Pickle

I agree with Gwod, it really sounds as if she's not ready. Try not to feel pressured into potty training, the worst thing you can do is turn it into something stressful for both you and your daughter. She's not yet 3, and a lot could change between now and October so try not to worry too much. Give it a break for a few weeks then try again, she may surprise you. Good luck x

We go to Little Kickers on Rosendale Road and the venue is fab, large airy room, heaps of room, doesn't feel crowded at all. Sounds like it's by far the better option compared to the East Dulwich venue.

Little Kickers is great - both my son (3.5) and daughter (2) go to their classes in West Dulwich on Saturday mornings and love it.

I'm watching it this year, purely because it's the last one... haven't watched it the last couple of series. I'm actually quite enjoying it, interesting mix of characters. I think my favourite at the moment is Ben, the "posh" one.

Agree. The "new and improved" Court Lane combined with the stupidly placed island just as you try to turn right into Upland Road (it's in a place that means you can't pull into the centre of the lane, so block traffic behind you) are a complete nightmare.

Sue, there was a note up at the fountain last week saying it was being cleaned, hence the blue colour. I haven't been for a few days... is it still blue?!

My favourite maternity clothes came from Pumpkin Patch - their maternity jeans are fab and they do a good range of tops, skirts etc. If Bluewater scares you, you could go to Bromley, Pumpkin Patch is there as well as H&M etc. and a lot of the stores there do maternity lines. P x

Agree with the Laithwaites suggestion, nice wines at a really reasonable price. There's also a branch on Brighton Road in Croydon (drove past yesterday and noticed it, as wasn't aware they had shops!)

Yep, early rising in this house at the moment too. Although C, bless him, just sits in his bed and yells "I'm awaaaaaake" at gradually increasing dynamic until we go through to him - you'd think at 3.5 he would have worked out he can get out of bed by himself?! Long may it last. His room is really bright, despite all my attempts at blackout, so he's been waking really early. This morning I fobbed him off with a pile of books which he sat and looked at for about 45 minutes, so not too bad. M has been waking at around 5:30am, but generally a nappy change and a bleary eyed parent telling her it's still nighttime keeps her quiet for another hour. There's a lot to be said for winter and dark mornings!

I know of a few male childminders and nannies in the area, so they do exist.

I hired one online from Nature's Gate for both pregnancies and thought they were brilliant. The "boost" button was my best friend, and Mr Pickle had to do a lot of convincing after the birth of both babies to get me to let go of it! Both times I was induced, so once in labour it was very fast, but I put them on from the very start of contractions and really felt like it helped. If nothing else, it gave me something to focus on other than the pain.

We noticed that someone has tried (unsuccessfully, and thankfully without too much damage) to take the crome trim off our car a week or so ago, and our aerial disappeared just after we bought the car. A couple of years ago, ironically the night before we were due to trade it in for a new car, someone took our wing mirror covers and wheel trims. Anything with a monetary value that's easy to remove is fair game unfortunately!

What a shocker, it's so sad that these days we can't have faith in systems that should be there to help us. Fuschia, I'm so glad all's OK with the little one, what a relief. Sorry I didn't have time to stop and chat this morning, was rushing off to do my teaching thing at school. P xx

Fuschia, I've only just seen your post, I truly hope all is OK. I will be around home all afternoon if you need some help with the twins, you can always drop them off to me. P xx

Hi Lochie, As far as I'm aware if they're able to turn themselves onto their front it's fine for them to sleep that way. My daughter started sleeping on her tummy at about 5 months and still does now (she's 2), it's obviously the most comfortable position for her. I wouldn't worry. P x

In terms of milk intake, I had the same problem with my son, who really seems to dislike milk (fair enough, so do I) and stopped accepting it as a drink at about 14 or 15 months. From memory I think they are still supposed to have the equivalent of a pint a day at that age. I became an expert at getting him to have it through his food - thankfully he'll happily eat soup so a favourite for both of my kids is corn chowder (a couple of potatoes, onion, bay leaf, can of sweetcorn and lots of milk, then blend once everything is soft). I also make cheese sauce, and he's happy to eat yoghurts.

Nice to see you all, and to meet you OliviaDee. I'm very glad I stuck to the OJ last night, as had a very full on afternoon of performing this afternoon and would have struggled with a hangover! Hope to catch up soon x

Great stuff. My kids call their scooters motorbikes too, and insist on making motorbike noises while they ride them!

We moved both of ours into their own rooms by about 6 weeks - they were both noisy sleepers, we were on edge, I was exhausted. In both cases the move into their own rooms (and into cots rather than moses baskets) was also the time that they started sleeping better. It's a personal choice, but for us moving them earlier was the best option.

All welcome Narnia, it's just come about due to a group of us who are regulars on this board arranging to go for a drink. We do all have kids but it's not a prerequisite ;-) The more the merrier.

More than welcome OliviaDee, will be nice to meet you.

The blue water is intentional - they're cleaning the pond apparently. I even took a photo!

Yes, I know him, and agree entirely. He's excellent, always very friendly and happy to help. You should copy the comments on this thread and email them to Sainsbury's head office, I'm a firm believer in passing on positive comments in a world where generally only the negative get highlighted.

... the electric blue fountain made me smile today, I think it's brilliant :)

Couldn't agree more Nunheadmum. As a kid growing up in NZ we just got smothered in whatever suncream was at hand, Mum was surprised when I was there a couple of months ago to see that there were specific "kiddy" suncreams - apparently that wasn't the case when I was small. Mum talks fondly of the "turnover time" jingle that was played on the radio every 15 minutes to ensure your tan was even ;-) I've just ordered some new cream for the kids from Avon, a lot cheaper than even the Nivea products, but with the same SPF.