Esther walks

Hot on the heels (boom boom) of learning to crawl, Esther has taken some steps. She's done it a bit more since (like a few steps in one go this morning), but here's one of her first from last week. It's at about 2:35 if you don't want to watch the whole thing!

Tea time

Yesterday Naomi had some tea for the first time. She liked the idea (see above) but I don't think she was all that keen on the taste!

Permanent!

Most of you will know by now but I've now got a new job: from 1 June I'll be a Lecturer at the University of Stirling (technically it's "Lecturer in Cyber Security"... more on that some time!) In practical terms for our family the crucial thing about this is that it's permanent, so for the first time since the move to Loughborough we can properly plan long-term! We no longer need to worry about relocating, changing schools, whether it's really worth commiting to that, or painting this or that because it won't be long before we move etc, etc. Work-wise it means I can also do my own research rather than working for someone else (though in practice I've been more-or-less doing that for a while), and I'll now have a load of teaching to do. Somewhat excitingly I'll also get an office to myself (I have never had this before!) and I took a look at it today, it's great! Here's the view from the window...

Very exciting indeed, and as always God's timing is perfect. Being a post doc researcher has been a lot of fun and gave us time and flexibility to figure out family life right when we needed it. Now we have security at just the right time too.

Cooking

Naomi has been asking to do more cooking with Mummy, naturally the others wanted to join in too. Tonight we made meatballs, sweet potato chips and veggies sauce. Lydia helped grate the cheese.

Skating

Naomi was desperate to go skating, despite never having been. She has been asking for ages so we said she could invite some friends and go for a birthday treat. If I am honest, I thought she would be awful but she was anything but, really good and I even had a bit of fun! (I ached everywhere for days after, though!!)

Excited in the queue, this might be my favourite ever picture of Naomi

getting brave enough to go round on her own (albeit near the wall)

She is getting too cool to smile for the camera

"Try and look like you're enjoying yourself"

Lydia was getting on really well with a penguin!

Mummy and Naomi together

Mummy and Lydia

Mummy and Naomi

Myummy and Miriam

It was a slippy, slidey, fally kind of affair

Lots of fun was had and she says she wants to go again