So we calmly go back into lockdown...

So on Thursday this week the Government decided that the whole of England should once again go back into lockdown in order to stem the tide of wave two of the Covid-19 pandemic. A bit different from last time with changes such as schools open. This is expected to last for a month. We can only leave our house for work, school, exercise, essential shopping or medical attention and support. It's going to be a tough month and could easily be extended. So we are now hunkered down in fortress Hammond, well supplied, safe, well and trying to reduce risk in everything we do. It's just another twist in our family life in this strange year. Christmas could be quite isolated and without the opportunity to see family and friends. I am starting to worry again as the rate of infections rise in the community and deaths. This year is asking me to continue to work hard and seem to stay on a heightened level of alert to protect my family. At the moment I can's seem to wind down. I will do everything I can to be a good husband and father to keep everyone safe and that's all the matters in the context of what 2020 is throwing at us. Amy, Joan and the girls all seem good. Anna is already kicking my arse in Lockdown footy challenge number two! Damn girl, even with a slight back injury after she fell down the stairs she beats me!!! 

Oh what a picture, what a photograph!

Of course we have had another birthday in the last week and an important one that obviously needs a mention. Mrs Hammond turned a sprightly middle aged number one can't mention. She remains beautifully photogenic despite being an old wench! 😆 Here, posing whilst opening her swag, which also had a photo theme and the camera she wanted. Marital tip number forty-four, never buy surprises as they often fall flat on their arse! Looking forward to some dog walking with Mrs Hammond in the Norfolk countryside and watching her test her pressie. Happy Birthday Mrs Hammond. Sorry we forgot the cake and singing x

I want to thank my people for a wonderful birthday...

Were the words that came from Lucy's mouth around half an hour ago as she blew out the candles on her 'donut' cake. Such a lovely family day today. Lucy loved her presents including her surprise Fitbit. I always marvel at how grateful for gifts she always is; she is so gracious, polite and always smiling with real emotion. She deserves an amazing birthday in these strange and hard times. She hasn't grumbled this year, even with everything that is going on. We may be going straight to parental hell though as we allowed her to get her nose pierced (I am not sure Grandma would approve! 😝). I think its great she is expressing herself and she is very clear about doing this through her piercings. I have seen confidence oozing out of her today, she loved her morning shopping with Amy, Pizza express lunch (had my first pizza out!!) and her 'pre chosen swag. I have many photos of my eldest girl today, which is very rare indeed. Even more rare to get her consent! We did get the metaphorical list this year again! I am so proud of her today, she's becoming a woman and a very lovely one as well. The best part of today for me was time at lunch, just the four of us, chatting and enjoying each others company as a family. One birthday down, one to go!! Happy birthday Looby Chick. Mum and Dad love you with all their hearts xx

Another Sunday morning sliding around in the mud...

At the risk of boring any reader senseless, Anna had another cracking game this morning rolling around heroically in the mud and rain, making countless saves some of which were spectacular and breathtaking at times! It's becoming the norm for the opposing coach to try and steal her for their team each week. This is such a compliment as to how far she is progressing in her goalkeeping progression. Despite a heavy loss today, when the team were one player down and with no substitutes, she and her friends worked hard and kept going. Id love to support her to transfer the courage she displays on a football pitch into other aspects of her life, where she is more reserved and timid, worrying about things. Today she pulled off several double saves, caught a ball and boot in the face and still stood up and kept going. Remarkable and tenacious indeed. Another proud dad moment to enjoy on a very damp Sunday morning xx

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!