HollieES

Has anyone been to any of the following with a little one? Would love to hear your experiences, best time to go, what the beaches are like, travelling, food etc. Thanks in advance x

We're staying at the Edelweiss Clare, fancy that! I love Overgurgl so much, went every year before I had my son (I think it's the Nederhutte that enticed me back!) so I just can't wait to experience it now with my family. It's a celebration trip for my 30th birthday so a real special treat - will definitely be making the most of it. Xx

Thank you both, that's really helpful and great shout about the ski school. We're going to Obergurgl in Austria which in my experience had good English speaking instructors, but I will definitely make a few enquiries to work out the best bet for ski school for my son, I'm really hoping he loves it!

Does anyone have any recommendations for kids skiwear? Ideally something warm but lightweight. Also, for those who have been with kids before, is it best to put them in an all-in-one affair, or a two piece (thinking of ease of going to the toilet if he's in ski school etc). He'll be 4 when we go. Advice/experience very welcome. Thanks in advance.

British Military Fitness run classes in Dulwich Park and are amazing! They're great fun and you really see results. I think their Dulwich Park classes run Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9.30-10.30am, and then Saturday morning at 8.30am and 10.00am. They also run classes on Peckham Rye on Wednesday evenings at 7pm which might work for you? This is their website: https://www.britmilfit.com/where-we-train

Hi Dean, I can do this for you. Have attached an example of my work. PM for more details. All the best Hollie

Looking for a student or graduate/newly quailfied filmmaker for local project and intern experience. Filming and editing skills essential. Would be a great opportunity for someone looking to build or expand their portfolio. Filming would be based in East Dulwich. For more details, please PM me.

So glad those who took part enjoyed - I will arrange another one towards Easter next year so if you missed out this time you'll have another chance. SW, just tried sending you a PM but your inbox is full x

Brilliant, thanks all!

Apologies for the strange request, but my son has lost a tiny Rastamouse toy that he loved. I would buy a new one but it was one of the tiny plastic toys that came free with a Rastamouse magazine ages ago. It's a little plastic Rastamouse on a red skateboard. If anyone happens to have one laying around that doesn't get played with, my 3 year old would be chuffed to bits to "find" him.

I have space for ONE last swapper, please PM me with your postal address ASAP if you want to hop on board.

Last chance saloon people! The list is filling up with secret swappers, and you only have until 5pm today to sign up.

Lovely folk of the EDF, after taking part in something similar myself, I have set up a Christmas surprise swap(see attached). Essentially, if you want to take part you will be paired up with a stranger and then send each other a Christmas surprise package - a box containing something personal (maybe a favourite recipe, a book you've read, a mixtape, something homemade), something inspirational (newspaper clipping, a photo or illustration that means something to you), and a little Christmas gift (spending guide for your box is ?10 - put as much free stuff (leaves, stickers, glitter, popcorn etc.) in as you like). To take part, please PM or email me with your name and address no later than 5pm on Thursday 21st November so that I can pair you up with a mystery swapper. Your surprise box must be posted by Friday 6th December. This is much more fun than receiving bills.

Thanks everyone, I think it is a phase and everything above seems like good advice. The waving thing has been helpful and we've tried that for the last few days with some success.

My son is nearly 3 and he's suddenly become very shy. At home he's a happy, confident, and what I'd call a very typical 3 year old boy - basically chatting and singing all day long. He's been talking well since he was 2 and is very good at communicating and using language. He's physically confident and outgoing but over the last couple of months he has become very shy and withdrawn in public, and I guess I don't know whether this is just a phase that he'll grow out of or something I need to fathom out and help him through. As a bit of background, I've been his primary caregiver since birth and when I went back to work 2 days a week, his grandmas looked after him (at our house) a day each. We've always been to playgroups, things like sing & sign, tumble tots etc. so I don't think it's that he's not used to group situations. He's been going to nursery 2-3 mornings a week since Easter where he's happy and never upset for me to leave him. The last couple of months have been eventful in that his dad and I got married, and I've upped my work hours whilst my other half now does most of the childcare, which he's brilliant at. We also moved house back in the summer and I feel like maybe these changes are contributing to his sudden shyness. I guess what I'm asking is what do I do? He won't say hello to anyone (he'll actually say "I don't want to say hello to XX because I'm very shy") - even people he knows really well. We never refer to him as shy because we don't want to make an issue of it. When we go somewhere he'll hide his face in my legs or ask to be picked up. If I'm really honest I'm getting a bit embarrassed because I think people think he's being rude and isn't a nice child. It's like I want to say "he's not like this at home". I'm aware that sounds a bit daft, and that I shouldn't be embarrassed, but I'd just like to know if anyone else has been in a similar situation and if you have any advice about how I can support him rather than putting pressure on him or making it worse.

I'd like to highly recommend Laura above, she did the flowers for my wedding a couple of week ago and I was blown away by how beautiful the flowers were. Laura listened to exactly what I wanted, and with a gorgeous dose of her creativity and talent the end result couldn't have been more perfectly how I'd envisaged. She is so warm and friendly that getting together to discuss the flowers was so much fun - I really can't recommend her more highly. Am waiting for our photos at the moment but happy to share when they're back. Thanks Laura! Hollie x

A local company called Anorak do lots of gorgeous animal-themed prints, not sure about dogs but always worth a look!

It's 0208 299 2255

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201307/what-every-parent-needs-know-about-praise

You Can Do It, Sam Whatever Next! Five Minutes Peace The Tiger Who Came to Tea What the Ladybird Heard Stick Man Room on the Broom Silly Suzy Goose ...all firm favourites of my two year old.

My son will be 3 in December and is currently going to Magic Moments creche 2 mornings a week. After a slightly shaky start, he now loves it there, and I'm thinking of upping him to 3 mornings come September. As I understand it, he'll be entitled to the 15 free hours of childcare from January, but Magic Moments aren't part of this scheme. My dilemna is, do I keep paying for him to go to MM (it's only ?10 a session), or do I take him out and try and settle him into a new nursery for the sake of getting the 15 hours (this will only be for 9 months until he starts at a school nursery next September)? I'd be interested to know what other people have done, and also how you are actually allowed to take these 15 hours. I am keen to keep with the morning/afternoon sessions rather than him being somewhere for a whole day - but are you flexible to use the 15 hours like this? Does it vary from nursery to nursery? Also, with waiting lists being as bonkers as they are, will I be too late to get him into a good nursery in January? Apologies for the onslaught of questions there. I'm confused. Thanks in advance, Hollie x

This is a list of pre-schools in Southwark, hope it helps.

We are thinking of a trip to the seaside for a couple of days next week with a 2.5 yo in tow. Can anyone recommend anywhere that isn't a ridiculously long drive? Thinking 3-4 hours max.

Hoorah! Look forward to meeting you soon then :)

Can anyone recommend a local tailor or dressmaker who is experienced in making alterations to wedding dresses? Thanks Hollie