School show

So the girls had slightly different takes on their first christmas performance. Lyra sang her heart out, beaming throughout. Ellie hid under her crown - but tapped her foot throughout.

It actually heartens me to see Ellie respond to situations with emotional honesty. She didn't used to. She was indiscriminately smiley and there was no way to second guess how she really felt. That's common in kids who've been in care (they learn that if they smile at people, people are nice to them). Just one of many indications that four and a half years on, she's really settled..