lucyA1308

We went, and it was nice and refreshing, but a bit of a disappointment compared to last year. Many of the sensors weren't working, and there were a lot of empty wine bottles and rubbish left lying around - probably form the night before. I don't normally make a fuss about these things, and accept that the kids will enjoy it any way, but my memory of it from last year was so lovely, and I felt that it was a shame not to have all the sensors working.

Is Wells Park water play working at the moment? I hope so. thanks.

I sometimes take my children on the top deck of a no. 3 bus. it starts at Crystal Palace, and the 1st bit is fairly residential South London, but soon it emerges into exciting Central London, and you pass by Big Ben, Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, and out at Oxford Circus. We usually find a nice place to buy an ice cream, or sometimes we have got off at Trafalgar Square and walked down the Mall and see Buckingham Palace, then go and feed the ducks in St James' Park. St James' park has a really lovely playground too. I remember doing it when I was little, one of my favourite holiday treats.

my one bit of advice, which my husband tried to convince me of, and I didn't listen, but he was right. When we got married in Dulwich village, we had a flat in Tulse Hill. I stayed at the flat, and it is not a very long journey into Dulwich Village from there. I wanted to arrive in a black cab. I think they are so stylish, and even that is a luxury for me, who mostly travels on the bus. My husband found a company that specialises in black cabs for wedding hire. It cost about ?130, and I thought that was a ridiculous amount of money to travel from Tulse Hill into DV, just for a black cab with a ribbon on. So the day before the wedding, I phoned up London taxis (what ever the company is called), and asked to book 2 cabs for a specific time the following day. When that time came, I got a call from the taxi company saying that they had been putting calls out but there were no cabs in the area. (I imagine they might have come up to Brixton, but were not really many driving around Tulse Hill looking for customers on a Saturday afternoon. I didn't know that was how they opperated, and thought that if i had booked a cab, then they would make sure they would be there - not just call out for the nearest one at the time, and see if there were any around. Anyway, it was a gorgeous sunny bank holiday weekend (almost our anniversary coming up), and all our neighbours were either at the wedding, waiting, or had gone away for the weekend. So we all piled into my dad's car (they live in the countryside, and the car was full of sacks of gardening stuff). Mum, Dad, my bridesmaid and my aunt, and me in my dress, and all the bouquets of flowers. We were actually early, because of the sudden panic, and the thought that we needed to make up for lost time. With all the adrenaline, I almost ran down the aisle when I got there. moral: Listen to your husband to be, if he makes any useful suggestions, and also don't rely on being able to pick up a passing black cab in Dulwich.

I have been wondering how to do 2 when the time comes. At the moment it works with seperate bed times, but it does mean that bed time can be rather lengthy. I think the cuddle is very important, as it helps them get all warm and snuggly. If they are lying in their bed it is not quite the same thing, is it?

Kath, that looks lovely/ I will definitely see what their prices and availability are. Thank you.

Hello there, I was wondering whether any one could recommend a Yorkshire holiday cottage, or a company which they have used to book similar holidays in UK through. In-laws live in Scotland. Cousins in Lincoln. Lovely friends have moved to Durham, and in order that we get to see everyone, I thought we could base ourselves in Yorkshire and the in-laws could come and join us for a weekend, we could visit our friends in Durham, and take a trip into York for the day. Cousins could also come and visit. Any suggestions would be a good start, as I have no idea.

I am a very proud music teacher at Kingsdale. It is one of the happiest schools that I teach in. All the children are very motivated, and full of energy, which shows in their performances.

if they've stopped doing the hot dogs, I think i'll go one evening after supper, when my husband is at home, and kids are in bed.

I need to head over to Ikea next week. It shouldn't be too bad, I know what I want, and so not too much aimless wandering around with the children getting demanding, or bored, or both. It is more the fact that although it is relatively near, a trip there, can take up most of the morning / lunch time, then by the time we've come back they haven't really had much fun for themselves. Can anyone tell me about the ball pit / soft play bit at the entrance? has anyone uesd it? What ages is it? how is it supervised? I don't want to leave them there, but it might be nice to give them something fun to do if they have been good while I have done my shopping. Also anyone know if they have stopped selling the hot dogs? I love those hot dogs. Thanks, Lucy

i think there is one in Crystal Palace sports centre.

Val, where is the What store, it sounds fun. Just the sort of place my kids would love. A nice morning trip to the shop, come back home and spend the afternoon being creative. The only Homebase I know in Crystal Palace is the one at the Penge end of the park. Is the What store by there? if so, hooray. If not, please can you let me know. Thanks, Lucy

The Playtime concerts which have had a great reception in West Dulwich have got another venue to add to our calendar each month. As well as the West Dulwich venue, from May we will be hosting concerts in Bromley. Please tell any friends to look out for these (taking place at Bromley Youth Music Centre). Also if anyone knows of any online forums such as this one, where I can publicise it, I would be glad to know. Thank you. Lucy

Well done.

Just a quick reminder that this concert is tomorrow, for anyone looking for fun half term activities / treats for all the family to enjoy.

The next playtime concert is Tuesday 19th Feb. This is during half term, so if you have any school aged children at home, please do all come along. Tuesday 19th Feb. 10.30am. All Saints church, West Dulwich, Lovelace Road. SE21 8JY. Sheida Davis - cello, and Lucy Melvin - violin. We will each be performing some of Bach's wonderful sonatas for solo cello and violin, and then joining forces to perform some arrangements of well known music from the films. I am sure that there will be something for the whole family to enjoy this half term holiday concert. ?6 per adult. 45 mins of classical music in an informal environment, followed by juice and biscuits.

Playtime concert for children. Tomorrow (19th Feb) 10,30am, All SAints, West Dulwich, SE21 8JY. 45 minutes of classical music, for children and adults to enjoy, in an informal environment. ?6 per adult. juice and biscuits afterwards. This week: Solo violin - Lucy Melvin. Solo cello - Sheida Davis. Each performing some solo Bach sonatas, and then joining forces to perform some popular arrangements from films. A chance to try out some little violins afterwrds.

The next playtime concert is Tuesday 19th Feb. This is during half term, so if you have any school aged children at home, please do all come along. Tuesday 19th Feb. 10.30am. All Saints church, West Dulwich, Lovelace Road. SE21 8JY. Sheida Davis - cello, and Lucy Melvin - violin. We will each be performing some of Bach's wonderful sonatas for solo cello and violin, and then joining forces to perform some arrangements of well known music from the films. I am sure that there will be something for the whole family to enjoy this half term holiday concert. ?6 per adult. 45 mins of classical music in an informal environment, followed by juice and biscuits.

not GG or LL but Cafe prov in Herne Hill is great, they have a big toy box and book shelf, and kids can play with the toys or read, because they are happily playing they are not running around getting under peoples' feet.

Oh yes. mine love it. We often go just for the slide, and they can spend a good part of the morning there.

Yeah, Horniman 1st stop. dulwich picture Gallery (although they might be installing a new exhibition, so check what is open), my 3 yr old will take a pad of paper and colouring crayons and sit and try to draw what she sees (in her own creative way) my 1 yr old loves just to practice her walking up and down the long gallery. Bertie and Boos soft play cafe in Balham, was a recent discovery for us. Charity shop jigsaws (as others have said) or even take the kids into the chartity shops and let them have a rummage around, and choose some toys to take home. Again, sticker books and colouring books always a good distraction. Have fun

bath time =bath toys (they can be quite expensive, so often an empty shampoo bottle will provide good distraction and fun); singing songs with actions, means that they generally are sitting down watching you, waving their hands in the air with you; And remember it is just a phase. They will grow out of it. Re. Teeth brushing. I told my 3 yr old, who likes to make an issue of it, but usually gives in eventually, (probably an attention seeking thing, which I am now getting a bit fed up with) that her teeth will fall out if she didn't brush. that scared her quite a bit, and she has been better, but she is also looking at everyone's mouth, including other children whose milk teeth have fallen out, and I can tell that she is worrying about them, and thinks that that has happened because they didn't brush properly.

I found for lively toddlers that it was more disruptive to have them fighting against sleep in their own bed, that we cuddle up on the sofa, and read some (maybe quite a few, - depending on actual levels of tierdness) stories, until I can see that yawn, and eye rubbing. I'll say one more story, and then bed time. They then know that they are ready for bed, they prepare themselves for one last story, and are actually nice and sleepy when they get into bed. not the co-sleeping thing, but a nice cosy cuddle with mummy / daddy, and then when they get into bed, they are really ready for getting straight to sleep.

AS a diversion, but on similar topic ... my toddler moved onto a Tripp Trapp, when her little sister was ready for weaning, and went into the high chair. The little sister is now 1 and hates getting into the high chair, when she sees her big sister on the lovely Tripp Trapp. I am sure we will eventually get one for her, but I would rather wait until she can use it without the baby add on, so that I am not paying for all the extra kit which will only get used for a short while. At what age would people say they stopped needing to use the baby harness etc? Thanks

Unless a very heavy downfall of snow this evening, the Playtime concert will be happening tomorrow (Tuesday) 10.30 am, All Saints Church, West Dulwich, Lovelace Road, SE21 8JY Keziah Thomas has a lovely programme of harp music planned, and I have made the biscuits, so I hope to see many of you there for a nice excape from the cold weather outside. ?6 per adult.