pebbles

We love Thai so think we'll definitely try there and arrive early so we're not rushed too much. Thank so much for the advice x

oooo tell me Gidget - any recommendations?

We're going to cinema on Saturday night (to see the new Bond movie - very very excited) and I wanted to eat first but I can't for the life of me find out how I can book a table at the Ritzy and I really don't want to phone the 0870 number for the box office. Does anyone know whether I can actually book a table to eat (and if so how i do it) or whether it's first come first served. Thanks xx

ooooo i know, Grandpa gave him a lovely wooden garage from i think GLTC and some cars. He's now 5 and he still plays with it

Has he got a scooter yet? That was our sons main bday present at 2 i'll wrack my brains and get back to you :)

Yup Elm Lodge is great. I was with them since I was very young as well and then gutted to leave when i was pregnant and moved away from HH to ED - i miss them!!!

Absolutely

Unfortunately my children are now at school and nursery every morning however I just want to say I think it's a great idea. I thought Cheeky's C's was by far and away my favourite activity - and I've been to a lot in my 5 years as a mum. I pray you start getting more people xxx

Hi midivydale and spanners45 - so 2 years ago i was where you are now and this thread was invaluable. I loved being a Mummy but I had no faith in myself My children are now 5 and 3 and are at school and nursery and I have met some true lifelong friends from the EDF (one of whom i was drunk with tonight - ha ha and you both know her!!!). I'm still overweight but am making great losses and am definitely feeling more confident about myself (it's been a long old journey though!) I'm still a SAHM however literally in the last few days am starting up a little business (i'll let you all know once it's up and running cos i'll need your support) but i can't tell you how excited i am. I'm buzzing, i'm using my brain and imagination and although it won't pay the mortgage and probably not even birthday presents it will still pay for ice creams in the park and that's seriously exciting!!! So I suppose what i'm trying to say is please please continue with saying hello to strangers at playgroups, it was truly amazing when this thread first came out and gave us all a little bit of confidence that we were perhaps lacking due to being tied, carrying baby weight and feeling a bit scared!!! There is a light i promise you and life does get easier (but it's very easy for me to say this, but please trust me it's true). Although i'm kind of out of that tunnel i honestly would love to meet anyone who's struggling and needs a friendly face and cuddle - just pm me and i'm yours (not literally obviously!!!) and yet again, i'm posting while drunk - when will i learn :) xxx

Just to confirm what Saffron said about them getting it from anywhere and also for you all to have a giggle on a Sat morning A few weeks ago my friend was listening to Woman's Hour quite quietly while cooking and kids were playing around her when suddenly her 4 year old son asked "Mummy, what's a designer vagina". She won't be listening to WH again ha ha ha

I 2nd paraphernalia. I've bought a few bags from them and a hat for a wedding and they're lovely and have lovely stuff so definitely worth giving them a go?

Ditto Jacks50 and Pickle - fine for 1st so continued with 2nd

I pay mine ?45. She charges the same for siblings (well actually i only know she charges the same for twins so not sure about different aged siblings)

We live on Friern Road and around us quite a few of the houses have been divided into 2 flats and the top flat has got a roof terrace and stair case leading to their half of the garden. I suppose I do notice them but only as much as I would notice if they were in the garden (all our fences are half height) and I think it's so important that people can have outdoor space if possible that it probably outweighs any lack of privacy. Fingers crossed you have understanding neighbours.

Having had a very social summer where I put on a stone I went back on Wednesday and am counting and exercising with avengence. We can do it. Ill check back in on Wed

Hi ecg I had a home birth with East Team for my first child. It was a last minute decision so I maybe met them 4 days before he was born (however he was 3 weeks early) and they came round to my house and had a chat and left a box of goodies at my place that they'd need for the birth. I was very lucky in that I had a quick easy labour (well as easy as labour gets) and they were fab. One midwife came and checked me and when she realised things were moving along quickly and I told her I wanted to give birth in the pool she quickly got another midwife to join her (there needs to be 2 midwives for a water birth) and they stayed with me until feeding was going well and we were comfortable. Couldn't recommend them high enough. Didn't have them for 2nd home birth as we had moved to ED (from Herne Hill) and I was lucky enough to be in the Oakwood midwives practice. Good luck and I hope you have as easy a labour as possible. If you have any other questions please just ask. Sally

I 2nd the groclock. We introduced at about 2 1/2 with our eldest son and although there have been blips he pretty much stays quiet until it turns yellow. He's now 5 and I would say only n the last year has he played in the morning rather than just staring at the clock. When he couldn't reach the light switch we gave him a side light. He has a tool box of Lego and playmobil that lives next to his bed and that's what he plays with. We gave our daughter a Gro clock at same age and we set it 15 mins earlier so that when she wakes she goes downstairs to play with her brother and then when his clock goes yellow they are allowed to come out. During week they come to our bedroom and at weekends they now go downstairs and eldest knows how to work tv so we get a bit of a lie in. It all seems hunky dory from this but there are blips like when they hurt each other or when no2 needed a wee before she could do it herself etc etc but our saviour has been the groclock.

We test ran ours 4 weeks before I gave birth and so when we did our test I ended up spending the evening in it watching tv (it was in our sitting room) and I loved it so much that every night after that my husband would come in from work and i'd be sitting in my birthing pool watching tv - literally every night until i gave birth. My back was in such agony by then that this was pure unadulterated bliss :) So in answer, yes always good to give it a trial so you know how long it'll take etc but also - make the most of having an enormous bath in your living room :) Good luck with your birth

Do you have a cleaning lady that you and the children like? We've had the same cleaning lady throughout the kids lives so they know her well and so it was very easy that she became our babysitting choice for day and night times.

thanks standswithfist - kids are in bed and i know what I'll be doing this lunch :)

OK I know this sounds silly and i know i can find the answer if i search but easier to ask you all :) How do I go about finding people in the first place - obviously apart from the friends who i know their twitter names? How do i search for local stuff etc? Thanks

Oooo, so I'm on FB and love it for keeping in touch with friends/family who live far away and seeing people's pictures etc Am not on twitter however having read what some of you use it for it sounds quite cool. Can anyone give me a dummy's guide to using twitter and how to find like minded people etc - I know nothing :) Thanks

signed

thanks nunheadmum - good thought about the lights not working if too bright. think that's why i want a clock cos obviously it's going to be so light compared to normal i need them to know it's not waking up time!!!! does your clockwork bunny one work on batteries? if so would really really love to borrow it. i can pick up day or night until monday.

I wonder if anyone would lend me a battery operated bunny clock (or similar) in return for a gro clock (same things but the sun comes out when it's morning rather than the bunny) which is only mains operated). We are going camping next Monday 20th for 4 nights and have only just realised that my sons gro clock is only mains operated. We are lucky enough to get lie ins with this clock so would really really like to take one with us :) I can pick up and drop off at any time this weekend and would forever be grateful. Thanks in advance