ladywotlunches

Sorry to hear about the redundancy - its never good to be forced to do something (though it can make the decision easier!) But just to hopefully reassure you, we moved away in the summer, and both kids moved schools (eldest is in Yr 5, youngest went into reception but in a different area so away from her nursery friends). They LOVE their new school, and the new area! They've made great new friends, its so easy for them as they spend so much time in school in the company of those new children. When we had a dusting of snow on Saturday, my 9 year old was bouncing round the house saying 'I love living in the country!' over and over again!! (it is very green, but still within the M25!) My eldest was always very balanced about moving - I know its not always the case. But they both had trial days at their new schools which were great. I found getting them involved in all stages of the move - so viewing new homes etc was the best way to get them on board. Obviously its a big move for me too. But my fears about the older mums all being cliquey have melted. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. There is no EDF equivalent though - anyone want to help me set it up?? (happy to run just don't know how to make it in the first place!) Good luck with the move - fingers crossed you'll look back and decide that it was the best thing that happened for you and your family :)

Don't forget the Jumble Trail in Honor Oak Park TODAY. There are 20 stalls across Honor Oak Park, Stretching out to Brockley, Forest Hill and Canonbie Road for a good hill walk! We have a stall at 56 Dunoon Road - loads of handy baby and toddler stuff, kids and adults clothes, bedding and towels, Oh and a classical Guitar and a Rocking Moose!! More info here: http://www.jumbletrail.com/event/SE232015#

Toys R Us do have a wooden version, in their Universe of Imagination range. It comes in plain wood, so looks good as is or could be painted. Also, Sue Ryder shops do a range of lovely painted wooden dolls houses (all new). And you'd be helping a good cause. Theres a shop in Forest Hill next to the Sainsburys

Great service (literally!) from Steve as always. He arrived exactly when he said he would, sorted out the problem, serviced the dishwasher and it's now running like new. Thanks!

Being a bit cheeky - and probably no good for the OP as both bikes are pink, but I've just posted on the classifieds both a 14" Ridgeback with pedals, and a balance bike which my daughter has grown out of....:)

My 8 year old had the same request. After general consultation with friends we decided that they are stinky, noisy and he would get bored quickly. But he was insistent that he wouldn't. So as a compromise, I got a Zhu Zhu hamster. Now they were everywhere a couple of years ago, not so much now, but good old ebay came up trumps. Hamster arrived - kids (both) loved it. Its quite cute and runs around making noises - some 'realistic', some like car horns!! They had great fun. For about a week :)

It was outstanding yes, and in EVERY criteria. That is really hard to do with the revised standards set by ofsted, so huge congratulations to all the staff and governors for looking after and teaching our children so well! NewtoSE22 - good luck with the school intake process. By your username it sounds like you're on the 'other side' of the council border, so I hope you get in. Last year was a 'bulge' which will probably mean a high proportion of siblings next year (and probably no bulge as there is absolutely no space!) Its a shame that such a brilliant school doesn't have more space to take in more of the community. There is a thread running on SE23.com about an ex-nursing home that Lewisham want to turn into temporary accommodation for homeless families too - which may further impact local school places, and many think it would be better to use that space to provide more school space/extend Fairlawn. If anyone is a local resident to the school, and hasn't already responded to the council's consultation on this proposal, please do so (I don't want to hijack this thread though so will leave this here!)

Bananas for veruccas - well, this is why I just love the forum! I get a remedy for my 4 year old's horrid verruca that won't go and she screams when I touch it (even gently). AND a use for all those bananas they get through!!! Hoping this works as nothing else has - have been trying for months and last night tried the freezing stick but she wouldn't let me leave it on for 10 seconds let alone the 30 you need to. Will report back!

Sorry to hear this has spread over to the Nunhead side of the park. Quite a few thefts have been reported on the ED side regularly on the forum. Vespas are easy targets as the fuel pipe can be just pulled out. On the upside, it does mean that its just the fuel you have a bill for, not a new fuel pipe if they cut it! As Nick says, try and park your bike against a wall to make it harder. We still have had petrol nicked where they have moved the bike - but you can get motion alarms that would prevent this. Anything that would draw attention to the thieves, like an alarm, or CCTV (or threat of - dummy camera/sign?)would make your bike less attractive, so its worth a go. And if you have somewhere you could store it, its helpful to keep a can of petrol to top up if it does happen and at least you can get to work! Yes, the police are roundly rubbish on this type of crime. Sadly though, its because they have to prioritise more serious stuff.

Hi all My son is taken by the idea of the Tiger cubs at London Zoo, thought I'd prefer somewhere where there is more room for the animals to roam like Port Lympne. Anyway, the prices for both are well up in the ?70-80 mark for a family of four. Anyone know of anywhere doing 2-4-1 deals or similar for the summer hols? thanks!

Bluesuperted, I wasn't for one minute condoning the crimes, but just expressing my sadness that we have to have quite such lewd detail plastered across our ears and eyes day in, day out. You mention that as a nation we may be getting desensitised, but I think this is another reason not to constantly bombard us with the graphic details. What benefit really does having a daily report on Rolf Harris' et al trial provide, other than to sell newspapers/get ratings/visitors to websites? As a deterrent simply reporting that he was arrested, tried and sentenced to a significant amount of time in prison would have sufficed, surely? As Saffron says, all this coverage is unhelpful for victims too. Those most affected by these or unreported crimes may well be less likely to report them for fear of becoming national news. Every news report with flashing images from cameras carries a warning beforehand. But sex crime reporting seems to be totally harmless, in the eyes of the news media, it seems...

Does anyone else feel fed up with the amount of daytime coverage all the various sex abuse investigations get? I feel I can't listen to the radio, read a newspaper or watch TV news at all with my kids around, because of the salacious way these news items are reported, hour after hour. I have an 8 year old who can quite easily pick up the words, and I have to divert attention away to avoid unnecessary distress. These reports often mention the "loss of innocence" of the victims, and I am truly sympathetic, but I'd rather it not be plastered all over the mainstream media until after the watershed, to save the innocence of the majority of young children that will thankfully not be subject to such crimes. It seems as a society we are at once obsessed with the non-sexualisation of children, whilst freely discussing the very small minority of people that hold no regard for the law, which *almost* normalises it. If we must be told on a regular basis about the goings on of Savile, Harris etc, couldn't the crimes be just alluded to on the daytime reports? After all, as adults we are all sadly fully aware of what 'Operation Yewtree' means.... Or am I just being over-sensitive???

Thank you! Have pm'd

Yep, we've got a boostapack on order for the littler one - just trying not to have to buy 2 for what will be one week's hols before he's at the magic number of 135cm :)

Apologies if you've seen my post in the classifieds, but I thought it may be best to post in here, in case any lovely souls have a bubblebum car booster that I could borrow for a week! My son is 133cm as of this morning, and we go on holiday for a week in 3 weeks time. The car hire company want ?60 to hire a booster seat. I've seen bubblebums advertised and a friend has one (but she's using it over the half term). They look good. Does anyone else have one and could you recommend? Even better does anyone have one they don't need anymore we could buy or borrow (we'd take great care) for the half term week? Alternatively, recommendations for slim/foam boosters that we could put in the bottom of a case gratefully received! Thanks!