First look: Happy birthday Locky!

July 22, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Happy birthday boy

Greetings from the beautiful green forests of Sweden! Though my family is far away in the US, I love coming to my adopted second home and practicing my poor Swedish on unsuspecting locals. 🙂 On the menu for this get away are long walks in the forest, extended and potentially multiple daily naps and finally starting the real development of my “Photographing your Baby” small group class. More to come on that soon.

Holidays also give some time to look back and reflect on some of my favorite sessions from the first half of the year. I have some fun ones in store for you! The first little fella I want to share is near and dear to my heart. About eight months ago, I received a note from a very pregnant momma just about to move all from way from a sunny and summery Australia to a frozen middle of winter Brussels. As a fellow momma blogger, we connected right away and discussed ways to get oriented and survive the transition to the Northern side of the planet. We have since become fast friends and I was so happy to photograph her adorable two year old, Locky, on the occasion of his second birthday. As I often work with families, it was a nice treat to focus in 100% on one little guy. I was (literally) running all over Parc de Woluwe on a gorgeous July morning capturing Locky at what he does best; playing, exploring and being an all around cheeky monkey. Thanks to Maria’s commitment to great light we had a 7:30 am start time and it was totally worth it when I see the gorgeous glow surrounding this sweet little boy.

So join me in wishing a super happy birthday to this fantastic ball of energy. Cheers to you Locky!

Things to do with a toddler or kid in Brussels: Splish splash in the fountains at Place Jean Rey

July 3, 2015July 3, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

The same words are on the tip of the tongue of all us born or adapted Northern cold-blooders. Its hot! Real hot. Like can’t sleep in our unairconditioned flats hot. Ice cream melting faster than we can eat it hot. Only suitable for laying in a cold room covered in wet towels hot. So what to we do? Get totally drenched in the fountains at Place Jean Rey. 🙂

Situated next to Parc Leopold and in front of the Aloft hotel, this inconspicuous square is most often known as the parking lot for media vans during the all too common super meetings at the commission. But in the summer it comes alive with screams, whoops and splashes as the littles of the city come and cool off.

Being not too familiar with water play, I wondered if my little people would hold back or jump in and have some fun. It turned out to be decidedly the later. They had a blast!

Place Flagey boasts the same fountains but may be more busy than this tucked away spot. Hope you can make it out this weekend as the temperatures tremble. Have fun and get wet!

A look back: Among the bluebells mini session

June 29, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Now in the fullness of summer, spring feels like a sweet memory when we looked eagerly for the first leaves in the trees and then delighted at the explosion of color and sweet smells. Yumm. This spring was also marked by one of my favorite and sure to be a perennial mini session in the sea of bluebells covering the Hallerbos Forrest. I hope you all had a chance to check it out this year.

One day of mini sessions quickly became two and in the end 15 gorgeous families joined me in the woods for this special event. I am happy to share some of the photos with you today. Enjoy the breath of fresh air. 🙂

Things to do with a Baby or Toddler in Brussels: Check out a toy at the Ludothèque communale d’Ixelles

June 25, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

It is just too beautiful out today. Exactly the kind of day that you just want to spend outside. But this next baby and toddler hot spot will have you scanning the weather report for any hint of clouds. Just enough to give you an excuse to stay inside and play.

I have written before about the ludotheque in Etterbeek. Having lived in Etterbeek and with a tiny slice of Etterbeekois pride, it pains me to say that the ludtheque in Ixelles is seriously kicking our ass. Located in a breezy neighborhood a stone’s throw from Square Ferdinand Cocq, this ludotheque is chalk-full of new, bright and shiny toys. Lots of options for play from an extensive train collection, up and downstairs playhouse, loads of lovely frocks and dresses for make believe and the mother of all crawling tunnels (see happy face snail below). I was really impressed to say the least.

There is a bit of admin to get started. Upon proof of residence in Belgium, but not necessarily Ixelles, you can get your yearly membership card for 10 EUR. This card entitles you to as much free play time as you like as well as the right to borrow toys and games from the ludotheque for between 1 – 2,50 EUR. Don’t forget to return your toys within 1 – 3 weeks or you start accruing late fees. Also don’t put them away in your closet and forget about them for nine months and end up with a fine 10x the value of the toys (lesson learned the hard way, thank you…).

Next time the clouds descend, get yourself over to Ixelle, get a cookie at Sucre Sale and play play play. Cheers!

Where: Rue Mercelis, 13-1050 Brussels

When:

Tuesday from 10h to 12h and 13h to 17h
Wednesday from 13h to 18h
Thursday from 13h to 17h
Friday from 10h to 13h and 14h to 18h (for 10 years)
Saturday from 10h to 13h

My partner in crime <3 — My partner in crime ❤

First look: A family by fate

June 16, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

There are many many types of families. Big and small, those grown through new marriages and those who are families are brought together by fate. Today I share some inspiration from one of the latter.

Those who have been on the long road of adoption can tell you, it can be difficult to keep that image of your complete family in mind. Something that requires enormous commitment, patience and love. With this in mind, I was so happy to work with this beautiful family after they welcomed their new baby boy home from South Africa. To make that image in their minds a reality that celebrates their new unity.

One more example of a love that knows no bounds. If you are on the same path or thinking about adopting, I hope you find the same inspiration I did in this lovely story.

First look: Ieva and Mathias got married

June 3, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

I can scarcely think of a greater honor that being asked to photograph someone’s wedding. Your big day, and unless you are Kim Kardashian, certainly one of your most photographed ones! Ieva and Mathias are one of those couple that embody all the beautiful things about being young and in love. Sweet, light-hearted and above all, incredibly devoted to one another. I had a great time getting to know them! While respecting the privacy of the ceremony, I am happy (and proud) to share some of their fun and moving portraits. Cheers to this wonderful couple. Cheers to love!

Things to do with a baby, toddler or kids in Brussels: Check out a book at the Children’s Library

May 23, 2015May 28, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

I constantly get amazed at how many great resources and things to do with kids there are in Brussels. Especially when I get a hot tip on an English-language Children’s Library right in our very backyard in Woluwe Saint-Pierre. Thank you so much to Pippa for cluing us in!

Set back from the street a ways, the library is housed along with a ludotheque in an intriguing old home surrounded by a garden. Head up the stairs and to the left and sure enough, there it is. A 20 sq meter space packed floor to ceiling with loads of children’s book. Board books on the bottom all the way up to early teen novels near the top of the shelves. So many books and a nostalgic atmosphere of the children’s library section you visited growing up complete with little cards that get stamped with the date when you check them out.

With so many options we had a lengthy negotiation process but ultimately all left happy. To check out books, you have to sign up for a library card that is 4 EUR per year. Then you can check out up to three books for 50 cents. 50 cents! If you are addicted to acquiring children’s books like me, this is a real coup. 🙂 You can keep your books for two weeks and then the fun begins again.

The library is only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays so you have to plan things a bit. Saturday morning has story time every other week.

Happy reading

Where: Center Crousse, Rue au Bois, 11 — 1150 Brussels

When:

Wednesday 3-5.30 pm
Saturday 10-12.30 pm
Closed on public holidays
School Holidays – opening times may vary, changes will be posted on this site

Come for the books, stay for the storytime

A look back at our first annual apple blossoms mini session: Six families, three pairs of wet socks and millions of apple blossoms

May 21, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

It really was magical. Stepping out into the orchard with the heady smell of apple blossoms and buzz of bees at work. Green grass, pink and white buds, light rain and then sunshine. It was a gorgeous April day!

Thank you so much to the six adventurous families who joined me for this day out in Limberg at the PiPO organic orchard. Such a fun time was had by all. I am looking forward to bringing this experience full circle this fall, in the same location, to see our darling buds fully grown into bright apples. Another day in the fields awaits. 🙂

Things to do with a toddler or kids in Brussels: Have it your way at Kessel-Lo

May 6, 2015June 11, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Ages and ages ago, I took a walk with a friend and our new babies in Kessel-Lo. Taking in the monumental climbing areas and wood structures, I looked at my little bababoo and tried to imagine her big enough to take on some of these amazing adventures. Well today we set out to try our chops on the king of all local playsets.

Kessel-lo is situated in Leuven and about a 25 minute drive from Brussels. It is also possible to get there by bus. At Kessel-lo you really can have it your way. On the grounds you will find beautiful walking paths, lined with flowers, trees and ponds. If you care to venture out on the pond, there are some sweet little paddle boats on offer. Also a small animal park sporting donkeys, goats, and chickens. Yes, there is even a pool! But truly the highlight for us are the gorgeous and abundant play structures which cater to around ages 2 and up.

The play structures are mostly made out of wood and blend in with the forested surroundings. That makes it all the more fun as you get tired on one and then notice a castle or massive slide peaking out from behind the trees around the corner. There is so much to discover! It is a real paradise for the adventurous little one.

Though the pool was closed today, it looked really fun with a big slide and plenty of space for kids to play. We would return just for this as well, should the weather gods turn it up past 25 one of these days. 🙂

Not the adventure sort? There is plenty of space for a nice stroll and a picnic with lots of flowery fields, picnic tables and neat designed wooden seating.

So one of these warm early summer days, definitely check this place out! Though there are a number of parking areas, I recommend P1 which you can find by putting 203 Eénmeilaan, Leuven. Happy whatever you like. 🙂