sunbob

Black absorbs heat whereas white reflects it. I wonder if putting up a white layer first then the blackout material would help. (couple of rectangles of white material, sewing machine and some stick on velcro needed). A rather more major investment could be some solar panels, which could reflect away heat from the rest of the roof and might make enough power to run the air con (if you still needed it).

Probably obvious, but remember to leave the curtains shut during the day to help minimize the temperature gain during the day. If you are around during the day you can also open or close the windows depending on whether the outside is cooler or warmer than the room (eg we get morning sun in the bedrooms and afternoon shade, so I would keep the window shut till about 2pm then open when the outside temp has gone down on that side of the building).

I noticed a strong blossom smell in pr park today, which seemed to ne coming off the tons of cow parsley like stuff round the edges of the wooded areas.

A couple of great ones by Randy du Burke, The Moon Ring. (fab illustrations) and The Bravest Girls in the World. Julia Donaldson, The Gruffallo's Child is female and Room on the Broom presents a nice non typical version of a witch.

When I rang the other morning the system was on 'the surgery is now closed' message, at a time when it was open. Getting an appt lately has been really hard too, ended up booking my 2 little ones in for more than a week's time, if they have actually got something its going to be pretty nasty by then! I think I will have to resort to trying to get in with the duty doctor for an emergency appt.

Hi. We have a chicco happy snack. It has its down and upsides. It seems quite comfy, even when they are just getting the hang of sitting up. It also seems quite sturdy and secure, so I feel confident popping out to the kitchen whilst the child sits in it (only a consideration if you have separate small kitchen and have to go in and out I suppose). On the down side, after 3 years and 2 occupants, I still - forget which bits recline it and almost fold it by accident whilst they are sitting in it - find it v awkward to put up after folding - find it very annoying to clean (fabric edgings around wipe clean areas, lots of akward books and crannies). For us though being able to safely while they're in it overcomes all these annoyances, as with something climb out able it would be impossible to function with a separate kitchen and dining area.

We use Amott Rd and just go the days that we choose to. I think other parents do the same, creating their own routine. It is very affordable so doesn't feel like we are waisting money on days we don't use. Later on, when school gets closer and we may want our little one to attend more days, we will be able to regulate that as we choose without having to worry about booking extra days.

Thanks for the info James. Are you allowed to go to one of those if you live on as different street nearby?

I often find my husband infuriating and think he isn't doing enough, but now that times are really hard, with 6 mnth old not sleeping and 3 yr old being typically demanding he is really supporting me wonderfully, allowing me to get some sleep and doing ad much housework ad he can manage. I am a Christian and have found this page particularly helpful http://momsoffaith.com/2008/12/praying-for-your-husband-is-vital-to-your-marriage/

Fortune Street park has a little playground. There is a footpath through to it from Whitecross Street which may be the most direct route (turn left out of Barbican entrance on Silk st, go straight across junction with main road, go up Whitecross St then little path between buildings on left some way up).

Thanks. We found out by going in the end. They run bh mons the same as normal Mon but 9-5 only apparently.

Does anyone know the opening times for swimming today please?

What time is the class?

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/downloads/download/2409/lets_go_guide_fun_for_under_fives On this page you can download the local children's centre timetables. Those in the Camberwell/Dulwich and Peckham/Peckham Rye guides are closest. They are not always 100% accurate but each listing has a phone no so you can check before you go. http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/Dulwich_Leisure_Centre Here you can download the East Dulwich pool timetable. It's usually slightly different I'm the holidays, again ring to check. Peckham is a short his ride, with Peckham Pulse leisure centre, which had a nice soft play with hourly sessions (on the hour for most of the day I think) and Peckham Library which has a nice children's section. There's Dulwich library too, most of the libraries have baby/toddler sessions, some of which are listed in the Let's go guides above. The dulwich one is Thursday 1.30-3 (possibly a morning session as well I think).

Seconding Rowhill Grange http://www.alexanderhotels.co.uk/rowhill/ We had our honeymoon there and it was so relaxing to just take a twenty mile taxi journey rather than the stress of the airport etc.

There is Le Club Francais on Saturday mornings at the Old Alleynian Football Club, 020 8699 7655. Nice friendly teacher, their early session is mostly littlies and they sing French songs and do colouring and such like.

Yes, I heard that 42 out of the 50 nursery places were taken by siblings this year.

The hv gave me a couple of free bottles of healthy start vit d drops. I keep forgetting to give them but when I do remember both children love their synthetic banana taste.

We stopped our daughters nap at about that age. I would listen to her on the monitor and she was spending a higher and higher proportion of her nap time awake. Also, she was not wanting to have a nap- after cutting out the nap I realised that previously she had been very eager to be constantly doing stuff, whereas when she knew she wasn't going to be packed off to bed she was much more willing to relax at home for a little while each day (so not all my down time was lost). On nursery days when she had a nap she wouldn't go to sleep till later either.

Thanks for the reminder about that funny thread. Our 5 month old started going in his own cot last Monday, after cosleeping since 10 wks. Other half is on leave for 2 wks so we are sharing duties. We are taking it as it comes and I think he's getting the idea of the. Cot as his bed, although he doesn't particularly like it. Anyway, I'm at that almost no sleep for the last week stage, bone tired, tearful and occasionally manic. One such very hysterically funny occasion was this lunch time. Having forgotten the nappy bag, left very late for our b holiday activity (as I didn't have the usual energy to chivvy everyone out) and with much loving help to prepare from my dear mum, (who is so willing but has physical restrictions of her own) we ended up eating a picnic in the car in Asda car park. In back Mum, and me hardly holding it together with maniacal laughter as 3 yr old enjoys smearing yogjurt around and (of course) daddy and grandpa blissfully unaware as they read their newspapers in the front. Anyway, I am missing out on valuable sleep here. i wish you all some sleep tonight

Mia. Unfortunately we can't blame our mess on the kids. In fact we even use 3 yr olds craft/art projects to try and brighten the place up a bit and take tje eyes away from the heap! When my waters broke with her I was trying to clear bags of recycling from the lounge at the beginning of what was meant to be 2 weeks at home to tidy up before she was born. It kind of went downhill from there! (the mess I mean :)

I empathise with you. Our place is much too full of stuff, which means that as soon as something isn't put back in position chaos insues. Things take twice as long as they should eg we are going on hol soon and I know it will take me an age to pack because I have to search around for things instead of them all having their own home to be found in. It also can limit opportunities for my 3 y old eg she loves to help in the kitchen and loves baking even more, but if I am struggling for enough space and clean stuff I can't let her in to butter the bread let alone make a cake. Oh well, I will stop moaning for now, thanks for the opportunity to vent.

With our daughter we introduced a mashed sweet potato or banana supper at 5 mnths because she had been on a growth spurt (constantly demanding breast)for 2 wks which showed no signsof abaiting. She could also sit up and was very keen. With our son now we've been giving him a little something since 4.5 mnths for different reasons. He is practically pulling the food off our plates, he is v strong and can almost sit up, he has no trouble swallowing mashed rather than puree and you can see from his poo that its being digested. That said hubbie and I both have our own opinions on how to look after our children rather than following advice and are prob a bit old fashioned so this approach certainly wouldn't suit everyone. Do your own thing based on what you believe to be best for your children.

Sitaram do a one off birth rehearsal class for both parents. We found it v useful first time around (daughter) and I definitely would have gone again to prepare for my sons birth if I had had the money/time. Www.sitaram.org

A tip someone gave me once, which seems quite helpful, is to brush them from behind (eg they could be on your lap facing away from you) because its nicer than someone coming at you from the front poking a toothbrush in your mouth. An idea which my other half came up with which works really well for getting an extra good brush is to remind them of the lovely treat/pudding etc they had today and that they will be able to have treats like that again only if they brush their teeth nicely/are aloud to have treats like that because they do look after their teeth/won't be able to if they don't (whichever angle you prefer