Things to do with a toddler or kid in Brussels: Visit the Zoo at Planckendael

March 20, 2015July 8, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

On a recent February morning we decided to embrace the Swedish concept of “there is no bad weather, only bad clothes”, and headed out to Mechelen to check out the zoo at Planckendael. We love animals and as Babatwo is finally able to differentiate between gorillas and giraffes, it felt right to introduce them in person.

To call Planckendael a zoo is really not doing it justice. With restaurants, play areas, and interactive exhibits, it really is a full day of fun, including lots of time and contact with the many varieties of animals. A bit of a maze, as you might expect but one thing you are really struck by is how much effort has been put in to masking or minimizing the barriers between you and your furry or feathered friend. This alone makes the experience special. As you wind your way around the map of the world, you come across many different play areas which give a very nice break from what can become a monotonous checklist of going from one animal to the next. Inside you find the excitement stays high as you bounce from activity to viewing and back.

Without a doubt the monkeys stole the show for my little ones though the elephants held their own. The passage to Africa was closed when we visited as the giraffes are expecting a little one soon. Hey, we are all due for a little privacy when so pregnant you want to just lay down and hibernate until your 100 kg and almost two meter tall baby makes its arrival. Lord have mercy.

The park provides cute wagons you can pull the littles along in which I highly recommend!

It is easy to get stuck in your Brussels bubble but come on, Mechelen is only 25 minutes away. Take advantage of the discounted offers meant to bring you out for a winter viewing. See animals, have fun. 🙂

Where: Leuvensesteenweg 582, 2812 Mechelen

When: Check their calendar for times. Open 7 days a week!

How much: Not cheap but for me worth it when you see that the animals are actually happy and well cared for. 🙂

Free for under 3
17.50 EUR for 3 – 17 years
25.00 EUR for loving and well meaning parents

First look: the most delicate cake smoosh of all

March 6, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Somehow there is a little extra razzle dazzle in the air. Its Friday and its almost spring. Hooray! In the celebrating mood, today I am going to share a very special birthday session with one year old Liv. Arriving dressed to impress, we had one important mission. Capture some special birthday pictures and then proceed to smoosh the sweetest little birthday cake you have ever seen. While complying with the first part, Liv proved very lady like in her cake eating. After some encouragement she dug in. Go Liv!

So in the spirit and in celebration of little Liv, this weekend have your cake and then eat it too. Yum. 🙂

Bababoo Ballerina turns three – WOW

February 23, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Ballerina birthday party - coming up! — Ballerina birthday party – coming up!

It is truly incredible to see this amazing preschooler walking around the house. She has big feet, loves to jump and sing and has seriously strong opinions about her hair style. My daughter is growing up! The original inspiration and often documented subject of Life of Bear and Dragon, bababoo is turning into a kid and downright awesome person right before my very eyes.

We celebrated the big #3 this weekend and now I am happy to share some at home snaps with you. 🙂

Thank you for your sweet hugs and kisses my sugar bean. I can’t wait to get started on this next year (already dubbed the year of “why”, if you know what I mean). Let’s see what beautiful adventures we can have together.

Taking time to chill with little brother

Sweet hug or attempt to gain control over the iPad? You decide.

Sorry...when are my friends arriving? — Sorry…when are my friends arriving?

First look: Sweet summer rain family session

February 4, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Summer rain blog-2 — Sweet summer kisses

Today I have a throwback for you. All the way back to the green and lush summer. It was a warm day, though a bit overcast with light showers. Classic Brussels. Set in one of my favorite parks, Parc de Tervuren which was once the hunting lodge (aka stunning side castle) of the Duke of Brabant. Here you will find fishing and duck ponds, long tree lined lanes and the soon-to-reopen Royal Museum for Central Africa.

On this particular day, I had the pleasure to work with a lovely British family including little girls Seren and Fion. One thing that I love about working with kids is how much fun you have just messing around! Dancing, running, playing with feathers. These girls were a blast and absolutely gorgous in their matching dresses and bows. What a lovely day and a sweet reminder that long summer days are just around the corner. Enjoy!

Things to do with a kid in Brussels: Climb, roll and race at Planet Kid’s

February 1, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Its cold, its dark but somehow these kids still demand to be entertained. The nerve! Why don’t they want to curl up with tea and a good book or the latest Oscar contender and wait for longer days like me?

Now placed under these unreasonable demands we were forced to look further afield. Sunday indoor play options are next to non-existent but one recommendation caught my eye. Acting on a tip from Nicola Tunks (among others) we decided to give Planet Kids a chance.

Located out in Sterrebeek, Planet Kids is housed in an unassuming white building that resembles an old farm house. Being a dreary winter Sunday, it was packed to the gills with marauding kids and merry makers. There is an indoor and outdoor section. The outdoor seemed to be dominated by a go-cart track (mental note for a couple of years and more degrees from now). Indoor had a really cool indoor labyrinth that is sure to challenge your little person. Climbing, rolling, swinging, you name it. The labyrinth areas were organized by age but we found that the one for the little ones was still dominated by less than gentle older kids. You can join your kids in the up to 4 year play area but after that they are on their own!

One big feature of Planet Kids is that you can bring the family, let them play, and relax and enjoy a coffee or beer in the open area cafe. Many seemed to be taking this approach. There is also a special area for birthday parties and while we were there, an extended Happy Birthday tune was celebrated.

Although a separate playground for babies is advertised, it was pretty basic and definitely not a destination for those who can’t yet enjoy the climbing maze.

The prognosis? A solid weekend destination for 3 – 4 year olds and super awesome one for 5+. If you go with your little one, make sure to stay close to make sure they don’t get overwhelmed by the big kids. For your long winter Sundays, this is definitely an option. A challenging place to take some pictures but I gave it a try! Climb on.

First Look: I Love San Francisco engagement session

January 18, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

My little sister is growing up. Crazy but true story, she is even getting married! When I heard that Lauren and her long-term love, Ben (aka Uncle Ben) were getting hitched, I knew I needed to get my butt to California and take some engagement photos. Having missed this opportunity myself when I was still young and unwrinkled (cough, cough), I wanted to make sure they made some love-filled memories to reflect back on one day and to be admired on their save-the-dates and at the wedding itself.

Throughout a bright and romantic morning exploring Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, I found myself getting a little tearful (happy tears) just to be close to the special love these two share. And now I can share it with you to. A bright spot on a soft grey Sunday.

On the love note, I am excited to launch a new offering for engagement and wedding photography packages. More to come soon on the blog and website.

Here’s to love, youth and magic. Enjoy!

Being with you is like walking on a very clear day

Happy birthday (merry christmas) to my little man! aka the bunny sessions

December 18, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

xander xmas blog-2 — Happy birthday bunny rabbit

Its better late than never, no? Second baby guilt was setting in over a month after Babatwo’s first birthday came and went and still no photo session. Sorry little man! So I took a pause from my business editing schedule (you know who you are) and had a blast with my little man playing with some Christmas goodies, laughing and carrying on like we do.

Ah my little man, you are such a big personality. Like momma in so many ways and sure to be a driving force in our family. Love you more than words bunny rabbit!

Out of the box: A little something special for the holidays

November 13, 2014November 13, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

From time to time I get special requests that are out of my typical assignments. One of my favorites would have to be the special session I held with Chou & Chou nursing covers. Such a fun day with babies, models, sets and snacks all orchestrated by the lovely and talented Pam Chou. We had a blast and love the pictures that are now up on her website.

Christmas is just around the corner so if you know any nursing momma’s or mommas-to-be then I would definitely check out these beautiful nursing covers. Chic, versatile, and soft, they will save you from that less than glamorous “sitting under a tent” feeling when you are nursing out and about. So give some love to a fellow Brussels mom and entrepreneur!

Brussels Family Resources: Brussels Childbirth Trust (BCT)

November 6, 2014June 11, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

Although it seems like the obvious thing to do, somehow I have not managed to write about the BCT as a family resource yet. Why not? Somehow it just seems so ubiquitous that it would be akin to writing, “its cold in the winter” or “hey, the chocolate is good here!” The BCT is a non-profit, volunteer run family network that has been operating in Brussels since 1979. For expats finding their way in Brussels, whether pregnant or already with little ones, it is one of the most important resources out there for support, friendship, activities and fun events.

I first found my way to the BCT through their “Pregnancy in Brussels” night. In addition to getting the lay of the land, I also made two fast friends who are still some of my closest today (hi Claire and Heather!). Next up was the BCT Nearly New Sale where I managed to stock up on many gently used baby essentials. But by far, the biggest impact on me was the community that has grown out of this wonderful group.

Let’s face it, after all the excitement of being pregnant, giving birth and getting settled at home wears off, many a mom finds herself going a tad stir crazy. In these moments, it is essential to get out and make some connections or risk tipping the scale from stir crazy to all out nuts. Local BCT groups run everything from walking groups, coffee afternoons to cooking and art classes for the little ones. There are fun get-togethers at the BCT playhouse, Imagine, out in Wezembeek-Oppem. The list goes on and on.

I definitively recommend checking out the BCT. There is a membership fee of 50 EUR a year which is well worth it for the wealth of resources. Also a huge personal thanks from me to all of the moms and dads who volunteer their time, energy and resources to make this a truly irreplaceable Brussels family resource. Thank you for all you do!