School's out for summer (sort of!!)

Not that it really got started or going much this term in the first place!! The school holidays are upon us in a slightly weird and surreal context. Lockdown is slowly lifting and the world is starting back up. The virus is still out there in small in pockets and measures such as wearing masks, social distancing, lots of handwashing are still in place. These will be with us well into next year. Attractions, shops, hairdresser, restaurants and coffee shops are slowly opening up with measures in place. The world is pushing forward quite quickly to get back to normal. The family Hammond are taking small but tentative steps towards this, but we are cautious and are not quite going at the same pace as other families I see on social media for example or in the news. The girls have started to spend a small amount of time with some friends, Anna has returned to football training and Lucy braved a shopping trip with me. We have also been having socially distancing barbecues with friends and family each week too. Which have been amazing and I have really enjoyed seeing people. Its such a difficult balancing act we have to juggle as parents, the risk is still out there, but we have to be so weary of supporting the girls to start getting back into the world. The longer this goes on, the more it will have a profound impact on their well being. The added dynamic to this is that poor Mrs Hammond is still really struggling with her knee. Now the other one, which has been compensating and doing all the work for the other is becoming a problem. Her mobility remains poor and this will restrict us in getting out and about. I am winding down my work so that from next Friday I can have ten days off. If I am honest I am feeling a bit haggard, taking lots on and under lots of pressure. I am ready for this break and we are going to have to think of some ways we can all get out and enjoy the safe spaces that Norfolk has to offer. This will be a welcome change of scenery and will be good for us all 😊 

Parentally sneaky and devious!

Child number one will not indulge me and let me take her photo. I was promised a selfie with her on Father's day that never came of fruition and was definitely avoided. In order to get an up to date picture of my Lucy, ashamed as I am, I have resorted to underhand tactics and stolen her latest Facebook profile picture. I like to have photos of my girls on my phone so when I am not with them, they are with me at all times. Makes me feel secure and safe, they bring me home when days are tough. I wish that Lucy could see what I see as her dad, I wish she could see the beauty, kindness, humour and integrity I see in my oldest daughter every day when I see her. She is beautiful inside and out and annoyingly photogenic!  Love my Loobychick very much xx

Birthday celebrations with a bit of a difference...

It pays as a parent in these difficult times to not underestimate the significant change that Covid-19 has thrust into the lives of our children and how difficult this all is for them. Key dates in their lives such as birthdays do not normally come with restraint, risk assessment, compromising decisions and strange behaviours needed by us all that do not even involve such basic human need as being able to hug loved ones. In the week that restrictions have started to be lifted in a more phased way, our lovely Anna has celebrated her twelfth birthday. Amy and I were determined to do what ever we could to make this as normal a day as possible for her. She and her sister have been through so much in recent years and the strange reality of a lockdown birthday is quite a difficult thing for a child to digest. We did this by organising at Anna's request a socially distancing barbecue. Invitations went out to Granny and Grandpa, Kate, Stu and the girls. It was very important indeed for Anna to have wider family there to help her celebrate a special day. So proud of her, for her compromises and thought process for such a young lady and modifying her expectations in these hard times. Very proud indeed. It was lovely, truly a lovely day. Anna received much swag, gave Uncle Stu a lesson in kicking a grown ups arse at football (great to see another person being the victim of her skill and positioning themselves with an ever growing list of excuses - been there and used them myself such as I am wearing the wrong footwear! 😂) I can't say thank you enough to all the family in making what could have been a day to forget into something memorable and special to remember. Most of all Amy, who exhausted by her injured knee - cooked, baked cakes and was amazing. Now to start planning October birthdays!!!! I wonder who that could be? Happy birthday darling Anna - you are much loved xx