ladywotlunches

Does anyone know of anywhere that still has the Cbeebies Octonauts special magazine in stock? Its the one with the Octonauts figures toys. I only found out about it yesterday and the new issue is out today, so I'm not holding out much hope, but if you've seen one let me know and I'll hotfoot it down there! Or, if for some reason anyone bought two I'll happily take it off your hands (for payment of course)

Add quinoa to anything you think needs bulking - its protein, not carb, but also acts as a filler-upper. If he's not ready for the texture yet or you don't have time to add to the processor, the plum baby 'first porridge' is rice, quinoa and a couple of other grains that I find useful to add at the last minute if something looks a bit runny, or A is extra hungry and could do with a bit more

I would recommend Lol Johnson. She's a local mum of two and also a great photographer. We were lucky enough to get a slot on one of her free shoot days. There's no obligation to buy anything (but of course we did, the photos were great!) She's just announced another free shoot day on 3rd of June. If you're quick you might get a slot. Details are on her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/loljohnsonphotography. If you do decide to book a slot with her, PM me and I'll give you my details (so I might get another print from my shoot from recommending you - yay!)

This nice weather has made camping the popular choice for the Bank holiday it seems! Any other gems anyone can recommend for me to try and get a last minute break in the South East. All the above are fully booked (apart fro Dunn street which sounds lovely but I'm still waiting to hear back from them).

Right - it is now time to start shifting the left over baby weight. I work out my bottom half twice a day on the school run, but its the mummy tummy and upper body that needs attention. I know some of you have been using High vibes (with good results?) but I recently saw a salon in Sydenham that offers Flabelos treatments, for ?4 a session, ?10 for a week or ?30 unlimited use for a month. Reading on the internet, these machines also have rave reviews. Has anyone locally used Flabelos, at the place in Sydenham? Or is there a closer option? And crucially, does it work?

SG88 - Last year I got some little packs of mixed seeds on 'planting sticks'. they came in a pack a bit like those cardboard matches that you tear off and stick in the soil. They went down well in the party bags. Got them and other stuff from woolworths.co.uk. but this was for the party itself, not for school. E's class will be getting a fairy cake or biscuit each, which is the norm where he is (Fairlawn).

Thanks everyone for the advice, and rave reviews. An Ergo (type) carrier does seem to be the way to go. Thanks so much for all the offers to try out the carriers too. I've taken one of them up - will let you know how I and Babywotlunches get on!

The Beco Gemini looks interesting too, thanks Buggie. The only potential problem I saw with Ergo is there is no Front Facing option (Babywotlunches currently travels facing forward and loves it!). With the Gemini they have that option too. How much was the hire - can't seem to get a hire price on the site?

Hi All A friend of mine recommended the Ergobaby carrier, as I have to do the school run with my 7 month old ideally without a buggy, and she's getting a bit heavy for the babybjorn already. I've looked on their website and it seems a good option, as I was thinking about getting a back carrier, but am a bit put off by some of the 'framed' carriers I've seen, as they will just add to the weight, and the difficulty in loading/unloading. Can anyone provide more first hand thoughts on the Ergobaby please and/or other recommendations for carrying baby regularly for short, but intense journeys? (Its up and down a very steep hill both ways to school!) Thanks

I had this question last year. Was really keen on the Islabikes, but like others, thought the price just too steep for a first bike! There weren't any on Ebay that fitted the bill at the time either, but if you have time its worth keeping an eye out. In the end, we went for a Ridgeback MX16 (my son is almost 5, tall for his age and is just fitting it, so this might be right for you too, or you might have to go for a 20"). Got it on ebay for about half price, and despite being through 2 kids already, looks just like new! Another option is Decathlon. I'm sure the bikes aren't quite on the same level as the others listed above, but the good thing is that the children can try the bikes out in store - so if nothing else, it might be worth a trip to Surrey Quays to try a few out for size...

There is a new birthing centre at Lewisham hospital. By all accounts its great, and living in Se22 you should be able to choose it over Kings. Downside I suppose is that Lewisham maternity ward itself isn't meant to be as great as Kings if you did have to transfer...

I keep seeing a car for Urban Retreat at Home around the area. Does anyone know anything about it? I did a search on google and could find nothing apart from details of franchises, and info on the salons at Harrods etc...

This might help: VLM information for residents Vauxhall will be clear, but as its probably the only place to cross the river other than the Blackwall tunnel, its going to be packed!

Strange. Haven't ordered recently, but just went to have a look (you reminded me to look for preowned stuff for summer) and the latest news has been updated today so hopefully you will get a reply shortly. If you're local, you can collect stuff from honour oak for free, so perhaps you could pay on collection?

Free this week? So why did I have to make a voluntary contribution to the cost of my son's school trip to the aquarium on Monday?? Not that I really mind, it was only a ?1, and whether the school or the Horniman get to keep it, good luck to them I'm pleased to be able to support both :)

I've been using the sainsburys Eco nappies from pretty much the beginning. A few leaks, but nothing major. A is now in size 4, but only just, so I'd try the 3's for now. (haven't got any left otherwise you could have had a couple to try). Huggies I've always found to be quite 'narrow', so this could be the problem if he's wriggling at night?

You can swim at The Bridge pool on a 1:2 ratio in the teaching pool. Whenever I go there its really quiet too as no-one really knows where the pool is! (Just down the Kangley bridge road opposite the big Sydenham Sainsburys).

Hi All Does anyone know if the table tennis tables are out of action in Dulwich park at the moment? When I was powerpramming this morning there seemed to be a lot of workmen in that area of the playground, with fencing around the tables. My son wants to go their after school today, he's got his bats and ping pong balls (even taken them into school so as not to waste time after school getting there! :) After yesterday's aborted mission to Goose Green playground (completely shut for workmen to paint) I don't want a repeat round of disappointment. Thanks in advance!

Gubodge, same here! Funnily enough both mine have survived :)

Woman of Dulwich, where do you find such a creature? I only know of one babysitter/ironer, which is my mother in law. And we don't benefit from her services because she lives in Suffolk. My sis-in-law takes full advantage of this free service to her though and still moans she doesn't get out enough (2-3 times per WEEK!!!). Some people just don't know when they have it good..:)

Has it been banned here too now? Just tried to load and it said movie couldn't be loaded (could just be the IPad though...)

I don't think they are obliged to pay them, sorry. They are paying them even though you are on nil pay because they are a benefit in kind and you were until end March employed by them. But once you have left they don't have to pay anything more other than your redundancy money. I suppose the argument would be that if you are now 'not working' then you don't need childcare - and once you start working again the new company will take on the vouchers.

I'm sure we would all love to be able to pay carers more, but its down to the number of hours required I think. And as we have to pay these costs from our Taxed salaries, and in the case of Nannies add their Tax/NI on top, anything more than ?8/10 per hour net is just not workable for most. Its the government's fault - they should allow all childcare workers to work tax free! :)

Best piece of advice I was given pre-babies was at my NCT class (thanks, Sillywoman!) where we all got a list of things we thought we would need (or I think we used pictures?). Then we were told to half it to the essentials. THEN half it again and so on until we got to two or three things we couldn't live without. Nappies and a babygro I think. Of course, you do in reality need much more to make your life easier, but as you can see from the varied lists a lot is very subjective. When you are thinking about everything try to see through the marketing hype and imagine yourself using (or living without) the item. Oh, and you will get given lots of luxury/frivolous items when baby is born. Don't bother buying any clothes other than vests/sleepsuits for the first size. And yes, you WILL need newborn stuff unless you're carrying a 10 lb-er. 0-3 is really 1-3 months!! Good luck!

Got the bunny clock with the ears that pop up. Works for our 4 year old (and has done for a while). Well I say works, he knows whether its time to get up or not, but doesn't mean he *always* stays in bed. And we do sometimes have a question of "WHEN is bunny going to wake up??" So if there's an option where the clock gradually changes from night to day, that might be useful.