Pickle

If you're wanting to get one locally, Soup Dragon on Lordship Lane stock them.

Another Bosch fan here (for both dishwashers and washing machines). Very reliable and prices that don't cripple you!

Sounds good to me. Looks like I'll be heading out for drinks after my gig on Saturday (Ruskin Park bandstand, 3 - 4pm, if anyone fancies it... light music, free, good ones for kids as they can run around while parents chill out and listen), so will head to the Plough once I'm home and organised. Probably no real need to book, they're generally not too busy on a Saturday, and I don't think there will be a huge group of us this time round.

Agree it's much easier when they're small and immobile. The picnic area at Peckham Rye is great, lots of big shady trees and still the odd patch of sun for Mummy to position herself in :)

We've always just used the Nivea baby stuff (available pretty much everywhere) on both of ours from an early age. My approach is that if you read too much you wouldn't use anything and would end up having to stay indoors when it's beautiful outside.

I usually enjoy the brownies from Lucas (not as much as the French Cafe ones, still the best in my opinion), but bought some on Saturday and was really disappointed - very dry and crumbly. Usually they're moist and gooey, the walnut ones are the nicest, but it seems the recipe had changed. I hope they revert back to the old ones, much nicer.

Hi Ollie, This thread will be useful for you. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,470025 P x

This weekend my 3 year old son has started shaking his head, doing a big sigh and saying "honestly". I wonder who he learnt that from?!

I've eaten there a few times and always enjoyed the food. I've never been to Turkey, so not sure how authentic the food is, but it is always freshly prepared and very tasty. Reasonable prices too.

Yep, cool, we get the message :)

Great news Toast, glad to hear it's all worked out for you.

We found (as complete potty training novices) the Gina Ford potty training book was really useful. It's called "Potty Training in One Week", which is absolute rubbish as you do a lot of preparation before the ultimate week of actually taking off the nappy and going for it! However her tips are useful and it worked for us. Our son was just under 2.5 when he came out of nappies last summer. A sticker chart, lots of praise, and being sure that he understood what was happening seemed to be the key. We're almost at the stage of doing the same with #2, a girl, who at nearly 2 is showing a lot of interest in using the toilet like her brother - only problem is that if I try to sit her on it she yells "NOOOOOOOO, I wanna stand up!", as that's what she sees her brother doing! Good luck!

I've been watching every episode in this series - sometimes it's great and both families concerned are very likeable, other times the "rich" ones come across as very arrogant and patronising while the "poor" ones seem unwilling to do anything to help themselves despite the handouts. Interesting viewing all the same.

I can't do Fri 4th, but if that suits others better please go ahead, I'll come to the next ones.

I haven't read this thread properly so apologies if I repeat things already said. My eldest was 16.5 months old when no. 2 arrived. From day 1 it was as if my daughter just knew that she had to fit in, otherwise Mummy would go insane. A big part of my days involved getting out of the house - Phil 'n' Teds Vibe was a godsend, as was my Hugabub sling (my son couldn't walk for the first 5 months of having 2 children, so at the playground if my daughter was awake I would put her in the sling which left me with hands free to help my son on the slides etc.). We hit the playgroup circuit with avengence... son could play happily in a contained safe environment, I always made a point of talking to other Mums so that at least they knew me/the kids and could help out if necessary. My daughter first attended the Goose Green playgroup at 8 days old, and went to her first Jane Ruby music class when she was a week old! Bathtime/bedtime was my biggest fear, I simply couldn't visualise how on earth I was going to deal with 2, especially as I was breastfeeding my daughter and she wouldn't take a bottle. Thankfully Mr Pickle is really good at getting home in time to help, but on the days he didn't: During son's teatime I would sit and start daughter's feed. Plonked them both in the bath together - daughter would lie on a mat in the bathroom and have a kick about while I washed son, then she had her bath, dried and dressed. Another quick feed while son played with his bathtoys (I used to just perch on the edge of the bath, so if I needed to I could grab him). Then I would put my son in his cot with a selection of his books and soft toys while I went and finished my daughter's feed and put her to bed. Sometimes this took about 15 minutes, sometimes less, but he was always fine. Then a story and bed for son. Phew. Wasn't actually all that bad, but wine and chocolate were always the first thing I did once they were in bed! Makes me laugh at myself when I think back to life with 1 child - he used to get bathed in expensive organic baby stuff, careful not to get splashed etc etc, whereas daughter started life in a bubble bath surrounded by toys and a brother who thinks it's hilarious (even now) to pour water over her head. These days it's easy - bath together, story together (although lots of fights over whether it's Thomas or Peppa Pig!), bed. For our family the biggest adjustment is the fact that really you never get time "off" once you've got 2 children. It's full on, but lovely, and only gets easier as they get older. Good luck x

2nd pregnancy my bump was obvious by 12 weeks, no hiding it whatsoever - I'm quite small framed, it was obviously a baby bump. I was worried that I would be the size of a house by term, but it seemed to slow down and even out a bit midway through the pregnancy, thank goodness!

I always do exactly as you have suggested when we travel to NZ - keep a good day/night distinction, get outside in the fresh air and sunshine as much as you can for the first few days. I found the younger they are the easier it is. Good luck!

We used to listen to Magic, but to be honest I was starting to find it embarrasing that my son could sing the lyrics to Mrs Robinson, that's not a sign of a "cool" Mummy now is it?! Our builders listen to Absolute, not a bad station, although now both children spend the day singing an ad: Son... "we buy any car" Daughter... "dot com". Oh dear.

As a seasoned WW and ex-leader I will give you expert guidance on the night Ryedalema ;-) In my experience, the key is to eat nothing all day, drink yourself silly, and feel so ill the next day you can't eat. Can't go wrong!

Yes, me! Don't suppose anyone is up for a night out on Saturday 6th June? I'm properly free that weekend, as hubby is taking kids to visit his folks in Scotland and due to a couple of small concerts I'm playing in I can't go. Damn ;-) Otherwise I can fit in with other dates that are good for you all.

Grumpy children in this house today, 3 year old has just thrown a massive tantrum at the suggestion of the sandpit, claiming he wants to go to the Horniman instead. Weather's not looking too flash so I think I might just give in to him and head to the Horniman for a run around instead - if anyone else decides it's not nice enough for the sandpit we'll be down in the aquarium and in the room full of animal displays.

I struggle with my sinuses too (for me the infections are generally caused by hayfever). Having battled for the last few weeks trying a variety of gentle remedies I got antibiotics just over a week ago and feel better than I have for months. It's not until a sinus infection has cleared up that you realise just how awful they make you feel!

Having now finally bought buckets/spades etc. we are planning to come along tomorrow morning to christen them!

Hey, This time last year I found a hat with a chin strap that I could tie onto M (with a knot, a bow just wasn't a challenge!). C has always been happy to wear his hat, and is convinced he looks cool despite the fact he's in a wide brimmed, surfer-style patterned monstrosity that frankly makes him look like a bit of a clown ;-) My youngest sleeps in a sleeping bag - tonight she's in a short sleeved vest and nappy. I tend to ignore the monitor - by this age if he's too hot he'll let you know. I think with water the key is to just keep offering it. If you're worried he's not having enough try offering it out of a drink bottle that's not his - my kids think it's a huge joke to "steal" Mummy's drink bottle, so might work for you. Slap on the sunscreen morning and afternoon, try to stay in the shade if you can, but don't worry too much if not. Having grown up in NZ I'm a firm believer that a bit of sunshine is good for you! P x

I looked round Cherry Tree when I was trying to find a part time place for my son, and had a dreadful experience. Really rude staff (basically shut the door in my face telling me to go away, despite me having an appointment), and when being shown round I wasn't taken into the room the children were in at all - got a quick glance in from the door, whisked away into the kitchen, given a few sheets of paper and told how much it would cost to register, then ushered out again. Not an experience to be repeated, needless to say we didn't sign up!