Confirmation that the Shallcrosses are Barking Mad

To celebrate her 40th Birthday, my sister Jane booked the Victoria Hall in Tisbury and invited everyone to come dressed as their favourite Pop Star.

Helen chose Amy Winehouse and found a suitable wig and raided some charity shops.

Mum and Dad dressed up as Egyptian pop stars. Mostly because Dad wanted to wear his Fez. Emma went as Tigger from Winnie The Pooh. Here she is being held by her Auntie Helen who dressed up as Sandy from Grease.

Here's Jasper as quarter of Abba, and Helen with Claudia - who also went as Amy Winehouse.

Peter dressed up as Elton John. John went as Adam Ant (Stand... and Deliver!)

Here's Tim in a mad wig.

The Womble was an amazing outfit. Here's Dad in his fez with, um, Gordon the Gopher.

One of Jane's friends made a very convincing Ozzy Osbourne. The kids were very energetic around the hall. Emma lasted until 8.30pm when Granny and Mum took her home. She's done well to last - well beyond her normal 7pm bed time.

Mike made an awesome Freddie Mercury.

You can see what song is playing here from Jane's mouth - it had to be WaterLOO! On the left in the second picture above is Claudia's cousin, Christian who had just flown in from Chile. He was dressed up as Elvis (in his rotund later years!)

My Uncle Dave was a younger Elvis. Lin made a beautiful cake for Jane.

I found Ozzy by the drinks sniffing some wine!

Here I am as John Travolta. Kind of! Caroline was dressed as Avril Lavigne.

We partied hard until midnight! Thanks for organising such a wonderful night, Jane and Jasper!

Teeth, Donkeys and Racing Grannies.

Lets start with teeth! Emma now has four teeth showing. The first one is pretty much all the way out. She only has one at the bottom but already she's finding certain foods a bit easier.

Here's our Helsy with a donkey.



They lined up nicely waiting for carrots!


We walked up Wain's Hill to catch the last of the sun's rays as it set.

Here's some of Emma's finger-painting that I scanned in.



Emma hasn't been on top form just recently with teeth coming through and a nasty cough and cold. This ice lolly before bed revived her spirits and number her gums.

And she always enjoys a bath. Mummy enjoyed this one as well when styling Emma's hair.



These next photos are from today. We got out the granny racing set that I was given for christmas last year by brother John (I think.) Emma thought it was hilarious!

But then couldn't work out why they wouldn't go round when she sat like this...

Daddy had a go at changing the batteries to see whether he could get both lanes working. Of course, Emma then wanted to change the batteries too...

Puddles, hats - and when the two meet...

These photos were taken back on the 12th January. We went for a walk out from Rob and Becky's house in Yatton along a path leading to a farm.



Emma loves jumping in puddles!

Rob loves Emma's hat.

Emma enjoyed saying Moo! to these cows.

On the way back it was getting dark and Emma was getting tired so Uncle Rob gave her a lift.

She gave Daddy a "high five!"



Then disaster struck and Daddy accidentally knocked her hat off into a rhyne.


We couldn't find a stick long enough.


However, by forming a human chain,

and lowering Daddy into the water,

The hat was retrieved. Phew!