Simple little things make my day...

I have had a wonderful week in the girls company doing simple every day things with them that have given me so much pleasure. Walking them to school and seeing them off for their day, spotting spiders webs with Anna on the way, picking them up and hearing about their day, watching Toy Story 2 with them and listening to their giggles.  Tucking them in at night each night has been a real highlight, washing up with Lucy and chatting about history and her Anglo Saxon projects at school and watching Anna's footy today complete with her comedy own goal when she forget which end she was shooting at! My favourite part of the week was doing homework with Lucy on Tuesday evening where she was enthusiastic, worked hard and got real joy out of learning and her reading was excellent. Homework can often be am emotional battle and struggle when she is tired, but this went smooth and by the numbers. Lovely, simple moments and uncomplicated parts of life that stay with you. Lucy stayed over a friends last night and I missed her terribly having not spent a night away from any of my crew in months. It was great to hear about the fun time she had and good to see her smile when she saw me...

Building increased values...

Most of the time my girls are pretty good kids, they do have their moments of completely satanic behaviour (as you have probably read on occasion) but in the last few weeks I have decided there is one value where a great deal of work still needs to be done to bring them up to scratch! This is learning the value of money and appreciation of what they have. It's mainly my fault as I have spoilt them rotten over the years and I need to back track and fast! Starting about ten days ago, the girls now have to earn their pocket money through doing house work, good behaviour and working hard at school. They are required to save half of what they earn each week in their piggy banks for half term and are free to spend the rest on what they want. So far, I would say Anna had embraced this new family system more than Lucy - taking on a few more jobs to earn as much cash as she can including a marathon five hour garden session last Saturday. Lucy, has yet to grasp the connection between putting the effort in and getting what she wants - it will come! The girls hit a blip this week as behaviour was so poor on Tuesday night, that I have put a stop on their ability to earn any more cash this week and all jobs have to be done for free until Friday. Call this the 'Hammond Big Society!' I am learning day by day, as I spend more time with the girls, to hold my ground and continue to follow things through and I am afraid girls I am very determined in these circumstances, so no going back...

The new school year arrives...

With Amy ushered gently back into the world of full time work for half a term, it was left to me to entertain the girls for the final two days of the holidays. So we hit the park at Pensthorpe and went for the nature walk, picking up a new member of the family in 'Barry' the snail. Sadly Barry the snail had to go in the garden, after some over enthusiastic handling by the girls, for what might be a very uncertain future. Good luck Barry or rest in peace - I am really not sure! Yesterday, we finished the holiday off with a trip to a very cold Wells and a delightful picnic (indoors) at Grandma's. The girls enjoyed being mini archaeologists and hunting for pottery in the mole hills in Grandma's garden and came home with much swag - medieval brick, some pottery and a sheep's tooth! This morning was the first day of the new school term and I have to say it passed without drama, in fact quite the opposite. Anna describing her day as 'the best' and Lucy confidently taking it all in her stride. They looked great in their uniforms and I was, once again very proud, even after they managed to get toothpaste all over them seconds after getting dressed! I think it was a difficult day for Amy as she normally settles them in and the roles have been reversed for a while. It is a testament to all that Amy has done for them both, that today went so smoothly. I have to say I felt a bit like a duck out of water, in trying to remember everything this morning. The list is endless - drinks money, water bottles, book bags, ordering new jumpers and much more - not good for the male mnd!!!

How hard can it be to choose a new pencil case?!

After five shops, at least three hours of searching and me displaying the patience of a large collection of saints (the most godly, pious and revered kind) Lucy finally chose a new pencil case for the new school term. I am going to say something extremely old fashioned now, but children simply have too much choice these days. Lucy must have had fifty designs to choose from and I can see why it took her so long. I was simply loosing the will to live. Amy told me to be patient and wait and she will find the 'one' and as ever she was right. Just when I thought I could cope no more, like the 'holy grail 'a pencil case boldly decorated with colourful owls presented itself in WHSmith and the beginning of  beautiful and long lasting stationary storage relationship began. THANK GOD!!!! I can forgive her though, as the picture attached is stunning and makes me breathless with pride at how beautiful my big girl is becoming...

The Majorcan girls have settled back in!

We have been back home for a week now and the girls are well and truly back into the swing of things and quietly enjoying their summer holidays (not sure that the weather realises it is summer - it is the coldest August on record for a hundred years). It has been a little difficult to wind them down from holiday mode and the expectation of extra treats and a meal out every day, but this seems to have been finally tempered. They have had friends over, back into their new and upgraded swimming groups (once again very proud dad), gym and football starts again on Saturday, hit the cinema today and Lucy is already making a play for a new pencil case and stationary for the new school year! What has really impressed me is that they have both taken up the reading challenge from the library (with a little assertive persuasion from Mrs Hammond) to read six books before they go back to school and both have knocked off two each. Well done girls! We do have one emerging problem, as I start working from home, it is proving very difficult to do so and I can't ask my family to go out every day. The girls have been very good but they can be very noisy and I have set myself up for a fall by always making myself as accessible as I can when I am at home, as this time was infrequent. Not sure how we will solve this one just yet? I have to say, I do so love being a part of their day, every day though.  For example the silly song we sang and bum nudging complete with giggles this evening are special moments I cherish. The ladies in my life are not known for their compromise, so it looks like eventually I will need to seek pastures new when the business builds up. Did I not mention? I am going it alone and have set up my own consultancy business. I have my first client and onward and upwards. Scary but exciting times...

Back home safe and sound...

It has been a memorable holiday and great family time together. The girls are worn out and now in bed, very happy to be home and back to familiar comforts, despite the 20 degrees difference in temperature! When asked what she missed the most, Lucy replied the sky remote controller, her spot on the couch, the cats and Libby. I am not sure how flattered anybody should be on that list considering this was the order given in. I come home with so many memories of a very relaxing place to stay: the friendly islanders, the ice cream sandwiches, the 'ChiChiWa' song, some great families we met, delicious paella, the wonderful views of the med, a meal out every night with my family, endless souvenir shops which the girls adored, chilling by the pool, way too many ants, game of cards, 'crazy fruit man' selling watermelon on the beach, Anna's hole in one on the first hole of the crazy golf, gorgeous pastries and watching the girls get on so well (most of the time!) The idea of going back next year has been tabled and is in discussion. Firstly I will need to earn some money and secondly I am not sure there are enough sedative drugs on the planet to get Amy back on a plane after a choppy flight today! In the meantime, a great holiday to remember..

The very long wait is nearly over!

After nearly ten days of wobbling, dangling, bleeding and generally freaking me out, Anna's latest wobbly tooth is literally hanging by a thread and ripe and ready to fall out and get her another visit from Boxer. Please be tonight, as I really do not want to see her wobble it in front of me any more! Finally, after purchasing some lucky Spanish keys and a little bit of help from her big sister with an over excited cuddle, Anna and I got our wish and out pooped the tooth in the middle of the dance floor at the hotel this evening, complete with dripping blood! We really do know how to leave an impression on a party, us Hammonds!