Mrs TP

Oh dear we told child no2 that the Gruffalo came around looking for children who hadn't cleaned their teeth and that he could smell them out. Every night I used to say he is downstairs having a cup of tea with Daddy so hurry up and get on with it. Worked a treat but now I wonder at nearly 8yrs old why does she still have night terrors? On a more realistic theme mine didn't actually like mint toothpaste and so used to get them strawberry stuff, which gov't recommendations say doesn't contain enough fluoride but the dentist said was fine for introducing the regular brushing action. All else fails - pin down and just do it!

Try goggling these adjustments. People put all kinds of demos up on YouTube - we learnt how to collapse our pop up tent there and also how to adjust the straps on our toddler car seat.

Thanks Pickle, that's exactly what I am thinking of. Ruth - happy to scour a tiny bit after some nasty chemical had done its fair share! (I am sure I should not be so sad and should have other more frivolous things on my mind.)

Anyone know the name of those cleaning bags that you can put your oven racks in to clean them? Mine are too far gone for the usual blast with Fairy power spray. Ta.

They will do this in the day too, usually with someone on look out at the end of a road or any nearby junction. Returned from a day shopping in Bromley with hubbie and two pre-school children, a few years ago, and as we parked up I noticed someone sat on a wall at the end of our road and another guy going in and out of front gardens. As usual and in typical London style we had to park a way up the road away from our house and by the time we go to our house the two blokes were together in our front garden trying to work out how they could attack the door locks. Our mistake was to have left the lounge blinds open so they could nose in and see no-one was in and they thought they would give it a go. We asked them rather impolitely what they thought they were doing and they muttered that they thought their friend lived there but that now they realised it was the wrong road. They beat a hasty retreat and fortunately there was no damage. Did report it to the police.

emza78 - go for it. You are talking about a sensible approach to the heat. They cope by having a brilliant holiday with their family and love being in the sea / pool outdoors. The worse thing I have encountered about hot holidays is toddlers freaking out at the feel of sand beneath their feet and some interfering cow saying to my hubbie 'I hope that child has got suncream on'.

I read this last night and was echoing the general 'bit of head space' theme going on but this morning received breakie in bed (rather comical attempt but wonderful), some bought gifts and a card (thanks Mr TP) but then the most fabulous home made cards. The one from my oldest daughter had my name spelt out on the back and a lovely statement for each letter in my name e.g. 'A' wonderful mother and amazing too! I just about fought back the sobs. No head space for me today, will be spending every min with my brood. Although, there will be shouting in a min as I round them up for swimming. (Normally I am so cynical.)

They are due at 3pm. Can't imagine there will be any major road closures if at all, just police outriders - they are v. slick at this sort of thing.

V funny kford but wot no helicopters? Thanks PippaD, at least I know I am not going completely bonkers and imagining pheasants in my little SE15 back to back garden. Feel better someone else spotted them relatively nearby.

Heard a funny noise in the garden and looked out to see my cat leaping up at a pheasant, which 'flew' into a neighbour's garden. Keep an eye out for it. Can't think where it has come from round here. Must be well lost!

My 10yr old daughter's aunty bought her a large box of Lush bath bombs for Christmas, which she adores. Doesn't sound that flash but check out their prices - not cheap. There were easily more than 10 items at ?3 / ?4 each. Really treasured present. House smells gorgeous each time she uses one.

I used to feel really guilty about being rude, which I would end up being as I would get flustered trying to get rid of cold callers til my hubbie pointed out it's them being rude knocking on our door uninvited and demanding to take up our time.

I heard a playground rumour in our primary school that the only child to be offered a place at Charter from our primary school actually lives in Croydon! That is some walk through!

Through this whole process I kept hanging on to the thought that we have all been to secondary school and survived. I went to an average, if not shitty, mixed comprehensive on the outskirts of Liverpool a million years ago, where you did CSEs unless you proved you were better and then were entered for O' levels (oh I am so old). From there I went on to a traditional Uni to do a BSc (one of two in my year who went straight to uni, most of the rest left to have babies) and then moved to London for Post Grad. Now I have thrown my education in the bin (as my parents think) and am a v. happy full time mum to my brood, shamefully not conceived until my 30s - most of my school friends assumed I was gay. Secondary school in tough whereever and we all got through it. The problem at the moment is the false pretence of choice - there is no real choice just the invitation to provide a list of the least offensive to your own particular calling. It has been a bloody tough 6mths but we got through it and are looking forward to Sept 2012 and the challenges 2ndary school brings - I think. Cheers to all yr 6 parents, however the 1st March left you feeling - sure we will all survive the system.

I think I have done both. Sure it always helps.

Plain baked in foil for 20mins and served on top of mash potato with a poached egg on top of the fish - delicious (and even better with smoked fish).

Two halls with a partition wall that can be removed to make one big hall. Loads of decent seats and tables, which you can decorate and a smallish but serviceable kitchen and toilets! You would have to do all the catering yourself. Friends of ours had a wedding blessing in the adjacent St John's church and then a do in the GG Centre, brought all their own wine and refreshments etc. It was lovely. If you don't want to do it all yourself, then perhaps Locale on East Dulwich Road as an alternative venue or I saw a Christening party going upstairs in the ED Tavern a few weeks ago. Good luck.

I am confused. It says acceptance is automatic but there was still a link on my offer email to accept / decline. I have accepted but it was our second choice. Will we automatically go on the list for our top choice? Ha ha just sussed it, automatically on waiting list but phoned them and nos 227!

Oh dear Heber Jumble Queen and Tatty Mum - good luck with your appeals. We got our realistic 2nd choice and are happy. Our first choice was Charter and we are right on the edge if not over the edge of the usual catchment area with /without the walk through consideration but gave it a go whilst always imaging we would get our second choice.

Thanks - whiling away the last few hours. I think I am extra anxious as this is the first of my brood and working by their age split we are likely to be committing to this secondary school for the next 15yrs ....

There is an annual car boot sale coming up at St John's and St Clement's school on 24th March, which is usually great for 2nd clothes for babies upwards.

I am due to find out which secondary school my child has been allocated tomorrow. But how does it happen? I applied online - will I be sent an email / do I have to log-in? I keep hearing all sorts of playground rumours re the site crashing etc. I want to know from those with experience what realistic time and the best way to find out. Anxious - not me, not much!

I had terrible car sickness as a child. Things that helped me were definitely cool air, preferably a window open, sipping water from time to time - not constantly and being left to be calm i.e. not having a 1000 things pointed out to me or shoved in my face. Also definitely forward facing and even in the front was a great help. We also had this rubber tail like thing that ran from the boot of the car to the floor that was meant to reduce static and apparently sickness - not sure it worked.

Oh I just did a 3rd b'day party at home for my daughter and 5 of her friends plus 4 older children. The only structured things we did were pass the parcel, party food and cake. Other than that they played with some toys and danced and just giggled at being together in a different environment. One mum had just come from a much more formal party at a hired hall and was delighted we were so relaxed. I have older kids - do save the venue thing until they start school and want to invite the whole class. We did bigger venue / entertainer parties for our older two on their 6th b'days - this just sort of organically happened as it was their second year in school, they had blossomed from one or two friends in reception and were mixing with more children so had a a wider circle to invite.

And don't forget their inset day next Monday. My little one missing it today too.