Our not-so-little lad was a bit apprehensive about going to Big School, but we managed to prise him into his uniform eventually.

Ten pre-schoolers running around the house acting mad - we're booking the cat in for psychological therapy next week.

Young Ben got a guitar and amp for his birthday - he was very pleased and gave us a rendition of a selection of hits, but personally I can't wait for the batteries to run out!

A couple of pictures of Ben looking very spotty, while he drools over my Christmas cake!

The kids have got bikes, Ben's got his Thomas set, and I tried out my new ice-cream maker. Success all round!

Santa's been! Despite Ben's chicken pox making him look like he'd got leprosy, the kids enjoyed their bikes and Tim enjoyed Joel's Nintendo Wii before we all collapsed in a rather drunken heap on the sofa.

Ben was a shepherd - he had a teatowel on his head and everything!

In the aftermath of the Pirate Party came Ben's attempt to DJ.

I got pounced on by Ben and Ellie in the hotel room. There's a couple of pics of how we fit all that wine in the Picasso as well.

A Bob-the-Builder scooter, and a visit from Grandparents Kirkpatrick. Hurrah!

Celebrating Ben's birthday were Amy, Jamal, Lewis, Sam, Natalie and of course Ellie; plus respective adults including Nairn and SJ who paid us a visit.

A 1970s theme, involving spandex, lots of boogying, and getting incredibly miraculously drunk. Photos get a bit blurry later on thanks to Ben's fingers on the lens.

Our friend Ben dropped in for a night, so another spread was put out. Poor Sarah was feeling a bit unwell though after the 14 bottles of wine last night...

Proof that our son really can resist the temptation to wear a dress sometimes - even when all the other kids are dressed as princesses and fairies!

It's all downhill from here.

The first Sunday lunch my Mum's cooked for years - and she got the Yorkshires right! Followed briefly by feeding various bits of wildlife in the garden, and then the aftermath of Ellie finding scissors and trying to cut her own (and Ben's) hair.

Two years old! Wow!

Ohhh, Ben's going to /so/ hate this photo when he's older...

He's been with us a year! Wow! What a big lad - we had family and friends round to help him celebrate and play with his toys; and then he covered himself in chocolate birthday cake!

It's a Toshiba, to replace the Dell whose screen fried within two weeks of us getting it

He's our youngest member of staff, y'know.

Ben's getting a bit boisterous now!

We're not entirely sure if he likes Marmite or not - he screwed his face up a bit but then wanted more - so perhaps he does. And Ellie had some fun carrying the underwear in a fun and unique way.

Coloured shapes and an early Sunday morning. Ah the bliss of being a Dad.

They were being particularly photogenic while Nicky was out.

He looks like the aftermath of a bad grouting accident, but this is Ben after a cream cheese sandwich.

Fast asleep, shows how big he's got and why he can't stay in that crib for much longer!

Some pics of the kids.

When Ben smiles, he looks a lot like his uncle.