Bonfire2010

Hi - just giving this a bump as I also have a small plastering job that needs doing (filling some holes in my ceiling after having spotlights removed), but have also found that plasters don't want to take it on as it won't take long enough to warrant a full day. If anyone is willing to take on small jobs such as this and the OPs please reply!

We had one of the Lucy Sparkles 'crew' for our son's 3rd birthday and she went down well. She came as a pirate and did lots of singing, dancing, parachutes and bubbles. As with acb2013 I found Lucy herself to be very responsive and flexible (we changed the number of children attending and the time we wanted her). The lady that came to the party was lovely too. I think they do the whole shebang (cake, food, party bags, invites etc) if you want them to, but we just went for the basic entertainment package.

You'll note my comment was over a year ago - no idea what it is like now!!!

Rafal ripped out my old kitchen and installed a new IKEA kitchen for me last year. He also re-tiled my kitchen and put a bath panel in for me. He did this all in less than 10 days (admittedly, it's a small kitchen) and left the house clean and tidy each evening. He turned up on time and charged us less than half of what it would have cost to have IKEA do the same job. I would recommend him.

Another vote for Mason & Green. Used them for trip out to Gatwick a few weeks ago. Our flight was delayed twice and they were very accommodating in fitting in around our new times (and making sure we had 2 child seats). Also used them for return journey with no problems.

SE15 mum - I am selling a tandem Britax B-Dual if you want to have a look :-)

Hi Jessica I went to Kiddicare in Croydon when looking for a buggy/pushchair. They had loads of models on display to try out. I called ahead to make sure they definitely had the model I wanted to look at so as not to have a wasted journey.

We go to Cod Fellas on Bellenden Road (takeaway only though).

Thanks all. Looks like we are doing the right things (we have lots of flash cards, sound out the words, track with fingers etc.) He is read to on a very regular basis so we'll just keep going with that. I've downloaded one of the Reading Eggs apps (thanks etta166 and mariamadeit) and will try the books suggested.

A third for the guy in the jewellers on Rye Lane - he is really good and a nice chap (and reasonably priced).

I think Pickle is spot on. One thing I did realise after the party was that the kids didn't really care about much apart from charging about and having a good time together - which is what it's all about really!

My 3 1/2 year old has told us that he wants to learn to read, but I am afraid I am going to drain all the fun out of it and put him off for life if I am not careful. Can anyone recommend any good books to start us off, and techniques I can use?

Just William's sells them (at least the number ones anyway, can't say for sure re. just decorated ones). They also blow them up for you. Alternatively, you could buy them from the internet (I got some from eBay for my son's last birthday) and take them along to Just Williams to fill them with the helium. Re. food..I shared this with another mum (we had a joint party) and she ordered a few platters of basic sandwiches from Ocado/M&S and we got individual boxes of juice, crisps, party sausages, bread-sticks, dips, raisins, etc. in our regular shopping orders. We could really have done the sandwiches ourselves, but with 3 kids between us, full-time jobs and me being 8 months pregnant at the time we went for the easy option! We got a few bottles of wine and some dips in for the parents and that seemed to go down OK. I've been to a few parties where the kids have been given individual lunch-boxes with a sandwich, packet of crips, juice, and a treat and they went down well. They also stopped it turning into a bit of a free-for-all food wise! Hope that helps a bit!

A friend went here http://www.biscuit-biscuit.com/ and liked it...I have never been though so can't comment personally.

Another vote for the Maxi Cosi Axiss. The swivel seat is fantastic. We recently hired a car with a regular car seat and really noticed the difference.

Not quite ED, but I always go to the dry cleaners on Bellenden Road for alterations and have always been happy with the results (I am 5'1 so nearly every pair of trousers I buy needs altering). The only thing is that you will need to give them the measurements as I don't think they do that part.

Also agree about the tables. Would also be nice to be able to book. The coffee is great though and I really like the 'look' of the bar. Haven't tried the food yet but the lunch menu looks very appealing.

Third vote for the Crooked Well.

That looks lovely MrsMcC - I will be buying!

And have now signed up for this: http://thehopscotchnewsletter.com/

Cross posted - by the time I pressed 'post message' more of you had replied! Thanks all - keep them coming, hopefully the list will be handy for lots of us as the hols are coming up!

Thanks Pickle - had forgotten about Leeds Castle, it's now on the list! I've just found this website which may be of use with the summer holidays approaching: http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/search.php?county=Greater-London

It's our last summer in London before we move overseas and I want to make it a great one! My boys are 3 1/2 and 6 months, so they won't remember it but I'd still like to give them some fun experiences in our home town, and some nice photos to look back on when they get older. I am from London so we'll do things like going to see where I grew up etc. So far we have thought of: Corams Fields Museum of London London Zoo Southbank London Eye Science Museum Natural History Museum (the 3 year old LOVES dinosaurs) London Transport Museum I am wondering if there are too many museums on the list for a 3 year old... My experience of London from a child's perspective is a bit limited to our area, so I'd love some ideas of other stuff to do. I do want to keep it London-focussed as we already have trips to Bournemouth, Cambridge and Norfolk organised. Thanks x

Hi ACBP If he's showing a bit of an interest you could start by leaving the potty out so he can see it and get used to the idea of it. He'll lead the way and the most important thing is not to push it or he may be put off. My son didn't show any interest at all until at least 2 1/2, then we had a few regressions (most notably when I became visibly pregnant with my second son) but it all finally clicked with him at about 3 years old. He still has the odd accident but I think that's to be expected.

Ps, we used combination of potty and seat until my son was confident enough, and had enough bladder control, to make it upstairs to use the loo. We then stopped using the potty. The potty was useful when we started as we could keep it in whatever room we were in, so we could usually make it before any accidents happened.