Pickle

Ruth, I agree, I have a soft spot for Mr Bloom too :) And the big guy (Andy? Stu?) that does the number rap. I watch too much CeeBeeBees, must restrict my viewing.

Problem is, Santa has only just delivered last year's presents (bikes). Word has it he was concerned that London's winter conditions would hamper use, so he waited until Easter to instruct us to go and buy them. I think that by 5 my son will already be highly sceptical of Santa and his delivery schedules! The toy concerned is not only highly annoying, it causes fights between 4 year old boys everywhere we go, and is ?50. I'm hoping that by December he'll want something different. Surely by the time he's in reception and nearly 5 a Buzz toy will be totally uncool?

I don't think so, walked past yesterday and the whole outside space is dug up.

And to stay on topic, don't promise your 4 year old that Santa may bring him his very own Buzz Lightyear toy for Christmas when it's only April. What was I thinking - it's going to be a long old year with him in my ear many times a day asking whether it's Christmas yet.

Quick, Mockney Piers, you could put your little one on the show and maybe meet the lovely Katie in person :) With perseverance he may get on when he's about 16 or so.

Thanks both. HM, love your products!

That would be great, thanks Huncamunca

Thanks - I was looking at the one yesterday and thought it looked OK. Will look into it further.

I'm relatively computer/internet savvy, however have absolutely no experience of setting up a website and wondered if anyone could offer advice? Basically I want to set myself up a website to sell products online. It's just a tiny little "hobby" business, so I don't really have cash to splash on anything fancy (or official help!). My friend Google tells me there are a number of free/cheap website hosting options, some which provide a template which you can use as a starting point (which to me seems ideal) - anyone got any specific recommendations? Any advice gratefully received.

I have a similar situation. We've only just dropped a lunchtime nap for our nearly 4.5 (yes, you read that right, 4.5) year old, and only because his little sister (not quite 3) had well and truly stopped hers and it just felt wrong to be putting him up to bed every afternoon. He is tired from the moment he gets up in the morning, which makes for a fraught Mummy by the time we get out the door to do the school run. He's at a school nursery 5 mornings a week, and is generally fine while there, but then I get the joy of dealing with him for the rest of the day. I do think that some children really do need more sleep, my son being one of them. Until he was nearly 2 he was still having 2 naps a day (after lunch for 2 hours, then at about 4pm for 30 mins or so). There's still a few months until September, and things can change a lot in that time, so I wonder whether it would be worth re-introducing the naps for a couple of months? Definitely worth getting some blood tests done too - could be a simple case of low iron levels, which is easily fixed. Perhaps I should do the same for my boy!

Just wanted to add that the best thing about Lorenzo is that you get a disc containing all of your photos - so none of the usual expense of having to order prints through the photographer which I think is a real bonus.

I've posted details for Magic Moments before, just heading out now but if you don't find it let me know and I'll send them later x

I think it's normal, and kids vary greatly. My son (4.5) still wears a pullup to bed and is quite wet in the morning. He's been dry in the daytime since he was under 2.5. While he will get up to use a potty it's generally either just after he's gone to bed in the evening, or when he wakes in the morning - he simply doesn't wake up once he's in a deep sleep. On the other hand, my daughter (nearly 3) has been dry in the night for the last 6 months or so.

Unfortunately they don't qualify for a place at a school nursery until the term after they turn 3, and an application for reception places is a completely separate thing (just been through it, and a few of the little ones from my son's nursery class haven't got reception places). As far as I'm aware, there aren't any nurseries that act as feeders, unless you go private, in which case I believe the Villa does satisfy this criteria. I'm a fan of Magic Moments, which is a creche catering for 18 months to school age (although most kids leave to go on to a school nursery when they're 3). Just 2 hours, but a nice gentle introduction to a nursery type environment.

Lorenzo Ali is an excellent local photographer who was great with my kids when he took photos about 18 months ago. Very reasonable prices - his website with examples of his work: http://www.lorenzophotography.co.uk/kids.php

I wonder if it's worth getting her to come weekly? IMO it's easier to keep on top of dust etc. if the cleaning is done regularly (although maybe you're doing it in between her visits?). Otherwise I would just be honest with her, and point out the areas that need done more thoroughly. I've just done exactly that with my cleaner this morning - she's been cleaning for me for over 3 years now, and is great, but there were a few things that I felt needed more attention and she was absolutely fine about it.

Ha ha, I'm glad you said that Buggie, I was thinking the same thing!

We went to the park when our boy had the pox. Not to the swings, just to the big open areas so he could get some fresh air and have a bit of a run around when he was at the stage of starting to feel better but still contagious - we just made sure he didn't go near any other kids etc. Use your judgement, but I don't think it's necessary to stay couped up inside, especially when it's a baby who has it as you can keep him away from others pretty easily. P x

I used the Annabel Karmel books as a guide when I was weaning and there are lots of lovely ideas in there, might be worth getting a copy? My kids still (at 4.5 and nearly 3) eat some of the recipes from it - butternut squash risotto is a favourite in our house.

My son has a dog which he loves (bedtime only) - he sucks it's tail, so after 4.5 years you can imagine just how horrible it is! :-S Despite my best efforts I haven't been able to find a 2nd "Barney", and I fear it's on it's last legs. With my daughter I was determined not to fall into the same trap, so I started leaving the muslin I'd been using for the day in her cot with her at night. 3 years on she loves her "wuzzy", and the best thing is I have 12 of them, so every week wuzzy gets replaced with "fresh wuzzy" and she doesn't seem to mind. I think it's just a case of deciding what to use and sticking with it, I'd say she was about 1 year old before she started snuggling up to it at night (she has a very particular way that she likes it, all bunched up against her cheek).

The baby will be fine, it's really how you are feeling that will make the difference. We flew to NZ when our eldest was tiny and it was a breeze, basically feed, sleep, repeat for the 30 or so hours it takes to get from our house to my parent's house - certainly the easiest trip we've done. I felt fine within a couple of days of having my son so could easily have coped flying at 6 weeks, similarly after my 2nd baby. If you have a c-section I'm not sure whether you are permitted to fly at 6 weeks, might be worth checking before you make any firm plans as you really can't tell what will happen. Good luck!

Is it wrong to admit that I fancied Tintin? *totters back to Family Room*

As soon as my daughter was able to climb up and down by herself (16 months or so) I got rid of all the "baby" attachments for her Tripp Trapp, so I would say you don't need to buy any of the extras.

We don't have extended gliders (to the best of my knowledge) and have never had a problem with them tipping - and if anyone is going to manage to tip herself backwards it's my constantly wriggling 3 year old!

Not sure on coconut milk, but I used to add rice/couscous etc. to baby food all the time - and my kids have survived to tell the tale ;-)