Desperate to share this experience with her..

The weeks have passed, the days have all rolled into one and I am gutted that I am yet to watch Anna train at the Norwich academy. Amy reports that she is doing well and Lucy shrugs her shoulders at me when she comes back, with football not really being her thing and finding it understandably hard to muster any enthusiasm, having had a long day. If I am honest, I am feeling a little downhearted about it and feel I am letting Anna down. Work, which is quite busy, has been a stubborn obstacle in preventing me getting to any session on a Tuesday evening as yet. Not fair really, after all, I am by far the most qualified Hammond to take her and meet all the criteria - I am football mad, I understand the game, I love watching Wiggle and I am sure Amy and Lucy would probably pay me to go with Anna if they could! At the moment, until I watch her train at this different level, I am not quite able to celebrate her success in being accepted and watch her learn and develop until I have shared the experience with her, if that makes sense. I love watching Anna do something we are potty about! Yes, I am fulfilling my dreams vicariously through my children. I am building up quite a bank of special footballing memories with my youngest daughter and I am bursting to add this next one. Give me a few weeks and I think I have a spare Tuesday to share with Anna. We do have to stick together as we approach October and the month of the birthdays when the focus shift towards the older ladies (no offence intended) in the Hammond house. It will be painfully hard but I suppose we better let football take a back seat for 'that' week, if only for a couple of days. It's not really a big or special birthday Mrs Hammond is it?

Second best is a great place to be...

Now fully back into the swing of the school, clubs, busy days and activities coming from all sides (loosely translated Mrs Hammond and I are flying by the seat of out pants and already exhausted). It has been a week where the girls in one view have come second best, in my view they are very much winners. Lucy is now vice captain of her house at school and a 'second' in her guide patrol. Anna and her team got tonked yesterday in their first game of the season. I did not watch a heavy defeat, I saw my girl and her friends play a team that were always going to beat them hands down with courage, energy and really grow into the game. Anna at one time taking a very fast ball in the face to block a shot. She looked very assured and really growing in confidence and awareness on the pitch. For Lucy in particular these achievements and recognitions of her hard work, enthusiasm and tenacity are another boost for her fragile confidence and once again I could not be more proud as she undertakes roles that help people and perhaps a little bit of bossing around as well! She even made Amy and I a cup of tea the other day. Amy says she thinks we may just have a year six 'grown up girl' on our hands now. Mrs Hammond maybe right. Keep up the good efforts girls, regardless of the outcome...

Who can save summer now?

The summer holidays have, in recent weeks, been slowly slipping from our grasp and today signalled the end of lazy days, Mrs Hammond having time for projects and sewing (endless sewing!!), the girls lying in and staying up late, coffees and cards at the bistro, late evening dog walks, pyjama days watching television and chilling (yes - I do know you have them when I am at work girls), an impromptu kick about at the park, scones and tea on the slabbage and so much ice cream that not even a Hammond could manage! Even after summoning her inner superhero, not even Lucy's 'laser' eyes can stop the ticking of time and the inevitable end. Tomorrow heralds the start of the autumn term, the daily routine of school and work, clubs galore and not much rest time and a very busy lifestyle return. It has been a memorable summer despite not going away this year and ended perfectly with a celebratory and surprise lunch for Grandma's eighty-sixth birthday today. I had my obligatory days off at the end of the break with the girls, as Mrs Hammond went back to work before her new class arrive to torment her for a year. I was really excited to spend a couple  days with them and they did not disappoint with an epic fossil hunting contest on Thursday and a sneaky sweet filled afternoon at the cinema to watch 'Finding Dory'. The film was slightly disappointing , but enjoying it with the girls and their company was quite enough for me in the absence of any cinematic quality (There's a lesson here Pixar - know when enough is enough or you better make sure the sequel has a varied storyline please and as many belly laughs as the original). Anyway goodbye summer - next main family Hammond events are a way off - a  trip to Paris in half term and a couple birthdays - I really can't think for the life of me whose they may be in October. Neither hold any real significance, perhaps we should just ignore them. Sandwiched in-between is a significant birthday for Grandpa as well. So in the meantime back to the grind before the party season begins...