pebbles

Yes, my next door neighbour goes there. We're in-between Underhill and Goodrich

I too have had both my kids at home in pools and "loved" them. The one piece of advice I would give you though is be mentally prepared to go into hospital. My friends who have wanted home births and they haven't happened for whatever reason have really struggled mentally during and now after the birth. Sorry that this sounds negative but I think with all birth preparations, we have to be ready for all eventualities. Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Good luck and I pray it all goes smoothly. ps - my first home birth was with the East Team from Kings and they were truly wonderful.

Both my father and mother in law died before the kids were born. I've always told them that Grandpa Paul and Granny Annie are in the stars as they had died. When they started to ask what dying was I told them that they had become really really ill (not the sort of ill that we get with coughs and colds and medicine) and it means that they could no longer live on this world. I believe in Heaven (my husband doesn't) which is why we said stars however my Son now says Heaven off his own back and we haven't corrected him. I do find I have to be careful when talking about other people who are ill to make sure the kids don't think that anybody who is ill is going to die - if that makes sense. My father is cremated however my MIL is buried and we often go to her grave. The kids know that her body is still under ground but that her heart and soul are up in the stars/heaven. To be honest as it's just always been like this it's never been a big deal and they've never got upset about it or anything as it's just fact. I hope it all goes well with the explanation.

These have now been taken

I've just had my shopping delivery and they've delivered 2 packs of Pampers New Baby nappies by accident. I've spoken to them and they won't take them back so if anyone would like them for free please pm me. Thanks Sally

We had our 6 year olds party at home this year. 10 kids. I had pre warned the parents to dress them warmly and to bring a change of clothes as we had set up obstacle courses, football games etc etc outside and they spent just over an hour running around with Mr Pebbles and then they came in for hot chocolate and bday tea and i put a Christmas film on for them. It was a huge hit, very very cheap and definitely the way we will be going every year I think. Even though just the 2 of us it was surprisingly relaxing :)

ludo and snakes & ladders are the biggest hits in our household

I've got 2 tickets available for 3pm on Saturday. Pm me if you would like them

ha ha Otta - it couldn't clash more and i go into sweats thinking about it but love has to come before decor :)

My friend is reupholstering for me so she's keeping it until just before xmas and then I will hide it in my "workshop" where he knows he won't be able to go into. I can't wait to see his face :) My brothers are going to be very very jealous x

I'm reupholstering a big comfy chair with rugby shirts - England, Lions and Northampton Saints to look a bit like the attached I'm so excited about seeing his face as he will absolutely love it and is so different :)

I'm being asked by all members of family what would I like for Christmas and I just don't have a clue. Please give me some inspiration, what do you want for Christmas? Thanks x

Yes James - 07926 990 830 - Little Green Van & Man He's fab, has done a lot of moving for me both personal but also for my business. He's very careful, always on time and reasonably priced

Ha ha, the joy of our mothers wisdom :) I'm with her though, go straight for a single bed. It saves money and is no different except a little bigger. If you are worried about him falling out you can get things to stop him (we just turned the duvet around the other way and tucked it under the mattress which seemed to work). Good luck x

Ha ha ungleglen - we must have been in the same class together as I was also coming back from Rippledown that day with Dulwich Hamlet - I've pm'd you :)

I would also recommend the 30 Day Shred. My goodness it gets you sweaty and you can feel it but it's so quick. My daughter normally tries to do it with me. Well done you for losing the weight :)

No I'm pretty sure they can't. When they did the January intake it wouldn't have been allowed either as it's for younger children to start a bit later rather than older children to start earlier if that makes sense.

I agree that I find the norm is that people who were kids in London stay in London and if bought up in the country a lot of people feel the urge to have more space. I was brought up in Dulwich and am lucky to have my family still here and pretty much all my school friends are no more than 20 mins drive away. Therefore to me the thought of leaving Dulwich is just a no go area. My husband was brought up in Northamptonshire and came to London for work. However his hours are long and he would never see the kids or me if we lived out of London so luckily (for me) it's a no brainer staying around. I LOVE visiting friends who have made the move out and do get jealous of their space and relative freedom for their kids. prm - you asked about teenagers living in London. I'm 36 so safety has changed a lot. I was allowed to walk home from the pub or train station up until 11pm at night whereas I can't see that I will allow my children to walk alone as soon as it gets dark. I loved the fact I could walk to the pub and meet up with my school friends at the weekend. The fact that Central London is only 15 mins away for shopping, theatre, big cinemas, meeting up in Hyde Park to snog boys!!!! - it's wonderful having it all on your door step. BUT staying with friends the other day in the country the doorbell rang at 7pm and a 8 yr old boy was there asking if my nephew wanted to "play football" and off they went to the Green in front of all the houses. No parents were on watch but all the houses were in view. This just can't really happen in London!!! So..... I'm waffling as usual. My personal opinion stay stay stay :)

I'd also like to recommend Juggling Joolz. We have just had her for our daughter's 4th birthday and she was fab. She kept 15 kids entertained the whole time and I've already had 2 emails from mums asking for her details as their children came home raving. She's fab :)

Ha ha ha so glad you started this Otta. My tummy has been hurting since yesterday when I read it :) HYSTERICAL :)

My fabulous cleaning lady now has vacancies so I just wanted to let you know. She is just great and goes the extra mile. She also babysits and is great with the kids if they're around. Please pm me for details x

I have 2 (6 and 4) and they get themselves dressed before going downstairs (when this didn't happen was when the stress occurred in my house). As soon as they have finished breakfast they brush teeth (kept in the downstairs loo) and put shoes on while I pack the car. We then go. Sometimes this means we're early to school but then I just read them books until it's time to go in and other times it gets us there on time. I did use to allow tv but it made for arguments so I stopped that. It's definitely the getting dressed before going downstairs that makes a difference to us. Oh yes - I also shower at night and I don't wear makeup so that helps my getting up routine take about 1 minute!!!! Good luck and I really hope that things improve xx

I agree with Trinity. My little one will be doing it at year as well and from what I've heard they are looking for kids who are eager to take part in whatever is on offer - singing, puzzles, lego, building blocks etc Phonic recognition is there but not a must (I know a lot of girls who have got in who haven't been able to write their name etc). Basically the only thing I will be helping my little girl with is leaving me and being willing to go in and play - everything else is up in the air :)

A friend of mine got one at Sainsbury's. She ignored it. Had a few threatening letters but then they left her alone. I think they assume people will back down after threatening letter. Good luck :)

I'm a culler :) Always behind their backs and they never notice :) The lovely wooden stuff or things that are timeless (like duplo, jigsaws, classic books, building blocks etc) I keep up in our attic for the Grandkids!!! (just like my Mummy has done) and then the other stuff I either give to charity or to a dear friend who really appreciates the help. I actually did a cull this morning and I feel so much more relaxed now - and also i know the kids play easier when there's less to choose from - if that makes sense? re storage in their bedrooms - why don't you buy a good solid bookcase (from edf, gumtree or ebay) - a lot cheaper than modern stuff and a lot better made, and then give it a lick of paint so it looks beautiful in her room (Annie Sloan paint is very easy as there's no preparation needed and it dries in 30 mins) and then you can have baskets etc to store her different toys? Am looking forward to hearing everyone elses ideas as I'm ok for my boys room but i haven't got great storage for my daughters bedroom Good luck x