Piaf

That sounds a lovely idea! I'd like to come too If that's ok (we are not totally decided but I would love to meet some fellow local parents). Can't believe I have a school age child already... How did that happen?! Jude

We got DKH too (unsurprising given we live on the same street almost) and I liked it when I went round it. But, I am conscious that there is a new head and also that it feels like a very 'big' school... So I would be keen to hear about people's experiences too and also from others who have children who are starting there in September. We are slightly in two minds as what I yearn for is a real community school where my daughter would have lots of friends nearby and a school that has the ability to encourage and cater for all types... Like my slightly lacking in concentration but pretty creative child!

Hello... sorry to have been off radar. This being back at work malarkey a bit much. Really sad to be missing tonight's drinks - I am actually going out with Jennie (fellow spring baby and other half of nanny share) to ahem, "assess the nanny" - read drinks lots of wine. Really hope that i can make it out one of these days and lets do drinks again soon. Jude (and Maddie) x

Snow white here... Rapunzel was mooted but I put my foot down

For another day... I second the Museum of London (we used to live nearby and went there often) and also Greenwich. We make a trip of it by train to london bridge and then the boat (cut through from station near Hayes Galleria) to Greenwich. If you get bored of the Maritime museum & park, you could get the boat one stop further instead and go on the Cable Car. I would do the 360 there and back trip as the other side is a bit desolate but my kids love it. Plus you can then go and eat/drink by the Dome and get the tube one stop to Canada Water and then on overground home (all step free). I think we are going to try the Crown Jewels this weekend as I have a princess obsessed four yr old!

Thank you Sanity girl and Pripolla! I think she is getting a really good response and she will be taking all the donations out soon (and if anyone has old suitcases etc to help transport the items that would be welcome too)... The photos of the first deliveries are moving and uplifting Jude

Oh, look it did it for me!

This is an initiative set up by the 22 year old niece of a friend of mine who has been working for UNHCR in the Lebanon refugee camps where the children there have nothing and have and are facing bitterly cold conditions with no proper clothes, let alone toys and educational tools. I thought I would link to her newly established Facebook page as even if you can't donate cash, I know there are many on EDF, myself included, who have been looking to find a way of passing on unwanted baby clothes and toys etc to a good home. https://www.facebook.com/toysforrefugees Please have a look (and apologies but despite being vaguely technologically proficient I dont seem to be able to make the link 'live')

Hello! Once again been flat out at work. Maddie a bit under the weather so probably going to stay home with her tomorrow ... So, if I do and if she is on the mend I will try and make it to the clockhouse Hopefully next Thursday I can host with an all recovered Maddie! Jude and Maddie x

Our boiling water tap going strong but only in for about four months so far... There is a nack to it but it doesn't spit and water v clean: no concerns for baby bottles and her water. We didn't get the cheapest but nor did we opt for the priciest one. I love it. On flooring - we have dark engineered wood throughout (works with the underfloor heating in extension)which looks good with the white units but is also easy to keep clean.

We just did our kitchen (within a big build extension etc) and I found it really hard to plan a kitchen 'on paper' but overall we are really happy with it, especially - boiling water tap (for me the tea addict and also great for the baby bottles) - lots of deep pan drawers - one cupboard which has a shelf for your magi mix etc that pulls up to form another surface top with the mixer all plugged and ready to go - full size integrated freezer as well as fridge - induction hob that even I the non cook can use! - two ovens at higher height and one is also the microwave (so no clutter of work surface with kettle or microwave) Less good is the fact that we moved the worktop higher as husband (the cook) tall and as a result I can only just reach the middle shelf of wall units! Larder cupboard is great but we could do with two too. We went for a white quartz top with sparkly bits (not too bling honest) and it copes well with all we throw at it. Literally. Good luck: we lived on site the whole build during which I had baby no 2. We had a temporary kitchen in the sitting room which the builders made us using the old units. They also hooked up the washing machine too.

Sigh (again)... Been so flat out back at work. Miss our meets too I thought I could skive off tomorrow but sadly not. Next week I hope and would love to have those free round to mine Will keep you posted and think of me surrounded by work! Jude x

Boo hoo! So properly back at work and feeling very fed up that missing out on (regular) Thursday's with you all! Having said that I might be able to skive off next Thursday afternoon: maybe you guys could come round for tea? Have a lovely meet up on Thursday and you might meet Maddie and her lovely nanny at Beas or crooked well in the meantime Happy new year! Jude and Maddie x x

We have just finished (the main bit of) our house renovation and extension ... Five months during which time I had our second child in the midst of a building site! It's not fun and everything takes longer than you think (and costs more) but it is worth it. We moved in November 2012, had the architect round in December, planning permission by end jan and build started march. I would say that an architect (who you like) is pretty key as if it is all a bit new to you, as it was us, they can help put your back of an envelop ideas into a form that becomes more real. In the end our architect came up with some basic ideas which we then took the best bits of and then he added some good bits (glass floors etc!) - it was a joint project with us, him and our great builder and we are really happy with it. The architect's team Project managed but I would say you need to be hands on too and ready to make quick decisions and chivvy. Our architect was Matthew Wood of MWA architects - he lives locally and is v good with creating space and light. Have a look at his recent projects! Good luck and try not to rush things!

Sorry on my way bus just very late grrr

I will be there and prob not before three as m still asleep! Hope to see you Suzie - come! Jude x

So trying to do slightly earlier nap so can get to clockhouse for say 2.30ish (or earlier if nap fails!) - people still up for meeting? Nat, Suzie, Gloria, Bex, Victoria? Jude x

Just wondering what is still on for Christmas? Eg Bessemer grange stay and play or dulwich library rhyme time or whippersnappers... One of my last days of maternity leave and feel the need to take my 8 mth old to something for her, rather than Xmas shopping or coffee shops! Thanks in advance Jude

Hey, I am up for a meet: last before Christmas I guess and I too am back to work in January sigh so last regular meet up for me... I would prefer either morning meet or afternoon after two as am still working on the lunchtime nap! Clockhouse fine unless someone has somewhere better to suggest! X

I have a 4 yr old and 7 mth old. With my eldest I did a nanny share from ten mths until two when she went to nursery. I am doing the same with the baby. I think it is up to your individual feeling as I think no childcare solution (including parental!) is perfect but if you choose the right nanny/ childminder/ nursery the kids seem to adapt well to whichever you choose do long as they are getting lots of attention and affection. For me personally, I felt that a nanny in a home setting was best before two as they don't really need to 'socialise' before then rather they need some consistent input from one or two carers. The bonus of a nanny share was that it made it more affordable (similar to nursery) was more flexible and my daughter benefitted from having the other baby around... They went on to nursery together and are now best friends/ 'married'! We became v good friends with the other parents too. I am hoping my nanny share for no 2 will be the same Jude

See you soon ... Hope we all make it out in one piece! Jude (and no Maddie!) x

Sad to be missing the meet up today as at work but my new nanny, Bella, might pop by with Maddie! Hope that's ok and she is very nice Jude x

11 or after 2 good for me too but working tomorrow pag

Crooked well in Camberwell (nice gastro+ pub) does a relaxed session on a Tuesday morning - basically a good spot to have coffee and pastries with some other parents. Can be quiet or busy but I found everyone (me included) very happy to chat The Tippitoes class on a Thursday morning is good too though probably a bit wasted on an 8 wk old Watch with Baby at the Peckham Plex ona Thursday too... I ended up bumping in to two mums I knew from my 'other' work life Baby massage at the clockhouse with Laura (Murray Mints on this forum) a good class with tiny babies And as others have said: the relevant baby group on the EDF - I only moved here a few months before my second arrived and have made some lovely friends through spring babies Oh and as above; edtots website fab

Ladies Finally not working tomorrow! Current thinking is to either go to the cinema or less selfishly tippitoes in the morning. Then I wondered if a few wanted to come to mine in the afternoon around 2.30ish/3ish Cup a tea and a slice of cake maybe? Lots of space and toys.... perhaps text or pm me if fancy coming so I can give you my address! Jude and Maddie x