ryedalema

First time for us this year - one 10 month old Pumpkin and one 3.5 year old Dragon. Oh and I think I've been ordered to be a witch - unless 'Mummy you're a witch' is actually meant to mean something else. We'll be going on Sunday at 5.30ish - only to houses with Pumpkins on display. I'm hoping the resulting sugar rush will then disperse by bedtime. We'll be leaving Daddy Wizard at home with the 'treat bucket'. Do you think any kids will be nervous of a tall man (sorry Wizard) opening the door and offering sweets? Or am I over-analysing this and do all kids go out with parents anyway?

Yes those magazines with the trashy plastic covermounts are fab - as is the Nintendo DS! With headphones! I went to Italy with the girls by myself - Trunkii was a saviour, but I think you have one Pickle don't you? Anyway, sorry OP. It's better than you think. I dreaded it for ages, but once you're ensconced there is so much novelty around, they will amuse themselves to a certain extent. Just try and avoid them kicking the seat of the person in front or you might get some not-quite-so sympathetic looks. :)

Ha ha >:D< have you really done that? Have a colonic I mean? O gawd I bet you all have and I'm as green as I'm cabbage looking. Most people think I'm full of sh1te - not sure I want to prove them right :) I was doing the Davina videos - and yes they are still sitting next to the Tv, slowing settling into their pile of dust. I'm afraid she's rather getting on my proverbials now - it's all the knowing winks and the 'go on you're doing really wells' when you know for a fact the only person she's talking to is the cameraman. (Gosh I'm such a grumpy old cynic). But running sounds soo good. And Courtney I got your PM - I'd love to do a weekly evening stomp around the Rye with you! Cycling sounds fab in theory - but ED to Farringdon? Sounds like it might as well be here to Botswana right about now. How does anyone do 'proper' cycling without fearing for their life around E&C roundabout and getting into work without a suitcase full of new clothes, hairdriers, make up etc? I would love love love to do the BMF - I've a really good friend doing it. She wears gloves cos you have to put your hands into some pretty muddy (well hope it's mud!) situations. But don't you have to be Paula Radcliffe to start with to do that stuff? I'm not disheartened I'm totally chuffed with what I've done so far - and it feels great to be able to run up the tube escalators etc. Just want to step it up a notch and actually I'm quite fearful that my goal weight is in sight and that after I get there (and with winter approaching) I'll fall back into my seriously unhealthy ways of biscuits, pies and all that lovely but v. high naughty-factor winter food! xxx

I've had a little go and it is something I'd like to get better at. There's a park on our doorstep so location is fine. When do you go? Please don't say 5 in the morning...:)

I'm working out with Beth too and she's great! I didn't do very much pre-birth but she's helped me knock off nearly 3 stone of post baby extra in the last 6 months. Good luck with whoever you choose.xxx

I'm just wondering if anyone out there has a similar situation to me and manages to fit exercise into their schedule - I'm seriously looking for tips as my intentions are great, but I'm struggling to find the time. I'm on weight watchers and have lost 2 stone 10 lbs so far (yee ha) and have 3/4 to a stone to go (depending on how far I take it). I'm working full time, walk about 30 mins a day during the nursery run, work out with someone for an hour a week and that's about all I'm consistently managing. The rest of my time (between 6am and 8pm) seems to be child/husband filled activities and although I'd dearly love to pass some of the child-related duties to my OH he's not the best at coping with the demands of our two whirling dirvishes. He freely admits to this so I'm not slagging him off - he 'sold' himself to me on the premise 'I'm not smart but I can lift heavy things' ;-). Weekends are really family time - so not easy to extract myself then either. How do others manage it? I thought Dulwich leisure centre might be my saviour but the creche only opens weekday mornings - does anyone know any organised exercise outlets where I can take two little ones too? Either between 6 and 8pm weekdays or anytime during the weekend? I've signed up for Boris bikes in the hope that I'd cycle in my (ahem) lunch hour - but have only managed to have one of those once in the last couple of months. Please - your advice would be fab. I exercised so much during my mat leave and am missing it like a mad thing. xxx

I'd love to come. I missed the last one too (can't remember why but no doubt it was OH's fault ;-)). Can it be a Friday or Saturday? Then I won't be so completely useless at the nursery run, husband run, work etc etc the next day. xxx

Little dish and the other kid's ready meals for both kids - 2/3 for eldest daughter (aged 3.5), 1/3 for 9 month old mushed up more. Or - adult (posh) tortelloni/ravioli, served with butter sauce, cheese sauce or (cartoned) passata for eldest, no sauce or a tiny bit of butter sauce for littlest (she adores the mushy finger food thing and wolfs it down). Frubes for both until recently as 'car yoghurts' - not allowed any more post v-expensive valet! The odd Maccers or KFC for a post swimming or a 'we're doing a long trip' treat. Maccers seems to be on the black list now as my OH thinks it makes our eldest D hyper. I do pride myself on the lack of chocolate they get though - and they don't like sweets! Weird kids (I'll 'ave 'em).

Adding to all of the above - go to the cinema. My eldest daughter is 3.5 and still won't sit still through a film. Plus it's lovely sitting with a huge plate of nachos resting on your bump - in the semi darkness so people can't see you dribbling it down your chin. Slummy mummy, me? Too right!

We're selling our Fisher Price musical electric rocker chair thing if you are interested. It has a mobile thing, five speeds, three tunes and is suitable from birth until they can sit up for themselves. Our daughter loved it - the only thing that would get her to sleep for a while. Sorry - I know it's blatant advertising (I've a thread in the classifieds) but let me know if you want to look at it.

I used to do from here to Waterloo and back with a toddler five days a week so I know the feeling. We did drawings (on scraps of paper in my bag) and she had to guess the animal. Singing - oh how many new verses of wheels on the bus did we have? Some rude ones included to preserve my sanity! But mostly I kind of let her climb as long as she was safe and the other passengers didn't mind her 'talking' to them. Good luck!

We had a great session in the park with Lorenzo and the kids - not on the website though Loz :( Get in quick before the weather turns but you should get some gorgeous colours with the Autumnal trees etc. Good luck.

I managed to take back a hideous dolly I'd succumbed to in a 'can't get her out of Toys R Us moment' by saying that her favourite dolly had told me that she was upset because she didn't think she was my daughter's favourite any more. Bad lie - but she handed the offending toy back to me saying 'I don't want to upset baby'. Result!

I'll be there - have similarly wheedled/guilted OH into babysitting. It'll be my second night out on a row (pathetic I know but quite a big deal for me nowadays) so I'll caffeine up before I get there x

Hi Molly - I can't help with the book but I'd be really interested in the book if you find it too - I have a friend whose three year old is holding hers in for 3-4 days at a time, then it sort of 'slips out' anywhere and everywhere. Poor thing says that it hurts her and she is a bit 'backed up'. She's getting softening medicine from the doctors but it's not helping with the behavioural issues. Sorry - not trying to hijack your thread, just interested in the outcomes. xxx

Our two girls go there too ( one's eight months and one's three and a quarter) - they both love it. I expect it's the only nursery you got into because they're just expanding the baby room and a whole lot of children have just 'graduated' to reception classes at their local schools. It's a lovely nursery - good admin, caring staff, exceptional facilities plus a rally nice vibe and lots of opportunities for the parents to meet and chat. Today we had a bowl of fresh tomatoes and beans (from their garden) to take home and make dinner with - just one example of how wholesome and sweet it is. My eldest has a strop every day because she doesn't want to leave - I'm hoping it's not just because of my (ahem) fabulous parenting skills. See you at the school gates :)

Oh wow - thanks PrD and all, Great advice. I was wondering about Horniman and will do just that. So it's: Goodrich and Ivydale for Southwark; Horniman ans Fairlawn for Lewisham. Is there any point at all in putting schools like Goose green or Dog Kennel Hill? They'd make the commute a whole lot easier but are yonks away from us. I know, I know - kids are the priority not work convenience - but the two go hand in glove most times :(

Hi all - I think we need to register our three year old for school now. She was three last July - so does this sound right? Seems really young (but I'm sure I would say that). Anyhow - I got v worried about all the posts on here last year, esp. those in my street(!) saying that people had had trouble getting their children into their nearest schools. So - anyone from Ryedale or the surrounds - where did you apply and how did you eventually do? We haven't a 'faith' as such or any sibling, special needs etc. It'd just be good to get some idea about what worked/didn't for you before we embark on the horrors of it all. Gulp! xx PS - I really hope it all worked out for you all in the end!

Fi - totally understand the 'despondent' feeling. I've just spent 3 days with a friend who made me feel like a bad Mum on a number of occasions - while her own skills and little one were the models of perfection. Her own child had faults (which of course ours do too and my parenting skills are patchy at best) but I tried my damnedest not to make her feel bad about her own one's foibles. I think I try and overcompensate when others 'peacock' about their kids. At our nursery the other day the manager came over and told me that their Ofsted inspector had been and given great feedback about their services, instinctively I said 'Oh - you must have locked C & C in a cupboard while they were around then'. Why did I do that? I don't actually think they're monsters. They have their moments but are good kids really. Fi and all - your/our kids are beautiful, curious creatures - none of them perfect, anyone who makes us feel bad, insecure or unaccomplished is projecting their own insecure feelings. It's low behaviour - and I say back away! Back into that gorgeous happy place you share with your own angels and demons. One for all and all for one xxxxx

Try down the sides lanes of Camberwell cemetery (the Forest Hill Road one) - it's heaving with blackberries.

Morning all - I'm taking our girls (3 and 8 months) to Italy for a few days tomorrow (by myself - OH hiking in Scotland right now!!). Flying luxury Ryan air - so not much room (money) for excess baggage. What's the best way of negotating the airports etc do you think? There's a push chair/hire car/car seats waiting for us at the other end (along with my friend who will hopefully scoop me off the floor and pour alcohol into me!) I was thinking Trunki (just ordered yesterday so really hope it comes in time) for older girl, sling for younger (trying to remember that it has to fit in my backpack when I get on the flight). Do you think that'll work? I've no experience of 'driving' a Trunki so don't know if I'm going to love or curse it. Anyone any thoughts? (Apart from that I need my head read!) xxxx

Sounds good to me.

Either 3rd or the 10th good for me. Looking forward to it! :)-D

I'm up for it Ruth..I can't really take on any organisingy stuff (b***dy work getting in the way of life...ggrrrr) but I'll def. sit, sup and spout forth memories of a work/life balance. xxx Bitter? Me, noo. Oh actually, bitter? Mmm.. yes please!

Our daughters haven't got awful names in themselves - well at least I don't think so. But the initial/surname combo should get them teased in the school yard. My OH's family has a tradition that all the kids' names have to start with the same initial as the Ma, in our case 'C'. So our poor girls are both C Basses.