Getting to know each other

The babies getting to know each other! They had a lovely snuggle in the playnest and I doesnt mind sharing her toys at all. This pic was taken in April when we were doing some 'settling in sessions' during the month to really make sure that we all got to know each other as well as our routines properly. It made such a difference and I have now had L for a week and we are getting along famously.

Horniman Gardens

I consider myself really lucky to have such a fantastic NCT group. We all get on so well and are a brilliant support to each other having developed some lovely friendships. We generally meet every week and have been out about as well as eating cakes at each others houses!
On this lovely sunny day in April we went to the Horniman Gardens for a walk and lovely sit-down on the grass -in the shade of course even though it was lovely and sunny. (I think before becoming mothers we would all have been in the sun!) One of the group lives nearby and kindly provided cake and tea before our walk so we couldnt really call it a picnic for the mums but the babies did eat some rice crackers! The view from there is stunning and looking at the animals in the little mini-zoo (goats, rabbits and geese) was fun and great to see the babies' reactions.
In the picture I am in my favourite position-surrounded by babies!!!

Noddy Train Ride

What fun! I have been walking down to Muddyford Spit on many occaisions but never before had the excuse to get on the little train ride. We went with I. and our twin neice and nephew who are 10. We all loved it and especially I. who was giggling and trying to look out of the window. It made me feel young again and I think this has got to be one of the best advantages of having children around you!

Horniman Museum Aquarium

The Horniman Museum now has a fantastic little aquarium in the basement. I took my baby and went with 2 friends and their babies. In fact I am now minding one of the babies! We all loved it there and especially the babies who were really transfixed by the fish and amazing colours. My daughter was even trying to catch the fish as they swam past the glass and couldn't quite understand why she wasn't able to touch them! What a wonderful place to bring children. Not to mention that the lunch in the cafe is also quite good for mums and dads.

Tooting Library

What fun! The Librarian clearly was a little awkward and didn't really do any kind of introduction and launched into reading from a pile of books in a kind of haphazard way...but once she got going was actually pretty good. She included all the children present in the activities such as opening the 'doors' in stories and doing the actions for songs and rhymes. She even joined in and did the actions herself and at one point even had her head on the floor and foot in the air (with a pencil skirt on!!). Every child got a sticker and the play time afterwards was a fun time reward for all the sitting patiently listening. Great way to encourage children to be into books which is a great plus as far as i'm concerned!

Tooting kids stuff

Have been checking out lots of exciting things in Tooting and beyond to do with children.
Over the last couple of weeks have been to

• Baby Music at the Childrens Development Centre in Tooting. This is totally fab and the teacher Margaret is brilliant with loads of energy, making every effort to engage with all the children and carers there. My daughter seemed to love it as did all the other children there.
• Baby massage course which lasted 5 weeks and gained lots of great skills and confidence in knowing how to touch babies and children to make them feel relaxed, happy and loved.The picture is of I having a massage when she was really tiny and didnt wriggle at all!
• Furzedown Family Centre drop in. Lovely relaxed atmosphere and so welcoming. My friends baby and mine (both 6 months old) loved the stimulation of new toys and meeting other children.

Tommorrow off to the Library for Rhyme time... watch this space for a review