30 up The tea room afloat

[UniS]

Welcome aboard.

The first rule of the tea room is - No fisticuffs.
The second rule is - Put the kettle on and lets have a or open a bottle of if its that time of day. Pull a sofa and relax. Parents of one, more (or less) children are welcome to hop on board and chat about anything and nothing. Introduce yourself if new and if you name change give us clue please.

Hi guys! I've been very busy this past week and haven't had a chance to pop in. I haven't read back yet, so I hope everyone is well.

anyone?

Yes pleeeeaaase!

I'm online window shopping shops at home for a dress to wear to the wedding next month.

Glug, glug.

Have you seen anything you like?

Several dresses in the Clearance page of Target but most of them are only online and my size/shape has changed so much I don't know what size I am any more.

Hmm. Have you got time to go to YOUT and try some things on?

Probably when we get back. The wedding isn't until the weekend before Christmas and lots of time to go shopping over Thanksgiving. Just previewing what's available over there. At least if I buy my dress in the States I won't end up matching any other guests.

Ok, then. Let's arrange a rendez-vous at Saks Fifth Avenue - you, me, Toddler and Mr Scout's credit card!

Sounds like a plan, Maud!

Have you ever been to NYC?

I'm seriously considering getting TS a scooter. There's a cute Radio Flyer one at Target but amazon.uk doesn't have it. Have also heard good things about micro mini's here but they're so expensive.... But TS really likes the scooters at one of the groups and has tried to use "abandoned" scooters when we go to the playground....

::hangs head in shame::

I've never been to your country, but I have been to Jacksmania's!

Scooters are hours of fantastic fun. Go for it!

I've been to JM's country, too, but not her side of it (and, I fear, not very far north into it).

It would be bad to get TS a Brio Train Set AND a scooter for Christmas, wouldn't it? Feels like I'd be doing the typical spoiled only child thing.... But I think he'd love both and it's ten months between Christmas and his birthday....

I don't think that's bad - presumably you wouldn't get a crate of other presents for him too. But, how well can he manage a scooter now? The Girl was well past two (as best I can remember) before she could scoot, so if you did want to delay, saving the scooter until his birthday maybe wouldn't be amiss.

No, we have a couple of stocking things for him a duplo truck, a book (a collection) of Christmas stories, some coloring things, an Orchard Toys game and a puzzle all of which were bought on sale or I've had stored for a while. Like, the coloring thing I got 80% off and the book of stories we bought long before TS was thought of and kept forgetting to give it to the neices but since they're too old for it I thought it would be nice for TS. We are getting the train set and we did get extras to go with it (like, a bell track and a station/track) but again, we haven't paid full price for any of it. [cheapskate emoticon] The train stuff is his present under the tree from us.

He can scoot a bit on the scooters at the toddler group but they're too big for him and heavy/awkward. But that's what made me think of getting him one -- he always goes for it at group, watches other kids and has tried to go for other kids scooters that have been "abandoned" at the playground. I thought if we had all winter to "practice" that come the spring he'd be whizzing around. [hopeful & optimistic emoticon]

If I can put in my twopence worth, a stride bike is really fun for a toddler. Scout, JB will have completely outgrown his stride bike next year when it's time for your November visit home. If you think he'd like it, I'll arrange to have if shipped to your p's so you can take it home. It weighs about 8 lbs. link here. They're pedal-less pre-bikes, also known as balance bikes. Lots of kids go from balance bikes to real bicycles without needing training wheels.

Did I mention that GrandparentsScout went out and bought Toddler a (toy) stroller so he can take Bunny and GrandadScout out for walks while we're there? I told my mom not to bother, that I'd ask some friends in the area if anyone had one we could borrow, but she went out and got him one anyway. Said it can live there until he outgrows it and then they'd rehome it. Someone's a lucky little boy.

Well, he's so gosh darn cute, he should be spoiled :o

Awww, thanks JM. He's definitely a CuddleBug.

And thanks for the offer of the balance bike. That's awesome. We'll have to talk when JB's bigger.

:( re balance bike - miniThumb will not use his now that he knows there is a cheap and nasty bike with stabilisers in the garage, courtesy of a very thoughtless grandmother. What a waste of money that was - and buggered up my chances to get him to balance properly. :(

Scout - I bet you're all excited now, aren't you? :)

I'm sure you're counting down the hours days. I always do when I'm getting ready to go see my mum. By the way, I mailed your and Maud's parcel this past Sunday.

I am SOOOO bloomin' excited, TW. And every afternoon (British time) when Mom logs onto chat from work she gives me a countdown.

I had originally thought a balance bike this year for TS but I think he'd get frustrated with it which is why I thought three-wheel scooter to start with (after observation over several weeks).

Thanks JM! I forgot to tell Mom something would be arriving. Things usually get left in "my room" (which will always be my brother's room in my mind, but hey-oh) for me but I try to tell her if packages are arriving.

TS will be ready for a balance bike just about when JB will be ready to graduate from his. Perfect timing :)

at JM. Just told MrScout to remind me to attach the HippyChic to TS's carry-on luggage and he's tried to tell me that Toddler's too big for it. To be fair, I haven't tried to use it lately as I've been chucking him in the backpack, but surely he hasn't outgrown it already -- do you think? I know, I'm just going to put it on and try it out, but really....