19/52

Ellery: he has wings to fly

Aubrey: seedpod finding

Ellery, we're keeping tantrums in check with more stimulation ... new audio books ... your appetite for them is insatiable ... you disappear for a very long time into their magical lands. As a consequence, you've been confronting me with requests like this: "Let's pretend I'm a statue made of cheese!"

Aubrey, you've learnt to say no with a shake of your head, and it's your answer to everything, even when the answer is yes! You're on the cusp of walking, it's becoming very fluid for you. You're a snuggly one, volunteering lots of kisses and back patting. Super divine. May it never change.

18/52

Ellery: asking me to tell him jokes

Aubrey: sandpit is a splashpool

A week of big, big rain.

And illness - this time the littlest feller. 

Still much three-and-a-half year old behaviour ... and then quite suddenly, a couple of golden days. Bliss.

17/52

Ellery: riding the Daddy horse

Aubrey: walking! with concentration tongue!

Horsing around on the beach, with a ponytail (!), pre-throat infection.

And walking (!) on the beach, onset throat infection.

The here come the winter lurgies edition...

16/52

Ellery: he is the music man

Aubrey: trying out big brother's beanbag chair

No camera photos this week. Because three-and-a-half. I've been crying into my wine at night. But also, you do an impeccable impersonation of Piglet.

And the week of the ball obsession. This kid can throw straighter than anyone in his immediate bloodlines. Also, fourteen months ... sheesh. And first steps!