The force is strong in the Hammond house this year!

The picture to the right is the only way to illustrate my reaction to my surprise present from Amy and the girls - 'a Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon.' WOW!! I am just a big kid at heart and when we get a moment to breath in a very busy Christmas schedule I look forward to building it with my Star Wars buddy Anna. It was a very special Christmas day with Amy cooking a wonderful, delicious and very large lunch and great company with Granny, Grandpa, Libby, Ben and Big Lucy. I had ditched the work phone for the first time ever and enjoyed the freedom to be with family and friends and just relax. A bracing walk on Wells beach today, with Inky experiencing her first trip to the seaside and I am now ready for a long sleep on the couch. The girls have barely had a chance to play with their new toys yet, although the grown up girl who is Lucy, has not been separated from her I-Pod! Just helped Anna put her Darth Vader duvet cover on her bed and all is well with the world. Panto tomorrow and then footy on Monday - if this is what experiencing holidays at this time of the year is then bring it on! Merry Christmas to all my girls, including the dog! xx

All inclusive baby...

I am very content, if slightly tired. The fire is lit, Mrs Hammond is making wonderful smelling things in the kitchen, the girls are having an early bath and I am typing away waiting to watch a Christmas Eve film. Bliss. We have just got back from a beautiful Christingle service and I say it every time we go. What a joy it was to see all those children's faces lit up by the candle light and full of hope and excitement. Lucy pulled a blinder when in the service it was stated 'God's all inclusive love' She sat back, sighed and said 'all inclusive baby. All you can eat  - now that's what I am talking about!' Another example of my eldest daughters extraordinary and mature quick wit. Anna's (still a believer) excitement is rising and getting more and more hyperactive as we speak. They are now pealing vegetables and I better go and help. One more sleep to go until the big guy comes down the chimney!

All because the lady loves....

Anna's new football skins arrived in the post and with much tittering and giggling Amy and I could only come to the conclusion that she looks like the Milk Tray man! Apart from time at school she has not stopped wearing it, off she trotted to bed a few moments ago sporting her new outfit. She has also taken on the mantel of 'bonkers ninja 'with chronic wind. The strange and amusing side effect of these clothes is that every time she puts them on she becomes quite vocal from one end! She is so chuffed with them and it is amazing to see how wearing an outfit you really like has such a positive impact on someone. It's almost as if they give her licence to be Anna and we love that! Please note the Hammond Christmas tree is up in the background of the photo - for once I achieved success without swearing, cursing or injury and all went smoothly with its erection. Things are looking up and only sixteen more sleeps to go. Lucy is now firm in her conviction she is a non believer and that Santa is somebody her parents made up, but so far seems content to go with the subterfuge for her sisters sake who has written to Santa asking for a multitude of Stars Wars toys. Now that I am happy with!

Man and his dog!

Meet Inky, the latest addition to the Hammond Clan. I can't say I have initially welcomed her with enthusiasm and a positive outlook, if I am honest I was not at all sure that I could cope with anymore responsibility in an already busy life. Don't get me wrong I love dogs but it was a question of circumstances. She has definitely had quite a rough ride and needs a family to give her that big chance in life to match her lovely gentle nature. I have embraced the new addition today and enjoyed a bracing and very windy family walk with her this afternoon. She really is a poppet and deserves me to stop being such a grumpy bugger! Excited - Christmas tree going up tomorrow....

This time they took me to Cambridge!

What a great, if slightly wet day out in Cambridge we had yesterday and circumstances allowed me to go too. I even have a train selfie to prove it! This was clearly before we all became drowned rats by the end of the day. The fossil museum was spell binding and I loved looking around it with the girls. We do have a slight problem in the fact that because I have an amateur interest in fossils, the girls think I am an expert and ask me questions I have not a hope in accurately answering. However it is lovely and flattering that they view me in this way! Great to see Ben for a spot of lunch and a guided tour of Trinity college and that he is doing so well. I do fancy a trip back soon to go around the museum again, as I missed so much and we had probably reached the girls capacity of tolerance as shopping and spending money was calling them! A memorable family day out...

Lest we forget....

This weekend I have had much cause to be very proud of both the girls. Lucy carried the standard for the Brownies in the remembrance parade in our home town today. I found the experience of watching her quite an emotional one. I have not served in the armed forces, but having had the privilege of caring for several World War two veterans in my career; I cannot do anything but stop and reflect on the courage they displayed to give my family the life of peace and opportunity we have today, so I am very pleased that Lucy took part with enthusiasm, respect and understanding. Anna has had her own battles this weekend and come through the other side with real dignity and a positive nature. On Saturday she made her debut for the Fakenham under 8's second team and they were on the receiving end of quite a beating in a 26-0 score line!  Whilst Amy witnessed the carnage in the rain and I did not see this game, I really feel for Anna. This is quite a life lesson to learn for one so young and a pretty harsh one at that! I am amazed and very proud of her determination to make sure next weeks game the team improves and does better. Real fighting spirit Wiggle!

What a whopper!

A bracing Sunday walk on West Runton beach brought Lucy the most fantastic of rewards - she is the first Hammond or person I have ever known in fact to find a whole Belemnite fossil embedded in a large flint. The downside was supporting her to carry it all the way to Cromer. My past is definitely coming back to haunt me after all those times I made Grandma carry rocks and fossils for years all over the country on family holidays! Well chuffed Lucy. Anna seems to be calming down in the last week and we have much less argumentative behaviour under very clear boundaries. I do not want to tempt fate but she might be getting it! She said something wonderful to Amy a couple of days ago that showed her lovely caring nature. 'Mum if something happens to you - I will give you imagination hugs'. Nothing is wrong with Mrs Hammond thankfully, so I am not sure where that level of insight and emotion came from, but you have got to love our Anna!