slh2009

We just got some from Argos....

I can't really recommend the BT250 model....although it works very well it breaks very easily if dropped and the display disappears after a while too. I am on my 4th one, time for a change!

We had a lovely time here last week with our almost 3 year old http://www.courtfarm-holidays.co.uk/ It is in Cornwall but only just over the border from Devon, it took about 5.5 hours driving time plus a lunch stop near Stonehenge. We found that the sheep, cows and windmills in the fields were a good distraction to help with the journey! The accommodation was good, modern, clean and very toddler-friendly. There was a large, outside grassy play area with swings, slide, trampoline, bikes, ride-on toys etc as well as a small inside area with rabbits to stroke (a big hit!). There is a tennis court and a small indoor pool which we didn't use as we went to the leisure centre wave pool down the road, but it looked clean and warm. There is a games room with loads of info on local walks and attractions, DVDs to borrow etc. You can go and feed the alpaca, pigs, goats, and chickens every morning, and take an egg home for breakfast! There's also a very nice, child-friendly restaurant 5 mins drive away, overlooking a pond with ducks and geese and with a good play area. The beaches are great for walking and blowing the cobwebs away! Bude is quite a small town but had lots of cafes/restaurants and some nice little shops to mooch around. All in all it was a very easy, relaxing holiday which I would recommend!

I think they are a great idea and have one but have never used it as am a bit worried about the long cable, my son likes to wear "necklaces" so am a bit paranoid! Have you found it to be a problem? After reading your success story Yak I am very tempted to try it out as we have a similar scenario with early waking.... On a slightly different note I have been thinking about getting a small bedside lamp for his room, bright enough for reading/playing but one that doesn't get hot - any recommendations?

Hi I've just got back from Sydenham Sainsburys and there are lots of age 4 green school dresses left there :-)

Agree re Colin, he got rid of ours after a thorough search of the house and garden

Hi I went last Sat in the pouring rain and there was quite a queue although it moved fast. We probably waited 30 - 40 mins. I would get the fast track tickets if I was you as the schools are still off tomorrow I think. I had 241 voucher but not sure you can do it for these tickets

Haha..I hear you! It was actually a Monday I went in term-time so yes think that is probably more manageable. I've got a bit braver of late in taking him to places on my own...Surrey Quays farm the latest, he loved the train and bus ride then we sat out the back watching the boats for a while...oh and he got to stroke a goat which he liked. Covent Garden at the weekend not so much fun.....!! Enjoy :-)

Strawbs, my 2 year old sounds like yours (reading the 'high energy' trhead with interest/empathy!) and I didn't find it too stressful. I took him on my own and found that there was enough to keep his interest so not too much running off, he especially liked the huge tank with the sharks and turtles!

I recently took my 2.5 year old and he loved it, also talks about it still. We went at 3pm when the price is reduced a bit. Enjoy!

Hi, there is a lift to Waterloo main station and then you can exit the station step-free from there. It is one of the side exits behind the shops rather than the front of the station which has steps.

We have a Mitsubishi ASX, similar to the Qashqai but may be slightly cheaper. We only have one child but lots of stuff and there is plenty of room!It is nice to drive.

I've stayed at Carbis Bay twice, just outside St Ives so no parking problems and you can get the train that runs along the coast from Penzance to St Ives. Beach is lovely white sand and views could be in the med on a sunny day! There was a soft play place in Carbis Bay but I didn't go in it, just in case you have a rainy day.

Hi I live on the Sydenham/Beckenham border but have just started swimming lessons at Bethlem Hospital in Beckenham with my 2 year old and we are enjoying them. Classes are on a Sunday. Maybe contact the local NCT rep or library (next to Spa) to get an idea of groups/activites to go to?

Party Daze in Sydenham is very good (but can be quite expensive). I had some foil ones at the end of November which only deflated at the weekend! The regular balloons only lasted about 24 hours though.

Hi, I have a Silver Cross Pop (blue bubbles one) that I am selling for ?50. I have used it about 10 times so it is in good condition and I have 2 matching footmuffs, one still in the packaging as never used. It reclines and comes with a canopy and rain cover, you can get a bit of shopping underneath. It's fine for occasional use. Currently on sale in Mothercare for ?100, reduced from ?130 (not including the footmuffs!).

Hi, I have a Silver Cross Pop (blue bubbles one) that I am selling for ?50. I have used it about 10 times so it is in good condition and I have 2 matching footmuffs, one still in the packaging as never used. It reclines and comes with a canopy and rain cover, you can get a bit of shopping underneath. It's fine for occasional use. Currently on sale in Mothercare for ?100, reduced from ?130.

Yes, I was going to order some platters but am so disorganised that we ended up just buying cold party bits and did some pizzas in the oven. Have fun!

Hi, I can't help with the catering I'm afraid but can recommend ordering a personalised M & S birthday cake. I have had 4 over the last couple of years and they have all been lovely and way cheaper than ordering from a bakery. The Noah's Arc is particularly nice, we had that for our son's 1st birthday and have just had the train for his second!

Could you look at nurseries near to where you work? Although appreciate the commute with a child would be no fun....

Hi, I've also got the Boppin' Bunnies CDs....www.boppinbunnies.co.uk. They are a mixture of upbeat songs and lullabies and really nicely sung...not so nicely by me in the car (!) but my son can now join in to make it more fun.

Hi we have this with our almost 2 year old, he is always ready to eat again when he gets home between 5:30pm and 6:15pm...and still has a bottle at bed time around 7:30pm. It's got to be something really quick so normally beans or spaghetti hoops or you could do cheese or egg on toast. Brioche or bread roll if he hasn't had sandwiches at nursery. Small portion of gnocchi or pasta with homemade sauce (I keep some in the freezer and take it out to defrost in the morning then zap in the microwave). Banana. Petits filous. Basically it is a bit more than the nursery tea but not as much as I'd give for dinner at the weekends. I also have a bit of a fuss pot eater and am trying to vary the beans/"betty" options so look forward to more suggestions!

I had an iCandy Peach which I loved and used until my son was 18 months old. It was a dream to push and the chunky wheels and good suspension meant that my baby slept soundly and always had a comfortable ride. I was mainly on pavements but also went "off-road" in parks and forests a couple of times, no problem. The only criticism I have is that it was difficult to use the (large) basket underneath when the pram was in carrycot mode, and also the footmufff did not come up as high as the Bugaboo Cameleon so I used a blanket in very cold weather as well to keep baby's chest warm! The seat in the Peach is not as big as the Cameleon and so at 18 months I could see it was not going to last us another year so I started looking for an alternative buggy. For all the reasons already mentioned I decided to sell my iCandy and buy a Bugaboo Bee+. I also love it for it's nipiness and the fact it is so easy to fold in one piece, but I totally agree with the above posters about it feeling rickety compared to the iCandy and also re the rain hood which my son hates having down. I guess it really depends how much you are likely to use buses and tubes (trains not so much of a problem). I tend to walk or drive to most places so it wasn't much of an issue for me but it would be way easier to use the Bee than the Peach as it is much narrower (and no more getting stuck in shop doorways!).

Hi, my son goes to Townsend Montessori in Forest Hill which is about 6 mins walk from the station. I also have friends at Rubadubs in Forest Hill which is slightly closer to the station. Feel free to PM me if you'd like any more info!

Can also recommend Xenia in West Dulwich.....