sanity girl

Stompa have a clearance store online which is worth a look - some real bargains to be had. http://www.stompa.com/acatalog/Stompa-Clearance-Shop.html

But if he has meant something to you over a long period then it does feel like a personal loss. I have loved his music since I was 9 and it has been a big part of my life. I was taken aback by how I felt on Monday - I have never experienced that feeling of loss at the death of someone I don't know personally before.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It's funny. The man didn't release an album for 10 > years between 2003 and 2013. Not once in that time > did I hear anyone say it was like there was a > giant hole in the world. Because we knew he was still out there. Doing things like this http://bbc.in/1RiA2nK sorry I don't know how to embed the video, but if anyone can, please do!

The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles - set in New York in the 1930s - quite F Scott Fitzgerald-esque Also the Paris Wife by Paula McLain - a fictionalised account of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage from his wife's point of view

They are not looking for donations for baby clothes for Calais - their pressing need is for men's shoes and clothes and sleeping/eating equipment. http://www.calaid.co.uk/ You could try the refugee centre at the top of Barry Road.

Belle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I go for a lot of toilet humour with my two (4 and > 6) - in previous years there have been whoopee > cushions and fake poos. A couple of friends have > secured "Fart whistles" from Amazon which I'm now > thinking I should look into! > > I've also gone for a little wind up torch from > Just Williams, and a pencil case to keep all his > bits in. Tiger/ Hema really good for stocking > stuff. > > There are loads of party bag supplies on Amazon > which double up as good stocking fillers - and > Yellow Moon do tonnes of nice superhero things, I > had some for my son's 4th birthday party which was > superhero themed. Things like superhero rubber > ducks for the bath etc. Thanks. Whoopee cushion is a good call. I think he bought a fart whistle once with his pocket money but it was disappointing! I was also thinking a trip to Hema in Victoria would be a good idea, so will do that too.

You can't get easier to fold than a Baby Jogger City Mini- and you could use it for the new baby when they come as it reclines flat

Thanks - my daughter wants a science kit so will check those out!

Anyone got some good suggestions for inexpensive stocking fillers for a 5 year old boy? My son loves Lego, rock music, superheroes, Star Wars. His Christmas list is very short and influenced by adverts he sees on TV for crappy plastic stuff. I'm worried I'm going to get to just before Christmas and realise I haven't got him much. No such problems with my 8 year old daughter!

You could get her an Oyster card and just top it up with credit when needed. I don't think anyone gets monthly travel cards any more do they?

I have just seen that it starts at 9am up in South Kensington - unfortunately too early to travel up there in time. It would be great if there was something more local.

Thanks, this sounds like just the thing for my daughter - will check it out

Another single parent here and my kids probably watch a couple of hours of tv a day in the winter at weekends - but not all at once - maybe an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. They are a bit older though - 5 and 8. I would try and limit it to a certain number of episodes at a time. I do find that we always have a better time when we get out of the house even if it's cold out. Trips this weekend included a walk in Dulwich/Sydenham woods, swimming, going out for lunch with uncle and cousins. Other good things to do - Horniman museum, soft play (if you can face it!), playdates with friends, Southbank and tate gallery.

Done. Would like to add that a lot of the clothes I wore during both pregnancies were not designed as maternity clothes - just stretchy fabric or loose fit that worked for me.

My top quick meals for my kids: Pasta with tuna sauce (olive oil, garlic, tin of tuna, bit of passata - cook together for around 15 mins) Spaghetti bolognese (I'm afraid this does involve cooking the bolognese sauce in a batch but it really doesn't take that long - Sunday morning is a good time) Sausages with mash Sea bass fillets or salmon pan fried with rice and frozen peas Fish fingers and oven chips Homemade burgers - just squish mince together in a patty and dry fry in a non stick pan - serve in bun with cucumber/ carrot sticks on the side Most meals are accompanied with broccoli which is one of the few veg both my kids will eat. Other options - e

I've taken 10 8 year olds to Rocca in Dulwich Village on a Saturday afternoon and it was fine - booking essential though!

You might also like to change "mummy" to "parent" in your title - sounds a bit patronising tbh!

My son went to Dulwich Village Pre-School for a year from age 3-4. He was very happy there. I moved him to Half Moon Montessori from age 4-5 as it was better suited for older pre-schoolers (they have a separate class for the older ones whereas at Dulwich Village Preschool they are all in one big room). Dulwich Village Preschool has the advantage of all the lovely green space around it, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor play. It's also quite cheap :-)

I rinse everything to avoid bad smells/animals trying to get into the recycling bin. I share a recycling bin with neighbours and think it's pretty gross to put in unrinsed milk bottles/ meat/fish containers.

JAGS pool has just had a new boiler installed and is a pleasant temperature now - used to be quite cool, but better since the new boiler

I will drop some items from the current list on Saturday - thank you so much for organising this.

No reply to my PM so perhaps the OP has already found one

I had a Mirena coil fitted 2 months ago - some very brief discomfort on insertion but the whole experience was fine. I think it is probably more painful if you have not been through childbirth. I certainly would not have needed local anaesthetic. And the benefits are great - 1 day periods anyone? I had mine fitted by a GP at my group practice who does coil fittings.

I've sent you a PM - have one you can borrow