Pickle

Glad Tamera went, I was disappointed she didn't stuff up! Luke was very good. Loved James Arthur's performance, I might even buy his album, not something I've considered with any other past winners.

Two of the three I attend are church run groups, so there's an element of funding by the church (I think). One in particular is in a lovely modern space (Honor Oak Baptist Church), with three people running it who are members of the church. Clean, modern toys, great value for money. I have no problem paying more for a "structured" group, like Little Bubbles, football etc, but like my play groups to be a bit more cheap and cheerful, especially as for most of it there's a chance my daughter will sit on my knee sucking her thumb :)

I tiptoed around my first two when they were tiny, and they would wake at the smallest noise. Number 3 never really had the luxury of peace, but is a really sound sleeper. She recently continued to have her lunchtime sleep while the bathroom next to her was being ripped apart and reinstalled. Builders crashing around, radio blaring outside her door, didn't bother her. I think the key is to not worry about noise when they're tiny, and they learn to sleep through it :)

Agree with the others. I go to 3 playgroups a week, the most expensive is ?2, with juice, biscuits, tea, coffee etc included.

I've just had Sem round to thread my eyebrows, and highly recommend her. The most pain free threading I've ever had done, super convenient, and reasonably priced. No more trips to Peckham for me!

I see this as a good thing, can't wait to see which song she cocks up next week :)

We use a Gro Clock for our 6.75 and 5.5 year olds. Older child now tells the time using it, but still seems to like the fact that the clock has "woken up" in the morning.

Part of me wants Temera to stay, just because watching someone stuff up adds a bit more interest! Hannah is talented, but not particularly likeable. I like Rough Copy, they stand a good chance of having a career. Sam is brilliant, but destined to sing on cruise ships and holiday parks I think, just not marketable enough.

When my children started in the nursery I had never been to the school. However, all of the kids in the surrounding houses of to Goodrich, and for us attending the closest school to home was important.

There's only been one change of head in the 3ish years that we've been associated with the school (we started in the nursery). I have two kids there, in years 1 and 2, both very happy and keen to get to school in the mornings. Great teachers, motivated management team, happy kids, and a very community feel. No complaints :)

Go to the winter fair, it's a great way to get a feel for the school.

You don't have to use a school nursery - they offer half day sessions, and children start the September after their 3rd birthday. Applications for nursery are generally done directly with the school I think, so try ringing your local ones if that's a route you want to go down. For many working parents this facility is tricky to work around, as it involves arranging half day childcare/pickups etc. They start reception the September after their 4th birthday, and applications are made online through the council, usually to be completed by the January before they are due to start. The above is for state schools, private school processes differ so it's best to contact the schools if you are thinking about these as options. Hope that helps.

Santa (dressed in a Royal Mail costume) has just delivered my pressie, just in time for my next concert :)

A new piccolo. Probably not much use to you ;)

We had our milk stolen from near the junction of Upland and Underhill on Tuesday. Wonder whether it was the same person, perhaps fuelled on his walk up the hill by a couple of pints of semi-skimmed? First time in 5 years of home milk delivery that we've had it go missing.

We took part for the first time this year. Mr Pickle stayed at home handing out sweets, by all accounts lots of nice kids wearing creative costumes (although we ran out of loot within 30 minutes). I was out pounding the pavements after dark with my older kids, who loved every minute. I was amazed by the effort some home owners went to, with amazing decorations, it made the experience a really fun one. Highlight for me was the small boy handing out sweets at one house, very politely asking whether anyone was allergic to nuts, soya, or dairy, before dutifully handing over the goodies :)

Brilliant. Be prepared to hurt tomorrow :)

We are not a religious family, and have not once found it to be an issue. Children are in a non faith state school, they learn a little bit about all religions, festivals and celebrations, but there's no way a lack of religious belief would cause them problems at school. As an adult I've not once in my life felt socially excluded due to lack of religion. It's pretty common, is it not?

That's great news, well done!

I agree that sometimes staff in the shops can be rude, but time and time again I am amazed by just how rude customers are. When I'm out shopping locally I see people who don't have the common decency to stop talking on their phone, say simple please and thank you, etc etc. As a staff member it must be really horrible to have to deal with that sort of treatment day in day out, and I guess there comes a point where it grinds you down. Not saying they shouldn't do their best to provide service with a smile, but often the way you approach a staff member as a customer is reflected back in the treatment you receive.

It would seem these are high on the list of Christmas wants this year, but as I last wore roller skates around 1989 I'm a bit out of the loop. Specifically: Skateboard for nearly 7 year old. From what I can gather, the main requirement is that it has a lightening bolt on it! He's not particularly coordinated, do I go skinny or wide? Roller skates for 5.5 year old. I think my preference is adjustable ones due to the speed her feet grow. Any tried and trusted brands? Many thanks!

Anytime ;)

We changed our kids clock last night - at 6am (new time) they came into our room concerned that the clock was broken, as "we are sure it is getting up time now". We told them it was still nighttime, and off they went back to bed! Result. This parenting thing definitely gets easier when they're older. Littlest one lies in her cot sucking her thumb until someone goes and gets her, not sure whether she noticed we were an hour late :)

Well done for losing the weight - that's the hardest part done! I fit my exercise in early morning, before the kids get up, it's the only way I can do it at the moment. I run, but also have some DVDs which are good and easy to fit in. The 30 Day Shred is just 20 minutes long, so really easy to fit into the day (and despite being just 20 minutes it really works). Also good is Davina Intense, about 35 mins all in. My friend produces the Davina DVDs and has just finished filming the newest one which is going to be made up of 15 minute targeted workouts, which sounds ideal too.

Voted - it's a brilliant cafe (I love the banana bread). We had our daughters 5th birthday there in June, and it was a very stress-free day thanks to Shona and the team.