nunheadmum

I think you can join in the NCT tea groups after the baby arrives even if you haven't done the classes. So you'll meet mums with babies the same age but without the cost of the class. I think the NCT classes can depend very much on who is delivering them - although I think our group bonded over a shared dislike of the teacher. On the other hand, I found their breastfeeding support really useful in the early days.

Pebbles - I think you need a will of steel to keep to points when you're enjoying yourself. Probably better to look at the fact that you enjoyed yourself which we all need to do sometime and now go back to counting when the environment makes it easier. If you can't run, can you go walking instead? The points seem to be more or less the same for jogging and brisk walking. Or swimming - I've been a couple of times without the kids and it's sooooo nice actually being able to swim (albeit very slow compared to some) rather than playing with kids. It almost feels like a treat rather than exercise!

Probably more for a little one than a bigger kid would need as there's a lot of paint, pens etc around in reception and tops never lasted more than 1 day. I found 3 skirts/trousers, 3 to 5 t-shirts/tops (depending on how good you are at washing) and probably no more than 2 fleeces. Also depends how tight the school are on uniform. Reception tends to have a bit more lee-way at our school as kids can still be rather strong willed on what they will and won't wear!

Went camping at the weekend and all went to pot. Tried to fill in my points last night and think I have 3 weeklies left! (Suspect they've been used too but I just forgot.) I think I managed a staggering 40 one day which, with no breastfeeding babies to offset it with, is quite a lot. Trying to rectify it before the weekend. Managed to put on 2 pounds last week after a fairly responsible week so hoping that the 'using all your weeklies helps you lose' is going to prove true for me this week.

Definitely sounds like croup. We find running the shower before bath to get the bathroom nice and steamy can help too. And a bowl of hot water in the bedroom (out of little hands way) can help. I think steroids are used if it gets so bad they can't breathe. Our GP has given us some to have on standby but seldom get to that point. And we find them quite awkward to use the inhaler with a small kid so other less technical options have better results. But if the child is getting to point that it's difficult for them to breathe, call 999. But lots of kids get croup but never get so bad.

Am I the only one thinking the shots of the kids around the goals after the game tonight were the best pics of the tournament?

Really good to hear of the good work. I'm sure this is a real boost to the staff and also the parents who have actively got behind the school amd helped it on it's way. It's great to hear that your efforts have been so well directed and appreciated by those who make such public judgements. Onwards and upwards.....if it benefits the kids!!

I'm being driven up the wall by my two these days. Some days it's just non-stop and so senseless....elder one pushes the buttons, younger one reacts. They can play together so nicely at times but when they do, I find myself thinking 'It won't last!'......now and again, they do surprise me! Thankfully!!

No OFSTED for holiday stuff. But I think you get to the point that you don't worry - anyone who offers to take your kids over the holidays must be fine!

Got to second the balance bikes at Decathlon. Great value for money and a good bike - really light and perfect for the littlest ones. Comes with a brake too which is good once they start going faster and helps with transition to proper bikes.

Is it still Jan and Amanda doing it - I thought Jan was giving it up? Almost tempted to pop back and say hello. Sure A would love to - they were so nice and encouraged her so well to do things she didn't think she could!

Bechenham Spa does classes for pre-schoolers run by proper gymnastics coaches. Used to be on a Monday afternoon. Did them with my eldest and she really came on in confidence. Starts to teach them too about following instructions and taking turns etc. And parents wait outside - used to love my quick coffee!

I would say the same as Fushcia - don't worry about it. I suspect most kids start of liking the sweet stuff more so it doesn't mean she's bound for a life of sweets and biscuits. And the more stressed you are about it, you can guarantee the more she'll play up.....it's Sod's law! I know for me the worst thing was seeing the food I'd slaved over, in my bid to do the right thing, ending up on the floor / bin / hair!! When it got to me I ended up using pre-prepared food - jars etc (there wasn't quite so much choice around a few years ago) - so that I didn't mind as much. Actually my eldest seemed to like these more - which was very galling. But it kept me sane and gradually she did move onto proper food and now at 6 she's perfectly healthy and eats pretty much as well as I could expect and LOVES her veg.

Check out Beckenham Spa. In the past they had a programme of classes over the summer which included some for younger kids too. We started doing gymnastics with them that way and ballet too....some that you wouldn't get in to normally during the ordinary term times.

From what I remember of the discussions around the rebuild, there wasn't enough money to build anything bigger than what's there already. Would be lovely if outdoor area was available outside the set sessions. But fingers crossed the Children's centre manage to bring better access one way or another.

My girls LOVE the sparkly stick on jewels that you can get at Yellow Moon / Baker Ross. My 4 year old loves cutting (and has thankfully got good sense as to what can and can't be cut) while my 6 year old has always been more into drawing and colouring. You can get good mixed art boxes - we were given one but think Argos do a good one in their 2 for 15quid selection: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3846395/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys+and+games%7C14417629/c_2/2%7C14417629%7C2+for+15+pounds+on+Toys%7C15052090.htm Maybe get something like this and see what they respond to. It's great if they do get into it - my 2 can entertain themselves for hours with creative stuff. Would love for my eldest (& youngest!) to do the Artastic days but eldest always too shy to go on her own and never manage to work it to go wtih friends. Have to agree that painting is for special occasions (especially if they go to nursery and get it there).

So how many points in the D&S millionaire's shortbread? I've looked at it longingly but haven't dared try it yet!

Once you hit one goal weight, you can certainly adjust the goal to keep going. Not sure about adjusting it mid-term. Maybe keep going till you hit your current goal so you've something to feel good about and them reassess what seems right. A bit like with the kids...keep giving rewards for small bits and before you know it, they've done the big thing. (Or at least, it's how it's meant to work..not always the case in our house!)

If you're not already doing it, try to weigh yourself the same time of day - my weight varies a lot depending on when I weigh myself. I sneakily stick to when I know I'll be lightest!!

Kallo Plain chocolate rice cakes are my keeping sane trick - 2 points for 1 or 3 points for 2 I think it is.....so usually have 2! Not as light as fruit or carrots but helps me feel less like I'm doing something worthy!

Oh for the days of walking in the Dales and the likes. Would SO love to do something like that again. But if anyone was up for a longer walk (I run 5k so walking it seems a little light.....8-10k would feel more like a effort) I'd love to join. Got some of the Time Out guides or lots of signs around this way for things like the Green Chain Walk etc.

It's annoying though that there isn't an app for Android....unless I've missed it? And the activity tracker bit on the normal website doesn't work for me via the internet on my phone. Went for a run today and got annoyed as the distance I used to do, I can now do in less time so get fewer activity points. I'm not quite doing 'high intensity' running yet but still a significant improvement on where I started. Seems like a bit of a disincentive to me! (Also as I lose weight, I need to go for longer to get the points...which makes sense but seems unfair!!) Thankfully I enjoy running so won't stop and I never did eat my activity points. But it would be nice to feel like it's still doing me as much good.

The trains to the new updated Blackfriars station are running now at the weekends from Nunhead / Peckham / Denmark Hill / Crofton Park etc. The station now exits to the South of the river (as well as the North as it used to) which makes it a good option for the Tate Modern, Festival Hall etc. And the underground interchange is lovely and spacious and calm - so much better than Victoria - making it a pleasure to get to the museums around South Kensington. (I know there are those with issues about the changes to the services. I'm not trying to get into them - just pointing out something useful that's come of them.)

We went up to the Diana Memorial Garden in Kensington Park at the weekend for the first time. I thought that was lovely and on a school day, may be less over-run. If the weather is good, the park itself is lovely to walk through so may be a nice day for you too. I second what others have said about just spending a nice day together. Do something that works for you and keeps you as stress free as possible. That way you'll be able to enjoy your time with your daughter and she'll love that the most.

I'm meaning the kiddie ones that my eldest has become obsessed with. According to her and daddy (who usually does bath) we're looking at around 4-5 days or more before they'll come off in the bath. I managed to scrub one off today that had been on for around that time but it did take a bit of mummy scrubbing and her arm was a bit red afterwards (oops!). Is there an easier way to get them off? We were never allowed them when I was little so I never learned how to get them off. (And that was a LONG time ago so guess they've become a bit more child-friendly in the interim!)