edanna

Pickle, your HV was just repeating government advice. Although it may seem dispiriting it's true that we can be absolutely sure how much vit D is in formula and we can't with breast milk. That doesn't mean anyone is saying breast milk isn't as good and I certainly don't want to get into that debate! But advice has to be formulated on a population basis so if many women don't have enough vit D then their breast milk won't contain alot, so supplements are reasonable advice.

Mix it into something? I used to add it to milk but my kids will take Abidec off the spoon now.

It's worth remembering that there are lots of ordinary foods that happen to be gluten free - there is no need to buy expensive products marketed as gluten free. Coeliac UK gives lots of advice. But personally I wouldn't attempt it without a proper diagnosis.

Tom Disco, it sounds like a wonderful plan. It would be good to get in contact with Bessemer Grange primary if you haven't already. And who is the local councillor for that area?

I've got the chaos book katgod mentioned and I haven't kept up with its recommendations, alas. But one tip I found very useful is to do a 15 min blitz in each room. I know this sounds a bit bonkers but I have actually used a kitchen timer - do as much as you can in 15 mins then move onto the next room for another 15 mins. It's amazing what you can do in that time if you really go for it. My house is still covered in stuff from top to bottom though.

James, the closed end on sats still isn't being utilised properly. I wonder what the plan is in relation to this for marking out pitches, especially since the road closure is still a trial. If there's a plan of what pitch will go where that would be useful for residents to comment on. It would also be good to know if stallholders are reluctant to be in that bit eg because no power points or worries about being missed by people going along the pavement. It could all be much better planned IMO.

Flutterby, so sad for you that it's like this. It's so unfair when employers aren't even willing to try this kind of arrangement. Unfortunately what this comes down to is how much you like your job and want to keep your career going without a bigger gap. You're hardly going to be making any money, if you're paying childcare for your twins. If you can, maybe you could request a career break of a year or two then go back when you're getting some funded childcare or when friends and family members feel more confident. I realise this may be unaffordable but worth thinking about. I'm currently only making about ?200 a month for three days a week after I've paid double childcare even getting gov funding for one child and it's hard not to wonder what the point is. But I'm doing it partly for my own sanity and partly to have a job still going when my son starts school and it all gets a bit more affordable. I wish I could tell you a way of making your employer more cooperative but it sounds like you've explored a lot of avenues. The people I know who've taken legal action in similar situations, even though they won, said it wasn't worth the emotional toll.

If you go to Hever take towels and change of clothes because there's a maze that squirts water, unless they turn it off in cold weather. It was really hot when I last went. I really like Leeds Castle - it is expensive but worth it if you'll go a few times in the year.

Mitchs02, have you voiced your concerns to the head or deputy head?

No, but I was thinking more of useful stuff, rather than games. Having said that, they can be useful too!

Ouch!

Haven't read it but loved Anne Enright's Making Babies, which is honest and funny and not depressing.

I came across this breast checking app, which looks great: ibreastcheck Has anyone got any other practical apps to recommend?

Well it seemed like forever of course, but probably not more than 10-15 mins.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped look for my son in the blue coat today. I really appreciated how concerned and helpful people were, though I was far too panicked to express it at the time! Anyway, we found him, with help from kind Peckham Ryers, hiding in quite an obscure place, scared but otherwise fine. Thank you all.

It's a lovely nursery - both of mine are there now. The recent Ofsted report was v good too.

Goose Green also bulged in 2011/12. A school can clearly only bulge if it has the physical space to accommodate an extra class. If it has the space there is nothing to stop a school bulging two years running if it wants to. The problem is that most schools round here don't have much space. But Southwark will have to find places for the 2012/13 and 2013/14 kids somewhere. Sorry that this isn't more reassuring! But your child will get a place and even the previously less favoured schools locally seem very much on the up.

Peppa pig world? A bit of a trek though and not sure about winter opening but have heard great things about it. Agree with everyone that London Transport museum is brill.

Dainty Sue. See previous thread here re our v positive experience: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,780850,780850#msg-780850

Like Melbourne groover said the wow toys are good - my son had the wow digger at that age and still plays with it sometimes at 4 years old. Also the elc fire engine is really good. And there's now a Happyland double decker bus, which is fab for putting people in and out of etc.

Jack?

There is an old and new style of babyset - the old one has a backrest and a wooden bar, plus leather strap going between the legs. The new one has a slightly different backrest and one moulded plastic bit at the front. They must have changed it for a reason and I'm wondering whether it was to make escape more difficult. You may well be fine without a baby set for a 15 month old, though they're really helpful for smaller ones. If you do decide you would like one I have the newer version, which I could sell to you very reasonably! PM me if you're interested.

I think reports to the police of burglaries in ED are up, according to the last meeting of the Dulwich Community Council, but don't have stats.

There are always going to be bugs wherever children congregate (or indeed adults - Sainsbury's, the bus, the office). She may well have got the bugs if she wasn't at nursery - little kids just catch stuff. My 18 month old is very robust, doesn't go to nursery and has still had the same succession of tummy bugs, colds etc. It does get better as they get older and their immunity builds up... You can maybe avoid catching stuff by washing your hands all the time and avoiding her slobbering on you or your pillow too much!

Having had a really brilliant party for my son's 4th birthday last weekend I wanted to say how wonderful our entertainer was. She's called Dainty Sue and is localish, living in Bellingham. I know from time to time people ask for recommendations for entertainers, so here's a heartfelt one. NB I don't have any connection with Dainty Sue, commercial or otherwise, apart from being a very happy customer. She did two hours for us, starting with a magic show - all the kids and adults sat down and watched and she did some brilliant tricks ('proper magic' as my husband would say, who has high expectations of these things!) and kept the kids captivated and often laughing their heads off for the best part of an hour. Then while they had tea she made some brilliant balloon sculptures - dragons and twisty sceptre things with hearts on top etc - then after tea she did a disco with bubbles and foam and games, sleeping bunnies etc. All the kids had a great time and lots of the adults commented on how good she was too. She engaged with all the children, including the little 12-24 month siblings and was really natural with them. With some entertainers I've seen I've not been convinced they actually like children, if you know what I mean, which is certainly not the case with Dainty Sue - she was lovely and warm and approachable and has young kids herself. Anyway, I've had some really helpful advice on parties in the family room in previous years, so I hope this recommendation will help some of you plan lovely parties for your kids. Here's Dainty Sue's website: Dainty Sue. She's the best entertainer I've seen.