Pickle

My son went to a party there before Xmas (he's 7) and had a brilliant time. Helps that he's pizza mad :)

Absolutely fab suggestions, thank you to all of you! I spent a couple of hours last night looking at all of the websites, you all have very good taste. I've just stumbled across some quite nice (dare I say cool?) pieces that seem cheap, brand "Yumi". Anyone have any experience? Like the look of a couple of their knitted dresses (I'm a boots with knitted dress, over skinny jeans fan) and might take a risk on a jumper featuring meerkats...

I need some new clothes, but am struggling for inspiration on the standard Next, La Redoute, Lands End type websites. I'm a stay at home Mum, 39, looking for smart casuals. I'm a skinny jeans and nice top type of person at this time of year... have plenty of jeans, but in need of new tops/dresses. I don't want to look like an old lady, but at the same time need to appreciate I'm not a 20 something any more. Any recommendations for (online) stores that won't break the budget (limited)? Thanks!

I've been in the area for 10 years, hard to say which time within those years I've enjoyed most, although in our first couple of (pre children) years I had many a good night at the Mag, which was our local at the time. Weston's was my favourite place to eat - I think it was where GBK is now, having undergone a few metamorphoses beforehand. Favourite day in the area was a hungover one following a posh wedding at the Caledonian Club, after treating ourselves to a night in the Dorchester (life before kids, sigh). We stumbled back to ED, had a hungover meal at the dodgy Mexican (had the big hat outside), followed by hair of the dog drinks at the Mag. These days, as I'm around during the day, I love the sense of community, and the fact that a quick shopping trip to Lordship Lane takes twice as long as it should due to stopping to chat to friends and neighbours.

Yes, I'm pleased we went with a full size integrated fridge and freezer too. Opted for one without ice making, as it meant more freezer space. Have fun planning! We moved out for 6 weeks (I took the kids to stay with my family in NZ as they were both pre-schoolers at the time), but then lived in the house with no kitchen for another 6+ weeks. Get an electric two-ring hob, put your fridge in the front room, be prepared to redecorate the room you end up living/eating/cooking in for the time you're without a kitchen, as despite best efforts, it will have a hard life for a while too!

The thing I am most pleased about in our kitchen (3ish years old now) is our Insinkerator. Saves all the faffing about putting food scraps into bags. Storage-wise, our corner cupboards in the kitchen have wire racks in them, and when you open the cupboard it all swings around so that you can reach right into the back (explained badly, sorry!).

Another option for Thomas fans is Drusillas Zoo, down near Brighton/Hove. They have a selection of Thomas characters dotted around the park, and there's a little Thomas train you can ride in, complete with Fat Controller. We used to go regularly a few years ago when my younger sister lived in the UK, as her partner worked there in the weekends.

Houses with Christmas lights still attached and brazenly twinkling. It's January, get rid of them!

I sympathise, I get this too and it's horrible. I have found that upping my potassium intake really helps, either in food form (bananas, but I'm sure there are other sources), or supplements. If you're passing Health Matters pop in and have a chat.

Yes, it's open, my daughter started there on Tuesday x

I had my adenoids removed when I was 4, and remember it being a huge adventure :) I stayed in hospital overnight, my parents didn't stay (this was in NZ, 1979, possibly more of a "she'll be right mate" attitude than there is now/here). I still have the colouring book that I got to take with me. My tonsils were removed when I was 26, and it was horrible. Day surgery, me and 7 kids aged 8 and under in the recovery area, them running round like nothing had happened and me pleading for morphine... I hope it goes well. Definitely sensible having them dealt with young x

Hall Place is brilliant - they often have really unusual exhibitions, which tend to be child friendly, and a great kids activity area where they can dress up, open drawers, explore etc. It has never been busy when we've been, and that's usually in school holidays. Nice caf?, and lovely gardens if the weather is clear. The greenhouses are interesting for little ones too. http://www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk/hallplace/ We drive there, and it takes about 30/40 minutes or so if you get a clear run, with free parking at the other end.

I must admit, given she's my 3rd, I do find it quite entertaining - I know that the majority of times there's nothing I can do other than sit back and let her ride out the screaming. 5 minutes after the screaming stopped she had forgotten all about the "lid" and was happily sitting there licking the middle bit (3rd child, it's not worth trying to give her a rice cake). Yak, fantastic! I get similar if I cross the road at a different place to normal. "nooooooo, cross road DERE Mummy..." ad infinitum. You've got to laugh about it, otherwise insanity is always knocking :)

I've had a variety of terrible 2 and 3 experiences with my 3 kids. Eldest (boy) was a dream through the 2's which was lucky as his little sister arrived when he was just 16 months old and life would have been a lot harder if he was a troublesome 2 year old! When he hit 3 he definitely became more of a challenge - not so much in physical behaviour, but through his use of emotions to achieve what he wanted. They get clever! Second child was pretty standard, a few tantrums but with hindsight nothing too bad. Number 3 (also a girl) will be 2 in just over a week. She turns from a sweet blonde headed princess to a red faced screaming monster in a split second. A few times in the last couple of weeks she has made herself physically sick due to the screaming. She's just recovering from the latest one, caused by the fact she ate the top biscuit from her custard cream and then wanted "THE LIIIIIIIIID OOOOOOOOOOOON". Sigh.

Have you tried using Petal Cleanse? More info here: http://www.cats.org.uk/canterbury/news/petal-cleanse-tm-and-allergies I have a cat allergy, and we have a cat. Initially I was pretty bad, but it didn't take long for me to get used to having him around and my allergy doesn't flare up at all around him. I grew up in a house with a cat as a child, and tended to be fine with our cat, but very allergic to "strange" cats. Petal Cleanse is worth a try if you haven't already used it. Good luck.

We have done exactly that, and used Matt at Casa too. Very straightforward, and transformed the room.

I'm going next week for a birthday meal and drinks, will report back, but hope it's nice! I loved the original Mag, in it's pre-posh state. It was our closest pub when we first moved to the area and I spent many a happily drunken night there. The Magnolia was lacking atmosphere, I never quite worked out what was wrong with it, but it just don't seem to work. Too far away from the "main" bars/restaurants?

Knock on the door, by all means, but expect us to deliver 3 rowdy children to you at 7am tomorrow morning in return ;)

I doubt that any pubs would allow a baby, although I assume that's not the sort of thing you're looking for? I seem to remember last year the Community centre on Peckham Rye had a family event. Other than that I think you're realistically limited to outdoor things in Central London (weather forecast is dire though). Locally you could wander up to the streets around Dawson's Heights for midnight - fab views of the fireworks over the eye from up there without the travel. Have a look in the what's on section, there may be something advertised there. We gave up on going out anywhere on NYE years ago - it's cold and busy, I'm happy with my sofa and a bottle of bubbly, followed by watching the fireworks from up in our loft!

Thanks, but Santa delivered on Wednesday :)

Block of chocolate on a plate or board, knife and fork, gloves, scarf, hat (or similar). Kids take turns rolling a dice, when you get a 6 you quickly put on the clothing, then cut bits of chocolate and eat them, using cutlery, no fingers allowed. Your turn is up when the next 6 is rolled. Chaos, but great fun. Make it easier for little kids by breaking the chocolate up into squares first.

By 1 year all 3 of my BF babies were down to 2 feeds - on waking in the morning, and before bed at night. I remember doing one other small feed around 10:30am with my eldest and youngest, but they were more habit than necessity (and an excuse for me to sit down and watch daytime tv!). If she's eating well, and taking dairy products at mealtimes, then I'd say all is good - and brilliant for you, as it works so well for your return to work!

It's a company, Google should bring up their website (sorry, on phone). ?200 all in, for up to 20 kids - not cheap, but ?10 a head isn't too bad given it's something a bit different, and we will do our own food. They do parties suitable for younger ones too.

I've ended up booking an entertainer, of sorts (a Science Boffins person), which my son will love. I will still use the games for the 2nd half of the party. Very relieved to have something sorted, he didn't have a party at all last year so it will be nice for him to have some friends over this year.

Dish and Spoon is where we had our daughters party in the summer, a fab venue, and the space worked brilliantly for the craft activities etc. I am a huge fan of Baker Ross, will have a browse for ideas for the 7 year olds. Mr Pickle is reluctant to buy into the traditional idea, given it will just be the 2 of us, with our 2 and 5 year olds to look after as well (he may have a point).