Shimmer and Shine

This grotesque creature, Shimmer and Shine, was given by her aunt to Ella for Christmas. She got it early as the aunts and partners, who have no children, are escaping Christmas to some warmer place.

An expensive day today - £100 approx at optician and then the dentist thinks he can put a crown on the fragile tooth, at £234 (NHS cost).

But that's not important. Son-in-law had an emergency hospital appointment. His Type 1 Diabetes has caused eye trouble which needed immediate treatment - there's 20% chance he'll lose his driving licence. He has to go back in a few weeks, so I hope the treatment has been successful. On top of that they have James, with his chickenpox, to cope with.

An early start for us tomorrow. We have to leave at 6.45 am to get to Whitley Bay in time for the parents to get to work. James can't go to nursery with his chickenpox - these things happen just at the worst time.