Another little dose of magic!

After our postponement we finally made it to Harry Potter Studios this weekend and had a simply fabulous time. (I have also shared my continuing coughing with half of Essex!) It was a bit of a modern miracle as we cocked up with tickets, dates, times and various other elements of the organisation, but in the end after much blagging we got there in the end! The girls just love it and can only be described as emerging 'super fans'. The place is just captivating and I adore watching the girls reactions. The theme was a special one and we got to see all the real animals used in the films as well as the wonderful array of props, animatronic effects and sets. I think Anna's face sums it up completely as she was in complete awe of everything around her. I have to say, the adventure of staying in a hotel room together, spending time with another family (thank you Chamberlains!) and the massive Sunday morning cooked breakfast added to some quality time together as a family. Despite the very high cost of the weekend, and it was very extravagant, I would take the girls again, as they seem to get so much from it and their imaginations go wild. This is the beauty of such amazing story telling and the world of Potter! Anna continued her obsession with Dobby and Lucy loved looking for the animals and not to mention the gift shop. Thank you Granny and Grandpa for the girls spending money - greatly appreciated.

Limping along as best we can...

It's half term and we continue not to be a very healthy lot! Chest infections, night sweats, coughing (constant coughing), much snot and generally feeling quite pants. All of the family Hammond are struggling to get better after the most nasty of viruses has swept through the family. Lucy and I sound like a barking dog, it takes me back to the time when I was a boy and suffered from croop. The endless coughing is driving us all mad and sleep is not really on the agenda, hence compounding the problem. I am now back at work and Amy and the girls are soldiering on in an attempt to enjoy half term. We did sample the yearly delights of the snowdrop walk at the Abbey grounds on Sunday with Marley as a 'rent-a-dog' and it was beautiful as ever. In fact the fresh air did us all good. Fingers, legs and anything else crossed that we all get well for this weekend and our rearranged trip to Harry Potter world, as excited would be a understatement as a way to describe us all. The girls have much pocket money stashed away for a carefully planned assault on the gift shop!

Kick it off, throw it in...

Anna and I spent some fabulous time together last Saturday as she went to her first ever football game at Carrow Road. We were both so very excited and the game itself did not disappoint as City ran in with a 4-0 win! Anna loved it and I was delighted to share something that I love so much with one of my girls. The level of excitement, vocal outpouring and sheer delight she showed when the goals went in, definitely means we may have a true fan on our hands here! (who incidentally loves the hot dogs as well) We have decided we are going to have a 'footy' date again, although Anna has requested we go when it is a bit warmer next time. Granted - it was very cold! I am in agreement, as I have been suffering from a awful cold since and been feeling quite rubbish. Thanks for your company Wiggle, glad you enjoyed it. You must know that you made your dad's day!

After the mayhem a parent simply needs to relax...

This morning I was a man in need of refuge, calm and solace. So off I trotted down to the bistro for a calming coffee and the sports section of the Sunday newspaper. Why you may ask? I was recovering from the parental experience that was 'the sleepover'. Five children, one house, fish and chips, dressing up, TV time, a argumentative game of monopoly, a very long Harry Potter re-enactment, Shopkins trading and a very early start to the day this morning as Lucy and her friends woke at 4.45am! It has been quite a busy week with work, childcare related problems and a vast array of club commitments. I suppose I was probably in need of rest rather than five excitable children. All three of our guests were fabulously behaved and a real credit to their parents, however children are just naturally loud and excitable. My heart did sink slightly as I entered my living room last night to discover there was no room in the inn with children all over the floor and chairs under blankets chilling out! Will need a few weeks to recover first before we reconsider another sleep over...