lillyanginger

EDmummy, Italy all the way!!! Start looking right now for lovely large houses slightly off the beaten track, fly into Rome, drive the rest of the way (very easy as Rome quite central). We love the area around Arezzo. Not terribly touristy we (and several friends) hire a (different) house with pool every summer and it has been lovely every time. We have booked through 'inter chalet.co.uk and tuscanynow.co.uk. We found the largest choice of affordable property before Christmas. Italy is a lovely location with (or without) kids.

Hi Polly, I am so pleased to hear the nursery is still lovely and going strong. Both my sons went there...a long time ago. But they both remember the nursery and the lovely time they had there.

Can we 're-activate' this thread...any new suggestions would be very welcome in my house!

In previous years we have tried to visit a Christmas market in the run up to Christmas. They have usually been abroad...This year we would like to stay in the Uk, any suggestions of nice markets?

Has anyone ever stayed in an apartment for a week in New York? We are also a family of four and planning to go at Easter. The kids will be 10 and 14 and are NOT keen to share a room with us...Having looked at your hotel suggestions, they all seem very expensive for a week of what I hope will be a lot of sightseeing and fun but not too much time in the hotel. Any other suggestions very very welcome.

'The Slap' was terrible, really irritating! I did like 'One Day', 'Freedom' and 'Kite Runner, A thousand spending suns'. I quite like Italo crime - try Donna Leon for easy, pleasant reading. How about an old classic, something you haven't read in a while...'the handmaids tale' or Harper Lee's 'to kill a mockingbird'?

I find parking sensors really irritating, seem to be the only one though. I hate the noise they make when parking - it irritates me and I get parking wrong!!! When really, I am pretty good at parking, even if I say so myself.

Minitoots, how about a flight to Munich and time around the truly beautiful lakes and castles in Southern Bavaria. Or holiday around the Mondsee in Austria, near Salzburg. Even though...by now you are hopefully already somewhere lovely. But maybe for next time... We visited Bern (Switzerland) and while I can understand people suggesting it, we found it SERIOUSLY expensive. Lovely, but far too much money for what I consider very average 'goods'.

Tommy, we have had the Passat Estate for 4 years now and are delighted. It is very reliable, lovely and easy to drive. We had the Volvo V70 before and again, fab car. Slightly bigger and we felt we were (kind of) able to downsize a bit. It had seats in the back which was useful but our children are too big to make use of those now (9 and 13). Also, we had serious issues with Volvo and would not buy another car from them.

My thoughts are with the families and all their friends. What a terrible terrible accident!

Sillywoman, don't frighten me!!! Am I currently just kidding myself? Boys are 9 and 13...

Guys, you have just made my day!!!! I laughed soooo much...remembering it only too well. Hang on in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel...or is that grapejuice at wine o'clock?

Why not ask the school directly?

While I remember...DS2 has just finished and ADORED the Fablehaven series. 5 books by Brandon Mull. He also likes John Connolly 'Hells Bells' - but not as much as Fablehaven.

I am not the resident sour dough baker but I remember moaning about the bread being to sour...and husband saying he let it rise/sit for too long. It seems the longer he left it out before baking the more sour it got.

...in the US and will I be able to use it here? Apple Mac books are so much cheaper in the States.... Anyone know?

They can play at the Old Alleynian Rugby and Football club. They have all age groups there. Have a look at their website. The season is about to end though...

Very nice!!! Thank you :-)))

Ahh...this takes me back years.... Ruth, I went to see an Osteopath for my pregnancy related back ache and it worked very very well. Have a look at the 'British School of Osteopathy' on Borough High Street (I think). You do not need a referral and they were very good. I hope you find a remedy soon.

Have you thought about getting rid of the bedframe and putting the mattresses on the floor...It really won't be forever, our DS2 slept in our bed for a long time before he moved in with his brother. Sometimes just a mum/dad will do and I agree with the others who say make do with whatever works for you. Mine are now 9 and 13(tomorrow) - and nobody wants to sleep with us any longer...our bedroom is definitely ours and has been for quite some time.

What fabulous suggestions...I have already ordered some for DS2. Thank you for starting it, I will keep an eye on it.

DS2 is 9 and has just read 'Gregor - the underland chronicles' (5 books), the 'mysterious Benedict Society' (3 books)and something about 'Warrior Cats'. And his current favourite was Salman Rushdie 'Luka and the Fire of Life'. Boy 1 used to adore almost anything by Michael Morpurgo, Boy 2 hates him. Have a look at Cornelia Funke, she has some great books out for this age range.

They can play from quite small at the 'Streatham and Marlborough' Cricket club opposite the Harvester.

My son is now 9 years old and only just refusing to sit on the Trip Trap. I loved the way as a baby he ate from the table straight away, no trays etc but proper part of eating as a family.

Many congratulations to you.