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I loved Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh when I was that age (story about a cat) and Pippi Longstocking books are great. Enid Blyton also trusty favourites of course. Roald Dahl amazing, esp the illustrations so would prob get those first :) George's Marvellous Medicine probably my all time favourite (regressing now haha)

Local mum has started a business called Little Genius Crafts which has packs of non-messy activities - e.g. christmas craft pack, under the sea theme etc. They are lovely... Would also say no need to stay in just because of potty training, just buy a travel potty and brave the not so great outdoors, what's the worst that could happen!?!

Room on the Broom is on in town, or you could stay local and go to Newspaper Boy & Origami Girl on at Theatre Peckham? I'm going to see 'Going on a Bear Hunt' at Pleasance Theatre in Islington in late December, one of my 2 yr old's fave books so hopefully should be fun :) Peppa Pig and other events on in Dec and Jan. Have a look on East Dulwich Mummy website too, some other productions listed on there...

I did pilates at the Dulwich Therapy Rooms (above Health Matters on Lordship Lane) and the classes were amazing, would highly recommend if still going. Otherwise try The Vale (Grove Vale) as they do lots of classes too.

I had a copper coil 2 yrs ago, just taken out as nightmare from the start - longer more painful periods, more mood swings, generally bad experience (only perk less hassle for obvious reasons). Going back to diaphragm!

I did but was basically demoted so swiftly found another job, better paid if further away, best move I ever made :) Good luck!

?10 p/h (net) for most in this area and ?12 p/h (net) for nanny shares seems to be the norm I think most are willing to do light housework if not act as cleaner come nanny :)

The Nappy Lady Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What annoys me is that they could charge > considerably less & still (im sure) make plenty of > money. It is just plain greed. > > Like Lapland UK who also charge a huge amount for > a family if 4. > > These companies are cashing in on Christmas & > getting way too greedy. Think about how many > people per hour thru plan to have passing through, > over however many days they are there, less > whatever rent they are paying. Just short of ?50 > per family. Raking it in. Reindeer feed must be > very expensive!! > > Vote with your feet people! Couldn't agree more Molly, I think this is too pricey and that they could get people through the door in droves by charging a bit less. Reckon they will still get loads going tho, I have a few friends willing to pay for "real" reindeer viewing :)

I think The Villa have spaces since expansion. Bright Horizons worth putting your name down, I think a great nursery and lovely staff and manager. From my experience didn't have to wait too long for a place, despite the usual lengthy waiting list warning.

I'd just like to add to praise for King's ACU. Lovely nurses and doctors, all very patient and kind people. Best of luck to anyone going through or about to go through the process, hope it all works out :)

Gumtree, Care.com, Childcare.co.uk, all good sites

New Zealand Lofts (local company based in East Dulwich) http://www.newzealandloftslondon.com/ 020 8299 4093 Michael

I went the other day and had yummy cake (rice crispy cake with toffee type bottom mm mmm - forgive my spelling of crispy / krispie? Gidget!), love the cushions, lampshades and t-shirts, lovely staff and great latte, I shall be returning!

Oops Captured on the Rye!

More info about event in Brunswick Park in case you hvnt seen posters dotted around... http://brunswickparkfriends.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/halloween-poster.jpg

bubbles great, a few sweets, amazon do great party bags really cheap too :)

maritap Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There is Halloween party at the crooked well on > Grove Road for toddlers 10.30-12.30 Is that also Sunday or tmrw? There is a new cafe opening on Pellatt Road tmrw - Capture in the Rye - so I'm trying to fit as many things in as poss without exhausting my 2 yr old!! :)

Try Little Kickers at Haberdasher Askes playing fields (indoor and outdoor facilities depending on the weather) - classes are really well run, not too noisy, keep control but allow lots of fun, teachers are really really nice and patient. They also have Little Rugby. I think they allow a free trial then you book a course of 6 classes if you decide to go ahead :)

My sister in law used to have this done, she has almost afro-type thick curly hair (she is Spanish) - her hair was transformed into sleek, silky straight hair, it was amazing! Costs a fortune to get it done properly usually but from seeing her results it does last - hers grew out rather than came out...

Sounds ace!

My son loves his micro scooter (tho I end up carrying it when he gets fed up of it! not something you can easily do with a trike!), lost interest in his trike and trickier to take places...

My son is at Bright Horizons and I would say worth putting your name down if interested even if for when your child is older... I personally opted for a childminder as I thought closer to a home environment (i.e. fewer children, based in a house with garden and so on). I think I made the right choice for us, however, I have to say moving him on to a nursery has been a bit of a nightmare as he was with the childminders so long (nearly 2 yrs) so there are pros and cons to everything. The Villa and Little Jungle are both nice nurseries with excellent reputations tho a bit further away from you. Piplings is close to you in Forest Hill but a bit more costly - more in line with what a nanny would cost. Agree you should also consider nanny share as not too much more than a childminder/nursery. Good luck with your choice and put your name down on all the waiting lists of places you like as you might get lucky - we only waited a few months despite being warned about year/2 yr waiting lists and in fact The Villa is advertising spaces despite not contacting people on their waiting list, so always ring and chase up every few months too :)

cashewnut Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > PHEW... looks like they'll still be making their > excellent baby wipes. I'm not a massive fan of their wipes but for those who are apparently you can even launder them and re-use - if you were interested in being eco friendly and wanted some cloths to use around the house (assuming not TOO dirty without being crude) :)

Up to 25% off some designer baby and kids clothes and up to 40% off toys!!! http://www.debenhams.com/designers/kids?CMP=EMC-251012-UK-THU

New cafe opening this coming Saturday, looks lovely from the pics and they will have free cake samples yummy! They will also be running children's "mini piano" lessons and other parent & baby classes (not on Saturday but as general events), all sounds like a great addition to the area :) Come along and support a local business!