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.

sfx - viaduct has changed a lot. I remember when it used to host stand-up comedies with quite well-known comics. that was 1996 or thereabouts. Then it went downhill ... In the past couple of years there was a change of management and now I think it's run by a Polish woman who seems to really like children.

Oh yes slng - remember that well - I saw Jo Brand there (before she was famous) and she was hilarious.

Hello all [waves from Wales]

Jo Brand is good live, I saw her in '96 and she was on top form.

MrsR - just mailed you about caravan, am v.excited about staying there Hope you had a good trip to IL's

Steppie - hope your finger is healing, the smallest accidents are always so painful

Sfx - enjoy the swim

Ros - Hope you find some ents to take DS mind off teething

PC - enjoy the fish, glad DD settling in at preschool, pity about noisy neighbours

Indian do on Sat was good fun and the boys had good fun at home. I could actually have proper conversations and eat meals uninterrupted and enjoy the entertainment/disco, i.e. enjoy life as a normal person I missed DS though

hi all

wave to SJ

nrsR & slng that is right the only ones I remember seeing there were Mark Thomas, Linda Smith and Mark Steel I think he is called might have seen Rich Hall as well but can't remember if it was there, Ealing used to have several comedy places in the late 90's

we went to Kew as well and the lakes/ ponds were frozen as late as 2pm with ducks skating on it much to the amusement of all the children around.

at least I have done lots of walking to Richmond and back

hope you are all well

Hi all, seems to have been a bit quiet on here lately.

Sfx, must get my kew membership renewed, that sounds like something ds would've enjoyed. We ended up at Gunnersbury Park feeding the ducks, again something he thought hilarious when all the seagulls kept fighting the ducks for the bread!

Sj, hope you're enjoying Wales!

Everyone else ok?

yep quiet round here, except I have a terrible internet habit.

good morning all

we are visiting family today but if anyone has any bright ideas for things to do later in the week, it would be great.

have a nice day all

Oh sfx - join us on Friday here Would be nice to catch up with you and your adorable dd.

Ros - fancing coming as well? - it's free to get in and brilliant for all ages.

Hi everyone

Well DS2 is back to his normal self now - chubby, cheeky and hungry. We had a very hard week and a half with the vomiting though.

MrsR - not sure about 22ns - will find your thread. The thought of travelling on the tube with 3 LOs between 11months and 8 yrs and a double buggy terrifies me. Its stressful enough just trying to get round Sainsbury's with them. I invited some Mums from school in the hope of getting some moral support but no one has taken me up on it. Will check your thread to see if anyone else from Kew is travelling.

Bit but not surprised about Snakes and Ladders. Its vety easy to lose sight of your kids in there but I am glad their security systems seemed to have worked (i.e. it was an attempetd snatch rather than a tragic news story). I hope they caught the cuplrit.

Steppy when you read this I hope your finger is recovered

Sushi I will try and find that house-link it was lovely. What happened about the one on the Mortlake Rd?

CoV congrats on the fundraiser - £350 not to be sniffed at

SFX - how annoying about the chatty drunk. Hopefully she got home safely though...(no doubt boring the cab driver all the way home with her drunken chatting)

We were offline for a few days but are back now thanks to Paddle and her advice. Paddle the internet magically appeared last night (I kept an eye on that green light on the router) - although they had said it would be 2/3 days. Sky are deffo superior to BT in terms of their customer service

Foxie you did well on catching up on everyone! check out my link above for details, why don't you drive over to mine and park up and we can go up together? Our tube station is direct to the museum so no changing lines to get there. dd1 can help with your dd. I'm only taking a small buggy so will be able to help with yours.

Foxie - glad all well with ds2! Must have been trying for all concerned.

MrsR - not up to trip to museum ... We went to a party in Aldgate East last weekend. Still recovering from the journey - it's not anything but just the sheer length of the journey. I'm not as young as I used to be.

Nursery shut on 4 April though and I'm thinking a bit of culture in town with the kids plus a dim sum lunch. Not sure what variety of culture yet though. Anyone up for that?

lol slng - I used to work near Aldgate east until Xmas and had to commute each way every day! Though admittedly didn;t drag DS along. I can't go anyway, have boring interesting social worker visit on Friday.

foxie - isn't it DS2's birthday soon? I can;t remember but I do recall it was a month or so after we came home.

hello all

mrsR & foxie not sure about the museum on friday must check transport links.
have similar misgivings about long public transport journeys with dd.

slng - going to the southbank is relatively easy for me.

also need to keep the farm visit on a maybe
what time is it?

not sure what to do tomorrow, is it going to be raining? it was v ery cold today.

after months of prevaricating dh has finally agreed on a plan to change furniture and move dd to her own room. BUT he seems to think if I order the furniture tonight it will be here for the weekend

bless him must have a chat later, he seemed so cheerful this morning I just did not have the heart to tell him

evening all,

Hi foxie, glad ds2 is better!

MrsR, thanks for the invite but ds is in nursery Fri am & my NCT group tends to meet in the pm so we won't be able to make it!

We ended up staying in this afternoon, ds has alternately been clingy and quite happy to play on his own. We did lots of painting though!

and glad ds2 is all better foxie (missed that earlier)

I think it will be playground and local shops for us tomorrow

night all

Hi all we are thinking of moving to Richmond and I'm a bit worried that I dont know anyone in the area with babies. I have a 1yr old and am now pregnant with my 2nd although with not doing antenatal classes this time round I don't know the best way to meet other mums. Are there plenty of classes/ groups in the area? I'd be grateful for any advice/ info anyone living in Richmond can pass on
Thanks

Hi bekk - I'm not an expert on groups becasue a) I work 4 days and there are few classes on a Friday and b) I'm allergic to toddler groups - they bring me out in hives!

However there is quite a lot around I think especially if you drive. The MN local group are quite active and a mix of people who are around in the week and at weekend. We try to arrange one evenign meet-up a month wihtout childrne and various informal meets during the week. For example there an expedition to the Toy museum on Friday for the brave amongst us! I'm also suggesting a trip to the City farm near wimbledon on 29th 9?). KEw Garden is a VERY popular venue particlualry in the summer - here's hoping they have the beach back for next summer as it was a big hit. Season tckets cost around £55 for a year and include 6 passes for guests and will save you a fortune.

Obviously there are the usual music'y and arty classes around but otehrs can give you a better idea.

When are you planning to move? Does it depend on something or has the decision already been made.

There's also the Lollipop Club which I quite like, kind of a play area with cars, bouncy castle, ball pool etc!

Just so you know, you can get a cheaper membership to Kew, £37 without the guest passes!

good morning all

Hi Bekk, what the other have said, I know there are a few toddler and mum groups around in Richmond, Kew, Sheen etc. I have taken details but it not my sort of thing really.
I usually go to playgrounds indoors and outdoors a few drop in classes of the usual sort, there is a good public pool and blessed, sanity saving Kew Gardens.

dd woke up at what passes for the crack of dawn at our house - before 7am. now how to keep her happy but no nap until bed otherwise the little monkey will still be awake at 10pm.

hope everyone is ok today.

Hi all. Glad ds2 has recovered foxie. Half term is going remarkably well (have I now tempted fate?) It is incredibly foggy this morning, but hopefully it will burn off and we are planning to take the bikes up to bushy park. MrsR I'm safraid I will have to bow out of friday's trip as dh has decided to take the day off work to spend with the children. Hope everyone is well, catch you all later.

Morning all.

Foxie - so glad DS2 is better now. Must be a relief for you.

Hello Bekk. I work full time and DS goes to nursery. I often take DS to Gymboree in St Margarets on Saturdays.

I'm being asked to go to meetings in Tokyo in April/May. It's my DH's busy time so he can't take time off or more importantly do the nursery run. It's a long way (12 hours) so I don't want to take DS with me. Besides, we are going there next month so it'd be too much for him anyway. MIL has broken her arm so I don't think PIL will be able to help, either. Mother's help or temp nanny the only option? DH not too happy about me leaving DS (albeit 4,5 days max).

"I often take DS to Gymboree in St Margarets on Saturdays" - do you? Do you have to pay for a full term or can you do drop in - I'm always looking for classes on a friday or Saturday. Like the arty one in Twickers on a Sat but DS hasn't much patience with it, but it has a nice area to play. If you ever want to come I can give you a lift if you have a car seat for DS.

Don't know what to suggest with going to Tokyo. Presumably you need the money form your job and so you can't (within reason) treat it like it an optional extra. One business trip a year (assuming that is the rough interval) isn't unreasonable. If it is non-negotiable then whetehr DH is happy with it or not is a bit irrelevant!

How much time do you need someone for - is it just pick up and drop off? Presumably you can arrange for him to stay in nursery a little later in the evening - until at least 6pm? I would offer a local nanny who may do drop off there anyway £15 a day to pick up and drop off. Or ask around for A SAHM who might like the extra money for a week. Also I wouldn't rule out PIL by then your MIL will most likely be out of plaster.

QC - As for Gymboree, I've been taking him almost every Sat since Jan. It's 10 quid a go but you can take him from 9.30 and the class starts from 10.30 for 45 mins. So 10 quid for 2 hours is not too bad, I reckon. You'll have to join the annual member which cost you 20. DS loves it.

And thanks for the advice re business trips/childcare. Well, DH works long hours so he can't do drop-offs/pick-ups. PIL possisbility but DH not keen (MIL not v well regardless the broken arm). I will contact the babysitter we used before to see if she's available.

Just realised I've never been away from DS so long.

ah - I'm far to disorganised (and tight) to go every week - you should be able to invite a guest once a month!

If push comes to shove I could drop off and pick him up on a friday for you. Just think how excited he'll be when you get home! (longer I've been away is overnight so actually I do understand your nervousness - but it's going to happen at some point...)

Thanks QC!

BTW, is the meet up at Dean City Farm this Sat?