Monday nights

Every Monday after school Al goes to Rosa and Oliver's house to play while Mummy goes to her staff meeting. He has a great time with his friends - lots of giggles. He has dinner there and the big children play with him and make him laugh. A particular favourite last week was Rosa's gymnastic show. Oliver and Al have big chats together although nobody else can understand them. Two weeks ago was an extra special visit - a mini sleepover! Mummy and Daddy went out for curry for Daddy's birthday and Al went to sleep in Rosa's bedroom.

At last!

You wouldn't believe how hard it has been to get a recent photo of Al and his little pal, the very mobile baby Joanna! They see each other regularly and we've been trying the last few times to get a nice pic ... they could be playing happily next to each other, out comes the camera and ... WAAAAAAH! Anyway here's one before they had chance to wail.

And last weekend we went to the coast. Although Al slept through our seaside walk on Saturday morning, just like his first visit to the sea back in the summer, he did at least wake up and watch the sea eventually. Seemed impressed but he has to wait a bit longer before he gets to experience the sand because by the time he woke up the tide had come right in and there was no sand left.

Dinner with the lads

Al had dinner with John and Harry tonight so that Mummy could go and get Daddy before her meeting. Looks like they had a nice time together - not sure what was on the menu but apparently Harry fed Al.

Daddy's birthday and the Kumars' farewell lunch

We had lunch yesterday at the Kumars - double event as it was Daddy's (almost) birthday and the Kumars' farewell because they move back to India very soon. Al helped Daddy blow out his birthday candles on his football cake, watched by Emily and Clare, and then we got a nice photo of the 3 Kumars together with Al. We got Daddy a lovely present from Glaze to Amaze - a mug and a butter dish with Al's handprints all over.

A new year, new experiences and new skills

So far this year Al has seen snow for the first time, learnt to clap, got more mobile (rolling, shuffling, walking if you hold his hands, and kind of crawling) and got more assertive in his desire to feed himself. He also loves bathtime and wails when it's time to get out. Here are some some photos of these new things.