Three more sleeps to go!

The girls have rediscovered the ability to be nice to their daddy as the week has gone on and the Christmas fever pitch is now gathering momentum in the Hammond house. All the presents are now wrapped and under the tree (please note that I did not contribute as when I wrap something it tends to put the recipient off the present altogether!), Amy's surprise present has been purchased after months of scheming and saving (please, please, please like it!) and all that is left is to wait for Santa to fill up the stockings. Amy and I are very excited as we think the girls will love the gifts that we have got them. I feel emotional thinking about them opening their presents now so I won't tempt fate. Anna, having rediscovered her 'Wiggle' today, trumped whilst sitting on our neighbour Libby's lap today, we feel she was scenting her possessions. A statement that simply said - that's my Libby! Hope she doesn't take possession of me, Libby is welcome to keep that privileged position in Anna's life if that's the only benefit!

The season of good will to all man..

Not in my bloody house it isn't! The younger section of the Hammond family have been foul today. Grumpy, unreasonable, belligerent, noisy, unsettled and fighting for most of the day. I think that the impact of such a long first term at school and nursery finally kicked in and Amy and I bore the brunt. Although there was a significant shift in excitement levels as the tree went up which signaled the beginning of the festivities. The only thing putting the damn thing up brought from me was much swearing and profanities! As my practical nature kicked in and the tree had the angle of the leaning tower of Piza; my patience dwindled and my temper grew. Anna won the prize for 'Hammond with the worst temperament' today by a country mile with my good self coming a close second...A delightful family Sunday. NOT!

He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!

Today was the big day of Lucy's school play and boy were Amy and I excited. The play titled 'The Very Hopeless Camel' was a theatrical master piece and taking one of the lead roles as Mary was daughter number one and she did not disappoint in any way! Throughout the play she sang her heart out with vigour and enthusiasm, in a desperate attempt to impress; this is where it started to go slightly wrong as her singing evolved into shouting and she looked like a singing Wallace and Grommit character! One was definitely able to pick her voice out from all the other boys and girls! Then came her moment of fame as Lucy took to the stage in all her glory and proceeded to suck her thumb and pick her nose and eat it! This was probably the afternoons greatest moment of pride for both Amy and I. There were tears, but not necessarily of joy just profound giggling as she really delved into her left nostril and pulled out a real biggun! I was desperately worried as she nearly dropped the baby Jesus several times as she did the hand gestures to the songs and I really felt for the messiah, it would have been quite a fall from Lucy's lap! She did look very nervous at one point as she surveyed the crowd for Amy and myself at the beginning, once she saw us she clearly settled. Lucy and all the children did very well as the crowd must have been at least eighty peopIe strong and to little ones that must have been quite scary. Lucy, I only mock you because I love you dearly and I thought that it was one of the best things I have ever seen in my life. Thank you for the lovely parental memory. Amy and I also made the decision not to take Anna as we felt she may well simply be 'Anna', get up to mischief and potentially end up on the stage creating havoc as only she can..

Up to no good, the pair of them!

Amy has been poorly for a few days and out of action, so I have been in charge! This is not a normal state of affairs so it has brought mixed results. Entertaining a five year old and a two year old is an interesting experience. The inclement weather has meant that the majority of activities needed to be indoors in the warm. My greatest successes include 'Toy Story 3' afternoon with hot chocolate and marshmellows and project Christmas tree picture. Well done Lucy yours was fantastic, Anna's was not quite so good as she relied heavily on me for creative direction and sadly I am not that creative. Sorry Wiggle! Less successful aspects of the last few days have been ensuring that both girls behave, they have at times been stubborn and difficult. Anna has taken to continuous screaming when she does not get her way and I seem to have lost my eyes in the back of my head skill that has enabled me to watch their every move. Turn your back and my girls quickly get up to mischief. Into the sink and mixing a potion of all sorts of bits and pieces from the kitchen. I only went to the toilet! Or Anna sticking lots of cornflakes to paper with Lip balm and then picking her nose and wiping it all over the paper! May be you just did not need your daddy's creativity Wiggle, it's a skill you already posses! When I found her she was happily singing away and humming a tune. She was very content indeed...

Let the festive consumption begin!

We love food in the Hammond house in all sorts of forms. Whilst we do eat healthy things such as vegetables and fruit, I do have to say that we are a bit partial to the naughty things in life such as chocolate and home made cakes. So as much as it is my duty to teach my girls about the Christian festival that is Christmas it is as much my duty to ensure that they learn about the alternative side of this time of year and learn about such things as 'Chocolate Advent Calenders'. Please note that the Pepper Pig one is mine. Don't anybody ever accuse me of not educating my children!

The month of Movember!

November (Or Movember as it is now known as I have been sporting some very dodgy charity facial hair) has been a month of varied experience, especially in the parental stakes. Firstly - it's snowing and lots! A little unexpected and less than fun. Although the girls would disagree. There is a delightful innocence in childhood that means they pay no attention to the practical things during snowy weather, like whether 'you can get the car out' or 'oh god I hope the boiler does not break down!' Both girls have been up to there old tricks this week with some great statements:

1. Anna - going through the motions in an imaginary conversation on the phone with Lucy's school teacher accidentally called her a bitch. I think the word she was looking for was beach. Her sentence forming is coming on, but she missed a few words out that made it hilarious!
2. Lucy had a rumbling tummy the other day (it was very noisy) - she looked at me and said 'Daddy I just don't know what to do with my rumbling tummy to make it stop. I have had a poo, some shreddies and I have even looked up at the ceiling and it still won't stop!'
3. Lucy - 'Daddy did you know that Father Christmas is on Facebook! Cool!'

Lovely moments with my girls. The downside of parenting is situations like last night when Anna was violently sick and I spent last night and today doing the washing that resulted from the several episodes of vomiting and what a distressing experience it was for her. She just did not understand what was happening OR the fear I felt yesterday when I drove in the snow for the first time with the girls in the car and suddenly I felt so responsible for their welfare. Good days and bad days - the joys of being a parent! I wouldn't, however miss it for the world, not single bit of it....

My house is a place of learning...

The girls just keeping learning and it amazes me every day. Anna has a practical ability that can only come from Amy as it clearly does not come from me! She tackles a problem head on and just goes for it. However at times her ability is tempered by toddler stropping and a genetic ability not to allow people to help her or show her anything. 'I do it' is a regularly used phrase. Lucy simply loves learning at the moment - her letter recognition, reading and writing is going from strength to strength, as is her 'well done' sticker collection. She proudly came home the other day with a good manners certificate and got to sit on the special table at lunch at school. A kudos that is high in the life of a five year old I am told. I can feel a parental gibbering wreck moment coming on in the next few weeks, as Lucy has been chosen to be Mary in her school Christmas play, god I hope she doesn't have to sing! I am simply just going to cry and cry. Who cares she is my little girl. Amy and I did not believe her for several days, which is really bad I know. It's not that we felt she was lying, just maybe not leading lady material. Only time will tell. Lucy is one of those human beings who loves music and dancing with a real passion but is not necessarily blessed by an abundance of talent! Never the less we love you Looby Chick and we are so excited about your play....