Joining the dots...

Both Emily and Niomi have really been doing great just recently. It seems that as we've emerged out of winter and into the season of new life, then they've both been finding new growth, depths and energy to draw upon. Emily has generally flourished with her reading, writing and drawing and has been growing steadily in her abilities, but its Niomi that has particularly impressed recently. She's never found learning any of these things easy. Language has been difficult for her, numbers equally so. But just recently it seems she has exploded in terms of her interest and grasp on these abstract concepts. Its been an absolute marvel to watch and she's just so happy with herself and everything that's going on. I'm really dead proud of her just now - she's literally and metaphorically starting to join all the dots.

Pleased as punch with her completed dot to dot

Videoclip: Joining the dots

Elsa John

 Jack and the Beanstalk in pictures by Emily

Emily's poster for #TeamLairdsland (her school parental engagement campaign)

As ever we've been trying to get out and about as much as possible - outside where the weather's allowed but inside where it hasn't. There's been lots of laughter and smiles, dancing and silliness plus sticker books have taken over our lives again. One particular highlight was our first Trossachs outing of the year on what was one of the few true spring days we've had so far. More often we've had storms recently and our beloved trampoline has born the brunt of one of those. Still spring is starting to exert itself, and all the flowers are definitely weeks earlier than last year. Crocuses are gone, daffodils are just emerging and our house is covered in over 120 baby plants that I am cultivating. So let's hope soon spring is truly upon us in time for our April trip to the Isle of Mull. I can't wait...

Spring joy

 Fish were jumping

One of the loveliest picnic benches

Trampoline carnage

Sister love

Going solo...

STOP PRESS: Niomi's off!

Following in her sister's footsteps at the ripe old age of just turned four, Niomi is off solo on her bike. She did us proud this weekend with a very brave peddle-tastic effort. Both of them learnt on balance bikes, and they both made the transition to full peddle bikes look like a skoosh (used in the Weegie sense of something that's incredibly easy).  No stabilisers, barely any help, just away she goes. Worry is there'll be no stopping her now...

Ready for the off...

Videoclip: First solo ride...