A world of secret chats....

Lucy now has her iPod and has discovered the use of messaging and sending 'free texts' to both Amy and I. I must say from my point of view I love it when I am not at home and get a random message from my daughter telling me she loves me. Not much can beat that! However, some of Lucy's messages can only be described as slightly confusing with copious amounts of symbols and pictures attached that have no relevance to the text. I am sure she knew what she was talking about at the time! There is a downside to this as on occasion she uses this as a way of asking for things rather than coming to me and engaging with that old fashioned thing called a conversation! Despite this, I love and now look forward to those surprising and quirky messages that endear me more and more to my eldest daughter. Makes me feel quite special....

Annual pilgrimage to see the snowdrops...

Yesterday we timed our yearly trip to Walsingham to see the snowdrops to perfection within the strange and erratic Norfolk weather. At one point glorious winter blue skies and an hour or so later, hail and snow - by this point we were in the warm grateful consuming roast chicken cooked by Libby! I say it every year, but it is a lovely family tradition of going on the walk and this year enjoyed all the more with the welcome addition of Inky. She and her sniffing snuffle nose enjoyed every inch of the abbey grounds! Been bowling today and have discovered that Anna is the world's worst looser with a mighty sulk as her sister and I wiped the floor with her. Need to learn to be a gracious looser Wiggle - it is a good quality in a human being.

Victory at last!!

After months of trying, many heavy defeats and shipping in countless goals Anna and her team 'the Fakenham Under 8's' second team finally secured a very well earned victory. A sneaky 2-1 win against Shouldham. I celebrated it like Norwich had just won the cup at Wembley! The best bit was as the whistle went she rang the length of the pitch, jumped in my arms and with a beaming smile said 'I cant believe we won Dad, I really can't, this is the coolest thing ever!' I am delighted for all the boys (and girl!) in the team who have worked so hard. Let's hope it breeds some confidence and they can go on an get that second win. We know how to live us Hammonds - afterwards we celebrated by walking the dog by the river in Fakenham. Anna's prize for this victory is tonsillitis and a dose of antibiotics as she is quietly feeling sorry for herself on the couch watching a film as we speak. Get well soon Wiggle - you have given your Dad a great memory..

Sporting challenges....

Both my girls differ in sporting aspirations, skills and drive. Anna is a blessed with a fairly sporty nature that is all round and allows her to have a go at most things. She is loving her football, the intensity of real matches, gets fearlessly stuck in and is ever improving. If I am honest though she does not work that hard at it and things just come naturally. In contrast, Lucy, on the other hand is not one of life's natural sports persons. She works so very hard at it, tackles challenges with enthusiasm and loves the social aspect. She soaks up the theory and has a keen eye for the skill in others. There is just one problem - she is just not progressing at Gymnastics after several years of hard work and commitment. At the weekend, Amy and I broached the very difficult and sensitive conversation about whether it was time to stop and try something new? There were tears and upset and if I am honest, I did not feel very good about myself bringing it up. I can see that in the future, as all the other girls who are much younger progress beyond her and her ability, it could prove a very difficult social situation she finds herself in and I would not want that. We just want to protect her. I am not being critical of her in any way, she can find her own path and if sport is not it, then so be it. I am worried about her and sometimes love involves being honest and having that difficult conversation. She spoke about it again this morning and seems to be reflecting on it quite a bit. I feel so cruel and never meant to be. I love Lucy with all my heart and am so proud of her and everything she does. Quite a parental quandary this one....