and getting what she wants - it will come! The girls hit a blip this week as behaviour was so poor on Tuesday night, that I have put a stop on their ability to earn any more cash this week and all jobs have to be done for free until Friday. Call this the 'Hammond Big Society!' I am learning day by day, as I spend more time with the girls, to hold my ground and continue to follow things through and I am afraid girls I am very determined in these circumstances, so no going back...

The new school year arrives...

With Amy ushered gently back into the world of full time work for half a term, it was left to me to entertain the girls for the final two days of the holidays. So we hit the park at Pensthorpe and went for the nature walk, picking up a new member of the family in 'Barry' the snail. Sadly Barry the snail had to go in the garden, after some over enthusiastic handling by the girls, for what might be a very uncertain future. Good luck Barry or rest in peace - I am really not sure! Yesterday, we finished the holiday off with a trip to a very cold Wells and a delightful picnic (indoors) at Grandma's. The girls enjoyed being mini archaeologists and hunting for pottery in the mole hills in Grandma's garden and came home with much swag - medieval brick, some pottery and a sheep's tooth! This morning was the first day of the new school term and I have to say it passed without drama, in fact quite the opposite. Anna describing her day as 'the best' and Lucy confidently taking it all in her stride. They looked great in their uniforms and I was, once again very proud, even after they managed to get toothpaste all over them seconds after getting dressed! I think it was a difficult day for Amy as she normally settles them in and the roles have been reversed for a while. It is a testament to all that Amy has done for them both, that today went so smoothly. I have to say I felt a bit like a duck out of water, in trying to remember everything this morning. The list is endless - drinks money, water bottles, book bags, ordering new jumpers and much more - not good for the male mnd!!!