BeccaL

Road along by Ladlands was ok in the middle for cars about 30 mins ago, as long as you're careful. Not sure how the turn on from L lane is though. Take care all

As said, Overhill doesn't tend to be gritted because not a bus route - would suggest not driving if poss. *waves at other Overhill residents*

Only thing with swimming pool is that (generally) if kids under 8 then you need one adult in the pool for every 2 kids - we had to do some serious begging favours last year to do this - this year have advised daughter that her birthday party will be after her birthday rather than the weekend before as then she and her birthday twin (in same class) will be 8 rather than 7! If you do fancy this, the Bridge in Sydenham does them and are good fun!

Hi Pugwash - don't know anything about give and take days - what times, when, what's the process? Where are adverts - on here or do you mean physical adverts about ED? Thanks Becca

Tend to agree with Dudley, and also the 'ok, you can go to nursery in your pyjamas' take as well - if you threaten something you have to go through with it - but sure it won't be the first time nursery have seen that.

Interesting piece here on the BBC site (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20760883) - worth a read both in relation to this but also generally relating to news events

Definitely would make her a mugging target - agree with Jeremy's suggestion re options, and ingratitude!

Lovely, thanks for sharing!

Daisy and the trouble with... Books by Kes Gray are good. Or Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf by Catherine Storr. If you need more recommendations try Tales on Moon Lane in Herne Hill - they're good at that

Lots of musical games - musical bumps (when the music stops, all have to sit down, last one to sit down is out, last one left wins (small) prize), similarly musical statues (but have to stand still when music stops), pass the parcel. Dead lions is a good one for if they all get a bit over-excited - they have to lie down on the ground and be a dead lion (i.e. still), when they move they're out, and last one left wins. This is particularly good if you're not looking too closely so they all get to have a quiet lie-down for a couple of minutes ;-) however, we did once have a winner of this at my sister's birthday party many years ago who refused to believe that she'd won - she thought we were trying to trick her into moving!, but that's more likely with slightly older kids. Otherwise a disco/dance is always good fun, especially if they've got balloons to play with. Hope that helps - pass the parcel the only one which really needs any preparation (though you might need an assistant if you're concerned about making sure everyone gets a turn unwrapping the parcel and/or checking who is going to win it!) Have fun!

Have you tried Waterstones.com - they have free postage - don't always match Amazon price but that's because they're paying proper corporation tax on their profits...

Roller skates, CD player, camera, crafty stuff - french knitting etc, bike, - that's what ours had last year/this year (birthdays included!). Lovely thing we did for her birthday last year was gave her a CD player and asked family/friends to make her a compilation CD of their favourite music - introduced her to lots of music we don't necessarily listen too and also great for us to have a bit of a change as well! Prefer CD player to ipod etc as don't really want her plugged into headphones all the time! She often gets up in the morning and puts on a CD while playing/reading in her room, and only once or twice have we told her it's too loud - the fun one was when she turned Katy Perry up full volume "so she could hear it while she was in the loo" - explained again the function of the Pause button to her!

Librettos butchers on Wood Vale are good, but you'll need to get your order in very soon. Second the suggestion of looking up a "plan" online, e.g. Delia or BBC Good Food - will help you make sure you don't forget anything. It's great having Christmas together as your own new family - enjoy!

It was outdoors last year but will depend on weather - indoors if rainy.

Something to assess how they deal with misbehaviour/tantrums etc - not necessarily that applicable to you at the moment but will give you an idea of whether how they discipline children will match how you would handle it...

Last year there was a lot of good stuff, but difficult to say year on year...

Worth looking in places like Computer Exchange - plenty of branches around London - these sell second-hand products like cameras, iPads, etc. We got a really nice Olympus last year there for ?25, so if you can go as high as ?200 you should get a pretty good camera.

I'd leave it a bit, I think. Less stress for both of you

Also dental emergency at the Royal London Hospital where (I think) you just turn up and wait. Relatively easy to get to via East London Line overground to Whitechapel...

I don't play but there are squash courts at the Dulwich Cricket Club on Burbage Road http://www.dulwichcc.com/?page_id=76

The thai place in Brixton village is great, and unlicensed so bring your own wine/beer. You can't book but have to queue which could be a downside depending on whether you want to eat before or after the film. The Satay bar just behind the Ritzy is OK (not as good as Thai place but easy to get a table, reasonably priced and fairly quick). Don't think you can book at the Ritzy cafe...

Decathlon at Canada Water pretty good, also Mothercare in Bromley might be worth a try, though i'd call first as they have less stock in now they've taken over early learning centre.

On Goodrich website (http://www.goodrich.org.uk/After+School+Club) Breakfast Club The Goodrich Breakfast Club runs in the upper hall from 8am-9am and is run by Goodrich Learning Mentor Kamil Szoma. Kamil and his team serve hot breakfast, cereal, juice plus organised activities, all for ?2.50 a day. The Club is proving very popular but we do have some spaces left. If you would like your child to attend (for 1 or up to 5 days), then please contact Kamil via the school office. Parents wishing to arrange after school care should contact Gumboots After School Club, a community organisation who provide an after school club on the school premises with a collection service from the classes. I think this is ?9/day and runs 3.30-6 but worth checking direct with Gumboots, also for details of what they do. The man that runs it (Dave) seems really helpful and friendly.

Is Mothercare World still on the estate just past Ikea - can't remember. Worth googling - they're quite big and have always been helpful with us, though admittedly a few years ago now...

Aquarium is great for kids but pricey - cheaper if you book tickets online in advance, and you can also jump the queues if you do that. Also if they're coming by train they may be entitled to some offers with their train tickets - worth checking... Agree south bank good, if the weather's OK and the tide is out there are some little bits of beach along the edge of the Thames near Gabriel's Wharf which can be fun. London Eye also an option but also expensive, though again better with prebooked tickets.