A wet and tired weekend....

It's been a strange bank holiday weekend - inclement weather, a tired pair of children, annoying practical jobs and work to catch up on and once again not much time together. With the kids abandoning us today for devices and pyjamas, Amy and I snuck out and shared a coffee and bacon roll. This may not sound too significant but we  have not had much time together for months and this was lovely in its simplicity. We also snuck in some surprise shopping for Anna's birthday as well. Hope she likes it - what a gadget for an eleven year old. She's a lucky girl indeed! I've been feeling pants for the last day or so with a cold, so have not been up to much either. Although we do now have an electronic count down for Majorca in place and I am reliably informed by the technologically advanced Mrs Hammond that we have seventy nine days to go! (Boom and counting!)  I can't wait and eyes are on the family prize, phone off, sunshine, swimming in the pool, playing cards and hopefully thrashing the kids at this, lots of eating out and chilling. I can feel the warm sun on my back now, having just had a wet, cold dog walk in the woods on this fine bank holiday! I'm back to work in the morning and Amy and the girls can enjoy the rest of half term chilling and resting which is very much needed for all three of them...

Unexpected outcomes in challenging times...

It is well documented that Anna really struggles with new things and significant things. She is a very emotional young lady and this seems to accentuate any concerns she may have or challenges looming that need to be overcome. I was worried this week as SATS arrived and four days of tests that she had been anxious about. I cannot take any parental credit as Amy worked with her on practice tests, pushed her, hugged her and supported her through this challenging week. You know what - for most of the week she was calm and coped well. Academically, she may not be quite as bright as her sister, but she is a grafter and she seems confident that she has done better than she expected. I have dangled the 'cash' incentive as I did with Lucy a few years ago and my one contribution to the party was to simply tell Anna 'I don't mind how you do with anything in life, as long as you always try your best'. I think she did and I am very proud of her for this effort and application. Well done Wiggle. Let's see how well you did and how much dosh I owe you. Really looking forward to having as higher bill as possible! xx

Champion army!

Not had much time together of late as a family as it has been a truly manic couple of weeks, but snuck in, on a very cold bank holiday Monday, the Norwich City promotion celebrations and the charity match. Great to be able to share this with the girls and have their company. They were less than enamoured when a car sped past soaking them both from head to toe! I managed to escape this indignity! City's promotion has been a really emotional experience for me this year, having shared so many exhilarating moments with the girls throughout the season. They have chosen not to come next year and I am a bit sad about this if honest, but I understand they do not enjoy it so much when they come home wet and cold. Will push to get them the odd casual ticket next year and both are in agreement that is something they still want to do with their old dad. Never the less, the Hammonds are very much still part of the promotion army and always happy to share some time at the football with my girls. Simply just a great experience!