A Sunny Autumn Friday

When I woke up this morning a noticed what date it was I noticed it would have been my Mum's birthday today. I still miss her so much as I do the all other people special people in my life that mean or have meant so much to me. It makes you realise how important it is to care about the ones you love and cherish every moment you have with them, however short. Caring about the people we love is the most important thing we do in life. Thankfully nobody can stop us loving the people we do in our lives.

The day was already lovely when the Emily and Catherine got up for school. The sun was shining and the temperature was rising. It was all set to be a fine autumn day. As normal girls made their own packed lunches and soon I was driving Emily to school in Oakham and on my return I made sure Catherine got off school in time. The only different today, from a normal morning, was that Emily took some extra clothes to school. She is staying overnight with a friend and having a her first sleep over since she change school.

When I picked up Lucy I dropped off the rest of her mummies books from our home. Unfortunately one of the boxes broke as I was walking down the walk but thankfully I managed to save the books before they fell on the ground. I did feel bad about the box breaking but the books were just to heavy for the plastic box. Picking up Lucy was rather pleasant today, first I heard Lucy behind the door before it was opened and then I managed to help getting the books inside the house. Being friendly again was nice and it is good for Lucy to see us like that. I hope one day we will be able talk again. It was great to see Lucy knowing I have her for two nights again. I have been looking forward to it all week.

When we got home Lucy showed me all the things she brought with her from her mummies. She is so proud of her new yellow car. It was lovely to see and hear her glowworm again. I can still remember her as a baby listening to her glowworm as she feel asleep. It was nice to think back to those times when she was smaller. Catherine said later it was one of her first birthday present from her mummy and me as far as she can remember. I'm not sure who gave what but I still need to give Lucy a picture of me for her talking photo frame. For most of the morning we just played and had cuddles except for the occasional sitting on the potty time. Which reminds me I really should get a update at how she is doing at her mummies with the potty, but I don't like to bother her.

For lunch Lucy had some Heniz alphabet pasta shapes before we headed out for the afternoon to make the most of the sunshine all rapped up against the cool breeze. Today we headed to Stamford although we knew have much time there as we had to get back for Catherine, but we were determined to make the best use of it.

Taking some old bread with us we head first for the river to feed the ducks. Lucy had a lovely time feeding them. She was laughing and giggling away as she watched the ducks chasing and fighting over the bread she dropped. She even feed a few pigeons who came to see what was on offer. Some of the ducks there are so tame that one family were feeding them off their hands. Lucy was most disappointed when she ran out of bread, but with the promise of the park next she was soon back in the car seat with a ice cream. We will have to take more bread next time so we can stay longer.

We went next Stamford recreation ground near the police station. It is great there for children of all ages as I have said before. The first thing she went on was the single person roundabout. She ran to it as soon as she got through the gate to make sure that nobody else could get it. After while she moved on to the big slide. She can't get up there herself but with a big of help she can manage it. She just loves it and she is so careful crossing the bridge and watching where she put her feet. 

Today was odd in that a little girl a little bit younger than Lucy got stuck at the top of the slide and wouldn't come down. Lucy was waiting behind her and we tried to get Lucy to show the other little girl how to do it but she wouldn't move out the way to let Lucy down. The little girls mother was heavily pregnant and couldn't help her down, so in the end I went up the slide to rescue the her by getting her to slide down with me as I held her hands and slid down backwards. 

After the rescue and playing shops Lucy went on the large swing that Emily and Catherine like so much. Although she didn't want to go high she did smile all the time she was on it and had fun. Before we left she went back to the smaller children's area to play there and on the way out she pushed me around the ring roundabout laughing every time my weight made me speed down towards it's lowest point. We had a great time. 

Before we left Stamford we popped to the Waitrose to get a few things in for dinner. I must say I really like Waitrose and if it wasn't for the cost of the food there and it being so far away I would use it all the time. It is one of my favorite supermarkets. The food quality is so good compared the other supermarkets.

When we got home Catherine was waiting in the garden for us. Lucy was so pleased to see her and beamed from ear and sat down next to her and gave her a cuddle. They both played in the garden for a while before coming inside when the sun went in which put the end to the idea of an after school trip to Langham park, as with the sun gone the air temperature dropped quite a bit. Indoors they watch a DVD on the sofa after they made some cakes with Lucy occasionally getting up to play on her own with her toys. Before long dinner was ready and they both sat down and chatted away together as they ate.

After dinner Catherine and Lucy played together. First they played dressing up and then they went bouncing on the bed for a bit before coming downstairs to play. I think they both enjoyed having some exclusive time together without Emily. I always think with children it works better with even numbers of children rather than odd when someone often gets left out. Talking about children, if she can be called that any more, I do hope Emily is having a nice time. When we phoned her to find out where to pick her up in the morning she said she was busy so I guess that means she is having fun.

Soon it was time for Lucy to go to bed. With Emily being away Catherine helped me with in the bath. Seeing Lucy was having so much fun Catherine put her swimming costume on and got in the bath with her. After we washed her hair and I dried her off Catherine got changed to read her some stories. Finally I read her last story of the night and gave her all her usual hug and kisses from the important people that are close to her. Soon after she was asleep and she looked so lovely and restful. 

Once Lucy was in bed Catherine went off to play on the computers and to catch up on the television she has missed. While she was at school today she went on a trip to RAF Cottesmore for their family day and just before bed she was telling me all about it. It sounded like she had a great time and really enjoyed the air display. I must say i wish I could have gone and seen the base before it closes in a few years time.

Last thing for today, without the books in the downstairs toilet there are big gaps on the shelves. Although the gaps will soon be filled again from the other bookshelves in the house it does look strange without them. They have been there for so long that you know everyone and there existence links to memories of the past just like the small reminders of my Mum which turn up now and again in unsorted boxes. 

Parks in the Afternoon

The morning came early with Lucy in the house but it is a lovely way to be woken up to the sound of Lucy calling "Daddy it's morning". The joy of life with which she wakes still fills my heart with warmth and something I remember from when she lived her all the time.

When we got down stairs we had some breakfast and we watched some television. Lucy was all nice and snuggled in blanket. The weather outside was misty with the promise of sun later, which thankfully appeared before lunch but vanished by mid afternoon. We were meant to be going to the seaside today, but because of the problems with the car dashboard we couldn't go. Given the weather it was probably a good thing we stayed at in Rutland, it would have been cold in a sea breeze.

We waited until nine o'clock before getting Emily and Catherine out of bed. We both went up stairs and woke them up with a cheery refrain which was met by the sounds of groans, but we turned them around when Lucy went bouncing on Emily's bed followed Catherine's bed. Soon they were all laughing. Just the way to start the day.

The morning was spent around the house and in the garden. Catherine went off at one point to the farm shop to buy some eggs for her breakfast while Emily played with Lucy. Lucy played all of her usual games with everyone and was collecting pennies from everyone to put in her Peppa Pig purse to play shops. I just the love the way that every so often she comes back to me for a hug and cuddle on my lap. I will be sad when she grows out of that.

We had a big Lunch so we could make the best use of the time in the afternoon. Today we set out for the parks and play area's in Oakham. First we went to the large park in the centre of town so Emily and Catherine could play on the new things that have been installed in the park since they were last there. Emily really loved the new things to do and thought that it was really good they have something for the older children to play on other than the swings. At one point we all sat down to have drinks that we brought with us, with Lucy running back to twister every time it was free for a quick spin. 

After a while Emily suggested that we pop into Beans, the coffee shop, for some ice cream. You get a lovely large pot of ice cream for a pound. So hand in hand they went in to the shop together and came out with three tubs of lovely chocolate ice cream which they ate on the steps of the church.

After popping into the supermarket to get some food for dinner, and a ride for Lucy on Thunderbird 2, we went back to Oakham park to play some more. This time Emily met one of her friends from school and they went off to play together on the large spinning ring, while Catherine went with Lucy and myself to play in the playground. We had a super time. What was really nice was seeing Lucy pushing a really little boy and his daddy round the roundabout slowly for which got a big thank you from the little boys mummy. She loves pushing people round the roundabout.

We got to the point were we had exhausted all the possibilities at Oakham Park so we set off towards the High School and the play area there. We had passed it many times but I hadn't thought of going there until Catherine suggested it a few days ago. I was surprised when Lucy said she goes there lots, I thought she played mainly at Oakham park. It had a lot of things for older children to do and a small play area for the younger ones. Lucy and myself head off to the fenced of area for the younger children while Catherine and Emily started to master the tracked skateboards together. With free parking it will be somewhere we go again soon, it is just a shame there isn't a fence between the field and the roadside to protect the younger children a bit better from the road. Other than it is a great place for them all to play. The only reason we left was because Catherine had managed to bump her head and need to put some ice on it.

When we got home it was time for dinner. We had manage to spend the whole of the afternoon and some of the evening out in the parks enjoying the mild weather. Thankfully we had a quick meal planned so we didn't have to waste too much time cooking, however there was one disaster, we were meant to be cooking cakes for pudding but somehow the mixture went all over the floor and that was the end of that for the day, but never mind, we can make some more tomorrow in the morning.

We were late getting Lucy to bed and she watch a bit of the X-factor with the girls. She loved it and was soon dancing in the chair and around the room to the songs. I wish they would put it on a little earlier so all the family could watch it together. Six o'clock would be an ideal time. It really is a family show that everyone can enjoy. It was lovely they enjoyed some of it together. Just need to get the coal fires going to make it all cosy as we move into autumn. 

Before Lucy went to bed she found a clean pair knickers and she wanted to put them on. She rushed up stairs and took off her pull-up and put them on. She was so proud of herself and was showing them off. She wanted to keep them on for bed but we managed to persuade her that she should wear a pull-up under them. It is clear that she really wants to get out of her pull-ups now. I said if she could show me that she can use her potty and keep her pull-up dry we could give it a go. It won't be long now to the days of pulls-ups during the day are over.

Tonight it was Emily's turn to help me with Lucy at bedtime. She helped out with the bath and read her a story before I gave her hugs and kisses from the special people in her life and she drifted off to sleep. Lucy was really good with her bath tonight and especially with washing her hair.

With Lucy safely tucked up in bed the girls went into the family room to watch a film and check out there Facebook pages which took them up to there bedtime. Catherine head was till hurting from the bump she got and I had to give her some pain killer to help her out. After that she joined the others in the land of nod.

Despite not going to the seaside we had a super afternoon in the parks in Oakham. It was lovely to see them all playing together and enjoying there ice creams. They have all had a smashing time.

Early Presents for Daddy

Well it was a dull start to the day in Rutland but that was the only thing that was dull, that is of course if you discount England in the world cup which was worse than dull.

The Day started well with Emily and Catherine getting to school on time. A rare event for both of them to make it in on time despite the fact they live 2 minutes from the school. Emily was last out after finding the well hidden hairbrush that Catherine had carefully concealed around the house as usual.  After they left I enjoyed the peace for a while before having a shower to wake me up.

I picked Lucy up from her Mummies at 10 as usual. It was lovely to see her gain. I miss her so much so much and I feel I miss out sometimes not knowing what she is doing, but that can’t be helped I guess. There is nothing I can do. Anyway I have gone off the point. This time was different. She had with her with her a bag of Fathers Day presents. She gave me the bag and I gave her a hug in return. I really just expected a card so it was so nice to be thought of. The presents were really well chosen. I love the picture of her in the “I Love Daddy” frame. That will always be special to me. I got a similar one for her Mummy on Mothers day. Then there was the lovely mug and of course the socks. I always love socks you can’t have enough of them.  These ones said Super Daddy. It was a lovely moment and another one to come later on Sunday from Emily and Catherine.  Lucy, bless her kept saying it was my Birthday. Not sure she has got the Fathers Day bit yet.

Before we set off from I walked to the car with her and I told her how proud I was of her and her potty training, and as I got her in her seat I gave that big hug I promised myself I would give for her hard work. She growing up, bless her, and I love her.

We first set off to the supermarket to get something for Lunch and Dinner and not forgetting the all-important pull-ups. I want to carry on the potty training that she has started with her Mummy. We have had a potty for ages all are missing here is the training seat for the toilet. Today she pushed the trolley and helped pick the dinner. I was looking at doing something with chicken and she picked a whole chicken. So it was decided, another Roast Chicken Dinner it was. Although this time, unlike the last one, we had this one was with Yorkshire puddings. Good thing Emily and Catherine both like my roasts.

When we got home it was play with George time. She really loves George, which is rather wonderful. I guess in many ways they were puppies together and they seem to share a common bond. She is always trying to pass him bits of food when she thinks I’m not looking even if she know they are thing he really shouldn’t have. He is always following her around on the off choice there might be food on hand. While she was playing I managed to send a quick email off to Lucy’s mummy thanking her for her part in the presents. 

For Lunch we had bacon sandwiches. I use to have them many moons ago for breakfast and I have been missing them recently. They are rather yummy and always make you feel good. I know many a vegetarian who went back to eating meat because of the smell of bacon sandwiches. When she is older I will have to introduce her to the delights of kippers.

After Lunch I said we are going out and instantly she wanted to go and see the piggy’s again. It was part of the plan so it was lovely she suggested it to so off we set. It is only a few minutes drive to the farm and Lucy chatted all the way. I love the way she has started chatting. It is lovely.

We arrived at the farm and as soon as she got out of the car Lucy matched off to the pigs. She has learnt the way and was urging me to be faster, which I found rather amusing at the time given how much faster I walk. When we arrived at the pigs she said hello to them and climbed up the steps to see the baby pigs. She couldn’t quite see the mummy pig and started ask where she was so I lifted her higher to see her. She really loves those pigs. It is lovely. After the pigs we headed off to see the rabbits and play with the stuffed rabbit on top of their cage. She loves showing the real rabbits the stuffed toy and pretending it is real.

It wasn’t long until she remembered the teashop and off we headed. As soon as she got in she said hello to the lady that had given her the cake the last time we were there. Lucy sat down at the table with the toy farm and started to play. This time we didn’t get free cake but we did get an apple to give to one of the farm animals. Lucy decided it was the donkey’s lucky day but the horse ended up eating it. Unfortunately it started raining as we fed the horse and we did get see the goats. She was quite upset but I said we could see the baby swans instead.

Getting back in the car we headed off to the fishing lake just outside Langham near the railway crossing once part of the Oakham to Melton Canal. About a month ago we discovered a pair of swans had made a nest on the lake in the reeds and we went to see the signets. The last time I had been with Emily and Catherine, about four days ago, they were under their mother’s wing hiding away. This time I hoped I would see them with Lucy to make up for missing out on the park because of the rain and see them we did. The Mother was at the side of the nest and the father near by and all the little signets were in the nest. It was a lovely sight, they were brown and fluffy and Lucy seemed to love them. We didn’t stay long because of the rain but I’m sure we will see them again soon.

We arrived home with an hour or so to go before the Emily and Catherine came home so we sat down and watched “Peppa Pig” then moved on to playing in her bedroom. When the girls came home they both got the biggest of hugs with lots of I loves you’s. It is really lovely to see them greet each other and run off to play. They have such a great time together. Today they all spent sometime looking at some old photo's together for a bit. I joined them for a while but in retrospect that was good idea.

Dinner turned out to be lovely. Lucy turned up as usual just as I was carving the chicken for a bit of the skin and a taste of meat. This seems to have become part of a ritual for her every time we have a roast. Once I had finished serving the dinner we all sat down at the table and tucked into our meal. As always Lucy kept trying take everyone’s sweet corn but we are trying hard to get her to stick to her own food which she is starting to do now. It was a great meal and loads of happy faces at the end, but there always is when Lucy is at the table.

Just as we were about to leave, Lucy was playing with Catherine in my bedroom and managed to get hold of an old bottle of Karvol from the bedside draws and was shaking it about after undoing the top. I think she thought it was perfume and managed get a drop in Catherine’s eye before she could get the bottle off her. Emily quickly stepped in and took Catherine off to the bathroom to wash out her eye while I quickly checked Lucy for damage and got her shoes on so we could quickly take her back to her mummies and get Catherine off to the hospitial.

At the hospital Catherine was a dream. Doing all the nurse asked of her without compliant as they washed out her eye several times. Karvol being oiled based is harder to get out than something that is water based so they had to check the eye was clean several times just in case some had been left behind. Thankfully there wasn’t so we avoided the 20 to 30 mile drive to the nearest Accident and Emergency. After 30 minutes of going into the Minor Injuries Unit in Oakham Hospital, most of which was spent in the treatment room, we headed off to the shops for a treats for Emily and Catherine being so good and then we all returned home to watch England play football.

It been a lovely day and the only boring thing was England playing football. I’m going to miss them all on Sunday. It is fathers Day and although I get to see Emily and Catherine in the evening I won't Lucy all day.

Well Done Lucy

This is a special post for our Lucy. I'm so proud of her. I got her a email from Mummy and she has done five wee wee's in her potty today. I hope she is proud of herself too...