The race is on to (finally) wear our summer clothes. It's the Wise and Avid Olympics - off we go!

[Russianred]

Athletic leap on To new thread.

Amber, you are beautiful as you are, you absolutely do not need botox. Besides, I don't think wrinkles are unattractive, a smiling face is hugely attractive to me. When I feel the need to look my best I just emulate the gorgeous Icey and smile when I speak. You should try it .

Loving all the appliance chat. Have ordered the pastel blue Smeg Ollie on your recommendation. What should one do with appliances that still work but are tired/grotty? Seems a shame to send them to the tip.

Bloss, your holiday is very well deserved and I'm delighted that your wardrobe is coming together so well.

Always, we have done rural villa with a pool holidays for the past few years and the DC have loved them. So glad that your DS is sorted and well done you for staying positive.

Ah holidays! One of my favourite topics. Obviously really depebds on budget/ type of trip you would like. I would second Bloss on the Eurocamp thing, although I prefer Thomson ak fresco as their accommodation is much newer, and Canvas holidays ate by far the best value at the end of August. None of these I hasten to add involve Canvas- chalets are the minimum I will deal with as i expect air con/decking/not to share a bedroom with dd. If you look for a small site then you get the happy medium of other kids around to play with yours but not hordes of other people. If you like Itsly there are a couple of sites in Tuscany and the Italian lakes I can recommend- all within strolling distance of bars/ shops/ restaurants. For a longer break I tend to steer clear of cities, but enjoy them with dd for long weekends...but generally only with hotels or apts with pools so if it all gets too hot/crowded then we can retire there to splash around and relax.

nsy DC are 5/8/10! I love the suggestions so far. Keep them coming please. I figure we have to go somewhere we haven't been before as took them to Dublin for the first time last year. I adore Dublin and DH and I spent many weekends there Pre children....my boss was delighted when I stopped going as not one but two pregnancies were announced 3 months after a couple of trips. Anyway when we took the children we spent the first 2 days remembering all the places we went before having them....actually took a few days before we could accept it was great fun as a family and not just a place for US IYKWIM. So all new ideas are fantastic!!! Idea of house rent in Brooklyn sounds amazing dona! Suspect it may be a bit far for a first trip but I would love to do that. Indeed NY is where I whisked my DH off to earlier this year for his 40th.....drifts off to enjoy fond memories.....

Always Istambul? Exotic, cheapish, lots to see and browse, good food, they love children. Brooklyn is amazingly child-friendly, but Oct can be rainy if you are unlucky.

decam- hadn't heard of the 5/2 diet before but it sounds more 'do-able' than fasting, etc.
My MIL (and FIL too in the main) became vegans after reading this
Both this and the Horizon programme seem to be against diets such as Atkins which are high in (animal) protein as being a possible causative factor in cancers/ IHD.
I'm keen for DH to try the 5/2 as he is v high risk for IHD and has put on a lot of weight since we met.

always- so pleased for you re your DS! If it has always resolved, it sounds v encouraging. I sent a patient in with the same/ similar symptoms and, v sadly, the outcome was not a happy one.
I linked to your first Zara top yesterday too and am waiting for it to arrive- so pretty!

Will be looking into Fords and Renault 7 seaters. Landrovers are great dauphin but out of our price range, unfortunately. We will be going for something second hand but, hopefully, reliable.

amber- don't do it re botox. DH and I were watching Natasha Kaplinsky on the news recently and both of us were amazed at how strange she looked. Her face just didn't look her own- seriously overdone botox!
I'm not anti botox, etc but we all have to accept ageing as part of life and you are too young to worry- seriously!
If you want my advice

Always this is the small house in Brooklyn Heights - was just right for us, we loved the neighborhood, good playgrounds and restaurants galore.

ohhhh pickles excited for you re new uber trendy fridge! Is there a local recycllng charity - or freecycle?

always I love the Adriatic coast of Italy- we are off there soon for 2 weeks in an old napoleonic villa hotel with self catering accommodation in the grounds - short drive to beach, near fishing port with great food, can eat in hotel if we want to etc lots of Italians on holiday there, very down to earth. PM me if you'd like details. It's ryanair flight and hire car journey. DDs are nearly 2 and 8.5. HTH!

looby I cannot say how delighted I am re son. I was so aware of what the "what ifs" were. And the doctors were very honest and upfront. The consultant said he is convinced its been a post viral reaction now with the way it suddenly resolved. And all MRI's etc clear. Think it's only when you really need it that the amazing ness of the NHS is obvious. Within 24 hrs of seeing GP we had brain scan, neurologist on board and things moving forward. It's an amazing service!

Fab house dona!

looby you are right, of course, that would help immeasurably. Have just resorted to crack-den-style mattress on her floor with her, so at least she is in the right room now, and DH is getting some sleep.

Would be well up for being hopefully's guinea pig also, I would say there is dramatic in me, but no idea what else, maybe natural...

We are doing classy package holiday. I don't care as long as it is sunny and I don't have to cook!

That is so soon NSG, is DD going to nursery? Have been settling mine the last few weeks - she screamed until she was sick last time, but then perked up. Sigh.

Ive reached that low point of the summer hols today when I'd just had enough. DSs just not playing well together - lots of sillyness and play fighting which always leads to real fighting. Dragged them out to a maritime museum that has a great indoor and outdoor play area on the roof and then had lunch out which greatly improved all of our moods. Tomorrow's another day...

Bloss Just read your lovely kind words from yesterday. Thank you.

Pickled you will LOVE your fridge. Not sure about appliances - wait and see how they look once fridge is in situ? DH keen on the red mini but just told him I should get the blue one to match your fridge . And yes to Icey smiling when speaking - one of the first things I noticed and liked about her!

Amber - was going to suggest giving a fringe a go, but like the others, think you have a lovely young, fresh face. Do you have regular facials? That may help?

Always yes we had an amazing holiday in Portugal at the Martinhal resort. We were able to go outside of UK school holidays tho which meant we got a bargain. V relaxing type of holiday. - short flight, great villa, large resort so plenty of space and pools to choose from, great kids club and restaurants. Lovely beach.

Friends rave about a yurt based holiday in The Canaries (cant remember which island) - have been twice and stay in these amazing luxury yurts. Kids love them and weather still good in Oct Will dig out a link.

Always, we have taken DD1 to the south of France and Italy. She loved Pompei. We are not lie on the beach fans either, but take her to splash in the pool morning and evening, then do what we want (within reason!) in between. My two are holiday babies too. :)

Pastel blue Smeg sounds fab, Pickled. Please pin it!

My dad has that book, Looby, I will take a look next time I'm back. Our GP in Dublin recommends it to a lot of people.

Best of luck with your return to work, NSG.

Link for Yurts here

Really pleased about your son too. What a relief.

Decided not to wait and ordered the book. Thanks for linking to it, Looby, I'd forgotten about it.

Emo - love the sound of your holday. Can you PM me a link?

blue gigis

I was wondering about freecycle Emo but I think people can be quite fussy and the appliances are between 8 and 10 years old. There's a fridge, freezer, washing machine, oven and microwave, all in working order - would make a useful starter package for someone.

Always, your DC are similar ages to mine. My eldest is a girl and the other 2 are boys. Looby's are a similar age too plus a baby. Might I just say btw Looby that you seem to have transitioned effortlessly to mother of 4 . Is it wonderful to have a baby around again? My 11 year old bathed my 5 year old tonight - bliss.

Moving on to house colours next - any recommendations/don't go theres? Atm we are pale Suffolk pink with white window frames and black ledges and doors. Fancy a change as outside looks shabby due to neighbour's newly painted exterior.

Amber we're having a nanny 2 days a week to look after both DDs and MIL is going to do the other day. DD1 starts school in Sept and it just seemed too complicated to have DD1 with a childminder before and after school and DD2 in nursery. So at least DD2 will be at home with DD1.

It's lovely hearing about everyone's holidays, we took DD1 to Italy (Amalfi coast) 2 years ago and had a wonderful time. Flying with DD2 this year was a bit of a nightmare, she screamed on and off for most of the 3 hour flight and then fell asleep as we descended to land. We're thinking of staying the the UK next summer although I do fancy Martinhal but only if I can take DD1 out of school.

I watched the Horizon programme when I was up with DD2 and I've ordered the alternative day fasting book.

DHL text saying the gigis are in east midlands! It's a race against time!

Pickled I know you are not in London but here people will take anything on freecycle although no need for whiteware - just leave outside door and will get picked up by scrap metal person (they do the rounds)

Love your post re travelling with DC Dona. I used to take DD1 for quite a lot of trips away when it was just her but I tend to visit family and friends when I go anywhere. Want to get back in the swing more now DD2 is getting bigger (she has been to 3 countries). DD1 is a fantastic long distance traveller ? have taken her down under twice. Going to Asia for big trip in winter. Have 4 mini trips within UK planned with them from now until the end of the holidays. I often go away with kids without DH. Love the idea of Brooklyn although my Long Island family might take offence.

I like beach holidays ? well beach/pool/cafe/beach/pool/bar holidays. Not a sightseer at all!

picked you always sound so broody! Fancy a loan of a 13mo? Doesn't sleep, does bite, is generally quite a thug.

Have realised over the course of the evening that I probably have a UTI. Will probably have to go to the Drs as I have a tendency to develop kidney infections and blood poisoning. In the meantime, a long uncomfortable night awaits. Happy days.

decam and hopefully can little bits of brown paper possibly be as effective as botulism?

Something definitely up with DH, he is all chilled and relaxed and agreeing to unreasonable requests. Especially odd as he has his performance review and bonus announcement tomorrow. It's either an affair, or that he is actually getting some sleep...

Pickled re exterior colours. I would recommend Pebble Grey (facade and soffit) Storm (plinth and front door) and Circus(window sills) from Crown Paints. Friend has this on her house. Looks amazing.
Dona on iPhone but plan on book marking that pad in Brooklyn.
Second the Eurocamp suggestions. I insist on aircon, and most mobile homes have it, although would second NY and go for a chalet if you can. Kids LOVE the campsites, so it really doesn't matter where you go. As long as they are happy you'll be happy.
Sympathies Ollie, I hate when mine bicker. I sometimes fear they won't be close as adults, but them I recall similar episodes from when I was their age. And I'm extremely close to my Dsis and DB.
always, where did you go with DC in Dublin? (L

iPhone fail! Looking for tips! (I know. It should be the other way round!)
I live in a stunningly beautifully

Anyhoo! As I was saying... Live in a stunningly beautiful

What am I doIng wrong?
To continue... Beautiful place (Decam's place of birth) , but frankly it is lost on my young DC. "Cliff walk? Are you insane?" So always pleased to get ideas!
Ap

Wow at all the holiday talk! My kids are great travellers, but our version of travel is the car down to Cornwall . Neither has ever been on the plane (DS1 is almost 4). We'll get there, but it's only in the past 6-8 months we've come out the other side of being seriously poor, and there were other spending priorities (like clothes). We have a trip back to Japan first on our list when we have the dosh though.