Autumn days...

The weather is turning and we are having to do more indoor activities with the girls as the winter is on the way and the endless tide of colds and coughs kicks in. So the odd escapade in the autumn leaves or in the park with the bikes will soon be like gold dust and a sheer joy. Wiggle did manage to come off her bike several times today and she fearlessly rode around at top speed! The girl is mad! Perhaps her best accomplishment of the day was when she decided that she needed to wash her socks today. Popped them the washing machine, turned it on, set the programme and fired it up. Anna - mental note, you need to put some washing liquid in otherwise not much cleaning goes on!

Home work girl!

Lucy is working very hard indeed at school and home and her writing especially is progressing very well indeed. I am amazed by how quickly she is learning and the enthusiasm that she has. It is very difficult to keep pushing her to take part in the early evenings as she has had such a long day at school and club (before and after school) and I am finding that I do not have many skills in supporting her to learn and am finding it difficult. As a family we lead such busy lives and I have been taking the soft line that she is tired and I should just let her chill out. Amy on the other hand has worked so hard with her in recent weeks and really pushed her and I need to support with this so that she can continue with her progression. The results of Amy's hard work are clear to see as the other evening with help and guidance Lucy wrote the sentence 'We can take in puppets' on her whiteboard. WOW! I have learnt so much about myself as a parent as Lucy enters a new phase in her development and I really am a bit of a coward, as I need vigorous 'pushing' from my wife to take on new things I am not confident with when helping the girls. Well done Lucy and Amy - have a sticker each from a man who needs to learn a trick or two from his wife....

Deep filled with comic timing!

Anna is developing a real sense of humour with very good timing this week. Whenever she is asked a question for some reason her only response is 'Sandwiches'! It all started in the car last weekend whilst we were playing eye spy and when the statement 'I spy with my little eye something beginning with R' Anna enthusiastically called out 'Sandwiches'! She delivers it with a glint in her eye and a very rye smile that makes it so much funnier than it sounds. Realising how funny we all thought it was she has milked the gag for all its worth and this has been the standard answer to everything. For example 'Anna - its time to go to bed'- she expertly looks around the room to see who is there for maximum affect, smirks and shouts 'Sandwiches'! I am not sure whether I am proud or slightly worried. You decide - what you would think if you were her father?!?

Did I feel guilty?

Whenever Amy and I have anything for ourselves that does not involve the girls (which is rare) I am normally racked with guilt that we have not involved them. I am afraid that my parental morals went completely out of the window this week as I sat in a jacuzzi at Dunston Hall relaxing without the constant stream of the words 'Daddy can you....' OR sibling fighting that has emerged in recent weeks. Did I fell guilty? Not on this occasion. Not at all. Amy and I really needed that time together and deserved it. Being a parent is the hardest job in the world and I am very proud of the effort that Amy and I put in, however we need to remember to be us on the odd occasion, not just Mummy and Daddy. On collecting the girls we celebrated with an afternoon trip to play land in Wells and had a cracking family time. Can't wait for the next non parental time with my wife though, in the mean time back to the world of pink things, Night garden pyjamas and cranky little people...

You've got a friend in me...

Wiggle has a very special friend and her name is Libby (our neighbour). Now Anna always takes a long time to work out whether she trusts adults other than us and it is testament to Libby that she adores her so much. Anna does not give up her personal space to others easily but whenever Libby is around Anna legs it towards Libby for a cuddle or to sit on her lap. The thumb goes in her mouth and she is content with her friend Libby. She loves going to Libby's house to play with the 'baby Jesus' and have homemade cakes and milk. Now the grown ups in the Hammond house are exploiting this love and special relationship by legging it on Thursday night for a night away and leaving Libby holding the baby, so to speak (plus the opinionated five year old). Ah bliss! Thank you Libby. On a different note I have had two very profound parental learning experiences today - the realisation that I love play land in Wells, in particular the ball firing guns and the farting elephant AND I now know what Jeggings are (a cross between Jeans and leggings). You learn so much every day being a parent!

High five!

After the months and weeks of anticipation Lucy's big day and big party finally arrived and what a day she had. It has been an amazing day, but I am absolutely shattered! Amy and I were so nervous that she would not enjoy being the centre of attention as can often happen with Lucy, but she has been calm, gracious, smiling and has made me very proud, very proud indeed. Lucy is a lucky girl - she has received so many generous and fantastic gifts from all her friends and family, I am actually very worried about where we are going to put everything! The gifts were not just generous, but they were so insightful and related to everything that Lucy loves. Animals, her favourite films, pink sparkly things, High School Musial dolls, dressing up princess stuff, pens and bling. She really loves them all and will have hours and hours of fun. Thank you. Happy birthday Looby chick. We love you very much.

Keeping up with how much they grow up could be a full time job!

I just cannot keep up with how much Lucy is changing. She is developing at a rate that I am finding hard to come to terms with. This weekend she will be five and it seems that day by day my little girl is becoming a grown up, then you are reminded at how vulnerable she is when she can't handle a new situation and how much she still depends upon us as her parents. During a conversation with her there are now times that I have to check back and remember what age she is as she is articulate and such a chatter box. It is a strange leveller when one actually gets to the bottom of her understanding when you are talking to her. She can talk the talk, but does not have the understanding to back it up yet. Speaking of birthdays, the excitement is definitely building in the Hammond house in regards to Sunday's party. Lucy was practicing in the back of the car over the weekend by singing 'Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday to me....' There is no doubt in my mind that she understands that she is the centre of attention this weekend and that many presents are coming her way!