Belle

I'm sure I've seen people using these around here - does anyone have one? Like this: http://www.boxcycles.com/ I can't decide if it's crazy or a genius idea! If you have one/have ever used one, let me know what you think of it... thanks!

If so would love to make contact, my son has just been offered a place starting in September and we're going for it - but we live in East Dulwich and don't know anyone who currently goes to school there. Would love to arrange a few picnics/playdates over the summer if possible.

Yep, I think it's great and not too pricey, informative lady was great and not at all pushy. Wine bar wd be a great idea for when (if) cinema opens!

We got the low ("shorty") ones from here: http://www.pine-design.co.uk/ Bought mattresses separately. Very reasonable and good, simple design/build. If I were going for something fancier, I always liked the Aspace ones: http://www.aspace.co.uk/beds/bunk_beds/coco_bunk-3322.htm I think you can pay extra for assembly which is VERY appealing! We had these in a holiday house we rented at Easter and I can vouch for them - very sturdy and comfy. Both the ones we have and the Aspace ones are not separable though so I guess it depends if you want them to be used as two singles at some point?

Just to add, I haven't spoken to mine while I've been away, but have kept in touch with my husband/mum/mum in law for updates. That's just us, and I know lots of people skype/facetime their kids when they're away. The last time I went away with my mum, it turned out (found out on return) that my oldest had had a tummy bug - my husband thoughtfully didn't share this with me as he knew I'd just worry (and not be able to do anything!). My son was fine, but I was grateful to have been kept in the dark!

Awww. I think I'm a bit of a mean mummy because I don't mind leaving them at all! Well that's not quite true but I do it quite happily. Let me see... have had a number of one nighters away from both of them. Then have had 2 birthday weekends (2 nights each) away from them. And have twice been away for 3 nights (with my mum, so leaving them with my husband - which is a different feeling somehow than when we leave them with grandparent) to see my brother who lives abroad. It went really well each time. I thought about them of course but it was just so refreshing to have time off, and of course it meant I was full of the joys when we were reunited! I would say that it's oddly slightly harder now they are older, I suppose they are their own little people know and you notice the absence of what they'd do in a certain situation etc (mine are the same age as yours). Each time, my oldest was very excited to see me/us on return, youngest was oblivious! From what I've been told they have been absolutely fine and not upset. Will you get much of a break while you are away? As I guess that's what made it so appealing to me!

Don't get sucked into the fairground type games...I spent nearly a tenner trying to win my son a big stuffed angry bird (like a mug), they are undoubtedly rigged! We said at the start that my oldest cd choose something in the lego shop at the end. This worked remarkably well (he was 4.5 at the time) - to the extent that I had to persuade him he could have an ice cream without forfeiting lego! But yes, they do find ways to get ?s out of you everywhere...so for e.g., the rides that get you wet have full body driers outside - at a cost - or ponchos you can buy on the way in. The most basic level of Q-Bot sufficed for us, but then I was surprised that my 4 yr old didn't want to go on all of the rides. My not quite 2 year old was too young/small for most things so I would say your kids are good ages for it. I think there is a huge mumsnet thread on this btw. Oh and re the hotel, it has a good playground right next to it which we found fairly quiet and good for a bit of down-time. We actually didn't bother going into the water play though we did walk by to check it out. There is basically way more than a day's worth to do in the whole place, so it's good to have a vague idea of what your planned trajectory is going in.

Thank you!! Brilliant brilliant ideas. And lots of good freebie/cheap ideas too. This is good in general not just for his recuperation, so thank you!

Love that quote Simonethebeaver!! So true.

Hi Knomester, you sound like you have had a terrible time. Just to say that it's great, as you say, to be mentally prepared to make the switch. I found that once I'd decided that's what I was doing , it was like a weight off my shoulders, because I knew I could just get on with other things! Sounds like you have had plenty of bottle feeding advice but shout if you need any...I bottle fed my first after a couple of weeks, and my second I mix fed at first then switched to bottle about 4 weeks in. I'm prob a bit out of date now (youngest is 2.8yrs) but happy to help if I can! One thing I found with #1 was that we moved up the teat sizes very quickly, I think the age indication is just a guideline. There is a lot of info out there on forums etc if you need it. I'm so impressed with the ready made bottles with teats - didn't have those first time around, just the fiddly cartons. My mantra was to al ways be prepared and go out with an extra carton or two in my changebag. Anyway, a bit rambly but really just saying, poor you and hope things get a lot better now.

Ruskin Park - v short bus ride away, next to Kings - good playground and paddling pool in the summer.

I'm going to check with the surgeon what the limitations are in terms of going out and about - you're right Redjam, museums could be good esp as it'll be a rare chance to go on a school day. I def need to explore iPad apps too, he tends to just play angry birds on ours.

Ooh brilliant ideas all! Thanks - there's whole new worlds of internet stuff here I can browse :) Sadly just remembered that water play will be out - even bathing with his little brother for a while as can't risk any splashing.

Sorry, should have said: 5.5 yrs. Den thing he would be really into, good idea!

My son has to have 2 weeks off school soon to recover from an operation. It's an ear operation so he'll have to avoid anything noisy, so no cinema, plus obviously swimming (and any contact sport) is out for a few months. He's very very energetic so I am dreading this period of enforced quiet time. Any ideas on how we'll entertain him welcome. We both work so are dividing up the time off - I'm guessing my hsuband may use the time to teach him a bit about the rules of cricket and or/football using television as a guide... ;) But so far my other ideas extend to: - introduce him to Minecraft - maybe buy the app as a present for after he has the op - Work out a plan of crafting type activities over the course of the 2 weeks (he really likes drawing & painting, making stuff etc) - lego (loves building stuff) - some new books (liking the Secret Seven books, thanks McDonalds...) Any other ideas, preferably cheap/free ones?? I'm conscious he's going to get really frustrated but we have to be careful as any sudden movements (even sneezing, argh - has hayfever!) have to be avoided while the ear is fragile. thanks!

snowboarder Wrote: Also I am > very untidy - quite often things get taken off the > kids downstairs - chucked in the utility room, > washed and dried and they go straight back on > without ever making it upstairs.... (should I > admit this?!?) This is normal in our house! And re the post above - nope, don't iron any school clothes here... We have our washing machine & tumble drier in the basemewnt which works fairly well. Although the dry stuff does often end up in the spare room if it needs an extra airing, so that can be annoying. It does mean that this sketch from the brilliant Parenting, Illustrated by Crappy Pictures blog is a good representation of what happens when I disappear to put a wash on though.

We have this to, my 2.8yrold doesn't have a set nap anymore but sometimes nods off in the buggy (esp on school run, gah!) and he is a little fury when he wakes up. Sometimes it's short-lived, other times takes an hour to stop. I find it makes no difference if I wake him or he wakes up naturally. Second the snack thing and just letting them come to, also recently I've had some success tickling (!) to cheer him up.

Does anyone know if the cafe there opens during the week (well, tomorrow in particular!)? My sons are keen on lunch there but can only remember seeing it open at weekends.

It probably depends on the child. I have a feeling if I tried this, I'd come out to find my 2 had convinced a passerby they were trapped!

We have it, not sure if it's engineered or not, but it's pretty dark so doesn't show dirt etc noticeably at all. the denting /marking thing is more of an issue in the sitting room area, but that's more down to us being careless and/or not using those felt pads under chair legs etc.

It might alleviate pressure on Goose Green too.

I'm not on this street so can't help on that score, but it occurred to me that you might not be far from the new Harris primary school? It's going to move from temporary accommodation to the site of the old police station (whately rd) next year, I think - though there are others on here who know much more about it.

Pretty sure magic moments takes younger aged children, maybe 18mths up? if you do a search on here there'll be a number.

Buds do exactly those hours, and might have space esp if you're not bothered w hich days. My favourite nursery stipulate a minimum of 4 sessions, so if you're only looking for a couple of mornings it may not suit you. There's also Magic Moments up in the Lordship Lane estate - but they are shorter mornings - comes highly recommended on here and is quite reasonably priced I believe.

LD929 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Does anyone understand this? > > http://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatc > hing.html?prop=35938543&sale=999133&country=englan > d I wonder if the pressure on school places is a factor in prices on roads like Goodrich? Agents definitely always plug the 'in catchment of good local schools' line even though it's pretty hard to guarantee unless you're very very close.