We've been away on holiday - hence it being quiet on here. I couldn't be bothered blogging via smartphone. The frozen north was our destination - a week in the Peak District. We didn't actually see many peaks as the trip was really made to catch up with my family who we've not seen for a while.

This was also the week we celebrated the twins' fourth birthday. It was also the week baby Will managed to give himself a cut and a black eye by falling over and twatting himself with a toy car. Poor little pickle. He's a tough cookie though, he was up running around and terrifying us with his wanton disregard for his own safety within minutes.

Meanwhile I got to meet up with old schoolmates in our old local for the first time in years. Just like old times.

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The twins' birthday was a lovely day and they really enjoyed it. As expected I had mixed emotions because as ever it made me think about the day they came into the world. While their birth was a joyful event it was surrounded by panic and worry on one side and the other side brought tragedy.

Friday was the day we headed home and I offered to drive all the way back to Dorset to keep my mind busy - it being the anniversary of Lanie's death. In the end we were somewhat more pre-occupied with the radio reports that began appearing of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. March 11th has been a day of tragedy for me for four years now and for so many others that date will being back traumatic memories too.

The twins are embracing being four with gusto. They seem to have grown up over the last week and are gaining in confidence. As ever their conversations are a delight and have Jo and I in stitches. Will meanwhile has decided over the last week that he'd like to talk too. So while we've had a few words from him over the last few months amongst the babble, he's now saying several new words a day.

Animals are a favourite subject for him - he can say fish, cat, dog, pig, cow and bear. The latter he uses for any animal he doesn't how to say. So elephants, unicorns, turtles etc. are all "bear". Of course being a little boy the other words he likes to say, often preceded by a very loud "oh look" are train, car, bus, truck and tractor. Thanks to Kitty's Toy Story Jessy doll Will has also learned "Ye haw" and his other favourite phrases are "uh oh" and "oh no", both delivered in such a cute way.

It's not just the speaking that is improving, his understand is too. We now feel we can actually ask him things and get a proper yes or no answer. He'll also follow simple instructions and it's very clear over the last week or so our gorgeous little baby is becoming a little boy. I'm really going to miss that baby.