ryedalema

We've done alternate weeks at Gumboots (Darrell Road 8-6pm) and Holiday Drop off at Dulwich College (extended day 8-5pm). Number one daughter's loved it - mostly swimming and trampolining everyday (at HDO) with a bit of dodge ball. PLenty of 'boy' sports too but she preferred these. Gumboots is lovely too. The minders are all really gentle and lots of fun had there too - bowling at E&C, Peckham Cinema etc.

We've been looking into this too - and it's be fab if anyone could also recommend local stockists as we'd like to see it first..

Had a lovely day at Hall Place and think we'll have many more even after the visiting 'House of Fairy Tales' exhibition has left. Thanks for the recommends! The reception people commented on the marked increase in ED visitors. Oh the fab power of the forum :)

Going to try Hall place today after all your fab recommendations! There's also a farmers' market on there (10-2) today - what's not to love? :) (Only wish we'd known about this in time to book for Fairy School - but there's always next time!)

Just seen an advert for Lollibop... http://www.lollibopfestival.co.uk/index2.php/ At ?22 per head it's a sharp intake of breath - but a certain Madam has a massive crush on Mister Maker (and no, it's not me!) What do you reckon? Worth it?

We've so many reasons for arguing against the land being used (of course we would, we back onto it). But as I understand it, during the last consultation, plans for the part behind Ryedale to be cleared for use were shelved until 2029. So - no digging, preparing the land, etc until then (altho' I'm not sure whether that includes them cutting the grass to make it passable). I wasn't at the meeting so am hearing this third hand - is this correct or chinese whispers?

We're also planning a day out to the Roald Dahl museum in Great Missenden (about 1.5 hours away I believe) - has anyone been there? And there seems to be lots of Puppet making events on the Time Out website - anyone have any recommendations? I quite fancy the day at Glaziers' Hall at the mo..

Seconding Portsmouth, but we drove down and stayed overnight at a Travel Lodge. The next day we went to Peppa Pig World. A full-on couple of days - but the girls were happy!

Ha ha phew! She's got the attention span of a forgetful goldfish anyway - so unless I put Barbie and Ken in some compromising positions or Hello Kitty got it on with Miffy - I doubt much 'stuck'.

So...ummm. I got the books (three of them) and read them with Madam, nice and casual-like while we were doing her sewing project. You're right Nappy Lady - most of the content fine, but I skipped over the hormone stuff (think that's a bit complex and will return to that in a couple of years), also the 'grown ups 'fit' in many positions' (gulp!) She got most of it I think - but thought a willy going into Mummy was very silly (!) Loved the bits about same sex relationships but am now wondering whether overall she knows way too much now and I'll get a word in my ear from teacher as she gives a class of her own in the playground. So hope not - but yes I am again a total worry wart.

I just got the books - am very excited. My OH is out tonight so it's me, the books, several Gs and T and some infantile sniggering methinks :)

I've got a special cupcake carrier (takes 24) if you want to borrow... Also have a cupcake maker (weird random buy of my OH's that takes three mins per dozen apparently). Just a thought..

Well at the moment it's punany (poonannee) - not sure where I got that from, probably an old boyf (which could be awkward). I remember really vividly when my periods started, as I hadn't been told anything about them. My Mum made me lie on the bed 'to have a look and make sure'. Before that a boy from next door had shown me a tampon and told me it was a pipe cleaner for his recorder! Aaaaaggghhhh! (Did I grow up in the 1900s or something?) I'm actually quite looking forward to getting those books now (come on Amazon!). One v large G&T (for me!) and it should be quite fun. Just got to compete with Team Umizoomi for some attention first.

Seconds for Dulwich College sports camp (runs 8-5pm on an extended day) and Gumboots at Crystal Palace Road (ED Community Centre) which runs from 8-6pm. We're alternating between both across the summer. On a related topic - we're stuck for the last week of August, when all camps seem to stop. Does anyone know any camps running during that week?

Ahh - so the 'easy breezy' approach def over the sitting down and poring over a book then... That sounds very sensible. And love the TED talk! Thanks Ruth. What age do they 'do the chat' in class then? Or don't they do it any more. My biology teacher went bright red when she had to cover the subject - and I bet I'll be the same. Anyone remember that Monty Python John Cleese sketch? :)

Oh my goodness SusyP - I agree that is hardcore. Well I've ordered those books- Amazon had a deal on all three of those Babette books so I'll be well covered (am hoping to learn some stuff myself :)) Am just hoping it won't make her the kid in the playground knowing more than the others and either distorting the facts for the rest, or being seen as more progressive in a 'not nice' way. You can see I'm a worry wart :)

Wow - so it's chat time then? Those books look fab - and not as excruciating and 'pastel' as the book my Mum thrust at me :) Ummmm - how far did you go? She's interested in things like shaving legs (and other bits), what those 'sweeties' (lillets) are in Mummy's drawer etc.

Morning EDfers, Our eldest (just 5) seems to taking a great deal of interest in facts of life stuff. She regularly plays with her dolly 'who has just been born' or who 'is in her tummy'. And has recently been asking what happens to girls' bodies as they grow up - boobies and things :) Surely this is waaaaayyyyy young to be discussing this sort of thing? Do you: a) firstly have children of similar ages asking the same? And does it make a difference (I'm sure it does) if they have older siblings (she doesn't). b) ignore it or distract onto another topic? perpetuate the 'in Mummy's tummy' myths or tell it how it is? What's the usual age when this sort of thing gets discussed? I remember the excruciating conversation with my Mum, cos I'd been told everything (heavily distorted) in the playground - urggghhh! What do you think?

So...now I'm confused about pay, and terminology. We'd absolutely not expect anyone we employed for babysitting to do any household chores - except those directly related to looking after our child (so preparing lunch for instance - and I'd almost always have something pre-prepped for that anyway). I guess if they cooked something together tho' it'd be great if they cleared up the undoubted bombsite that my lot usually manage to muster. Just need to clarify something else. I've never had a babysitter that abused the fridge or pay-per-view, that was me being thankful that that hasn't been the case - guess I should have wordsmithed that sentence a bit more..sorry if I offended/alarmed anyone! And yes totally agree with not finding the cheapest option for looking after our treasured offspring - but equally OMG some of the numbers being bounced around here are astronomic!! I'd be really happy to work with whoever babysat with us on a fair rate and terms to build a great relationship with our two. As you say - it's lovely (and so much easier) if our girls build a rapport with someone and actually look forward to them coming over.

So ummm...what do you guys think is a fair rate for night time babysitting, vs daytime 'babysitting'? I appreciate it's a really delicate question. We pay ?7ish per hour for night time babysitting (more for two children), and make sure they've a way of getting home safely. How much more would be the daytime 'bump up'? We always pay for out of pocket expenses, food, travel, tickets to things etc (and give a bit for a treat or two), so just advice on the 'basic' would be really fab. xxxx

Wow - thanks all. Mum2be - am absolutely not disputing paying more for daytime/awake hours. Scruffy Mummy - I'll pm you. But the latter is def the case here..

Hmmm - but if they've advertised themselves as being available for daytimes... I just can't picture them being passive while the child is awake - is this a terminology thing then? Am I asking for the wrong thing? Totally get the extra money tho' and would be happy to bump it up - as I absolutely understand that it's a different job. Sigh....

I wince so hard when I ask this, as I feel I'm probably not going to like the answer (and will get drummed out of the nice-mum brownies), but... What can and can't you ask a babysitter to do? I think I'm clear on the expectations of someone when you ask them to babysit in the evening. We nearly always do the bedtime routine before we go out of an evening, so we're basically paying reasonable ?s for someone to watch our TV - but am totally fine with that. Just happy if the fridge isn't cleared out and the pay-per-views racked up into double figures. But if you ask them to babysit during the day, can you... - ask them to carry out 'structured entertainment' with a child? When I say structured I mean stuff like read a book or cook something or practise writing or paint a picture or go to the park + pick up another child? (Extra funds for when two children are being looked after) We're paying the asking rate, but have just really upset a babysitter who we thought was cool with that. What is it that's expected of a babysitter if they look after a child during the day? Gawd - I really wish there was a manual for all of this sometimes... Oh and btw - we need a new babysitter, so if anyone has any recommendations?? We're really nice really! Promise:))

A couple more thoughts then.. Trocadero - loads of 'pooter games and pinballs etc. Battersea zoo Kew Gardens - love the climbers and creepers and the tree top thing (and the train) Mudchute farm Is the Railway Children still on?

First time you put the stick in it's dry and you are just making the hole Second time you put the stick in and leave it there - yes it's coated with choc (just the top bit that's inside the cake pop) Then leave these in the fridge to set otherwise the cake can slip off the stick and you have cake pop in your bowl of choc. Then yes - dip the whole thing in chocolate...