It's impressive just how quickly Amelie can learn a new skill. At 5:40pm today, she'd never once climbed onto the coffee table. In fact, the thought had barely even crossed her mind (she's been far too busy trying to scale the back of the sofa). But that was an hour ago. It's now six-forty, and she's done it about eight times. She can climb that TV unit like a stepladder, knock over the television and stand on the table pulling books off the shelf faster than you can say 'social services'...

She'll be on top of the bookcase by this time tomorrow.