Pickle

I'm pretty sure there's a growth spurt that happens around 4 months - I remember both of my kids started waking for extra feeds around that age. I was one of the lucky ones, and after a couple of weeks they both settled back down to their usual routines again. So you may be lucky... ride it out for a couple of weeks and normal service may be resumed!

Leapers at Rye Oak Primary is good - caters for all ages and if the weather's nice there's an outdoor space. I think it starts around 9ish, I usually get there at 9:30am. P x

Ha ha, yes, the same happened at our performance, we too wondered whether it was a rehearsed fall to add to the dramatics (it worked!).

I have to agree with Ruth, your survey doesn't cater for people who shop online. Good luck though!

We went today, third year in a row. Kids loved it, I really enjoyed it - the bit at the end was fantastic! Agree that the budgies are a bit rubbish... older kids seem to enjoy them but my two lost interest at that point. Didn't really see the point of the woman (the tall one, seemed to do a bit of juggling, bit of stuff with the clowns and not much else) but everything else was great.

Shocking, though not uncommon I fear. Someone who lives very close to me regularly takes off at speed with 3 children in the car, none of whom are in child restraints (ages are approx. 8, 5 and 2). I've seen the youngest "helping" drive the car a few times... not sure how far they go, but it's irrelevant!

This has certainly had it's fair share of news coverage hasn't it?! We were there on the 26th August, but thankfully neither of my children has had any ill effects - I've found it quite unnerving seeing pictures of the poor children in hospital and realising just how easily it could have been my babies. Such a shame for the farm, we had a brilliant day there and I was planning to go back this week!

I got one 2nd hand (from the forum, of course!) before I had baby #2. I wish I'd got one 1st time round as they are really comfortable. I'd always figured that I'd sell it on once I stopped breastfeeding, but it looks nice in the room and is a great chair for sitting reading bedtime stories etc as others have said so I think it will be part of the family for a while longer yet :)

My experience of them extends as far as walking past on a Saturday morning as they were setting up and thinking "phwoar" ;-) It does look brilliant, something I'd consider if I wasn't stuck looking after one of my kids on a Saturday morning while the other is at football with his Dad. There looks to be a real range of age/size/fitness from what I've seen of the people waiting to work out, seems to cater for everyone. Have fun!

p.s... best socks I found for staying put are Pumpkin Patch ones, closely followed by Baby Gap.

I'd also be able to help with some music groups next year if necessary - flute/saxaphone groups etc who would happily donate their time.

I bought a pack of 7 pairs from Mothercare in my pre-baby "must buy everything they stock" frenzy, tried using them once, and then never used them again. None of my friends used them either - just keep babies nails short (easy when they're small, chew them or cut with little nail clippers) and you'll be fine. Alternatively there are some sleepsuits you can buy with fold over scratch mitts which I think would be much more effective. P x

Mr Pickle would be up for this - his eyes lit up at the mention of a pint and a free pass to go to the pub ;-) Two kids, 2.5 and 15 months.

I agree with Fuschia, I honestly don't think it's worth paying for entertainment for 1 year olds. Both of mine at their 1st birthday parties (which just involved a few of their friends & some party food) were more interested in playing with wrapping paper than anything else :)

Sorry you had a bad time Heidi, but lovely to read that your son is happy & healthy and that you've mastered the art of breastfeeding already. I hope the healing doesn't take too long and look forward to seeing you out and about in East Dulwich with your little man - he's gorgeous. Take care, P x

I hope so, that way I can kick Mr Pickle and his friend out to watch it in a pub rather than having to sit through it myself ;-)

The story telling element probably suits slightly older children better, but the rest of it catered to all ages - lots of singing and they had musical instruments for the kids to play with. Good fun (a bit chaotic, partly due to my daughter who spent most of the time crawling over the stage, squealing, and leading other children astray!).

Nice to see you ladies, I'm glad you adopted the brazen "are you Pickle" approach Candj, otherwise we may have missed one another. We're definitely up for going again once we're back from our holiday, and I'll be more organised next time and give the kids their lunch at the cafe afterwards. P x

We'll definitely be there this morning, hopefully I'll recognise some familiar faces! I've got a boy and a girl and push a red Phil & Ted's Vibe.

We've been twice, first time my son was only about 8 months old and loved it! Second time he was about 19 months, daughter 2 months, and once again they were enthralled. Son noticed the posters the other day and recognised that it was the circus again, so we've booked our tickets and he's very excited (as am I, have my hopes pinned on the fact that the gorgeous man who flies around the big top holding onto bits of fabric doing amazing things with those fantastic arm muscles will be there again.... ;-) ) There's a decent break in the middle, so it's manageable for small children. I recommend it, great fun.

We came along about 3.30pm - managed to catch the Punch & Judy show which was fun, enjoyed by the kids and myself! Was pleased it was was still done the "traditional" way - a Punch & Judy show wouldn't be the same if it didn't involve beating things with sticks :) Enjoyed what we saw of the dogs, really nice to have an event where dog owners and children owners could mingle, lots of really beautiful dogs on display and very friendly dog owners. Nice atmosphere. A bit disappointed there weren't any cakes left, but I guess we were a bit late - they must have been nice given there were only crumbs left!

Crumble... plenty of blackberries in the Camberwell Old Cemetary on Forest Hill Road at the moment, apple and blackberry crumble, delicious. My crumble always has porridge oats as the topping, with some cinnamon and ginger added :)

I'll try to come up with my 2, they love the museum and that sounds like fun. Hopefully see you there (I have an appointment at 9:30am but should be able to walk up in time afterwards)

I'd agree that if you're going to be driving a lot with baby in the car a base would be worthwhile - but we find we only use the car once, maybe twice a week (it's easier to walk with 2 children to cart around!) so for us using seatbelts was fine. Also with #2 I found I could get her in and out of the seat without actually undoing the seatbelt, so was very simple.

We didn't buy a base for ours - only difference is that you strap it in using seatbelts every time you use it, which to be honest isn't difficult at all. We happily used ours for 2 children this way. The adapters are generally for use with prams, so that you can clip the carseat onto your pram base, so it will depend what kind of pram you're getting as to whether they will be useful for you. Hope that helps a little!