Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Sing a song!

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Zoe gets into the groove

Ah nursery rhymes, while so many things change, they always stay the same! Row, row, row your boat, The Hokey Pokey, Jumping Bean…these hits never go out of style. If you memory of exactly how these go is getting rusty then I have a prescription for you, Monday Singing at the Holy Trinity Church.

Definitely one of the high points of our week, the singing group is for little ones, six months to three years. There is of course singing with all the dance, jumping and movement that make this a hit for even little babies. Also time for unstructured play with loads of toys for all ages that live at the Church creche. A 2 EUR donation gets you snacks, tea and helps the group keep going.

Try this group once and you will be hooked. A nice community, fantastic group leader and thoroughly enjoyable afternoon past time.

Where: Holy Trinity Church, Rue Capitaine Crespel 29, 1050 Brussels (Louise metro)
When: Thursday, 10 – 12 pm
Who: Mommies, Daddies and little ones 6 months – three years

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Right this way
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“We’re gonna shush, shush, shush. Don’t make any noise.”
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Playtime!
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I love new toys 🙂
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Rainbow

We’re back!

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Wow, what a month. After so much fun and adventure, it is hard to know where to pick back up on my story here. We journeyed to California to see family and have Zoe baptized. Had an amazing time visiting, relaxing, laughing and welding bonds. Too soon back and the loooong and arduous work of packing up, moving, excessive amounts of IKEA assembly, unpacking.

Guests and Lucia Day party. Good golly, Miss Molly. So I will let a small selection of pictures do the talking with some narration. I hope the holiday spirit holds you warm and safe in its grasp. The greatest gift of all is to love and be loved in return.

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Sweet nothings
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Gorgeous godmother
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The light
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Hey, listen up!
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My Martha Stewart moment
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Bloomers
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Chicken feed
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Woodpiles
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Puppies!
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My little twins, how I love them.Image
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Seriously fresh eggs
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Nona love
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Man of the house
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Puppy love

Christmas cards complete!

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Had a fabulous time photographing my little Bababoo and making our Christmas cards. Got alot of wonderful smiles. Turns out my fake sneezing is hilarious. 🙂 Which one is your favorite?

We are off to my native land of California tomorrow. Wish me luck on that 11 hour flight. I am loaded down with toys and snacks and don’t expect much sleep. Stay tuned for some backlogged posts when I am back: music classes, the best hot chocolate in Brussels and a happening brunch place (it does exist) great for kids.

Cheers!Image

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Mary, where art though

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I admit it, I am a Sablon enthusiast. Sure it might be obvious but between the antique shops (jeweler shops), Parc Egmont, and weekend market, I am hooked. However, dropping down into the main square this week, I was stopped dead in my tracks by a sudden shock of light and color. There she was in all her glory, Mary! I have never before seen the light stealing through a church stained glass window in such an arresting way. A thump, thump in my heart and I wondered for a moment if my angels, Granny and Nona, were shining especially bright today.

Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Domaine Solvay at La Hulpe

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On this grey morning, we take a trip all the way back to September. Fresh air, almost too bright sun and a lovely walk in one of my favorite parks, Domaine Solvay at La Hulpe. Located about 25 minutes southeast from the center of Brussels, La Hulpe is one of those special places that are so close in proximity and yet so far away in feeling. A short drive or bus ride and suddenly you are walking along and breathing in old forest among rolling hills. You know the type of forest where you could imagine a knight riding by on a horse, or Robin Hood swinging down out of a tree. Just close your eyes for a moment. Wait, not yet! Close them and take a deep breath through your nose. Smell the crispness in the air, the richness of the soil and the sweetness of the grass. Now you are almost there.

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We had the pleasure of a deep September afternoon adventure with some friends. Bababoo was packed in her Ergobaby carrier and I was ready, camera in hand. Cruising around the lakes and hills had me drooling. Can you say perfect outdoor photo shoot location?! After our strolling (and drooling) was complete, we hiked up to Chateau Solvay. Seriously, what does this family NOT own around here? Behind the chateau is a charming little restaurant with lots of outdoor seating, a nice menu of sandwiches, salads and warmer fare. Also an interesting beer list (if you are into that sort of thing). 🙂

We finished up by sitting on the lawn and taking in the other fall revelers and nearby pastures. There is plenty of room for the kids to roam and play. Bababoo stuck to crawling practice but hopefully the next time we go, when spring blooms, she will be up and running. Enjoy!

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The Favorites List: Oliwood Toys

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One big surprise in being a mom is how extremely excited I get going into toy stores! Perhaps it is my general love of whipping out the credit card to bring home shiny new things but there is just a little extra magic in the rows of bright colored blocks, games, dress up clothes and cuddley magical animals (purple, green and orange porcupine anyone?). The toy shop that gives me that special zing at the moment is Oliwood Toys on Avenue de la Chasse.

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You had me at “My Way”.

Recently evolved from a smaller, cramped space to a spacious, well lit and well, highly magical, wonderland, Oliwood is where I go to dream. Prominent in the collection are such favorites at Lilliputiens, Haba and Moulin Roty. Also a heavy weighting toward wooden, beautiful and durable toys, games, costumes, you name it! Although I have spent most time exploring the baby section, I have been drawn in a trance-like state towards the older kid toys, fantasizing about when I can get Bababoo this gorgeous puppet show theater, oh my.

WARNING: Do not go in here without planning on walking out with a very exciting, shiny new toy for yourself, err, I mean your little one. Happy shopping.

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Do these come in my size?
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Cow one please. 🙂
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Please mommy?

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Baby Experiment: Baby led weaning

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Well, its hard to say.. but bababoo has been less than interested in my culinary creations as of late. Ouch! After yet another refused lunch, I consulted my friend Google with the following, “Why won’t my eight month old eat?”.

The prompt response was somewhat of a revelation and a catalyst for this specific baby experiment. It said, “Somewhere between 8 – 10 months, your baby may begin to assert their independence and they will refuse to be spoon fed.” Independence? My angel?! Well, I figured it couldn’t hurt (that much) to give it a shot. So here we go on baby led weaning…ta da!!!

After stripping her down to a diaper, moving the highchair away from the carpet and laying a towel as a drape cloth, all of my motherly cleaning instincts were swiftly put to the test. I started with filling the spoon. Filled with dread, I handed it to her… A moment of introspection and a searching look back at me. Really? You want me to have this?! A practice drum roll sent the Vegetable Melage flying. Ouch! I resisted the urge to clean it, this was about to get worse.

Bababoo proceeded to shake, rattle and roll through most of what I had given her. In the end a triumphant self feeder emerged, a independancized mother cleaned up and all was well again in the Bear & Dragon household. Smoosh!

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