katyc

We live half way down Fellbrigg. There used to be a group who would hang around outside one of the houses near us, but things have been very quiet for the last 18 months/2 years.

We're in the process of moving to Esher in Surrey(fingers crossed). Bigger plot, Primary school with huge playing field, co-ed state secondary schools, good for eating out and not too far out. Not cheap though.

Have you looked at the Blowfish bikes? I just bought one for my 5 year old daughter and its great. Really light weight and not a hint of a tassle or any pink in sight. I got it from BC Bikes and it was around ?100 cheaper than the Isla bike.

Hi

I was in exactly the same place as you last year as our daughter had been at Heber Nursery. We were really disappointed to be allocated a place Goose Green even though we were just over 300m away from Heber. However, I wish I could have saved myself all of the stress!

My daughter has been in reception at GG since September. She loves it and we're so happy she's there. She is doing really well, the head, reception teachers and other staff are great, we've met lots of like minded parents and there are loads of opportunities for you to get involved.

Please feel to PM me if you want to chat about anything.

Cheers, Katy

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We have used two things:

- the handysitt booster seat which folds flat - we used these for both of ours. A bit pricey but they last for ages. Starts off with a solid frame at waist height but then works as a booster. Fits to most chairs.

- a plastic fold-up booster seat from Mothercare with straps - better for e younger ones and light weight, but bulkier than the handysitt

Good luck!

Our 3 year old son is at Little Jungle on Amott Road. This was his first experience of nursery after a child minder and a nanny and he absolutely loves it. It's quite small compared to most of the others I looked at and for me that was a good thing. The staff are lovely, great with the kids and really responsive to the parents. I really recommend it. Not sure on the waitiing lists though and the price I pay for 4 days a week isn't comparable to what you will pay (because of the age difference and the FEEE grant you get once a child turns 3). I would imagine that Ria (the manager) or Caroline (the owner) will be more than happy to answer any questions you have though.

Good luck with such a big move!

Katy

Thanks for the suggestions guys. In hindsight there was a 'meaty' smell in our small cellar area a couple of weeks ago so that's probably it (yes the kids and husband are annoying but no, I haven't buried them there).

Current scores on the doors r.e. fly dustbustering

Me = 48 flies

Hubby = 31 flies (unsuccessfully tries to use inappropriate items of clothing as a swatter instead)

5yr old daughter = 7 flies (height and reach issues)

3yr old son = 4 flies (stealth issues)

Our house seems to have been invaded by a load of horrible large black flies, but I have no idea where they have come from. Is anyone else suffering too?

Its started a new sport in our house though - fly dustbustering....

I took my 5 year old daughter to see Dr Higgins at the Lister (London Bridge told me they don't do kids) and she was great. She specialises in paediatric dermatology.

The tests they did far surpassed any consultation that I had at DMC and the treatment she prescribed should finally mean we can say goodbye to something that has been plagueing my daughter for 2 years.

Our daughter has been at Heber Nursery for the past 18 months but has been offered a reception place at Goose Green instead. We were/are really disappointed not to have got in to Heber as she has been very happy there and a number of her other friends have got in. However, we have been pleasantly surprised by the strength of support for GG on this forum and so want to be pragmatic and start to plan for her to start at there in a positive light.

We would really like for there to be at least one familiar face for her when she starts school and were wondering if there are any other parents in a similar position who would be interested in introducing the kids to each other beforehand?

Cheers

Katy

am hacked off at whoever damaged my house when tipping over the 'bulky' items left outside (in my garden) for Sothwark to collect

I managed to chomp through the fairy lights on the christmas tree when I was about 2 and I'm fine(ish) honestly! We've always just risked it with our two, but I think I may try the rope idea now our son is more of a budding mountaineer.

Have to say the photos looked fab and all the kids loved having their own photo on their cake! Very restrained posting for you too K! Kx

I can also add my complete support for the Brierley midwives. I had my second at home with them and it was fantastic. I didn't end up with the midwife I had been allocated, as it turned out mine was on holiday for a long weekend around my due date, but had been introduced to the other midwives (who were also lovely) prior to going into labour.

There is a fab fairy toadstool house birthday cake in the Australian Womens Weekly Birthday Cakes book (in fact the picture is on the front cover). I bought a copy from Amazon and made the cake for my daughter's birthday in November. Its a bit time consuming but doesn't take a massive amount of artistic skill - my daughter loved hers.

One of my friends has been advised to go straight to adult toothpaste for her children (10 months and 3.5 years) as apparently the water here does not contain the recommended amount of flouride.

Has anyone else been told to do this? I haven't heard anything so still have mine on the 0 - 3 years one.

We also had our daughter's third birthday there. We had 12 kids plus a few babies and there was just about enough space for the adults. The kids love it and they do have a licensed bar which can help sway the adults. The food is OK (not great) but I also enjoyed not having the whole clear up afterwards! We also have an annual membership which is proving to be excellent value in the winter (especially once our son turned one and they start to charge full price for them).

Thanks Claire. Fingers crossed they sort it out soon. Otherwise we will be using the rain water from the paddling pool (spot the slovenly gardeners).

I plan on having this bottle empty pretty shortly, but don't think I'm the one you are referring to. Are you on Fellbrigg too?

We're on Fellbrigg Road and don't seem to have any water. Is anyone else having problems?

I can also vouch Christine Neillands, who I used second time round. I went from a 19 hour first labour to a 4 hour second one at home (thanks also to the Brierleys) in a pool. No comparison!