The curious case of 'Wiggins' and 'Wacko!'

Christmas day was like a slow motion eating fest and I never thought I would say this, I am not sure I want to eat anymore for a few days. In truth, we were all a bit tired as the girls excitement peaked and they woke up around 2am and opened their stockings from Santa. I have to confess to flagging around tea time. Amy cooked the fry up to finish all fry ups for brunch, followed by high tea at Libby's. All delicious. The girls loved their presents and there are simply too many to list. Anna declared her best swag was a crocheted Dobby and Lucy's 'I came in like a Pineapple' tribute jumper made her purr with delight. The best present was Grandma's, where she adopted a donkey for both the girls at a local sanctuary and the look of joy on their faces was delightful. As the keepers of these two donkeys on loan for a year, we best be paying them a visit soon. 'Wiggins' and 'Wacko' will not know what has hit them once they have met the Hammonds!  Today has been more measured and less tiring as we have spent the morning in the bracing wind and brilliant winter sunshine on Wells beach with Auntie Kate and family. Great to see them and glad Christmas did not go by without us catching up. I am enjoying quiet time in my new man space/office area in the dining room, listening to the football whilst all other Hammonds doze and chill. Next stop cold roast turkey and all the trimmings this evening with Libby and co. Company great as ever, nutritional intake, probably not necessary. Merry Christmas x

It's all in the anticipation...

I am really excited, Amy is a bit tired and building towards finding her Christmas mojo and the girls have moved to 'defcon five' levels of excitement. They have just taken themselves off to bed, quite early in fact, perhaps in a bid to almost blast themselves across the finish line into Christmas day and the hope of much swag and gifts. Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones and friends. I can barley move (or even type I have eaten that much) after a delicious and sumptuous feast next door of roast chicken, fourteen types of vegetables and a pineapple 'upside-down-cake' to die for. Whilst the food was wonderful, the company even better and time with my family, Libby and her crew has catapulted me into the Christmas spirit and beyond.  Singing, dodgy jokes and party hats and time with people I love. For me this is the spirit of Christmas and really and truthfully the gifts don't really matter that much. The girls would definitely argue with that theory though! The best gift I receive is watching them open their presents in the morning and one I am truly looking forward to unwrapping. On another note Christmas Eve is a special day in my life and I celebrate my 'foster' birthday and the day I arrived all those years ago at Berry Hall into the care of a new family. I suppose you could describe that as one of the most pivotal and important days in my life as it set me down the path and the journey towards Amy and the girls and one for which I am eternally grateful. Sleep well my bonkers girls xx

Arriving at a crossroads....

I can only say that we have all stumbled across the finish line at the end of term, marginally intact with energy levels low and having completed a very long term, now to look forward to the festive period and a well earned break for all of us. I just need to finish up work by the end of the week, Anna to get over the stinking cold she currently has and Lucy and Amy just need quiet time and to relax. Move this all into position, with Christmas around the corner and we will be just fine. The house is still in chaos as we now have started work on the hallway and we have taken the decision not to have a Christmas tree as there is quite simply no room, so we are lacking a bit of festive spirit at present. I must add that both girls covered themselves in glory with a good behaviour award and badge from school before they finished - the only weary comment that Amy and I could come up with was a sarcastic one in that 'shame they can't be so well behaved at home!' Only kidding - we did shower them with praise and congratulations. Amidst all this chaos and busy lifestyle, I have noticed a new element of Lucy's character developing, her conversation and stature is growing and at times it is like speaking with a grown up with sophisticated wit and analysis. We sat at tea this evening exchanging banter and talking, at one point, she definitely had the better of me in terms of comical insults until I pulled it back from the brink! She will be quite the adult sparing partner in the future. Until then I will enjoy my victories!

I need to train them to read the signs...

The past few weeks I have discovered a characteristic that I am yet to teach my girls and one that will need when growing up; it may even do me a few favours as I slow down and get older. One that I have a duty to pass on and instruct into the moral fibre of both my offspring. I must ensure the girls to  learn to honestly point out to their father when he thinks he has had a good idea and it may not be!  As far as I am concerned they can do this in all their sarcastic glory and tell me straight from now on. I am quite exhausted. About two weeks ago I decided, literally overnight, in all my wisdom, that we needed to begin reconfiguring and redecorating the whole house. I considered at the time, that we were, in my impractical head, not maximising the space we had as a family. A declutter was in order and 'sensible' me thought it would be good to start this process in the lead up to and countdown to Christmas. I think piercing my eyelids with needles would have been more sensible. So I started this process, created chaos and have managed to finish the living room and dining room in two weeks. Just waiting for one bit of furniture and done. As I bask in my glory, I am yet to consider sorting out the Christmas tree, what we have on in the holidays, discos, school plays, work commitments, shopping and general mayhem of the festive season and next week I am considering starting on the hallway. I am obsessed and have the constant drive to continue with what I have started. Girls, if you are thinking of saying something stop me now as I may be slightly out of control! Ah what do you care, as long as Santa delivers and you get to party with your mates at the school disco, all will be fine. Please point out if you think your father is bonkers! It  may just save me as we edge closer to the holidays, just a thought......