onefifty

I was shocked to stop in the ED deli tonight for our usual treats only to see the place bare. The man behind the counter said today was their last day. :-(

Horniman Primary School Spring Fair today 1-3pm. Gently used Infant and Children's clothing from 50p/ 3 for a ?1 Toys (we've got at least 2 trunki cases offered at ?5 each) Bric-a-brac books plants Cream tea, may pole dancing, bouncy castle and more!

Thanks for all the PMs and posts. I've contacted several of the recommended decorators to come and give me quotes. I'll post back and let you know how it goes after the works has been completed. Thanks!!

We went at Christmas...kids were 4 and 6.5 and it was FANTASTIC. We stayed at a disney hotel but only because the condo we wanted was booked up. This is the FB page of a US friend who organises Disney Holidays. He is an amazing guy who is incredibly knowledgeable about the parks and all they offer. He does this trip planning as a side business/hobby he loves Disney that much. He helped us out with planning our trips and gave us lots of info that made our trip more enjoyable. Knowing best times for various activities and which rides/shows not to miss, etc. https://www.facebook.com/TripswithChip Also a link to the condo https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.216070198591120.1073741830.216007031930770&type=1 Have a great time and start booking now if you want character meals etc. We had breakfast at Cinderella's castle and met the princesses there which was one of the highlights of our trip but you need to book ASAP as reservations go fast. If they are already booked up it is definitely worth it to keep trying. We managed to get ours after a few weeks of checking back and it wa so worth it for our kiddies (and the grown ups.) Enjoy!

Can anyone recommend a high quality decorator? I am really fed up with shoddy jobs and would like someone who pays attention to the detail. Thanks in advance

Nantucket can be expensive and a bit stuffy. Martha's Vineyard (the other island off of Cape Cod) is a bit more laid back and a bit bigger so more to do. There are lovely bike paths on the island with bike hire places in the 3 main towns. The beaches between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are calm and good for smaller children. August is peak season there so can be very busy. Another option might be the outer banks in the Carolinas. It keeps you in the same general part of the country so avoids too much extra travel, flights from FL to NY/Boston are 2.5-3 hours. I had friends who used to go to Kiawah Island in SC with their 2 boys and always raved about it.

I have a stack as well. PM if you're interested

Balance Bike! After 18 months with the balance bike my son hopped on a pedal bike and was confidently riding in less than 30 minutes never even needed stabilisers.

Check their website but it used to be that if you sent a SASE they would send a brake free of charge.

Another vote for Kuki, Shingo in great!

Sounds great. Where shall we meet? I'm near Forest Hill pools/horniman, you?

Hi Dr De Soto, I can do any of those days during school hours with my 2.5 yo daughter. Busy this week but free next week.

Hi, another American here. 6years in London now, arrived from SF. I've got a 5yo and 2yo and would love to meet up with others. I can't make this Friday but would hopefully be free next time.

Yes please!

We used the baby bjorn seat that fits onto the toilet and a step stool. Worked great for him and we never had to go through all the fuss of cleaning out a potty.

Another vote for no stair gates. We did it with both children and thankfully all was fine. It does take a bit more effort initially but once they learn to turn around its much easier. Especially with baby no 2 when you have an older child who is fine on stairs but would struggle to deal with stair gate.

I was disappointed to see the change when I stopped in today with my daughter. There is a small basket of toys near the highchairs but being out in the main area I didn't stay for long. The drinks and baked goods are average so the real draw for me was the child friendly environment. Moving the deli counter into that back space seems a strange business move as you can't really see it. When I walked in I thought they'd done away with it altogether.

I have the same ages/genders. We've gone with a wooden toy shop and have asked family to buy bits for her shop (food, shopping trolley, etc)

I hadn't planned on it but I had my Dad. I went into labour 2 months early and husband was 2500 miles away. The labour was very fast and when they said it was time and did I want anyone to be in the room with me I said my Dad. I think he was as surprised as I was but it was a wonderful experience for both of us. The first birth he had ever witnessed and a lovely bond between my son and his Grandpa.

Just got back from a cut and colour with Shingo, I'm THRILLED!!! Have been salon hopping for the past 5 years, I think I have finally found my hair home.

Belle--I grew up in the US and in my area halloween was very similar to what you described. Never any nastiness to it and you always gave a little something (IE performance) to get the treat. It seems that now in the US and in my last 5 years in London kids just knock on your door and shove an open bag in your face to fill with treats. Like so many things the sweetness of childhood seems to have been stripped away and replaced with a gimme gimme attitude. Sad.

What's in your tummy mummy? By Sam Lloyd

Just remembered another trick we used to use with my son, came from one of the nurses in the NICU. Fold the top of the nappy back in as it create a bit of a lip and keeps the wee from wicking up into the shirt, pjs, bed.

I had the same problem. Just did as an earlier poster said and went up a size to increase absorbency and also use pampers Baby dry.

What a great idea! I have a friend who set up exactly the same business in San Francisco and got to it in the same way you are starting. We've just moved into a new place and are at the begining stages of exploring rennovation ideas and design so I'd be interested in being a guinea pig. Feel free to PM me.