candj

Oh I see, meeting for a pint and a chat without kids? Then you'll probably get a lot of takers! If I remember well, minikeef is actually a miss minikeef? If so, my husband can discuss with you the joys of raising girls.... ;-)

Congratulations HeidiHi. It sounds like a real nightmare, and I was absolutely stunned to read your post, but glad all is okay in the end. Take good care. Best, -C Edited to add, he's adorable!

You can always start a thread to meet up with local dads. My husband meets up with another friend once in a while with the kids during the week. I'm sure they'd be up for meeting other local dads, as well. Also, the Peckham Rye O'Clock Club had a few dads there, and I think that CitizenED goes (although I've never seen or met him!). Best, -C

Great to meet you both, Pickle and Fuschia! Have a lovely holiday Pickle and see you when you return. NYmom, it would be perfect for a 14 month old as there's singing and story telling. The room it's held in is fabulous with masks and costumes from around the world, and taxidermied animals. There's a large kilim (carpet) in the middle for the children to sit/crawl on. Best, -C

I will only have my 2 year old with me (a very loud and big girl)... I'm just going to be brazen and go up to people and ask if they are Fuschia and Pickle!

Do you have a photo?

I think you might be able to turn off passenger side airbag for this very reason as you should never have it on while a child/baby is in the front seat. I'm not sure how new your car is, but check in your instruction manual (or call/google said car dealership and see if they can help). We are able to turn off our passenger side airbag through a series of hoops and loops while we start the car, and while it's off our car will always remind us so when we start the car. Sorry not to be more helpful. -C

The 'bulge' method seems a very short-term and almost worrying solution as presumably not only does it bring in the sibling burden next year as Toast mentions, but this years 'bulge' students will only continue on to clog the secondary education level, as well. We moved to ED in 2001 and as our local, Heber, had one of the worst reputations and the Ofsted report made for quite a read. I'd say in watching the school, it turned itself around in less than 4 years which is impressive. Edited to add that those 4 years of turn around for Heber coincided with an influx of children being born and/or moving to our road (ourselves included).

Okay, will try to get there around 10.15...

Sorry about the hangover, I was being pedantic. Would rather be a teacher than a priest on that note...

I've had someone knock on my door last weekend saying they were from a company from Spencers. They apparently sell pre-made food or something to that extent. His van with the company name was parked on my street for a while as he made his way door to door. Sadly, I had to be really curt with him as I had screaming children in the background wanting their tea. Seemed legit, just an annoying time to call on someone.

Are they 45 minute sessions? I might be there with my 2 year old as my older one is now in school. Thanks for posting the info Fuschia.

Hi Ko, We too used the Maxi Cosi baby car seat for our two and it was really easy to strap in (took a couple of times to get the hang of it). We used it in conjunction with a Quinny Zapp (great for travel, or leaving in the boot as second pushchair). I think the same adaptors are usable with the Bugaboo chassis as well, but check this as we didn't have one. My neighbour currently has mine but I know she's done with it and you are more than welcome to borrow it if you didn't want to buy one at all. Hope this helps. -C

Oh I see! I didn't realise there was a magic number! I thought that 'sabbatical' was derived from the word sabbath meaning rest (on the seventh day), not a rest taken every seven years. You learn something new every day.

PGC - In the States, sabbaticals are breaks teachers/professors take, usually about a year. Do they they not have them here? It seemed to be worded correctly.

Sounds like the state school system of Switzerland where teachers are all paid very competitive salaries and as a result teaching attracts very bright professionals. Seems like a no brainer but suppose it's all down to public funds, sadly.

Okay, then he speaks for himself, for his situation. Fair enough. He speaks for me too.

But I don't read Mick Mac's post that way, is he not just asking for more schools in general for the growing general population which happens to be a middle-class population ? I too don't think we need more academies, but we do need another school or two in the area. Call me a snob. I didn't read the original thread so probably shouldn't comment, but it seems a bit unfair to take it out of context.

I don't understand why it's construed as snobby to want better education for our children. Perhaps you haven't heard about the calamity of the school situation in Southward this year....

Failing that, you could always add molasses to dark soy sauce as that is the only difference between the two.

PGC- I also heard that the green grocer on NCR will buy fruit from locals who have an over abundance. Tell your farmer friend to bring his plums there.

Ditto what Cate said. As my local, I'm thrilled when it's open, whenever that might be.

And groundskeeper Willie is a Scottish immigrant !

Jah et Jeremy, Crikey, shall I spell it out..... T-O-N-G-U-E I-N C-H-E-E-K! I'll admit that I can't spell, btw, which might be an American thing.

Jah Lush Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Gun-toting, overweight; overbearing, loud-mouthed, > thick, burger munching bastards. I don't carry a gun, nor am I overweight, or overbearing for that matter, am rather reserved, perhaps too clever for my own good and do not like burgers (parents were married when I was born incidentally). ;) But I don't live in the States, thank the Good Lord.