Goodliz

kirstymac1, I am sure you will have a special place in this lady's heart forever. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thank you so much. Loads of ideas I had never thought of - or heard of i.e. Jack Wills! Thanks again.

I am very jealous. I got nothing after either child was born. I would have loved any of the suggestions put forward. Favourite suggestions are: Sleep - so you take baby out for a few hours while she gets some much needed sleep (depends on your baby though - you may be lucky and get a good sleeper any way). Not just the once you need to do this lots and lots of times for it to mean something. Personal shopper - perhaps at Top Shop. Bodies change so much post birth and you feel crap wearing maternity clothes for ages or clothes that do not fit properly. Diamonds or jewelery - a great present to keep. By the way I am sure she would be more than happy with you just being there and giving your unconditional support as and when needed. This was what my husband was very good at - and still is. Also, be prepared for lots of strange emotions from her once the baby comes along and sleep deprivation kicks in.

Hi, I need some advice please. I need to buy pressies for 2 of my nieces age 15 and 12. Can anyone recommend anything please? Both have their birthdays within weeks of Christmas too. Around the ?15 mark for each pressie. I have a big family so has to be a tight budget. Many thanks

Thanks everyone. I managed to find this one Great Gizmos and I could pay by PayPal! Thanks again everyone for the links.

My 5 yr old son said he would like a robot for Christmas - one he can build. Is there anyone out there who could recommend one please? I am trawling the internet but have not come up with anything yet. Thanks.

*Bob* and HAL9000 I'll get my Mother-In-Law and her 12 sons onto you. Each have their own pot of boiling water.

Basmati Rice Rinse well in cold water in a sieve first. Bring a pan of water to the boil. Add in rice. Cook for a few minutes - boil another kettle of water whilst this is happening Put rice through sieve and rinse again with cold water. Add rice to pan of boiling water you have just boiled in the kettle. Cook for another few minutes until done. Drain and rinse again in sieve with cold water and then rinse again with boiling water. Method passed to me from my mother in law which never fails to give nice (non sticky) rice. She makes it even nicer by adding bits of very finely chopped onion and coriander to the cooking process - I am yet to master this part. It is the nicest basmati rice I have ever had.

Some of you may be interested in listening to this programme that was on the radio today. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p3p56Bob Marley

Since my son started school he has had to wear heaps of different outfits e.g. pirate, Knights in armour etc. I read the letters with a feeling of dread! Anything I have tried to make has just been embarrassing (pirate was not too bad tho). So now I don't bother trying to make it myself. Ebay has some great dressing up costumes for those of us who are not handy. Sanitygirl, don't feel bad about your wings. Molly, I've seen many of your creations so I am sure your daughter will be one of the best dressed there!

Hurray, I have my ebay parcel which was sent out 2 weeks ago. Seems like they are going through a massive back log. Good luck everyone else.

rankinroger, this also happens to me all the time. Very annoying. I think some people just cannot be bothered to stop and just push it as much as they can.

Oh how I miss The Wire. Series 4 was my favorite. It did take over our lives though watching as many episodes as possible in one evening night after night! Thanks for the link.

In my experience they should be telling you that these incidents are happening. They may not name the child in question but they should be telling you that something has happened. Whenever stuff has happened at nursery with my kids I've had to sign an accident form. I'd bring it up with the nursery manager and also put your concerns in writing about it into the manager too.

I am also waiting on a parcel that was sent out Thurs 19Nov - still not received and my husband is also waiting on something too. I imagine there is nothing we can do about it as there is no way of telling at what point on the route these things go missing. I am really annoyed about it as my parcel was 2 kids games for my boys.

I have been in the shop about 3 times since it opened and the man has ALWAYS been really helpful and friendly.

I would also recommend Dulwich Park Runners. When I moved to ED many years ago I joined them and made some good friends there too. As Pickle says they always have loads of people training for the marathon. Good luck with it all.

Thanks everyone. This is a great list to have for when visitors come over.

Thanks everyone. This is a great list to have for when visitors come over.

Can anyone recommend somewhere to go for a meal in the afternoon near Somerset House (North side of Waterloo Bridge)please? My sister is coming over with her daughter and niece for ice skating and then we will go for some food nearby. The kids are aged: nearly 3 5 6 11ish. Plus 4 adults. I was thinking about Carluccio's in Covent Garden as I think they are fairly child friendly with crayons and stuff. If anyone can think of anywhere else a short stroll from Somerset House please let me know. Many thanks.

Hi Anyone know if there is a Charlie and Lola book with sharing as the theme please? Thanks.

Thanks Molly. I never thought of keeping one for sleep overs but that is a good idea and I could do that with the oldest one. The other one is about 2 and a half years old and is a really good one (I ordered it by accident!). So when we find some bunk beds I'll advertise the mattress with the cot bed too. Thanks for the feedback. Liz

Sorry, I am not sure if posting in the right place but I wanted to get some opinions. The time will be coming soon for me to sell a cotbed and junior bed. Both with nice mattresses - all John Lewis. I don't know whether to bother advertising the mattresses as I am not sure whether people feel safe to buy them. The advice seems to be that 2nd hand cots are fine but the mattress has to be new. The mattresses are not stained as they have always had protectors on them. Does anyone think it is worth advertising them? The only reason for selling is that the kids will be getting bunk beds at some point. Thanks.

Hi Monica Thanks for your reply. I will ask in there too.

Hi mearly This is the timetable for the week: Monday Peckham Rye, 12.30-1.30 meet by cafe Wed Clapham Common, 10-11 meet by Bandstand Thurs Dulwich Park, 10-11 meet at Court Lane Gate Thanks, Liz