ladywotlunches

"gotten" - that's surely not proper english? :) Also just wanted to say that my comments aren't racially motivated either. Having been brought up down here in the south, I would feel the same if my kids were to start pronouncing 'bath' instead of 'bahth', and 'dance' instead of 'dahnce'. And I have northern friends who are equally horrified that their London offspring use the long vowel sound!

Yep, vanilla sponge.

A is on a micro scooter now. We got the one with the attachment with ride on seat, which is meant to go up to 3. She's had that since Xmas though so now we've taken the seat off and she's on the 'o bar' which is shorter than the main 't bar' and easier to grip. She loves whizzing round the park on it. I think you can buy the smaller attachments separately - and also new 'decks' so he could have a boys colour one (and the decks themselves sell on ebay second hand so the pink needn't go to waste).

I made a lion cake for E's first birthday a few years ago. Not specifically Raa Raa (never seen it!) but it might help? All icing was buttercream as I thought that would be easier to remove for my precious first born who would never touch such evils as sugar :) Pic attached. Whiskers were spaghetti, eyes extra strong mints and smarties, and a quarter of a giant button for the nose. The cake was in a book my sister in law leant me which was Australian Women's weekly party cakes.

Don't know why, I think its just the 'power' of marketing. They spend more on ads for Aptimil, so have to make it back in the price. I discovered the same thing when my LO was younger. Switched to C&G as did several of my friends. No ill effects whatsoever (and a little bit more cash to spend on a coffee ;-) )

Seems it may not just be Right-wing political ideals that have led to teachers becoming unhappy. There's a massive teacher's strike in Chicago http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/10/usa-chicago-schools-idUSL1E8KA3HY20120910 at the moment and THEY are blaming Obama, who in theory (and I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of US politics) as a Democrat is on the same 'side' as Labour. As ever, the American Dream sees private alternatives springing up, and older pupils are taking online schooling http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/onepercent/2012/09/chicago-students-go-online-as.html. Hmm, as striking isn't going to solve anything here either, perhaps there's a business opportunity to be had ...? ;-)

Yes, powder would be as bad if swallowed, but I think perhaps it doesn't look so attractive as the bright coloured gels, and is less concentrated if a little one were to taste it (they would get less in their mouth before realising it tasted nasty). As to the effectiveness of powder, I think there was something on the family room about it last year. Liquids aren't as good as removing body fats etc (sorry for the 'yewwww' factor) from the sides of the machine, and therefore it can lead to more bacteria. People who have been using liquids and notice a funny smell from their machine find it goes if they start using powder. Which? did a survey showing powder is slightly more effective too: http://conversation.which.co.uk/energy-home/liquid-gel-powder-laundry-detergents-tested/ I keep my detergent in the laundry cupboard, on a worktop height shelf above the machine. Too high for my 2 year old to reach for the moment (Even my 6 year old would have trouble))

Liquitabs are no good for your washing machine/dishwasher anyway. Powder is way more effective. If you've got under two's, switch to the powder, get better washing AND peace of mind! :)

Sorry, I've got to say 'No' to strikes. I support teachers totally, good ones are worth their weight in gold. BUT the country is in a hole, we have to get ourselves out of it, which means everyone pulling together. My husband is in the private sector and hasn't had a payrise since 2007. I was made redundant in 2007 also and as a result my nice final salary pension is no more, I have to cough up myself when I am working. If there's no money, striking isn't going to change things. Or we'll end up like Greece. Kalispera!

We have had the same happen before. The design of the vespa isn't a flaw in my opinion though - because the fuel pipe can be pulled out and put back in, *all* it means is that you lose the fuel. If they have to cut through the pipe to nick the petrol (which they will do) - then you've got to pay for a new fuel line too. Which after multiple thefts, will get expensive. Cheap CCTV camera and sign informing the perpetrators they are on film seems the most effective deterrent. And at least them you have more for the police to go on when you report it.

The Gardens surgery is brilliant. Have had two children and been under their care for both. A great baby clinic, Penny, the lady who runs that is fantastic! The catchment for the Gardens is VERY strict (which is probably why they have less problems with appointments etc, I think they keep their patient list more manageable) so you will need to call them, tell them the road you live in and they will let you know if you're in their area. Good luck!

This was fantastic. We got there for 10am, there was a bit of a queue but we were on the 'henge' by twenty past. Difficult to get my two off though, and to convince them that no, they couldn't go to the end of the queue and go again! There was a really lovely atmosphere in the park too, the playground was buzzing and the kids loved playing in the muddy puddles brought by such variable weather that we've been having lately. Shame the end of our trip was marred slightly, as the driver in the VW Touran parked next to us had found it impossible to open their door without slamming it into the side of my car, despite me having parked in the corner, as far to the kerb as I possibly could have been to give them plenty of room. Nice little dent and the paint scraped off, so it must have been a pretty hard whack. Why don't people bother taking any care at all in car parks nowadays? I got the reg number - as it is a council car park can anyone do anything, do you think?

Not yet - and the latest info is that it will be 4 weeks from when Fusion get in with their IT - which is this weekend. So doesn't look like much of the summer holidays will have it open after all :(

Rastamouse?? I was reminded of that gem this morning, as we were up later than usual and the cBeebies programmes my son usually likes had finished, and 'the mouse' theme tune started up. Bless him, he knows I hate it so much that he had the remote in hand before I said a word!! (Did go onto Milkshake though, but I don't mind Peppa Pig). But I think one of the reasons I hated Rastamouse so much from the beginning was the 'ask/arks' issue. My son caught this from nursery too. Now he's 6 - and it seems to have disappeared (Inkmaiden - he's also at a school in Honor Oak, Fairlawn. Perhaps its there he's learnt to talk proper :) )

I was looking at frequenting one of the above mentioned establishments last week, but then found this thread, and it made be wary. Since going past it since then, I've noted that it is significantly quieter than it was around opening time. Now that could be because people aren't going back, or because those that may have given it a try haven't risked it, like me. So his request to have reviews removed could have backfired...

I use MyNightoff.com. Everyone gets 3 credits to start. A standard night sitting is 1 credit (with an unspoken rule that is up to midnight - we all have kids to look after the next day after all). 2 credits can be added if you want to add a bit more to the sit. It works well - but you need about 8-10 people in the circle to ensure a good availablity of sitters and for everyone not to feel they are spending half their time sitting rather than going out.

I heard to today that Robin Bosher, who was headteacher of Fairlawn until Easter this year, has been made Sir Robin in the birthday honours. Congratulations to him. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18459553 He was a fantastic head at Fairlawn, and I'm sure he's continuing his good work as Director of Primaries at the Harris Federation. It bodes very well for a great new primary for September when the new Harris Primary in Peckham opens.

If still no luck, due to several similar type hair emergencies, I have resorted to home colouring, with great results (and my West End hairdresser seems to agree - well at least to my face!) The John Frieda range of mousse colour is really easy to use with great results, but if you don't want to risk all over colour there is a 'root touch up' product which I've used before which works well too. Both available in Sainsburys, and can be done in less than an hour at home whilst your clearing up or making dinner! Enjoy the hen do!

Sainsburys have back to school ranges (sorry, back TU school!!) with navy cardis. They definitely start at 3 years, but worth a try as my DD is only 20 months and can easily wear cardigans/gilets etc that are 3 years up (because she loves her brother's old ones!!) Easy to get to than Liberty too ;-)

Just wanted to add another recommendation for the Neighbourhood vets. After a couple of very unsatisfactory experiences at my last local vet, I took my cat to see Amber, and she instantly recognised the problem correctly as an overactive thyroid. Tests were taken to confirm, they came back and we were given the correct medication so that within 2 weeks my cat's thyroid levels are well on the way back to normal, from being at a stage where they were affecting other organs. Amber has also explained the ongoing care that will be required, and what I need to do to claim on insurance (something I've never done before). All in all a very positive experience, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. As to the other vets I mentioned, I'm still waiting for a response to my request to look into a couple of very unsatisfactory misdiagnoses. That was a couple of weeks ago. Maybe this message will prompt a response.

Hi This morning we were playing in the bit outside the one o clock club on the rye, and found some crocs. No-one around at the time had lost any. If their your little one's, PM me and I'll get them back to you. (Have also tried contacting the club itself, but there's no answer on their number?)

Only just seen this. Strange that as patients we didn't get told about this other than via a flyer? I was in the surgery a week ago too and didn't see the flyer. Now I work on Thursdays I don't get to go down to clinic very often, but I'd be interested to know what changes are proposed. Can anyone who went add more info? Thanks

After being given a glut of parsnips by my father in law yesterday, I tried this parsnip cake: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12983/catherine-berwicks-parsnip-and-maple-syrup-cake I replaced the pecans with ground almonds, and the orange with lemon (as that's what I had). As its not for a party I've kept it as two cakes - one with a dusting of icing sugar for the little one, and one with some low-fat philly/syrup topping. Its YUM! And both the children agree too (5 and 17 months)

Hi there I'm pleased, as a very happy parent, to say that Piplings is still open! There are places available at East Dulwich branch, and some spaces (I think) at Forest Hill too. Best way to contact them is via email (they are busy with running the nurseries during the day!). Email address is [email protected]

OK, so I have proof now that Northern ladies are tougher than southerners like me. The lady having twins that gave birth naturally, with no pain relief, one back-to-back (I think?) followed by a breach twin. Fair play.