Sunshine!

Isn't it just lovely now that the sun has reappeared and the weather is slowly starting to improve? Some of you may be far more creative with your time indoors, but I tend to go a little stir crazy if I don't get out for a bit each day. I found it quite difficult to motivate myself to just bundle EDtot up and head out to the park/woods for those all important nature play sessions whilst it was cold and grey.

I've finally been able to shrug off the winter coat and EDtot has been modelling her first pair of sunglasses. We're ready to start exploring more than just museums! Our first new discovery is one that has been under our noses the whole time we've lived here and we were completely unaware. The Centre for Wildlife Gardening is hidden on Marsden Road (SE15 4EE) behind a pair of decorative gates.

Walk down the pathway between the houses into grounds that are full of interesting mini habitats for tots to explore and with a lovely nature trail that includes a tot friendly sandpit and logs to inspire hours (ok, minutes if you're 2 years old) of creative play. With areas for the adults to sit and relax, it really is an idyllic hideaway.

Whilst you might be tempted to kick back with your feet up and a Pimm's in hand, you will need to keep a close eye on the tots as they can quickly disappear from view behind the many plants and find themselves at the edge of the enticing pond. Our EDtot is a fairly cautious soul, but even she was drawn to the cute frogs croaking at her from a few feet away.

The Centre is currently open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. I can see us spending many more (hopefully) sunny days there. Big thanks to our friends who showed us this lovely garden and if anyone knows any other hidden gems, please do let us know!

Not the best pic of the grounds, but one happy tot wandering off exploring. (She doesn't often stray that far!)

The Buggy Meltdown

I genuinely thought we had escaped the joys of the buggy meltdown. Alas it seems EDtot was merely biding her time.

We had decided to head to the South Bank on a rainy day and meet a friend for a stroll around the Tate Modern. I was prepared for EDtot to want to be carried a lot as the latest molar pushing through has reactivated clingy mode, but in fact she was having a fab time walking around,enjoying the space of the Turbine Hall, telling tourists where she was off to and admiring the neon lights in one of the exhibitions.

I was therefore woefully unprepared for the first ever total meltdown at being placed back in the buggy when it was time to leave. Most of EDtot's little friends had already expressed their buggy rage some months ago when they had found walking far more fun, but we had not experienced this joyous spectacle presumably due to her late entry into the world of mobility.

I never knew she was actually that strong or how incredibly difficult it is to manoeuvre even a tiny tot when they are arching their back and flailing around. It was quite a feat on her part and therefore probably worthy of the audience she had gained with her screams. I was not, however, enjoying the experience.

Thankfully the rest of the day was thoroughly enjoyable, in part thanks to the cocktails that followed, but I would love to know how others deal with the buggy battle. Do tell!

p.s. if you're heading to the Tate Modern with a tot, please note the under 5's zone has been removed.