lillyanginger

While I remember...DS2 has just finished and ADORED the Fablehaven series. 5 books by Brandon Mull. He also likes John Connolly 'Hells Bells' - but not as much as Fablehaven.

I am not the resident sour dough baker but I remember moaning about the bread being to sour...and husband saying he let it rise/sit for too long. It seems the longer he left it out before baking the more sour it got.

...in the US and will I be able to use it here? Apple Mac books are so much cheaper in the States.... Anyone know?

They can play at the Old Alleynian Rugby and Football club. They have all age groups there. Have a look at their website. The season is about to end though...

Very nice!!! Thank you :-)))

Ahh...this takes me back years.... Ruth, I went to see an Osteopath for my pregnancy related back ache and it worked very very well. Have a look at the 'British School of Osteopathy' on Borough High Street (I think). You do not need a referral and they were very good. I hope you find a remedy soon.

Have you thought about getting rid of the bedframe and putting the mattresses on the floor...It really won't be forever, our DS2 slept in our bed for a long time before he moved in with his brother. Sometimes just a mum/dad will do and I agree with the others who say make do with whatever works for you. Mine are now 9 and 13(tomorrow) - and nobody wants to sleep with us any longer...our bedroom is definitely ours and has been for quite some time.

What fabulous suggestions...I have already ordered some for DS2. Thank you for starting it, I will keep an eye on it.

DS2 is 9 and has just read 'Gregor - the underland chronicles' (5 books), the 'mysterious Benedict Society' (3 books)and something about 'Warrior Cats'. And his current favourite was Salman Rushdie 'Luka and the Fire of Life'. Boy 1 used to adore almost anything by Michael Morpurgo, Boy 2 hates him. Have a look at Cornelia Funke, she has some great books out for this age range.

They can play from quite small at the 'Streatham and Marlborough' Cricket club opposite the Harvester.

My son is now 9 years old and only just refusing to sit on the Trip Trap. I loved the way as a baby he ate from the table straight away, no trays etc but proper part of eating as a family.

Many congratulations to you.

The Cambria in Herne Hill does a nice steak!!!

Many congratulations, I hope you are both home and settling in!

Sorry Liz, I mean the Queen Elizabeth just outside Victoria station. We went to Crystal Palace when mine were small, it was really really good. I hope you find something suitable.

liz, my friend goes to Victoria with her pre schooler. They love it.

Brilliant! I wish I had thought of that some years ago....both boys won't touch salad - and they are 8 and 12... Not quite giving up though!

Belle, we used to have a bigger wooden one and it was a huge hit for child no 2 who still really likes digging (not in the sandpit anymore, age 9). Child one was not really that interested... If he/she like digging...the bigger the better I feel.

We stayed at Motel One - a very reasonable and brilliantly located Hotel chain near the Bahnhof Zoo -really close to the City Centre. Honestly one of the most brilliant cities I have ever been too. Really really good. For all of us for all different reasons. Desperate to go back!

We used to trek to Crystal palace, the lessons there were brilliant. A friend of mine is currently going to Victoria, apparently there is a pool next/very near the station and the classes are good.

My kids are slightly older - 8 and 12 - and speak German and English fluently(ish). I speak German at home, we all speak English outside the house but we have tried to incorporate German as much as possible. German telly (when they were younger, less so now), DVD's, books...I am sure it all helped. Child 1 likes German, is proud to be bilingual and definitely good at other languages at school. His younger brother is slightly less keen on speaking it but can do it. We do not push too hard, I remind him occasionally and still try and speak it at home without fail. He will at times answer in English, sometimes in German. With Child 1 the second phase of learning a language has just started...learning how to write it properly. I think that is going to be a much bigger hurdle than the speaking as he does not really see the need. --- From the little experience we have, I am amazed how easy it was for the children to pick up the different languages, put people in language 'boxes' and rarely get it wrong. If only we had a third language...

I have just discovered Jo Nesbo - he writes crime stories that play mainly in Norway. I liked it better than the Stieg Larsson trilogy. Some great suggestions in here, I will definitely read some of it.

Ruth, I had baby one as an emergency c-section at Kings and really really really did not want to have to repeat that experience. When I was pregnant again, I was very keen (but not totally set) on a 'non-casearean' birth as I had all kinds of problems with baby one. I also wanted EVERY painkiller available on this planet - I was not going to do a repeat of number one birth!!! Child number 2 was born at home. It was a very very different birth - in a good way. That was 8 years ago. I have no idea if I can help you at all, but please feel free to pm me if you wish.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10412377.stm

I remember putting the car seat in the little trailer...you could strap it in and that should work.