Appreciating what is on your door step...

When you have lived in an area for many years, you tend to take all around you for granted and often can get stuck in your own bubble. Norfolk is a wonderful place to live and thanks to our able tour guide Mrs Hammond, we had a whistle stop tour of the history of Kings Lynn and a visit to one of the local museums on Sunday. Only an hour or so, but really enjoyable spending time as a family doing something new. We did catch up a bit this weekend, spending two evenings sitting together as a family and watching the new Paddington films. We have stuttered our way into a slightly antisocial routine of late with all of us doing our own thing in the evenings and this is not always that healthy. Simple things such as taking the time to eat together in the madness of modern life and watch a film as a family was lovely and reflecting back on this, is something we do not always do enough of. I loved the chat, the giggling, sharing an ice cream and sitting together. Really topped off a great day, with a special family evening. Silly really, it did not take much effort on any of our parts and cost nothing. Amazing, how something so simple can make you feel so great. It really set me up for the week ahead and it was nothing of note or on face value that important, but it did have quite an impact on me. Two nights in a row as well, must be a family record of late! More time with my three girls, is the only tonic I need x

All I want for Mrs Hammond is to be able to say...

She loves it! Hammond's don't cope with disruption and change very well. A couple of months ago we decided (well it was decided for us as it was falling apart) to change the kitchen. Work begun nearly three weeks ago and we are still moving through the ongoing saga after cock up after cock up. Ovens that don't fit, cupboards being put on the wrong may, broken underfloor heating, sinks that are scratched, the list goes on and on. Hopefully we will be over the finish line by the end of the week. Fed up with take aways, mess and dust everywhere, the dog can't be at home and is staying at grandma's house - we all simply want it to be over. Me too and I am not even at home this week! When the hob actually worked, this was greeted with unbridled joy and Anna being assisted to make egg fried rice by Amy, a fabulous Spaghetti Bolognaise materialised and the correct order of things in the Hammond house felt restored. Not long now Mrs Hammond, will all be over soon and you can be in your beloved kitchen. Amy loves cooking and this is her place so I can indeed understand her frustration. I hate things that are not part of a normal routine as well as mess and I have been climbing the walls too! Our home is a place of sanctuary and safety in a modern world gone mad and we do love to eat Amy's wonderful cooking x

They have such a bond...

Even though they would not admit it! Anna has continued to be quite anxious in the last few weeks, but is slowly settling back into a routine and going back to school with less worry and more freedom. I was most impressed with Lucy's care and attention towards Anna, in offering to walk her to school last week. I was less impressed when she revealed her wish not to sustain this beyond a day! Which got me thinking, as we sat down on Sunday evening for a mother's day meal for Amy, with the girls sitting really close together. They were giggling, scheming and moving into that place where they are completely excitable, slightly too loud and on a wave length that only sisters can understand. I love watching them together when they are like this., I am not a fan though when this happens in the back of the car when I am driving! Beware any adult who goes close as this is the dangerous time when they can gang up on an unsuspecting parent for example! Whilst my two girls often fight, often need separating (sometimes our small house does not keep them far enough apart!) they do deeply love each other and have a very close bond, whilst being two different and diverse young ladies. It is lovely to see their connection. I can only pray that in the coming years they stay close, look after each other and always be there for each other no matter what life brings. I often say it, but they are a true and blessed gift and mine and Amy's lives would be not be as rich and fulfilled without our two argumentative girls. So keep arguing, keeping secret giggling, gang up on us all you like and bring it on! The girls call themselves team 'Shabuya' (not sure where the name comes from?) and even have a secret fist bump that is sacred to them. I hope they do appreciate each other and always will...

Thank God it's raining again...

Now I know I can sometimes be a grump, well most of the time, but thank god it has stopped bloody snowing, the temperature, which reached a biting minus seven has steadily increased and the ice is melting. After all the disruption things feel like they are getting back to normal and it is pissing it down outside! The kids are ready to get back to school, I am ready for them to go back too! The thing about snow and freezing temperatures, is after the novelty wears off, the children inevitably end up bored as everything becomes less accessible and a tad slippery. I must be getting old as I fell over twice! I noticed a growing pattern over the last few days, as Mrs Hammond and the girls hunkered down under blankets and turned into even more of television addicts than they were before. A sad day as one of Anna's fish passed away this afternoon, with much sobbing Anna and Amy discovered its lifeless body whilst cleaning out the tank. Turns out Amy may have been responsible for its passing, rinsing out the filter with tap water upsets the bacterial environment. In looking at her smiley face, you wouldn't think she had it in her!?! The fish murderer of Fakenham town. Just joking, we were warned that sometimes there are casualties when keeping fish, I am not sure Anna realised it would be so soon. I knew we should not have encouraged her to name them. RIP Rosie the fish, dutifully buried in the yard with no dignity whatsoever!