Becoming a woman before my eyes...

I simply can't keep up with the pace of how quickly Lucy is growing up. With her fifteenth birthday looming, day by day I notice the changes in her. She often speaks differently with more adult understanding and context, if she is not being blatantly sarcastic or using some interesting language! 😝When we debate things she looks at a much wider picture and taking additionally bits of information in when decision making or coming up with an opinion. She is becoming very passionate and curious about the debate and issues in the world are starting carry importance fo her, shining through in her argument and discussion. She is doing Ethics for her GCSE's and I think she will excel in this, I really do. Really proud of Lucy as she has quietly got up and running well in a new school year, where she faces challenges that are quite unusual. You can already see her benefiting from a more structured day once again. I will continue to marvel in the wonder of watching her grow and seeing my beautiful girl slowly make her own way in the world in the coming years. This is of course, if she comes out of her bedroom enough and actually spends time with us all!! Keep it up sloth like child, you could go a long way xxx

Take a bow Anna Hammond!

I can probably and often be accused of parental bias when it comes to Anna's goalkeeping exploits, but in today's game there is no shying away from the fact she put in a monumental effort in the face of adversity and produced some wonderful saves. The team collectively did not have their best of days and these are the games when under pressure, with her back against the wall, that Anna shines. Some of the stops were nothing short of remarkable and I really do admire her courage and fearless nature on a football field. She's not afraid to get hurt and this is a quality I hope will stand her in good stead in later life. In the last two games I have seen some real progress in her goalkeeping. Granted she has a natural athleticism and a taste for the heroic stop, but she is maturing and improving in all aspects of the position in her distribution, coming for crosses and becoming more vocal with her defenders. Another really memorable morning in these strange times to put in the parental memory banks. I have loved watching her again after lockdown measures were reduced. I'm desperate to continue to have this time with my girl; it has done me so much good to have this important thing back in my life again, and pray every day that the current situation, which is escalating with a continuous rise in infections again will not be taken away from us again in the coming weeks. I am sadly not hopeful. Thanks Wiggle for bringing your dad some Sunday morning joy xx

Just got to keep taking it one day at a time....

The school holidays are nearly over. If honest we have not really been confident or feeling safe enough to go and do things as a family yet. The infection rate is slowly rising again in the country and everything seems a bit of a blur to me. The Hammond family are still quite content to stay in our 'bubble' and slowly continue to ease ourselves back into 'normal' life. Mrs Hammond started back at work today, mine is slowly rebuilding and the girls face the challenge next Tuesday of finally returning to school for the first time since March. Incredulous when you say it like that! I think they are a bit nervous, with new rules and guidelines to follow, but I really do think it is important to get some structure back in their lives and build on that. Fortress Pond House has been a god send in allowing us to be safe in these times, but time to start fleeing the nest again a bit more!. Our meal out was a huge success last Saturday, great company, good food (well my salad was a bit dire, but you can't have everything) and such a positive experience. One I will repeat again to build my confidence. A lovely moment last night and an impromptu game of Uno with the girls gave me real heart. A simple thing, but an important one never the less. I write this and can say that I am not good, I am struggling with all of this. I worry about the girls, Amy and Joan. I see the country sliding into critical recession and I am just trying to keep a roof over our heads and help the girls rebuild their lives and build a future. This year has been full of challenges I never imagined and my own battle with my health has compounded this. I am winning though. I am feeling healthier and lost so much weight. Hopefully I can continue to try to be a good dad, husband and stay strong.  Sunday would have been Auntie Joan's ninetieth birthday. Every day I have a chat to her, as my parent and wonder what she would have made of all of this. Ask for her advice. My focus remains the same, honor her life, continue her legacy of kindness and caring in everything I do if I can and help people who need it. I hope she would be proud of me. I would have loved to have a call and a visit this Sunday with her, like nothing else and help her celebrate such a landmark birthday. It is not to be and life, all be it somewhat confusing and challenging goes on. Next step get my feral kids back to school and the run up to October birthday week!