bluesuperted

They are amazing. So much better than gas, nothing like electric or ceramic hobs. Faster, cheaper (to run), cleaner, safer... We have an induction rangemaster and it's brilliant. Loads of control, heats up really quickly (we just replaced a broken electric kettle with a hob top one to make most of this. They are brilliant, wouldn't go back. Only negative (tiny) is that they take a bit of getting used to how quickly they heat up and make a very tiny humming noise. Would never choose gas again!!

Canela we did the same, now have two fab sleepers. Loved every second too. Holding sleeping baby or slinging sleeping baby is one of the best things about being a mother (or father), full stop. Doing the drowsy think clearly does work for some but causes undue anxiety for so many more new mums.

Thanks Mellors and boo hoo, I think I'm more excited about Wells jets than my two are!!

Excellent service from Steve, mending our ageing washing machine - he really knows his stuff! Excellent local expert who has sorted various fridge, dishwasher and washing machine emergencies for us over the past few years. His call out fee is good value and IMO it's always worth trying him to see if he can fix your appliance before shell out mega bucks for a new one. Highly recommended!

We have just had bespoke fitted wardrobes in our loft bedroom, we used local carpenter Greg who was excellent and I think this works out much cheaper (and IMO nicer) than using one of the companies listed above. Greg's number is: 07949 640999. He's very talented, good value and a very nice chap!

Love this thread! Mariamadeit - talk to Margaret at Rear Facing Toddlers, she has a rear-facing car seat solution for anything. Several people on here have sorted car seats for three kids through her...

Wow this is such a nightmare, poor you and your son. Thank goodness he was safely found and the nursery alerted to their negligence...

Not quite the same but the Sing! app is really great!

Yes did think it would be an option for a kinder time for your poor boobs! Although given what you've been through I'm surprised you're wearing any tops at all, brave lady! Xx

Not massively helpful to your specific question, but this time I decided I couldn't be arsed with BF tops at all and I feed over the top, while babies head was small/I was expecting milk coming back out I used a muslin to drape over me/them but as babies head got bigger (and me bolder ;) I just whack the boob out v quickly over the top, latch on and then hide it away as soon as possible once feed over. For me this is much more preferable to revealing belly and this strategy means dresses are back on the agenda, especially good at this time of year!

Hall Place interactive room has some dressing up stuff (masks, hats) but is also really interesting from an 'olden times' perspective - the building itself, displays, toys, drawers to open etc. The Quentin Blake exhibit is nice too.

Have raved about Janusz of JT Enterprises on here many times but we moved with them a year ago and they were superb. Wherever we move to next we will be using them, their speed, expertise, calmness, courtesy and care was second to none and their pack/move service literally saved our sanity over a period of two days when we weren't even sure we would be exchanging or completing (ended up doing both on the same moving day, within a few hours). Excellent, excellent team.

Great to hear about the ERF success stories, it really seems that there is always a solution even with very small age gaps and more than 2 kids. Yes Undiscovered I agree, I sit in the back all the time, for my sins, and it's actually fine! I do look like a total loon getting in and out but keeps me supple! Also good to hear about your formerly FF daughter being fine turning to RF, I think as long as they are comfy and have a good view most kids simply wouldn't find it an issue; lots of people imagine kids in tiny group 0 seats at age 3 and that is just not the situation at all!

We have slugs and snails in our garden (3yo son loves snails so they are very welcome) but neither go on the grass. Occasionally there is bird poo which we wipe or hose off, hosing is very easy. Imagine sap would be similar but might be worth asking suppliers, expect would be easier to remove from slabs. Also we went for the 'long pile' look and the grass is thick; my son's school-to-be has just put a huge expanse of shorter pile fake grass in half of their huge playground and it looks amazing. 10x better than concrete and makes the front of the school look so bright and welcoming, thought I would mention as example of probably a cheaper shorter 'pile' that looks great in a really big space.

[email protected] is contact, Hitech Turf not lawn, sorry.

Hi there We have artificial grass in our small garden. It was expensive and I wasn't sure when my husband suggested it BUT godsend is the right word!!! Any weather can be garden weather, for a small (max 25ft garden, partially decked) over exposed garden it's been brilliant and transformed the space, feels lovely underfoot, only gets wet so no mud and looks brilliant year round. We even hoovered it last week, oh the shame but it looked fab afterwards! Everyone I know who has it loves it and lots of friends with kids are thinking of getting it having seen ours. We got a few quotes and Easigrass was too high plus they recommended the extra padding thingy which I really don't think is necessary, it's already v bouncy. We went with Hitech lawn, much more reasonable and dealt with Simon, he did us a good price and we used Guy Daubney to fit it via Simon, Guy had done plastering for us previously so we already knew he was good. Yes there is a join but it's a small price to pay! We chose the luxury option with brown bits in, gives it a more realistic look. Have attached a pic, would definitely get again and for a bigger space think it would work just as well.

We asked for mornings, got afternoons and I have loved it. Baby was 7 months when big brother started so has always slept through his session meaning (now only sleeps then having dropped her morning nap at around 12m). I do usually get a break which has been brilliant for me (chance to email, work, relax etc). We tend to do local morning activities every other day - although didn't do much at all to begin with as 3yo was too shattered. We are 5 mins walk away so I think that does make a difference. We also do post nursery playdate once or twice a week, any more would be too tiring I think.

Yes there is a similar scenario around Redland Green secondary in Bristol - you have to continue living in the area of first or second priority (which I think is a bit wider than the actual catchment) to get a sibling in... Seems fair but like Smiler says it REALLY adds a housing premium to a finite number of streets.

Agree with Redjam too, if he loves the single buggy go with it. I hardly used a buggy at all (I bought a Bee for my toddler when pregnant) with my two (2.7m gap). In fact my 13mo has never been in one, she still loves the sling (Manduca mainly) so would say the sky's the limit in terms of how long you can sling your youngest! Now my eldest is 3.8 I only use the buggy if we are walking for ages, otherwise he walks or scoots. Only problem is I resemble a packhorse but I'm used to that after years of constant slinging!!

Yvi - I may be about a year out of date but have heard that St Mary Magdalene's is a really, really good school, I used to live nearby but not close enough to get in but knew two totally separate parents who raved about it and said it's very small and nurturing. I would definitely look into it before making your final decision, I'm very surprised you would have been offered it but maybe things have changed or they are taking a bulge - I always thought it was only one form entry... Just a thought!

Thank you Fuschia have wanted to go for ages. It's my husband's birthday tomorrow and we are tossing up between this, Bodiam or Hever castle for a fun day out for all of us. Any recent thoughts or comparisons very welcome! We did Leeds castle a few weeks ago and had a lovely time.

I too became a fan when she stood up to Katie Hopkins and alerted many to the reality of Attachment Parenting (a teenager I met at a Christmas party asked me if I was an AP parent because she had seen Peaches' defense and been impressed and joined dots seeing me breastfeed baby in sling). Felt sick to my core when I heard the news, those poor babies, not quite 2 and not quite 1. This tribute by Sarah Ockwell Smith is good: http://www.bestdaily.co.uk/your-life/news/a563177/peaches-parenting-style-has-given-her-boys-the-best-start.html but it just breaks my heart to think of those boys wondering where on earth their mummy has gone. Touches a raw nerve in mothers/fathers as dying ourselves never seemed so terrifying as it does now you know who you'd be leaving behind...

Scadbury nature reserve is not too far. Not woods but the Rookery on Streatham common is nice. We are going to Box Hill in a few weeks and I can't wait, looks wonderful but much further afield. Farther away we also love Ashdown Forest...

Please can someone PM me the FB link as I want to pass it onto a first time mum who just moved to West Dulwich. Much appreciated!

'Impassioned plea' suggests subjective not objective medium of expression. Saffron I agree with you re creativity in academia too, my supervisor (scientist) is incredibly creative/dynamic and that's what makes her so fantastic. Here's the TED talks: There is also a beautifully animated version, similar content: