eva_ben

For anyone not on the facebook group already, the suggestion is to meet Sunday 26/4 10:30-11:30.

We're still planning on going, though my eldest has consumed too much sugar, so might be up and down.

Yes, that's all fine for us. And the earlier session is better for us - 5pm end is a bit too close to my kids' dinner and they start to get ratty and tired. Personally, I'd prefer fb because having to log in here is a faff when using mobile devices.

Thanks so much Fuschia, will definitely check the Wildlife Garden out, and other tips.

Great! We can do 29th too. Thanks for organising.

Hello all, I'm running out of places which will both entertain my 3 year old and allow the 9 month old have a good crawl about. Most of the playgroups no longer hold the 3 year old's interest. We've been to Peckham soft play and Tiny Gym a lot. I'm also looking for museums, or other interesting places, where I can take the 3 year old for a treat but still give the baby some crawl time (not least because I carry her everywhere and get tired!). Any ideas? Does the Science Museum have safe spaces for crawlers?

Yes, lovely website and great idea! Why don't you rename this thread though, as I think more people would read it if they knew what the new venture was about.

Finally made it to Trio and loved it! The staff couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. I was finally able to put the 9 months old somewhere to crawl and play (I carry her everywhere, so going for coffee can be a tussle), and the lovely wooden toys also engaged the three year old. Highly recommended.

Thank you so much CocoC and miss, this is very helpful advice!! miss, I never knew that about advertising first milk, though it makes sense. I'm feeling less dazzled by the options now.

Agreed, the kids need to play/toddle. I only speak Greek to my mother who we see a couple of times a week as she lives nearby. She only speaks Greek to my children (unlike me!), but I think my three year old mostly zones out now when I speak Greek to another adult. But when her cousins were here and speaking Greek, then she actually learnt some new words and seemed to have fun with it. So getting the kids to playful speak/learn Greek would be my motivation for attending a group. Otherwise it's like a Greek NCT...?

I have a 9 month old and I'm going back to work soon, for 2.5 days per week. I just can't face spending all night pumping breast milk, I did that with my eldest and it wiped me out ? and life hasn't got any easier since then. So I'm starting to introduce formula in a sippy cup, for when I'm away, with a view to cutting out all breastfeeds and moving to cows milk after she turns one at the end of May. But, I have no idea about the world of formula, having not gone down that route before. Should I give her hungry milk, or just 'normal' follow on milk? And given that she's never had the bottle I'm just putting the formula in her sippy cup with her lunch. Any reason not to do this / better way to do it? At her age, she is on solids of course, and she eats quite well ? but I'm assuming she still needs milk, even when her usual milk isn't available. Any advice gratefully received!

I have two, 3.5 years and 9 months. Maybe we could structure it a bit more than last time. E.g., I have some Greek story books, various ages, maybe we should at least read a story to the kids, ask them questions about it in Greek. In my experience it's not enough just for them to hear us talk...

Yes, I'd be interested. Anyone else?

?25-30 on the 3 year old, ?10 on the baby. I recently spent a lot on a 3rd birthday and the baby really has too much of everything already. It's more about there being something to open than what it is. Neither of them wants for anything.

No trouble last year with our then 2 year old. I only bought/made wooden, plastic and paper decorations as a few 'fell' off, but otherwise fine.

Why don't you send the artist a link to this discussion and ask him to respond? Seriously.

http://seedcreativenetwork.co.uk/articles/2014/10/mirrorcity_hayward_gallery "Also, outside of the gallery are stunt people blending in with the everyday ? a woman holding balloons and two men selling handbags. Not responding to human interaction or making eye contact, the performers leave a disturbing feeling to the observer, like something isn?t quite right. Overall Mirrorcity is an exhibition full of questions, uncertainties and sheer delight. What is more, Mirrorcity at Hayward Gallery exposes us to the cross over of spaces and only leaves us with more questions as to what is reality and what is not ? which in todays world seems harder and harder to grasp."

The Halifax is sadly dropping to 4% from January :-( https://www.lovemoney.com/news/30777/halifax-slashes-top-junior-isa-rate-to-4 Used to be the best about at 8%.

I think the logic is that if you install the seat then you are taking responsibility for it, and thus your child's safety. Which does makes sense. We paid ?5 for the seats in Clapham.

We've paid the extra for the child car seats, in Camberwell and in Clapham, and the cabs have arrived without the seat installed. In Clapham we were provided with what looked like dirty infant car seats, brand unknown, and I had to faff for 20 minutes (not exaggerating) with a newborn and a 2 year old, trying to work how to get them in, wishing I'd taken the bus. And with a cab you have no idea whether these seats have been dropped or been in an accident. The ones I used did not seem very safe (might have been the way I installed them). So my advice would be: if convenient for you, bring your own seats.

Anyone know if tiny gym in Camberwell is on tomorrow, Mon 1st September? Their website has no info... Thanks!

I recommend Osmo paints, which a few years ago I bought from Marrs Cross & Wilfrid Fairbairns: 1 Oglander Road, SE15. The info on them says they are even suitable for kid's toys: http://www.osmouk.com/sitechaptern.cfm?bookid=Products&chapter=82&page=265 lovely finish.

Thanks again all, so good to hear what others are doing and to be reassured that it's not just us! BeccaL, we will take your advice. Since this came up as an issue I've become much more aware of how long we are taking (previously, as I enjoyed our routine, I didn't notice its length) and I realise that though can take 1 hour, we do sometimes get through much quicker. So agree it depends on the child, plus how tired/wired they are that evening.

My daughter has her milk while we read the stories so I suspect it would not make a difference to us I'm afraid.

Thank you all so much, this is so helpful! We read up to three books (unless a particularly long one has been chosen) but my daughter often provides a running commentary, which can string it out. I do also cherish this time, especially on nursery days.