Pamela78

Myatts seems to be broken. Lots of v disappointed children

It is so tough - there's two years between my pair and when the baby was very small, it was such a challenge and nearly always involved tears (often mine)! I'd generally feed the baby while my son was in the bath so she'd be calm whilst I put him to bed - and then settle her after he was asleep. Now my daughter is 8 months old and my son nearly 3, it's so much easier - although still pretty hard work. I put toddler in the bath while baby is in her bouncy seat in the bathroom Quickly wash his hair etc and then leave him to play with his bath toys Then I put the baby in the bath with him and wash her hair, let her have a splash around etc Then I get her out and get her into her PJs in the bathroom Once she's ready, I get my son out of the bath and take them both into his room where I get his PJs on and settle him down with the iPad / toys I take her to her room and give her her milk and settle her in bed And then head back to my son's room to do stories and bedtime with him It does feel like a military operation sometimes - but so far has worked (and doesn't always make me feel the need for wine afterwards!) I'm looking forward to the baby being a bit older so we can all do stories together Good luck!

We bought our house in Herne Hill last year and the previous owners had done this. I wasn't sure I'd like it when we moved in and considered sorting the plumbing out downstairs, but I'm glad I didn't. I love having the washing machine/drying space etc up on the top floor. The noise isn't an issue at all, and it's great not having clothes drying all over downstairs. Am totally converted.

Chartwell is fabulous Polesden Lacey is also worth a visit - nice playground, trails and grounds.

I found the Cheeky Cs playgroup was great when my daughter was newborn and my son was 2 - it was small enough that he could run around and play without me losing him, and I could easily feed the baby / play with her while still keeping an eye on everything! Not sure which days of the week it runs though. I also found Hummy Mummies worked well with them both (and still does) - if you enjoy singing, it's worth trying that too. Good luck!

We've just got back after seeing it this morning - my 2 year old loved it. I still can't believe he sat still for 45 minutes! It's a gorgeous production - would highly recommend it.

Pretty sure all sessions are off this week for half term. Back on from Monday :-)

I've been keeping a blog for nearly three years now - since becoming a mum! My parents and most of my family live abroad or in distant parts of the country so I mainly keep the blog so they can feel part of the children's lives and development. I love keeping it as its such fun looking back! It can be pretty time consuming and sometimes I really have to force myself to keep it up to date. Not sure the children will appreciate it when they are older though (especially when I read about "sharenting" this week! http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/may/18/pros-cons-of-sharenting) - would probably consider a more anonymous approach if I had my time again. But I'm glad I'm keeping the record of our experiences, and hope to keep doing so until they force me to stop sharing! http://agarunderconstruction.wordpress.com/

Andy just completed a bunch of small jobs for me, including putting up blinds and mirrors. He was able to quote and complete the work really quickly. Will definitely be using him again.

If you're looking for a break yoruself - this new place in Brixton offering childcare is open on Saturdays - http://www.treehouseworkandplay.com/index.html I've not used it, but heard positive things

Wanted to share details of a science festival happening on 3/4 May where I work (when not on maternity leave!) - in case you're looking for something different to do or have any future scientists in your family! * * * * * If you?ve ever wondered what life?s like on the surface of Mars, why babies kick in the womb or how your brain understands and reacts to music, the wait is over. Imperial Festival is back. Join us as Imperial springs to life this May bank holiday weekend with hands-on science demonstrations, music, comedy, dance and art for all ages. Events and activities run from 16:00-22:00 on Friday 3 May and from 12:00-18:00 on Saturday 4 May. The Festival is open to audiences of all ages and interests. Food and drink will be available throughout. All activities are free ? just drop in any time. For the full programme, timings and location, visit http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/festival This year?s Festival programme builds on the best science and arts on offer from Imperial staff, students and alumni with a packed schedule of talks, performances and activities for all ages to enjoy. * Chat with more than 200 scientists: find out what they think about and what they do * Peek behind the usually closed doors of some of our research facilities * Enjoy music, dance, science comedy and busking performances * Test your nerves with our pop-up surgery. Do you have what it takes to be a surgeon? * Take part in over 40 hands-on science demonstrations * Get up to speed on the latest research by taking your pick from the Festival talk programme

National Trust one at Morden Hall Park http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/easter-at-morden-hall-park-article-9401.html

Power Pramming is a great class - I made a couple of really good friends there after the birth of my son a couple of years ago. I should really get back to that now I'm back on maternity leave! I now have a 13 week old daughter and have just started taking her to Gymboree in Herne Hill. It is pricey, but one of the few groups I've tried that is really focussed on little babies of this age - she seems really engaged and interested by it. And I've met some lovely mums at the Cheeky Cs playgroup where my eldest can run around, and I can spend time in the baby corner with my daughter. Hummy Mummies is great fun too and a good place to meet people.

Thought this unusual evening event next Thursday at Imperial College London (where I work) might be of interest to families with older teenagers maybe considering studying science at uni? Or a quirky date night for grown ups?! * * * * "The science behind our fears" From mad scientists to brain-eating zombies, Halloween is steeped in the weird and wonderful world of science. Join the first Imperial College London Fringe event, where we take a lighthearted look at the science behind our fears, from brains to pandemics via sleep research and a zombie apocalypse. The Imperial Fringe is a series of monthly evening public events exploring the unexpected side of science. All events are free and open to all. Prepare to think in new dimensions as you join us on a voyage of discovery and debate, inspired by Imperial?s groundbreaking research. Date: Thursday 25 October 2012 Time: 18.00 ? 21.00 Venue: Main Entrance, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ Activities include: * Can we die of fright? Look at how hearts cope with stress, and even touch one if you?re brave! With cardiologist Sian Harding * Take a tour of a real human brain with neuropathologist Steve Gentleman * How would zombies, vampires and werewolves measure up in the world of infectious disease? Become infected, and learn about your new contagion with epidemiologist Deirdre Hollingsworth * Join our resident soapbox scientist Leon Vanstone as he gears up the Imperial tricycle to take you on a journey to the ends of the Earth. Where will you go and will you survive? * Catch a glimpse of our sleeping brain waves and find out what happens while we snooze with sleep and respiratory physiologist Mary Morrell * Meet some of the robots made by the Imperial College Robotics Society, and find out whether we should fear the future of AI? * Create an illustrated comic book of your fears with Neurocomic * Enjoy drinks or nibbles at our pay bar, open throughout Don?t miss three talks by Frank Swain, science writer and broadcaster, who is currently writing How to make a Zombie, The real life (and death) of reanimation and mind control. Talk 1: 18.15 ? 18.45 ? The search for zombie poison Talk 2: 19.15 ? 19.45 ? Reanimation: the two hundred year long quest to raise the dead Talk 3: 20.15 ? 20.45 ? Parasitic mind control: are you already a zombie? Full details at http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/eventssummary/event_20-8-2012-10-33-31

Possibly too far for you, but we've done a couple of fabulous family walks up Box Hill - http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill/ - gorgeous views and easy routes from the car park at the top. There are plenty of other nice places for a walk around the Surrey Hills - http://www.surreyhills.org/. Or closer to home Morden Hall Park is nice - less rural / views of course, but close and easy. Hope the weather is kind to you!

I've been pleased with the Ecozone Moonlight you can get on Amazon - plugs into a regular socket and emits a subtle greenish light. Found it invaluable for night feeds with my baby - emits enough light to see what you're doing.

My 2 year old son enjoys baby booters at JAGS, although it can get very busy and noisy and sometimes he struggles to stay interested for the full hour. He loves Bea's Baby Bop at 10.30am at The Plough on a Saturday morning (although she's away till 11 October I think). We're thinking of trying toddler trampolining also at JAGS which I think is on a Saturday morning.

Agree about Godstone Farn - my 22 month old adores it there. We've also had great days at Hever Castle and Leeds Castle.

My 2 year old loves SoundTouch, Bubbles (by Hog Bay), Magic Piano and FunKey Rhymes. Lots of nice books too.

We used the Francis Peek Centre in Dulwich Park - it was v relaxed, good value and we could do everything ourselves.

I'm quite a fan of Next for babygrows - they've generally been a great fit for my son and I like how easy they are to get on him! Also get mothercare ones sometimes - personally they seem to be a slightly larger fit which is handy when he is growing quickly.

The Wire? Takes a while to get into but worth the effort. My husband is now watching 24, but I can't bear it!

Just thought I'd share details of a science festival happening this weekend where I work - in case you're looking for something different to do or have any future scientists in your family! * * * * * Join us at Imperial College London's first public Festival, on Friday 11 ? Saturday 12 May, to celebrate the work and life of the College and discover what goes on behind the scenes. Bring your friends and family to enjoy hands-on research demonstrations, talks, music, comedy, dancing and art. The Festival is open to audiences of all ages and interests. Food and drink will be available throughout. All activities are free ? just drop in any time. For the full programme, timings and location, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/festival From forensics to robots, artwork to enterprise, the Festival has something for everyone, with a huge mix of performances, exhibitions, interactive exhibits, events and talks. Explore the best on offer from Imperial staff and students today ? immerse yourself in a surgical experience, meet soapbox scientists, analyse your fingerprints, and listen to live music. Highlights include: * Queen's Lawn Marquee: Explore the Festival hub, which includes hands-on activities and research demonstrations featuring Imperial's departments, institutes and innovations. Displays include space missions, lasers and earthworms. * SAF Building: Get up close and personal with the inside of an operating theatre, and try your hand at surgery with a pop-up anatomy lesson. * Dancing in the street: Join Imperial student societies for everything from belly dancing to tango, throw some shapes at the silent disco, and keep your eyes peeled for a skateboarding Isaac Newton and mechanical dragon. * Queen's Tower Music Stage: From acappella to a gramophone DJ, tap your toe to some of the best music from Imperial and beyond.

ED tots is a great local resource for classes etc in the area - http://www.edtots.co.uk/. Or you could visit the local parks, Horniman Museum aquarium or local softplays. Further afield, my son adores the Science Museum basement kids area, the National Army Museum soft play and London zoo. Have a great holiday!

You could try The Rosendale - if the weather is better, they have a nice garden kids area.