December 2012: we thought the terrible twos were bad, here come the threenagers!

[Barbeasty]

Spangly new thread.

I second the scraps of material - check out charity shops for old shirts and even bed linen.
nutella I've never tried airbnb but am looking for Easter, so far been impressed with what I've seen - certainly no more expensive than b&b but with added flexibility of having the whole apartment. The youth hosteling association also gave family rooms and some great locations.

Really exciting.... we have found a small apartment we like the look of in Camden and also a friend has said they know someone with a place on airbnb so they'll see if they can do anything for us.

Now, how do we get there. Option 1. Drive
DH has a company car so the miles and petrol should be paid for.
Option 2. Train into London st Pancras
They both take about the same time.
Option 3. Plane. Hmmmmm

How much luggage will you have? The big advantage for me of driving is that you can just chuck everything in and not worry.

But it took us 2 hours to get from the end of the M4 to Greenwich on Saturday afternoon (partly due to the useless satnav).... and will you have parking when you get there?

Beasty we are leaning towards car because we can chuck everything whatever we want in the back. I have sent a query about parking. If it looks like parking is a pain then we might go back to the train.

We don't need loads. 5 day trip. Washing machine there. DD only wears one nappy a day.... but.... I would quite like to stock up on supplies (like rice crispies, pickle and other essentials... ohh brown sauce) but I can order it online if necessary.

Plus. We could travel first class for only about 50€ extra if we take the train....

Happy Halloween everyone!

nutella pros and cons I guess. It's a bloody long drive but yy to chucking everything in, being able to stick dvds and story CDs and all being able to nap are all winners. But train might be quite exciting, usually more fun to look out the window.

I'm such an idiot - just got lost inside the infant school! My sense of direction has always been appalling (and I semi-regularly have nightmares about getting lost) but tonight I went in and just couldn't think. Luckily I saw someone from my old work which wasn't at all embarrassing.

WL oh dear! I get confused in buildings easily. But generally whenever I am going somewhere new I start with a wrong turn which gets a little bit more embarrassing when you're in government buildings
That's a funny story I can't tell

Anyway. We are booked! Watch out we are coming to visit!! We have decided to drive over - basically so I can shop now to start a list....

What do you think you would miss if you moved to another country?!

nutella answer on fb!

And Cadburys

Hellloooooo where is everyone??

Having a glass of wine, following what feels like a very long week at work even though I was only there for 4 days!

Reading but noenergy and nothing interesting to say, sorry!

I did intend to say Happy Birthday to Dash the other day, is Honeymum still with us?

Do to lose our lovely group!

I'm still here

Well, barely.

I went out last night with a group of ladies - if I'm honest I'd describe two of them as friends, one as a sort of friend and two as bitches.... but that's not the important bit.

I had fun. We danced and went home late for us Mums, when I got home DH was still up - which sweet and a surprise. Poor DD seemed to spend most of the night coughing. DS must have too much chocolate or something yesterday. He had a very restless night and wet our bed.
Then this morning DH felt sick so has spent most of the day in bed.

I am so tired. The DC have been growling at each other and using every possible excuse to wind each other up all day long. DD is having a sleep and I might do the same while DS is entertained by telly

Nut spill!

Anyone else moved up to a high backed booster car seat? We got one for R today as he's too tall and nearly too heavy 17.3kg) for his group 1

Last time I weighed A (admittedly 6 months ago) he was only 13kg- so technicly could have still been in a baby seat! I think it might be a while before he's heavy enough to move up. Hopefully by the time he starts school....

pidj T has been in a high backed booster for ages as she was certainly tall enough - not sure about weight. Much to dd1s disgust she's still in one - tall enough to be out legally but safety first kids!
nutella glad you had fun, sorry about the bitches and the tiring day. DVD maps sometimes are a must.

And let the Xmas fall outs begin! I have been having the same circular conversation with dm for weeks so phoned db and agreed a plan. Apparently she wasn't best pleased but it was ridiculous. Dm had told me that mil wanted us for Xmas but didn't want to eat together as it's too much. I know my dc are noisy and exhausting and I know fil finds it too much. So I thought it was sensibly that we go to db for lunch and to ils late afternoon. For some unknown reason this seemed to be a problem. Alternative is that I force ils to spend the day with us and then just waiting for it to end! I finally couldn't talk it round anymore so formed a gang with db and my plan wins!

Pidj there really isn't much to spill. Both bitches are at another thing I regularly go to- actually the worst one has left, much to the relief of at least 4 people at the group. They are just bitchy in a really boring PA way and nothing seems to make them happy. They both think they know best about everything. They are both extremely well educated and yet not "bright" IYSWIM.

As for seats DS and DD are staying in their harnessed seats for as long as possible. I'd also consider bigger rear facing seats for hem both fortunately DS is very average height for his age. But really quite slim. He is about 16 ish kilos I think... DD is 14/15! And still off the chart for length.

I'm feeling a bit of a snitch. Dd2s school regularly put a note on the school newsletter to tell parents that kids aren't allowed to scoot in the playground. Most parents seem to ignore it and kids race about at drop off and pick up. It really annoys me - the school is really good and it's very disrespectful, not to mention dangerous. I am really strict with dd2 about it but in thurs one of the TAs was in the playground with kids including her son racing about on scooters. This weeks newsletter contained the same plea, with a threat to ban scooters - so I emailed them and snitched on the TA. I didn't mean to be snitchy, but felt it was important for them to know that maybe a reason why they aren't getting anywhere. I feel a bit of a cow now as it will be obvious which TA it was.

Yeah but I understand where you're coming from WL. At nursery there are five spaces. If these are full you are supposed to park in the street. It's in a sort of industrial bit (hidden behind some houses) but with other businesses some there is plenty of parking. But of course all the business owners are getting the hump with nursery. Nursery has the hump with the parents. The parents don't seem to give a flying F. it just pisses me off that they are so lazy! But I don't know what to say to them - in a second language. I need a set sentence, telling them they can't park there.

I'd much prefer just slapping a fine on their windscreen and give the proceeds to nursery.

And we have SNOW! What is that about?! It's a bit early for snow!!

Great idea nutella!
Snow!!! Yay! I'm excited for you, but I appreciate that after a couple of months the novelty might wear off!

Omg. It's the end of the world as we know it.

Let's hope our Christmas Puddings can sort out the mess we're leaving them when it gets to their turn wl