And then there were four...

With Ruth and Toddler Boo back in town and Baby A and me in tow, there is lots to be looking forward to as far as Little Lambeth is concerned. I for one am very excited!

Since moving to Lambeth a few months ago, I've struggled to find things to do with Baby A. It wasn't until I was pointed in the direction of this here blog that I realised just how much was going on. 

Thanks to Ruth, I'm now able to give a little something too and I'm glad that I have a very valid excuse to get out and about to experience things I might have been too nervous to do before. 

Keep an eye on the blog, there are lots of ideas floating about for up and coming posts - as well as a few drafts waiting in the wings. In between all of that, we'll try to keep you abreast of things happening in the local area. Don't forget Half Term is just around the corner so we'll be keeping our eyes and ears peeled for fun things to do with the family.

For now, check out the Sure Start Children Centre's page. We've been adding a little something, something for you all by linking in activity timetables for CC's across Lambeth. Hopefully to make it a little more convenient for you to access the information - it is a minefield!

We've signed up to Instagram (@LittleLambeth), it would be great to see your photos from around Lambeth. As ever, there is the Twitter (@little_lambeth) and Facebook presence so 'follow', 'hashtag', 'like', 'tweet', 'comment' and 'tag' away - it's always good to hear from you.

**In other news**

The creator of Little Lambeth has a new venture! By the sounds of it, Sarah is baking up a storm and I'm hoping to get my hands on some of her artisan gingerbread very soon. Have a gander at her Facebook page for Honey and the Moon and show your support for one of our own. We wish you the best of luck Sarah!

Little Lambeth Meetup : Monday December 10th 2012 and Friday January 25th 2013

Hey all!

Want to meet other local parents? Then come and eat cake and drink coffee with us at the Teahouse Theatre in Vauxhall! (Chosen especially because it very kiddy friendly!)

Dates:

Monday 10th December 2012 - 11am
Friday 25th January 2013 -11am

The Tea House Theatre is located at:

139 Vauxhall Walk
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens
Vauxhall
SE11 5HL

To get there catch a 2, 88 or 196. The area is also served by the overground and underground.

Other things to do in the area, include visit Vauxhall City Farm, pop over to the Tate Britain and browse more cake at the Vauxhall Park Cafe.

Singing the rain away at Pram Chorus

Last Tuesday Milo and I headed to Pram Chorus. If you're tired of singing The Wheels on The Bus then this is the group for you! Mummies sing while the babies play (in theory) or even join in! Ruth, who runs Pram Chorus was very warm and welcoming and instantly put us at ease with some fun and slightly comedic yet certainly necessary warm up exercises before we began singing a few tunes. Admittedly I do tend to sing Wind The Bobbin Up at least 5 times a day (at the bus stop, during nappy changing as well as regularly marching through Brockwell Park) but I haven't really had a chance to do what I would call 'proper' singing so it was great to have a go. We sang a fab tune from the 'deep south' and had a wonderful choice of other tunes from Zulu to Rock'n'Roll ! There are still places on the regular Tuesday morning session (best for afternoon nappers and for a hearty, rousing start to a grey day!), there's also a Thursday afternoon session but at the moment it's full. It's all happening in Streatham - a little off the beaten track for me but definitely worth the effort! Contact ruth@PramChorus.com for further info!

Little Lambeth & Streatham Mums do coffee

Little Lambeth is teaming up with Streatham Mums to host a coffee morning 

When ?? Next Tuesday 24th April from 10.30am

Where ?? At the delectable Earl Grey and Rose very near Streatham Hill from 10.30am

We would be delighted if you would join us as it would be fab to meet some lovely local mums/dads/aunts/uncles etc and of course our little'uns. It isn't very big but as you'll see it is rather fabulous and quaint with great cakes/coffee/sandwiches. I'm afraid there's no nappy changing but there were some toys last time we went. We've been trying to think of the best central Lambeth cafe with a baby area & baby changing so suggestions are more than welcome otherwise I may end up starting my own baby friendly café.....

 

For those of you who don't know what I look like -

here I am in the café where they shot Amelie!

Also don't forget to check out the extremely handy Streatham Mum's Network on Facebook which is an excellent message board for any questions, ideas, recommendations, events coming up in Streatham.

Oasis Children's Venture in Stockwell

On Friday the sun was shining and Milo and I decided we had sung Wind The Bobbin Up one too many times and headed somewhere new and wonderful - the Oasis Children's Venture Nature Garden. This is truly an unexpected wildlife Oasis in the heart of the city. We were a little puzzled by how to get in, but finally discovered the lovely brass bell to the left of the gate and finally a very friendly Marisa let us in.

The Nature Garden has so many hidden corners it is very exciting for little ones to explore and is completely safe. There are vegetable patches, a tree-house, scare-crows as well as plenty of woodland and grassy verges perfect for picnics. As Milo is still a crawler he couldn't quite take part in the nest making with clay and straw and preferred to climb up and down the tree-house (which is complete with binoculars for essential birdwatching).

He also enjoyed trying to spot cars and buses through the fence (he adores cars at the moment) but I'm pleased to say it was very hard to catch sight of them as the garden does separate you from the hectic city surroundings! I soon realised it was impossible for Milo to truly get in the spirit of the Garden without getting down and dirty so I let him crawl around on the pathway and he adored putting wood chip into his wheelbarrow and even having a little nibble now and then (not recommended!).

The Under 5s group is every Friday from 10.30-12 with an optional donation of £1 but I think it's worth every penny !

Little 'Green' Animals required

A request from the Green Party in Lambeth (particularly for Queen fans!)
 
Hi all,
 
Next Monday (5th March) at 10am former Queen guitarist Brian May will
join Caroline Lucas and our Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones in Battersea Park
to launch our animal manifesto.
 
We'd like some local Lambeth Green children to dress up as animals to
be included in the photo. I understand that this might be difficult
for children of school age but if anyone is free and could bring their
child that would be great.
 
We can compensate for travel, will make sure there's fruit and juice and
can even provide costumes if needed. We're trying to arrange a face painter
too. It shouldn't take more than half an hour.
 
If you're interested, please phone me on 07825511927.
 
Thanks!
 
Joe Williams,
Lambeth Greens,
Mayoral Election Press Officer.