Slow Going

Well the process of updating the early part of the blog has started and I can say it is very hard going through all the missing pictures and matching them up with the pictures that were hosted on my Facebook account. Only a few post are complete with different pictures being in different albums on the site.

How long it will take is anyones guess but I will let you all know when it is finally done. The up side is going through the photos some of which never appeared on the blog is brought back some wonderful memories of days gone by. It just reminded my of the reason I started the blog and all the people that I love and who are special to me.

Another Fathers Day

It is that day again people send Fathers Day cards to their Dad's. To be honest it not a day that fills me with joy at the moment, although once it was one of the best times of the year for me, but that has long gone.

Now it is just another day, yes I will get cards, just two of them out of three, but it not the same, I miss seeing my children together and having fun and times they once had in the early days when Lucy was really small. If fact the last Fathers Day card I got from Lucy was back 2011. A blue and white one that had pride of place on the mantelpiece for a couple of weeks after, it was next to her picture in the frame she got me the year before. 

Lucy moving away from Rutland was a massive blow to me, no more so than it is now I reliant on the Bus to get me about. I can't say how much not seeing her affects me from day to day. I love all my children equally and not having them here together is always going to one of my biggest regrets in life. It just hurts so much and I know I missing out on so much too. I just wish I could have given the family life that all children need. It is what I hoped for when I came to Rutland so long ago now and something that never happened. To say I miss little, her hugs and cuddles, and today her fathers day card is underestimate of how I feel.

With Emily growing up so fast and her mother moving into the area, things haven't been the same with her. In fact I miss my Emily, the old one that worked hard at school and was kind and thoughtful. It is like she can do what she likes now and she can get away with it, but maybe that is just part of the teenage years but she has always need firm boundaries and these she isn't given now. Thank the Lord, Catherine is sensible and now working hard and catching her sister up at school and was there to day to say "Happy Fathers Day, Dad".

Catherine becomes a Teenager

Another year another birthday for Catherine and this time it was special one, it was her thirteenth birthday. Today she entered her teenage years and she became a real teenager after year of practicing for the role.

She had a great morning opening her cards and discovering the money inside before heading off to school to get more presents from her friends. One of her friends, Kane, stood at the turnstiles at the entrance to the school and got everyone to wish her a happy birthday and they tried to get into the school. After school she went out around the town and came home later for her favourite dinner, a chicken curry, before talking to her friends before bed. We were going to have a cake but with Emily sleeping over it there wasn't really a point, so she had some small cakes just for herself, and not to share.

The day hardly ended as I expected and in fact came as a bit of a shock, and then Catherine didn't get a Birthday card from her little sister Lucy which was rather predictable, but all the same she seemed to have a lovely day.

Warm Saturday

It might have not been the sunniest day of the year but at least it was a warm one, and that meant one thing we could get out and about and enjoy some of the fresh air and the countryside.

So after getting Lucy it was out to the parks. We started in Oakham park, which Lucy loves, before heading to the some shops and then after lunch we went further a feild to the large park we had found a few months ago with the stocks. The park in question is in the village of Witham on the Hill in Lincolnshire. This time she had Catherine to play with and the two of them had a smashing time before we returned home for dinner.

With dinner cooked and eaten, lucy got on with playing with her sisters before it was time for her to go to bed. Soon she was all tucked up and after her kisses and cuddles from the people she loves, and a couple of stories from me and her sisters off she went to sleep. It was lovely to have her home again. I can't say how much I miss her when she isn't here.

Parted For the Summer

Today was the last day that Emily and Catherine are at home over the summer holidays. They are both off to stay with their mum until the day before they go back to school. It was a situation that arose when their mum couldn't get the time off work to match Lucy's time here.

The result of this was that most of the morning was spent travelling up and down the A1 to drop Emily and Catherine off at there mums. It wasn't something I like to have to do with Lucy on the car just because the trip is long and boring and that is hardly ideal for an active four year old. All the same it had to be done and after their goodbyes the three girls were separated and we returned to Rutland.

When we arrived back and after lunch was out of the way it was time to let Lucy lose in the parks in the area. In a total we went to three parks over the course of the afternoon, and while at the village park we even managed to do some raspberry picking from some nearby bushes. It was nice to be able just to get out in the fresh air after sitting in the car most of the morning and Lucy made the most of her time having fun and making new friends along the way.

Eventually the fun at the parks had to come to an end and after dinner Lucy went to sleep after her stories and cuddles. As always it just a joy for me to have Lucy at home again. To see her playing in the parks and joining in her games is a shear delight that I will never tire of. It was just a shame that her sisters couldn't join in the fun today and had to leave in the morning, but that is life.

Back Together Again

At last it was time for Lucy to return home to village and the last time of the summer she had to spend some time with her big sisters before they disappeared for the holidays. It was also a day I had to fight for, and fight I did because this one was the last one she would spend with her sisters for weeks and to me that made it a special one, but more of that at the end of the post.

The drive to Leicester to pick up Lucy never seems as long the drive back home after I have dropped her off. I just guess it one of those things that will never change. It was lovely to see her again and she looked so different with her short straight hair. Must say I did miss her curls and her longer hair but former will reappear and the hair will grow in time, I hope.

On the way back to the village we drove back via Melton and popped into the county park. Lucy loved the aerial runway the last time she was there as well as the playground. So it seemed a great place to take her before going home to see her big sisters. Once again she seemed like she had been going down the aerial runway on her all her life. She had great fun and that is what I wanted, I love seeing her smile, it is infectious. A good start to her week at home in the village.

When we finally got home she got and massive welcome from everyone. Everyone was pleased to see her including George the dog her just goes wild when he first sees her. As I was getting on with lunch and the girls were making up for lost time in the family room, after Lucy took her things to her bedroom.

After lunch Emily, Catherine and Lucy spent most for most of the afternoon in the family room playing various games. If one her big sisters left to do her own thing then Lucy would just play with the other until the missing one returned. Occasionally I would be included in one of Lucy's games but mainly she played with her sisters. This was fine by me, and it was what I wanted. It also allowed me to get on with cooking dinner.

In the evening we had a roast Sunday Dinner with all the trimming which we all ate around the table. It was lovely to have everyone altogether for a meal. After the meal Emily and Catherine played with Lucy until it was time for her bedtime and after a story from each of them, I read her a final story and then gave her a kisses and cuddles from the people she loves before she fell asleep. 

After Lucy went to sleep Lucy's big sisters got on with watching television and playing on the computers before they went off to bed. They have a busy morning ahead of them tomorrow. One thing I love is to pop in to Lucy's room before I go to bed to check she is alright, it is just special being able to tuck her in and it a phase that doesn't last forever. 

At the start of the post I said I had to battle with Lucy's mummy for the day and the reason I did this was because it was the last time the girls had together at the end of the summer. What I didn't realise, because I wasn't told, it was that Lucy's Grandfather was over from France having, from what I can work out, brought back her other sister from her holiday. I didn't realise this until he opened the door when I picked up Lucy. At the end of the day I can only go on the information that I'm given or in this case guess at after the event. 

If I had known we could have made a compromise and met in the middle. Lucy could have had the morning and Sunday Lunch at her mummies and the afternoon and Sunday Dinner here. That way nobody would have missed out completely. 

I hate all the fighting over Lucy and everything else, it seems so pointless and always will to me. It is not good that it happens at all and it doesn't make anything any easier. I hate the hate, it is the last thing I want. Having the just simple facts makes things so much easier and allows the middle ground to be found. Hopefully if we find ourselves in this position again where we both want her time we won't be in the position that one of us ends up missing out if it is avoidable. It is so important that we share time with her, after all it is not what either of us wanted for her at one time.

All Good Things

As they say all good things have to come to an end, and the same was true of Lucy's time with us. Today she went back to the city for a while before returning home again next Sunday morning.

Once again the weather was far from ideal, but that has been the story of the summer. It was another day spent mainly indoors, but we managed to make the most of the time we had and had some fun along the way. Eventually came the rush and we got Lucy ready to return to the city. Both her sisters gave her massive hug before she was finally gone from the house, which seemed to fall quiet in her absence.

It has been great to have Lucy home gain. It really has been super having her for so long. She just settled in so naturally to life here after the initial excitement had subsided after a couple of days. She was a joy to have around and it was great to have all my girls in one place for a while.

More showers

Everyday I wake up when all the girls are here hoping for good weather. There isn't the money for fancy days out and indoor play area's, but there are lots of free parks and lovely countryside to explore, but only if the weather is right. Today the weather wasn't right yet again.

Most of the day was spent inside from the morning through to the afternoon. The only exception was a brief trip to the supermarket to pick up supplies for everyone. Other than that we spent the day playing, having cuddles, watching television and DVD's. It was fun but nothing exciting.

It is just a shame we haven't had the weather the we wanted for Lucy's stay with us, and what made it more disappointing was it was her last full day with us. Let's hope for something a little better tomorrow before she returns to the city.

Stormy Saturday

Yet another those wet and sunny days that have made up the summer. This one however was slightly different as a sunny early morning was replaced by storm clouds and heavy rain. So much rain in fact that some of the local drains were overwhelmed and some of the roads showed signs of flooding.

The weather once again made a mess of the day. In the morning I got up with Lucy and we snuggled together watching television until she wanted breakfast. Then after breakfast we played until we were joined by her older sisters, and they all went off together into the family room.

The storms hit around lunchtime. What surprised me was how scarred Lucy was of the thunder and lightening, I only ever seen that once before, no reassurance could settle her other being cuddled. Thankfully they didn't last too long and once the worse was over I distracted her with play as the rain fell outside.

The rest of the afternoon was once gain spent indoors, much to everyones disappointment. It's not that we didn't have fun, it just this is the time of year for getting outside and having fun. All kinds of games were played to try and make the day exciting. 

After dinner, came quiet time and Lucy settled down to watch a DVD and the older two girls caught up with there friends online, exchanging gossip and stories of the day. Then came bedtime and after her stories from everyone, her kisses and cuddles, she fell asleep, to be joined later in the land of dreams by her sisters.

I just hope we get at least one more good day before all three girls are parted again. I'm not sure if this summer is any worse than any other but it feels it, and I can't remember another like it.

Out Again

Well, it wan't the sunniest of days, there was the odd shower but at least in the afternoon turned out fine and sunny. It was just what the Doctor ordered as they say and we all broke free from the house and had some fun.

The morning was like many others so far, I got up to the happy little face of Lucy smiling away and we gathered her things and went downstairs. As we woke up we watched TV and snuggled up together before I made some breakfast for her. She has really taken a shine to boiled eggs and today was no exception. Then the morning started for us and the play began with people joining us as they appeared, which took as through to lunchtime.

In the afternoon the weather settled down. The ground had dried out and everyone wanted to make the most of the day in whatever way they could. This for the older girls meant a trip into town to met up with friends and enjoy the sunshine and for Lucy a trip out to the country park in Melton where she had a grand time on all that was on offer, especially the aerial runway. It was just a shame it all had to end and we had to head home. It was so nice to be outside in the sun.

Once home it was time to get on with dinner as the Emily and Catharine arrived back at the house. The girls spent the time before and after dinner having fun and enjoying each others company before it was time for Lucy to go to bed. She was shattered after her day, and after her stories, kisses and cuddles she fell straight asleep, with her big sisters following her into the land of dreams a few hours later.

It was nice to be able to get out of the house for all of us and have some fun. I know how we all love to get out and about and I hope we get another chance soon. Let's hope for some more sunny afternoons before the summer has passed us by.

Home Sweet Home

Another one of those mixed bag weather days that have made this summer what it is. It's not something anyone wants but what we have been given for some reason. The result was the plans to go out in the afternoon were foiled yet again.

I had a lovely early morning with Lucy until eventually until I gave in and let Lucy wake up Emily in the middle of the morning.  At this point Emily took over playing with Lucy for a while until Catherine turned up from her sleep over and had her turn before lunch.

The afternoon was much like the others. A mixture of playing, games and watching videos together, with the rain preventing trips to the outdoors. We did anything we could think to do to pass the time and to have some fun. This all took us through to dinner, more play and bedtime for little Lucy and then everyone else.

The thing I have gained most about the time we have all had together, so far, is that families make homes. Having little Lucy here is a delight and she certainly makes the place come alive with her chatter. I just love the way she has fitted in and found her spot within the family, she just seems so at home.

Home Again

Yet another of those days I didn't want with Lucy staying with more rain and showers making it hard to get out and have some fun outside in the sun.

It is always lovely to be woken to Lucy calling my name and this morning was no exception. Once downstairs I made breakfast and coffee and we settled down to watch television snuggled together. Eventually we were joined by the other two gils and Lucy went off to play with them for the rest morning while I got on with lunch.

It had rained most of the morning, and so after lunch the ground was wet and there was a threat of more rain and showers in the air. The result was another afternoon at home with only a shopping trip to look forward to. There just isn't the money to do much else. I just wish there was. Thankfully the one thing I do have is lots of love and I hope the girls feel that. It is the one thing you don't need money to give to people, and it is yours to give freely.

Eventually dinner time came along, and with that out of the way bedtime approached for Lucy. Catherine had left us mid afternoon to sleep over at her friends. She is at the stage of having a busy social life, a stage Emily has gone through and from which things have settled down. Guess it is just a matter of time until Catharine does the same. It is all part of growing up.

I just really hope we can get out soon. It doesn't have to be sunny just dry enough to go out and enjoy a park or the countryside in some way. 

Back Together

Today was the day that the girls met up together after so long. I know Emily and Catherine were both looking forward to seeing their little sister again and they had both be missing her and asking about her.

Weather wise the best part of the day was the morning, and that unfortunately  was time we spent in the car travelling to get Emily and Catherine from up north and returning back to Rutland. They had both girls had been at their mum's for a long weekend. Lucy was so pleased to see them, and as soon she saw Emily she jumped into her arms. It was lovely to see them together again.

When we got home the weather had taken a turn for the worse and the girls spent the day together catching up with each other and playing around the house. In the end they all settled down to watch a movie together before they had their roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings. One thing for sure it makes the dinner table a lively place having the three of them and the time before bedtime, which went smoothly as ever with Lucy dropping straight off to sleep.

It has been great to have them altogether again and I just just hope that we have some nice afternoons or mornings while they are altogether. The weather forecast is hardly promising, but then again this is Britain, and anything is possible weather wise.

Catharine Turns Twelve

Well, another of my little princesses grows older by another year. This time it was Catherine's turn, as she gets one year closer to being a teenager. Today was her twelfth birthday. Funny to think that little baby I held in my arms has grown so big and is starting to turn into a young woman.

It was a rather low key affair this year. She didn't want presents as she was more interested in getting some money that she can spend herself, although she did get a few presents too. Her family birthday party is on hold until all the girls are together again which is around a month away.  All the same we had a cake and  a candle so not all is lost. It just means there will be extra cake when they all met up agin at the end of July.

Wet Friday

The title of this posts really sums up the major part of the day. It's been one of those days you don't expect from the first month of the summer, but I guess it is Britain. It wasn't one I wanted with Lucy coming home to stay for a few days. I always hope for bright days so we can all get out and about in the sun.

The day started with the school run, something I only tend to do now when the weather is poor and it was followed by a trip to the city to get Lucy. The city looked even greyer than normal in the rain and the dark clouds in the sky. All the soon when I got there a little ray of sunshine entered the car and we chatted all the way back to Rutland.

Before we went home we popped to the supermarket. We had fun getting the things we need and with Lucy's persuasive way a few little extra things that I knew everyone would enjoy. Nothing much but all the same little treats. After we finished there one had just one place to go, the little farm shop stall, just outside the village. We needed some eggs and there isn't a better place to get them, plus Lucy gets to see the chickens that laid them.

When we got home Lucy we were greeted by George, who had been sleeping on the sofa in the family room. There was a great amount of wagging of tails as he rushed around excitedly. With this greeting over I got on with making Lucy while made herself at home. It wasn't long before we were both tucking into some lovely ham rolls with some nice fresh bread rolls.

As always I was hoping we would manage to get out in the afternoon, but the weather had other ideas and we were confined to the house, unless we wanted to get wet. So we went into wet weather mode and played in the house. She did some lovely drawings which she put in envelopes for her sisters when they got home. She watched some Tom and Jerry cartoons and we ended up playing with her toy cooker and she cooked me food as if she was in a restaurant.

Midway through the afternoon we headed out to get Emily and Catherine from school. Lucy was so pleased to see her sisters, as they were to see her, and when they all got back home they got on with making up for lost time as I got on with cooking a roast pork dinner for them all.

Dinner went done a treat. Everyone loved it, especially the pork crackling, and with full tummies the girls went off to play again. I sat down and listen happy that they were happy too. This went on until it was time for Lucy to go bed. Soon after her stories and kisses and cuddles she fell asleep to be followed by her sisters a few hours later.

It is so lovely to have the girls back together again. It something I really look forward to in life. It the closest I get to the feeling of having a family at the moment. I love them all so much and I treasure everyday. It is moments like this in life that make it worth living.

Better Saturday

After yesterday I was hoping to make much more of today and any better weather that came our way. I didn't want to be stuck in the house again like the day before. I'd rather get out and about and have some fun, even if it was just going down to the park.

It was a joy being woken up by Lucy and soon we found ourselves in the chair downstairs watching television with our drinks as we both woke up before breakfast. With breakfast out of the way Lucy went off to the family room to play for the early part of the morning occasionally involving me in her games and getting me to do things with her toys she just couldn't manage on her own.

It was about mid morning when we head out of the house. This time were on our way to the shops, but that was not all, and although it wasn't warm it was dry so we headed for one of the many playgrounds in Oakham to get out of the house. We had a great time there playing but what surprised me most were the number of people there given the weather. Seems they were all doing the same as us a making use of the dry conditions; Eventually after several "last goes" on everything we head to the supermarket to get some food.

When Lucy and myself got home I got with making some nice crispy ham rolls for everyone. They went down a dream with people having them either plain, with pickle and in my own case with some fine mustard. After lunch it was back to playing for Lucy as I gathered up the plates and did the dishes. Soon I was needed as part of one of her games and gladly joined in. I was keen as always to make the most of having her at home.

As we got to the middle of the afternoon the weather had improved quite a bit so it was off out to the park again, but this time leaving our coats at home. The sun was shining and at least it was warm out. We head once more in to Oakham to the main park there complete with Lucy scooter which she insisted on taking. Once again we had a great time, and I think Lucy favourite was going down the small hill on the scooter after getting me to say "ready, steady, go".

When we got home I got on with dinner and Lucy went off to play with whoever she could find. I love the way she just adores and looks up to her sisters and looks forward to seeing them so much. With dinner out of the way I could join in their games until finally it was time for Lucy to go off to bed. As always after her stories, cuddles and kisses not a peep was heard from her room and she entered the land of her dreams. Too be followed by her older sisters later in the evening as the sun finally set on the long day.

It was so good to get out after being stuck in for most of the day before because of the weather. It's bad enough be stuck in when it is the winter but given it is summer you feel you really should be able to get out and have some fun. I'm just glad we managed it today. 

Yucky Friday

Well all I can say is it must be the school holidays because the weather today has been rubbish. It has been wet cold and windy. It is more like late February than early June. 

With the weather being so yucky there really isn't much to write about today. Thankfully not all days are like this one, but to make this a normal family blog post would be as dull as the day was. So what I'm going to do is write a brief summary and that is about it.

Basically the day started like any other with Lucy getting up firs to be followed by Emily and Catherine. Catherine went in to Oakham to met her friends during the morning and I went shopping with Lucy. After we finished shopping it was just playing in the house. We played all kinds of games with Emily joining in now and again. In the end Emily left for a sleep over and Catherine came home for dinner and took over from Emily in the play role. Along the way Lucy managed to fit in some time on the Cbeebies website and a little television. In the end bedtime came for Lucy and after kisses and cuddles she fell asleep to be joined by later in the evening by Catherine.

It wasn't the sort of day I waned for school holidays and especially on a day when I had all three girls, but then you never know what the weather is going to throw at you in Britain. I just hope we have some sunshine in the next couple of days to make up it.

Another Early Start

With it being the school holidays Lucy was coming for an extended stay and that means lots of fun and games for everyone. She is here with me from Wednesday to Sunday giving us almost five days with her, something I have been looking forward to since her last long stay here in the village.

Picking Lucy up on a weekday means getting up at six and the first thing I did after a coffee was to check the long range weather forecast and text her mummy for her wellies. The next five days look wet and I don't want her having wet shoes if we go our after a shower. With the wellies sorted it was long until I headed out of the door and headed to the city via Melton to pick up some petrol along the way. It was too early a start for the petrol stations to be open in Oakham.

I arrived early in the city and parked a little way from Lucy's mummies house to make sure I wasn't too early. I didn't want to rush her by turning up before Lucy was ready to leave and before she had her stuff packed for her. After a short wait I finished the journey and went to the door to be greeted by Lucy;s smiley face and soon I had her bags of things. After her goodbyes we set off back to the village via Melton for some breakfast.

When we arrived in Melton we popped into McDonald 's for some breakfast. I'm not a big fan of their burgers but their breakfast menu is to die for and I rather like their coffee, so it was the place to go to eat. Lucy had a milk and a bacon sandwich to nibble on which she ended up taking with us as we continued or journey which was to take us on to the Ashwell garden centre.

We just had a few things to pick up there from the pet shop and I also wanted a just general look around. Lucy loves seeing the fish swimming in the ponds, the outdoor chess set and then there is the putting green to play with. I noticed with sadness that in Rutland Village, which is part of the garden centre, two of the units were up for rent. Clearly hit by the downturn caused by the recession. One of them was the camping shop the other the former farmers food shop that had become a saddlers for a while. It is a shame to see closed shops and I'm sure people would rent them if the rents were cheap enough.

Once we finished there we headed home and as soon as we got in Lucy was greeted by an over excited  George, before meeting the latest addition to the pet family. With that out of the way we started a relaxing morning, playing games, watching television and generally having a nice time. At one point she had me sending pictures and messages to her big sisters on my phone. It was sweet how she said she loves them and misses them. All of this took us through to lunchtime which Lucy decided to have with her dolls, offering them her food and drink. It was all rather sweet.

With lunch out of the way and the sun hiding behind the clouds the promise of afternoon in the park was gone so we headed to Mini Monsters. A soft play area that Lucy knows well in Oakham. She loved it there and made some new friends to play with in her time there. She also had drink and a cake and every so often she would come back to the table in a rush for a drink and a nibble before going off to play again. In the end we had to leave Mini Monsters and head home for a quick dinner.

With dinner out of the way there was one thing left to do for the day, reunited Lucy with her big sistsers. So we headed off in the car to go and pick them up from their mum on the A1. Soon Lucy was running at her sisters when she saw them and Emily picked her up and hugged her and this was shorty followed by a hug from Catherine. All the way back home they chatted and caught up with each other.

Once home it was time for Lucy to go to bed. Soon everyone had read her a story and she was tucked up in bed getting her goodnight kisses and cuddles. Emily and Catherine settled down to do their own things before finally going to be themselves, and with that the house fell quiet.

It has been lovely to see Lucy again and then to reunite her with her sisters. I really miss them when they are not here so it was nice to have them all under the same roof again.