snowboarder

Sorry this may be completely irrelevant as I do not have 3 children - I only have 2, and I suppose you always ultimately have to end up happy with what you have. Anyway, we seriously considered having a third when my youngest was 13/14 months so we would have a similar 2 year age gap, and decided to go for it. Unfortunately things don't always work out the way you plan, and various set backs and miscarriages later we decided enough and to enjoy our two boys. They are now 4 and 6, it's brilliant and noisy and crazy so god only knows what a third would be like! We fit in our car and in hotel rooms and can just afford flights and holidays, the boys are great buddies (and boxing partners!) and I feel like life has really moved on. I know it's not the same but when one of them has a friend round the dynamic of three is totally different. I went back to work shortly after things not working out and childcare (now only school wraparound) has been just about manageable - and whilst clearly I feel sad in theory for the baby that didn't make it, I also sometimes think maybe, just maybe, we are just right with two, and that was how it is meant to be. So I suppose I'm saying absolutely go for it, but also that surviving with 'just' two boys is hard work, they are pretty full on but also a really cool pair!!

Junior quells, openable window, forward facing....and a large tupperware and muslin!

But surely you'll be there yourselves at half term mellors!! (Not jealous at all...😀)

Hi - a bit of advice please! We are seasoned ski/snowboarders (umm, as the user name might suggest!!) but since having children have gone as an extended family with the grandparents, staying in a private (ie just us) catered chalet in france. Next year it will just be the four of us and we're trying to decide what would be best. Options seem to be a family room in a catered chalet, a self catered apartment (worried we might be a bit bored/lonely and hard work!!) or maybe a hotel? Has anyone been to a kinder-hotel? Recommendations? A bit of childcare would be nice as would the opportunity for our boys to make some friends! I always find for catered chalets you need to book about a year in sdvance (so now for half term next year!). Oh - also - budget fairly limited and probably won't stretch to Mark Warner/esprit kind of prices! Any thoughts and specific hotel/holiday company recommendations would be great! (Annual summer holiday thread to follow too!)

Ha great minds!! I've been looking at this company poss for Z - you hire a hall and they come to you with all the kit! I think a few of the soft play places do it too - maybe gambados? http://www.nerfgunparties.co.uk/index.htm

Yep - it's a lot of fun!

Having long had negative preconceptions about grown ups on scooters, I've recently bought one to help speed up my daily commute (which involved a couple of fairly long walks either side of stations), and to have a bit of fun at the park with my two now very quick children. It's a pretty cool bit of kit - more like a bike - and I've also actually discovered that scooting is more of a work out than you think!! Anyway - I just thought I'd mention it as the company is recently having a kickstarter campaign which ends tomorrow - they have said they will honour all orders even if they don't reach their target. I have nothing to do with the company but the ethic appeals to me - the two owners are a couple with kids in Manchester and the scooters (I know they are not cheap!) are made in the UK. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/swiftyscooters/swiftyone-premium-folding-scooter-for-adults?ref=nav_search

I did have one. I wouldn't really recommend it tbh - it was expensive, it made the buggy really weird to push (we had a MB Urban and a duet) and it was pretty rubbish as a scooter as it didn't (this might have changed) use the micro scooter like learn to turn method. If you can try before you buy I would....

The S max does. The titanium sport version is cool....

We used to have an octavia vrs. It was great - speedy and big boot and easy to drive - it didn't feel like s big car. But we only have two children. The space between our two quite large high back boosters was tight when we had to carry a third child - I'd check you can get three car seats in first. We now have a galaxy which is huge!!

Oh yes we had a Jedi come to my sons 4th birthday last year...from nutty's parties - he was good! http://www.nuttyschildrensparties.co.uk/

You know, I'd almost forgotten but my eldest was a bit of a horror when his little brother was born (he was 22m). I can remember having to try and surreptitiously feed the baby and always did a massive feed whilst he was napping. Now it has improved in that they are pretty close - but they still fight all the time! They don't really dislike each other but it's almost like fighting is their way of playing. It's wearing but bearable (just) - they are now 6 and 4. I think I just went along with it, made a fuss of the baby when the eldest was at pre school and made a fuss of the eldest when he was home. And just tried to keep the baby as safe as possible....pretty soon the youngest started fughting back and he's pretty fearsome....he had to be!

My 6 year old started ukulele (small and only four strings) lessons part way through year one. He got the idea pretty quickly but we were a bit rubbish at practising so probably didn't make the most of it. He had lessons at school with someone from the Bromley Youth music trust (we are in Bromley!) who came in once a week. It was about ?100 for a term of 15 minute lessons. Have stopped now as he's started a new school and too much going on, but if you play yourself I reckon that will be s huge advantage - I don't have a clue!

I think (not totally sure) that the height of the handlebars on the maxi at the lowest setting is the same as the mini? It's just a bit heavier (and therefore studier!). We had exactly this situation and my eldest got his maxi at 4.

Leggings work well. Boys in leggings are super cute and they are great for crawling! Also check out frugi - organic clothes with generous bottoms! https://www.welovefrugi.com/m

We love Puerto Pollensa but I have to say have struggled with finding great accommodation there. There are loads of lovely villas in Pollensa town itself and the countryside around, but the accommodation in the seaside town near the Pine walk seems to be either private apartments or package holiday studios - or fairly expensive hotels. We did find an ok private apartment through the http://www.puertopollensa.com/ website and there are some with pools.... Or the lovely beach houses on the Pine Walk!

Come and see us in the 'country'!!

We use kids kwells for the car - they seem to work.

Rene at Neighbourhood Midwives is just amazing - http://www.neighbourhoodmidwives.org.uk/our-midwives She helped us with our second baby and she is great.

I think the imaginex range is a bit better for younger ones than playmobil - it's less intricate and a sturdier. All our playmobil stuff has been scattered and lost ;boys 4 and 6) but the imaginex sets are mostly still complete! I know you said no superheroes but my two like the batman sets and they are quite fun. You can build on them and add more so it's quite easy to start with basics and see if he likes them. We also have forts/castles/pirate ships/endless Lego....

I always thought these looked good - with a grass roof... http://www.brightonbikesheds.com

I think we've found one called Bob via London Campervans in Streathan....I'm very excited!!

Mousses is fab but I don't think you'd do it for ?750. We stayed here with our then 14 month old - http://www.padre-aviles.com/reviews/reviews.htm - it was great, and flights to Malaga are pretty cheap and plentiful.

Not bothered by cute/vintage - in fact I probably would prefer a more modern one! Really tempted, but we just invested in a new tent so maybe need to spend time doing our research. I love our tent but it's hard work for a weekend trip!

Has anyone hired one for a weekend? We are keen to try one out this summer but it seems really expensive to hire them (?450 for three nights!), so just posting for any experiences really. After having to pack our tent up in the pouring rain recently I'm keen to see what van camping is like!