acb2013

Small toy Elmer elephant lost today in Peckham Rye Park, at the Nunhead Green festival or streets around. In good condition as it was a recent present, already being missed by its owner, very grateful if anyone who's found it could please return it. Many thanks.

Congratulations to you both. And sorry to hear it's so tough at the moment, really feel for you. I think what you describe as your 'gut instinct' is spot on. The early days are so hard and I don't think anything can prepare you for the effects of sleep deprivation and then when your baby cries a lot it's a complete shock. It knocks you for six and intensifies the wave of emotions, including the guilt that you're feeling. Lots of really helpful suggestions already and I would also add: that if you're not already doing so, try to split shifts between you especially at night so you take it in turns to at least each try to get some sleep; if you have any supportive family or friends who could pop over and watch over your son whilst you grab a nap then don't be afraid to ask or take up the offer (I remember a friend doing that with our eldest daughter and I literally ran to my bed and was out cold instantly until the next feed!); infacol after feeds to help with wind; and do keep seeking support from health professionals, it's what they are there for. Hang in there and try to take each day at a time.

Brockwell Park is great. There's a temporary beach at The Conservatoire in Blackheath - not been yet, meaning to, but looks good on their website. Or same at The Roundhouse in Camden - get the train or overground from Peckham. We went to Margate last summer v early on a Sunday morning which took less than an hour as the roads were clear at that time, ditto Broadstairs.

Hello, really great that you've posted this, was thinking after the class visit yesterday that it'd be lovely for my daughter to have some more chances to meet new classmates over the summer, so thanks! We're free that weekend so will see you there.

Hi Sarah, I work three days a week as a job share and have done so for the last three years (including my second maternity leave within that time). My employer is a large charity, so a different set up to what you describe, but very happy to arrange to have a chat with you about what's worked in my experience, if that's helpful. I will PM you my contact details.

We had Lucy Sparkles for my daughter's 4th birthday party earlier this year & she was a huge hit, would highly recommend her. Sheer delight from my daughter when she opened the front door to a real life princess. About 12 under 6s, boys & girls, captivated for 45 mins. From my perspective she was easy to deal with, v professional and reasonably priced compared with a couple of others I looked into hiring. On a bus at the moment but happy to PM with any other questions later!

Hello, if you search the 'school place offers day tomorrow' thread (also in the Family Room) there's a spreadsheet that gives distances for community schools - at the first round of offers stage. Sorry, not sure how to link to it!

Yes, same here - good luck with it all.

Hello there, We have had a letter from Goodrich with details of various parent/child visits & meetings for settling in, which mainly seem to be happening in July. A friend has had the same from Ivydale. Sure all schools do it slightly differently but probably worth giving them a ring if you haven't already, just to reassure yourself. I found it really helpful to start putting the dates in the diary! Best of luck with your son starting school in September.

Also following with interest! If there are no suggestions but a few people keen, I wonder if it'd be an idea to see if there is a local personal trainer willing to suggest & organise a small group class/programme?

Thanks Renata. Is there a number to ring if you're not happy with your offer?

This is what it says on the e-admissions website (where you had to apply)- I just looked it up as I couldn't remember whether or not you get an email: "Outcome of your application and responding The outcome to your online application will be sent by email during the evening on the following days: Monday 3rd March 2014 - Secondary, UTC and Studio schools Wednesday 16th April 2014 - Reception and Junior schools For nursery schools please check the Local Authority details page, ONLY the following 3 Local Authorities allow nursery applications online. Bexley, Enfield and Merton. Other ways to see the outcome to your online application: You can log in to your existing account to see your 'My school admissions' page, then select 'View outcome and respond'. Your Local Authority may send your outcome by letter as well. Please read the letter carefully."

It's the new Harris ED primary - will be on temporary site (think at Harris Girls on Homestall Rd) for the first year and then on the old police station site on Lordship Lane from Sep 2015. As it's not yet built and is a completely new school, and the permanent site wasn't confirmed by the time of the deadline for Southwark applications, the application process was run in parallel to the Southwark one.

Does the session today start at 10am as well? Thanks

We went to the area last May & loved it. Our children were 3yrs & 7 months at the time & we shared a villa (with pool & good size grassy grounds) with some friends who had a 4 & a 6 year old. We stayed just outside Pollensa itself which is slightly inland, as opposed to Puerto Pollensa - the latter is the seaside resort. Pollensa is a beautiful, old small town with lovely shops, cafes, restaurants & a market - many set around a big, open square, so we ate out some nights in a relatively leisurely fashion on the side of the square whilst the kids had plenty of fun running around and playing there, whilst still safely in view. We did a couple of trips to the resort which has a good sandy child friendly beach, jetty we spent some time looking at fish from, and is about 10 mins drive from where we were. It's definitely more of a holiday resort than the old town (Burger King on the sea front etc) but quite small, not full of high rises & perfectly pleasant. We also did a day trip to a couple of gorgeous beaches (whose names escape me) which were set against a backdrop of the mountains. And the husbands did a day's cycling in the mountains where the scenery is stunning. Weather in May was a bit mixed but our friends had previously been in August when it was scorching. I'd definitely recommend the area - feel free to PM me if you want more info on the villa we stayed in etc and I'll try to remember more details!

I had an old Sport & also switched over at just before 5 months. My eldest was also a buggy only napper when her little sister arrived. When you're in baby/toddler mode on the Sport you have the additional seat clipped on the front & I seem to remember it zipped down a bit at the sides to recline just enough for my eldest to doze. I'd also kept hold of my single Maclaren so did some walks with eldest in that & little one in sling, depending on where/how far I was going. It is a bit of a design flaw I think but it's for a v short time so personally I reckon not worth investing in buggy no 3!

This is disappointing - as you say LauraCR, many of us will have put the school down as a choice having been told that there would be extra places via a bulge. When I went to one of the open day tours we were told that the school's governors and the council had approved the bulge, that they were planning a permanent expansion and that they were going to build an extension to the school building. I've just looked on the school's website and here's what it says: "The school has just been informed that the proposed bulge class will not be going ahead for September 2014. We expect to hear more details in the near future and will keep you updated. In the meantime, if you have any specific admission questions, please contact Lewisham Admissions team on 020 8314 8282. However, they will not be able to answer any questions regarding the withdrawal of the bulge class." How councils make their decisions on 'bulges' seems somewhat baffling. Great James if you can post anything you hear back.

Snap - my four year old is dead set on going as Aurora. Given she made a beeline for the 'Disney Princesses Stories Collection' at the library last week, think we may struggle to claim the original Sleeping Beauty as inspiration...

Not sure on venues so not actually answering your question, but if it's any help: if you've not yet booked your entertainer I can highly recommend Lucy Sparkles. We had her for our daughter's fourth birthday party yesterday and she was excellent - she kept twelve girls and boys absolutely captivated and enthusiastically taking part for a very energetic and fun 45 minutes of singing, dancing and drama. She was also reasonably priced and very easy to deal with in making the arrangements. My daughter has already asked for her to come back next year!

Thanks for your reply. We can't make it tomorrow but hope to give it a try another week as I'm sure my two would really enjoy it.

Hi Claire, is that ?6.50 per child or total as obviously makes quite a difference if you have 2 children? And can you just turn up or do you have to pre-book? Sounds great fun, by the way!

And another Maclaren vote here. My tall 3 year old daughter stopped napping in her cot at just before 2yrs but fortunately continued to happily sleep in the buggy, including when 'parked'. Ours is a Sport which is a bit lighter & less sturdy than the XT and although it doesn't recline completely flat it's enough to nap. It also has a bit you can pull out to support their legs when it's reclined. Very good use of the approx ?120 it cost at the time I reckon!

If you don't mind staying in London for your day trip, how about Kew Gardens which, as well as beautiful grounds and a playground if the weather's good, also has a great indoor play area plus various conservatories, a small aquarium (take sling as it's downstairs with no lift) and a family friendly cafe.

Congratulations. 2yr 7 month gap here. Second "there's a house inside my mummy" (just changed the words when reading it as we knew it was a little sister coming) and also liked "My New Baby" by Rachel Fuller which is based around lots of questions('Why is baby crying? Baby's in the bath, can I help?) that prompt a bit of chatting about what the new arrival will be like. Also started talking about the baby at around 5 months, very casually, but emphasising how special my elder daughter would be to be a big sister. Good luck!

How about: Wagamamas (good kids menu & plenty of bustle & lots to watch; in Leicester Sq or Covent Garden) or Byron Burger (Haymarket or Soho - have eaten at the Cov Garden & Soho ones with baby & toddler, macaroni cheese a hit & the staff were great) or Nandos (Cov Garden or Soho - quick & easy and popular ice lollies for pudding.