Jan/Feb locals chat

[SJ99]

How exciting to be starting thread

Yay, thanks Sfx, am already looking forward to banana bread, mmmm!

In Sweden they had Noise Police (everything is so formally governed over there) but what a great idea, they used to go and put a stop the noise polluters, no messing.

What about all these village schools closing then? I guess some are unviable but it all seems a bit drastic to be - throwing the baby out with the bath water potentially.

I missed swan sex too. It must be in that huge portion of the thread I have not read.

Fox- regarding Sodexho, I can't really form much of an opinion. Never got past their refusal to share the list of ingredients with me. I decided then and there that I didn't trust food that came with secret ingredients. If they want my business, they will have to tell me what is in the food.

DD has also been complaing that her friends all have chocolate muffins and cookies for desert and she has yogurt (Rachel's organic of course).

Life is rough for DD. She'll get used to it.

sfx..i think it was swan foreplay rather than the swan horizontal lambada...

and foxie why ?
do you crave carnal knowledge of a swan?
freak

Leda it is all greek to me

it was just something we observed at kew gardens yesterday I was quite puzzled by it but did not hang around to watch with the crowd far too many opinions flying about for toddlers ears

best sort out some dinner

DD has school dinners and I was angry to learn last week that after they finish their main course they put their hand up for their plate to be checked before they have dessert. After dessert they are allowed seconds of anything if they want. OK here is the bit I was angry with. Dessert was chocolate cake (choc is a no no for packed lunches) and she ended up having 3rds of said cake . (Generally dd passes on the pudding in favour of fruit tbh).

Speaking of food. Confit of duck in oven, pannacotta in fridge (being a bit slow to set), veg and pots ready to cook, table set with candles and flowers. DH is I assume still in the office on a call as I keep getting put through to answer phone.

foxie - true that it might be awkward giving financial gifts to lodger! Personally I'd only give red packet money to parents and kids for chinese new year. Not usually the custom to give to same generation apart from weddings and special birthdays, as far as I know. (I've heard wedding invitations uncharitably called "red bombs" because they are red and it means you have to shell out ... )

As for what sweets, if in doubt I always end up going for something nice from Waitrose! I know it betrays a certain lack of imagination, but at least it's nice and predictable ...

COV, if he doesn't show, I have no dinner plans and would happily come eat your scrumptious food with you.

No? Alright, better go to the gym then.

Mmm, food sounds good Cov, lucky DH!

It's quite funny as DS always eats his fruit and veg, that's his favourite, trying to get him to eat carbs and protein, that's another matter

When I read about swan incident it reminded me about the story when MIL got her arm broken by a swan who saw her as a threat to her cygnets, they can be pretty vicious. Good job you didn't stick around in case they turned on the audience

Sorry ele. He has just phoned and is on his way. Have a lovely evening everyone.

Evening all! It's a low day here as it turns out our dodgy electrician shafted us more than we thought and as a result our house is not safe!!! Have had a decent spark here all day and he has already started rectifying things for us, but it means yet more upheaval to come. And yep, it's floorboards up again on Friday as the plumbers return for a final hurrah. Am so and just want to sell the house, I hate it that much!! Is anyone meeting up tomorrow or Fri? Mrs R? We are around in the afternoon and I promise to be upbeat and positive

Uh oh - sorry for the constant moaning!

swan sex, chocolate muffins (that would be muffin of the different variety then?). I thought I'd heard everything (being a convent school girl and all) but I'm stumped by that.

Goodness me, how MN has changed!

Hi everyone. Hope you are all well.

Regarding Sohedoxo (or however it's spelt), ds does have school dinners and loves it. But they don't stick to their printed menus. He had icecream last week when he should have had yoghurt.And chips (potatoes in general) are too regular for my liking but ds (angel) has told em he wanted the salad instead. I'm keeping a weather eye on it for now.

Must dash off to make dinner. Will get off my backside and arrange to meet up soonish. In the meantime - hi (again!).

Hi bunyan - I'm here!! Sorry to hear about your sparkie problems. I can do a meet-up around lunchtime (but have to be back for school pick-up) - sfx are you still up for it? Anyone else? - any suggestions of where we can meet?

Re: school dinners - my dds are spoilt - there's are transported from the new nearby High School and the Chef has just been voted Top School Chef by a Radio Station - check out the menu here - it's yum and they love the salad bar. Plus I pay for the dinners on-line so no cash involved.

Morning all

Mrs R - menu does look good, yum

I think we'll brave the winds and rain to go to art class this morning.

Won't make it to meet up as DS sometimes naps after lunch but have fun

hi sj - yes it is rather cold and wet and windy - enjoy the art class.

good morning all

bunyan sorry to hear, sounds awful will you have to move out again?

mrsR we just got up and my cold seems to be at its peak and I just want to stay in curled up in the sofa. nothing serious but just don't fancy the cold now sorry another day

about school food when we visited the prospective nursery we were told the food was delivered fresh everyday from Annabel Karmel which made us giggle, we did see the kids tucking into mini tubs of Philadelphia and bread sticks

not sure what the primary do

paddle yes it is too expensive and you would need more than one set as accidents happen we are surely going the cheapest route

hope all ok today

that's ok sfx - I feel like hibernating as well - hope you feel better soon.

if dd gets restless I take her to Mothercare and she can play with all the toys, shame that the cafe is gone but the sofas are still there

Morning all.

Hope everyone is well.

sfx, hope you feel better soon. Regarding the nursery food, yes, the breadsticks are freely given as a snack to kids there. Not sure about the quality of food(lunch) as I haven't seen it myself but if they follow AK recipes then at least no preservatives/artificial colorings being used.[hopeful emoticon]

From April I'll be working longer hours and might need extra childcare to pick DS up from nursery and feed him. Not really sure what to do tbh.

Sushi - have you thought of asking one of the nursery staff? I know its what a friend of mine did a few years ago and worked very well.

Sushi, check you contract with the nursery before you offer to hir one of their employees. Most nurseries will require you pay them like an agency fee.

I'd put an ad on guntree or see if someone near by has an pair they could spare for nursery pick-up, dinner, and bath. Or maybe even a local childminder might take this on.

or anotner parent - or nanny who picks up anyway?

QC and ele - many thanks for the quick responses. Much appreciated! Might put an ad somewhere or maybe mother's help type thingie. What's the going rate for this type of childcare, do you reckon? Say two hours a day, 15 quid including transport?

Got to go to another meeting now.