ryedalema

Saw Robert Glenister (Hustle etc) in Sainsbury's car park on Friday....

Really pleased that the kids knew that there would be a safe place to go and help available at the Adventure Playground. Our children love it there and the staff are amazing. DKHAP is a treasure for ED!

I made one for my daughter's 5th birthday... Did normal sponge but had about six layers in the end for height with thin layer of buttercream between each (note the thinner the layer of filling the less likely the cake is to 'move'). Then I carved it into a skirt shape and thinly buttercreamed the whole outside. Put in the fridge for approx 20 mins Used an apple corer to get a hole all the way down the middle (you don't need a much bigger hole than this). Bought a Barbie/Sindy with a moulded top (ie you can use the their top half as is and remove their lower clothes) Popped 'Madam Barbie' through the hole - so she's covered to waist height. Fondant iced the outside and decorated with flowers etc- AND GLITTERED. Job's a good-un! :)

Hiya - I'll be in the same position in December and decided to invite the whole class. We decided that we could do the entertainment, and the food and venue (Albrighton ?50 for two hours inc bouncy castle) so making big savings there. Ours will stack up the big numbers too, with class + nursery and family friends..... Try Ebay for party bag fillers...much much cheaper than Amazon or Sainsburys. Oh, and one of our friends had a treasure chest at the end with gift wrapped ? shop presents...that worked really well too.

Hi Hpsaucey So am I talking about the same one then...the 'Dulwich Woods' campsite is the Scout hut and surrounds? x

Hi EDFers Does anyone have contact info for the campsite in Dulwich woods? We've never been, but have heard great things and would like to organise something for next year.... Thanks loads in advance

The south circular is cordoned off at the traffic lights where it joins LL... I hope the people involved will all be ok.

Yeah possibly so...but given that nothing was on show (in a locked boot) and I only put my work kit in there at 4am...then discovered it missing at 6.30am...i think we've a right to feel that that's not too risky a way to behave. But as you say....clearly not.

Hi Edfers Just wanted to impart a psa (public service announcement for those not of my generation)...our car got broken into last night on the corner of Ryedale and Cornflower Terrace. Various things nicked but nothing they could make a great deal of money from. Thankfully the car's not damaged... but just keep your eyes open and valuables safe. Best regds....

Hi avablue Just wanted to reiterate..she is nuts and a terrible employer.Great nannies are really difficult to find, you'd easily get another employ if you wanted one, before starting your new career. Perhaps if you signed on with an agency (I assume you are not with one right now) they'll give you a bit of employment support for this type of thing. And one last thing - I'd keep a diary on her!If things get awkward, you might need this. Poor dog, poor child...poor you!

So...we have our youngest starting Goodrich reception in September, and have friends' kids going into the other two classes too. As far as I can gather (and this is only my deductions so not by any means gospel)... Normal school starts Sept 2nd Reception starts the week after and have 1/2 days (1.10 pick up) for the first week. Class 20 start on Monday 8th Class 21 start on Tuesday 9th Class 22 start on Wednesday 10th. For the first week there's no breakfast or after school club either. Hopefully someone can verify or otherwise....

The playground/sand pit opposite the Hornimann is definitely worth a try...gets very busy on sunny days though...176 and 186 go there (I think)..

We did the same thing, but with a babysitter. We were lucky enough to find a babysitter who was a swimming coach, and they combined the two with a few sessions at Peckham Pulse hydro pool, which as you know is REALLY warm and shallow. Now our 6 year old has swimming lessons at Dulwich College..which doesn't have a shallow end. It's a bit of a different tactic but she's come on really quickly by not being able to touch the bottom. Once she had confidence in the water not being able to touch the bottom has 'taken the stabilisers off' and she's becoming quite a strong swimmer. Hope this is helpful..

We stay local too to save travel time and maximise the date (ahem drinking) time. We love Toasted - and just let the management choose the wines for us (yum!) Alternatively the Flying Pig is quite a fun night.. We then stagger home giggling like kids...so not a particularly cerebral experience :)

Sweetgirl.. this has been awful for you. I just wanted to offer some solace that both of my girls had to move nursery when they were 2ish (for location reasons though, nothing about nursery performance) and while it seemed a massive upheaval at the time and I was very anxious about their happiness, they instantly adjusted and made new friends. A good nursery will be very supportive of this change for them. Our thoughts are with you x