lillyanginger

The Cambria in Herne Hill does a nice steak!!!

Many congratulations, I hope you are both home and settling in!

Sorry Liz, I mean the Queen Elizabeth just outside Victoria station. We went to Crystal Palace when mine were small, it was really really good. I hope you find something suitable.

liz, my friend goes to Victoria with her pre schooler. They love it.

Brilliant! I wish I had thought of that some years ago....both boys won't touch salad - and they are 8 and 12... Not quite giving up though!

Belle, we used to have a bigger wooden one and it was a huge hit for child no 2 who still really likes digging (not in the sandpit anymore, age 9). Child one was not really that interested... If he/she like digging...the bigger the better I feel.

We stayed at Motel One - a very reasonable and brilliantly located Hotel chain near the Bahnhof Zoo -really close to the City Centre. Honestly one of the most brilliant cities I have ever been too. Really really good. For all of us for all different reasons. Desperate to go back!

We used to trek to Crystal palace, the lessons there were brilliant. A friend of mine is currently going to Victoria, apparently there is a pool next/very near the station and the classes are good.

My kids are slightly older - 8 and 12 - and speak German and English fluently(ish). I speak German at home, we all speak English outside the house but we have tried to incorporate German as much as possible. German telly (when they were younger, less so now), DVD's, books...I am sure it all helped. Child 1 likes German, is proud to be bilingual and definitely good at other languages at school. His younger brother is slightly less keen on speaking it but can do it. We do not push too hard, I remind him occasionally and still try and speak it at home without fail. He will at times answer in English, sometimes in German. With Child 1 the second phase of learning a language has just started...learning how to write it properly. I think that is going to be a much bigger hurdle than the speaking as he does not really see the need. --- From the little experience we have, I am amazed how easy it was for the children to pick up the different languages, put people in language 'boxes' and rarely get it wrong. If only we had a third language...

I have just discovered Jo Nesbo - he writes crime stories that play mainly in Norway. I liked it better than the Stieg Larsson trilogy. Some great suggestions in here, I will definitely read some of it.

Ruth, I had baby one as an emergency c-section at Kings and really really really did not want to have to repeat that experience. When I was pregnant again, I was very keen (but not totally set) on a 'non-casearean' birth as I had all kinds of problems with baby one. I also wanted EVERY painkiller available on this planet - I was not going to do a repeat of number one birth!!! Child number 2 was born at home. It was a very very different birth - in a good way. That was 8 years ago. I have no idea if I can help you at all, but please feel free to pm me if you wish.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10412377.stm

I remember putting the car seat in the little trailer...you could strap it in and that should work.

I once dealt with a supplier by the name of 'Peter Pan' - made us all smile at work...

Jaybee, as my sons agent...we can swap you 278, 579, 160, 274 and 351. Pm me if you want them, I'll update our list later.

It is really interesting to read this...My kids are that bit older (8 & 12) but I do remember SOOOO clearly how scary, boring and lonely it was, especially first time round. I am always surprised meeting other parents now how many other people felt like I did then...and how much it would have helped to have known that. I would be interested to be involved, I will keep reading.

Bea, I have an old(ish) mclaren buggy - happy to part with it. I also have travel cot we definitely do not need anymore. Let me know if you are interested and I can drop it at a convenient place. I will have a look if we still have board books...or toys...

Very very funny!!!

It went so far in our house that the little one refused food unless it came from his brothers plate...just to be sure he was having the same kind of food. We decided not to worry too much. Honestly, he is now 8 and does not eat more sweets than his older brother. If anything, he eats less 'rubbish'. You (realistically) won't be able to keep most of these foods away from your younger child, so moderation on all levels seems to be the way forward.

On a slightly older child level - what is there to do for them in the area? So far the son is doing a lot of sports but what is he going to do when he is 14/15/16? Where do teenagers 'hang out'? I have no idea what it is they need/want? Any of you any idea what that age group does around here?

I kind of needed to know with the first one, the whole pregnancy 'thing' was difficult enough to deal with. Also it helped our arguments about names. Mr LG flatly refused to discuss names until he knew as not too argue about something that was purely academic. And I have to say it really helped me feeling closer to the bump knowing he was a he. I have a sister and the thought of having a boy kind of threw me (not in a bad way, more in a 'what do they do, boys' way). Second time round it was different. I wasn't worried about having either sex and thus did not really need to know. Somehow it was all so much more relaxed that it did not seem to matter that much. As long as the baby was healthy...it was a baby. (We did find out in the end though as Mr LG had the same arguments re names). Good luck with what ever you decide, it will be the right decision for you.

Have a look at Austria. They have a whole chain of "kinderhotels', all meeting your requirements. They are not cheap but look really good.

Something to think about, thank you very much!!!!

...with two kids (8 and 12) within a few hours of London (by car or public transport) - where would you go? Can you tell that we are not getting anywhere with our planning... Any suggestions VERY welcome.

Are we not talking about the Infant and Junior School here - reception to year 6? This is the school with an entrance in Hillsborough...