Fuschia

Pebbles, I used to stress vital items would be missing even when they were safely put away in the bedroom! Calendar, try organised mum Can't post link easily as on phone I think Ours is the monthly planner

Ratty, what do you buy for that? Have a look at your receipt and see what is household stuff, snacks, fruit, veg, meat etc do you waste much? Do you get lunches from that? Can you switch some stuff to 'basics'? Buy stuff on offer/ 3 for 2 and freeze? Have one or two cheap dinners pw - pasta and pesto, baked potato and beans, omelette?

and how do you manage it? I am naturally quite good at organising things but it has taken Me a few years to get our household sorted out And as the children get older it changes Big organised mum calendar on the wAll with important dates and reminders School Letters and hospital appts etc go in the big pocket Same dates entered into my iPhone/iPad which interfaces with my work calendar I can access via iPhone as well as from my work pc Meal planner and shopping list on the side of the fridge Online shop always same slot Labelled bags in a drawer always prefilled for ballet etc, stuff goes right back when washed Individual swimming bags (6!) in a big bag, prepacked Drawers in the hall and children trained to put their shoes etc away when they come in Packing list for holiday stored on pc, reused each year Separate sub list for each bag (beach bag, rainy day box, wellies and sandals, medical kit, etc etc) I could do better with family birthdays though, often a bit late Should get a folder by month and have the children make all the cards in advance! Any other tips? Are you naturally organised Or scatty Does it matter?!

Yawn

For my 3-4 yos and 1yo something right after the big ones morning nursery would be useful. Though Friday would be best day. Will try this Thursday though!

Anyone up for sharing where you shop, when and why? How much do you spend What are your essentials I shop online at tesco - switched from sainsburys because I find tesco points useful for days out I hate supermarkets do rarely shop in person I save the delivery fee by avoiding impulse buys One big shop PCM of up to ?200 to include c,waning materials, nappies etc Usually ?75-?110 pw depending what we are eating that week and whether I buy expensive fruit There are 6 of us Always buy large pack of organic carrots Part baked ciabatta rolls because they keep fresh for the whole week (and more) We get through 2 of the largest milk packs, and have to buy another on weds with extra fruit, bread and Hummous We typically get through large pack of apples, 2 pack of satsumas, 8-10 bananas, 2 boxes strawberries, 3-6 nectarines, pack of blueberries (and tinned and frozen fruit on top) 2 or 3 cucumbers... Mini wraps are useful, last for a couple of weeks A loaf of bread lasts hardly any time I buy basics ham, sliced cheese an makes good toasted sandwiches Also several large Bags of grated mozzarella and cheddar, very time saving. Baby loves eating grated cheese...

I think I would try a 730 bedtime. You have nothing to lose

Ben, you are right, of course!

In defence of DMc, there are some fantastic caring doctors there ... Dr Davison and dr prabhakaran (sp?) and the practice manager will aso sort a problem out if you complain. I find some of the receptionists rather poor though - when you obviously have a worrying issue and they can't fit you in they have a habit of saying 'just call an ambulance if you're worried' When I recently arranged an appt because I felt so unwell I thought I should discount meningitis, and then had to call to cancel the Appt and arrange for a call instead, because I couldn't get out of bed, the receptionist took no particular notice and put me at the bottom of the duty doctor list, so it was 6 hours before I was called back. The dr was very apologetic, once I finally spike to her. I think if you aren't getting anywhere with rceoion, ask to speak to the practice manager instead.

Or 12.30-3 My little one naps in the morning atm usually

I would be up for 1-3 with space for me to give them a packed lunch.

It's a good idea though nap times probably cut across it for some. I would be interested in bringing my 3 little ones along.. Please remind me which days you run afternoons, and the times? Thanks

It's just odd when people joined the forum just in the last few weeks and have posted on no other topic but this, and in quite strident tones. Obviously everybody is entitled to an opinion, but most forum posters aren't fixated on this one topic. So it is a bit odd. Particularly when the discussion was about 'does the inspection report put the school into special measures' then, when that was far from the outcome, has shifted to 'but what DID the exam boards say' It's all fuelled rATher by some sort of conspiracy theory ... Leaves those of us who aren't 'in the know' and being tipped some sort of wink by insiders, no further forward in working out what is going on at the school, eh?!

You can mix it. It's possible to freeze a part bottle, the pour more in and put back in the freezer, too

Smb foods opposite the post office, possibly

Jacks - http://eatsdulwich.blogspot.com/2011/04/jacks.html?m=1 They do private parties ... If I wanted caterers I would try asking them ...

That sounds easy!! Do you grease the foil?

Yes, drives me mad ... ESP when my twins were toddlers! ESP at goose green, the gate is right by the road Horniman sandpit, too

Molly, you are sticking to the low gi carbs then ... I must admit, speaking as a veggy, low fat meals based around vegetables and pulses are not incredibly satisfying, somehow. Add a few nuts, little bit of cheese, helps a lot.

Metallic, are you one of the disaffected kingsdale teachers? All but one of your posts on the forum are on this thread It's very laudable concern if you are just a new forumite with an interest in local schools ...

Magdala? Use goose green and get someone to cater? (jacks?)

Bear in mind I am a veggy Mr f not keen on fish though I can make him Children do eat fish, but usually in breadcrumbs or batter Any idea for nice recipes? Ta

Goose green centre is an attractive venue, but it is diy

This is a lovely recipe, though not entirely simple I have made this before and frozen portions in foil trays You could simplify it and serve with baked potatoes http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/slow-cooker-recipe-vegetarian-comfort-pie-711

Do you like spicy food, sw?