Crabbing for our supper...

It's a good job that we don't need to rely on our crabbing skills to make sure we have a full meal or sustain us, as after over an hour of effort our total amount of crabs caught was a paltry two! Working in two pairs, Lucy and I did not contribute at all with a grand total of 'nil points'. We stunk and did not even come close. So off we went to do what Hammond's do best and go in search of an ice-cream and what an ice cream it was too, covered in hundreds and thousands. Never mind, it was a lovely afternoon in Wells in the once again glorious Norfolk sunshine. Now back at work, I do not have many family anecdotes to report from this week other than after months of practice Lucy has managed a perfect handstand. This may not sound much of an achievement, but she has worked so hard. Anna had her first football training session at Fakenham football club and she aced it! Her crowing glory was a cheeky little back heal to one of the players on her team. Just finished the day off with delicious pizza made by Lucy, who becomes increasingly helpful and obliging in the house. Proud of you both x

I really quite like camping!

I never thought I would hear myself say the above phrase, but for the most part I could get used to the outdoor life. Well apart from the sleeping arrangements when Anna decide to whack me all night and the constantly wet feet, but apart from that! Amy, I and the girls have been away for a week camping near the broads; hence no access to a laptop with Wi-Fi and no blog recently completed. I am back now and in the land of technology. It has been a cracking couple of weeks in the glorious Norfolk sunshine with my family. I celebrated my birthday with lunch out and scones in the garden, in the good company of Libby and Ben. I have to say we have not stopped for days with the girls until today and the result is a mass slump exhausted in front of the television. We filled the week with much swimming, a trip to Pleasurewood Hills with my two rollercoaster buddies (Amy once again doing a sterling job as 'official bag carrier' - poor thing - I think that might be the last time she agrees to go), walks down to the pub, more swimming, a trip to Yarmouth and Wroxham Barns and lots of sausages and bacon!

 

My favourite bit was a giant family cuddle in the tent watching a movie late into the night! Anna celebrated the beginning of the new football season with a temporary 'canaries' tattoo at a classy establishment in Yarmouth - that's my girl! Lucy and Amy honoured their now yearly tradition of having a hair braid and I drank lots of tea and even found time to read a book. It was quality time with Amy and the girls and I am now fully relaxed and recharged ready to go into work mode again. I would prefer another couple of weeks but I shouldn't complain, it has been fun...

She simply loves her Uncle Matt!

I feel very comfortable with the relationship I have with the girls and the place in their life I hold, however in recent conversation this week Anna has declared a bit of secret hero worship in the guise of her Uncle Matt. She know he adores football and is very skilled and she was desperate to prove herself to him and show how much she has improved in the last year on his trip back to England, now he is living abroad. 'Do you dad, Do you think he'll think I am better' My reply was 'most definitely'. A broad grin and a simple 'cool' was all I got.  Her second confession was that she thinks Matt is very cool and handsome. In short, I think I have heard enough now and the conclusion is that she utterly adores him! They seem to click and have an instant bond despite not seeing much of each other and it is a pleasure to watch them play together. On Sunday last week she had a kick about with Matt, Uncle Stu and myself and she definitely enjoyed being one of the boys! Don't change Wiggle - I think that's why he thinks your great too.....

Sail away, sail away...

What a great time Lucy had in Brancaster for her residential trip! She clearly overcame her nerves and embraced the couple of days away for all it was worth. She bounded to greet me on Friday when I got home and relayed the adventures she had had with enthusiasm and a twinkle in her eye. She dressed up as a Roman, went sailing, lots of tails of boys in the mud, crabbing and not sleeping much due to excessive talking late into the night with her friends . The down side is that already very tired at the end of term, this packed and active couple of days can only be described as 'finishing her off' and she is exhausted. Her post trip mood at the weekend was less than cordial! We did miss you a great deal Lucy xx

I told you I was right!

As predicted Lucy received a cracking school report full of praise, indication of great behaviour, applying herself and generally being a good egg! Mrs Hammond still seems to be arguing in her head about some assessment criteria in a 'teacher' manner (we stopped listening a few days ago - not sure she has realised!) and a minor injustice. The way I am reading it, she has worked so very hard this year and has done really well, one can overcomplicate these things! In the morning the next major event occurs in Lucy's growing life CV as she goes away to Brancaster for her first residential trip for a few nights. Call it a dress rehearsal for next year when she goes to Paris! It feels like she has packed enough to last her for at least two weeks, not two nights. I suppose I better get used to that! She won't say she is nervous, but we can tell there is definitely a little bit of apprehension there. We have been playing a bit of a cat and mouse game for the last few days in trying not to accentuate the apprehension. Have a great time Lucy, we will all miss you very much. Exciting though..

Great expectations!

I often reflect on my past and how I feel I did not fulfil my academic promise as a child and let down the my foster parents and other people in the time, effort, encouragement and money they put in to give me a very expansive and fantastic education at public school. Choosing to drop out in the manner I did before A-levels has definitely given me a harder path to follow in terms of developing my career and getting ahead in life. There could be an argument that I have learnt so much in working my way up the ladder, but following a traditional path could easily have been equally effective. I suppose the point I am making is I do not want the girls to make the same mistakes as me and learn from me imparting this to them. They are both very bright and work hard at school and have real opportunity in the future. Anna's school report came in and it was fantastic and I am very proud of her and her efforts and application. We await Lucy's with excitement - but I know it will be the same as she has made so much progress this year and keeps growing academically stronger with each month. For example - I absolutely love the fact she now reads for pleasure quietly in her room nearly every night. Neither of my children is a child genius but both have very real potential to excel above the norm and do something with their lives and future careers. They need to stick with their education and build on these solid foundations and I am determined to encourage and drive them to embrace the benefits it offers in this complicated modern world...

As Len would say....

a Seven!!! What a birthday young Wiggle has had! Very chuffed with her swag that included a tent she can use in the garden as a den (already neurotic about it ruining the lawn), football kit and boots (now sporting her favourite player Nathan Redmond's number - a little or rather big crush is going on here), Darth Vader mask, a kite, cash and vouchers for the Canary shop and much more. We finished the day with a barbecue in the beautiful summer sun, drinking tea and enjoying lovely company in family and neighbours. All the people who are important to Anna with the exception of a few. She had a fabulous football cake with thick and delicious green icing courtesy of Granny. I have felt extremely proud of her today with so many 'thank yous' and real expression of gratitude. Before she went to bed she told me she had had an awesome birthday and was a very lucky girl. I agree. She is struggling to settle down to bed - a possible combination of much sugar, excitement and a little bit of worry as she has her induction day for the Junior School in the morning. My baby girl is growing up. Happy proper birthday Anna x