Things to do with a baby in Brussels: The best hot chocoloate

March 12, 2013March 2, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

Holy snowy day Batman. Brussels is kicking up some serious March bluster with driving wind and several inches of fresh snow. Wowee! We are holed up at home, soaking up the heat and watching the swirling drifts.

What, you may ask, could possibility drive us from our warm, safe and cozy home on a day like this? Only one thing: hot chocolate. And if we are going to get all bundled up and go, it must be for the very best hot chocolate in all of Brussels. I am talking about Fredric Blondeel. Located just step from the St Catherine metro stop (probably 30 steps), this little chocolate chop takes the cake In a town bursting with chocolate savants. Self-professed “master in cocoa”, Fredric has truly made an art out of your liquid happiness. Think options like Madagascar chocolate with a hint of vanilla and saffron threads. Oh my god, its good.

You can bring the little one and cozy up on the pillowed bench. Little tables and cushions make a lovely setting for this petite masterpiece.

So if you get outside today, drop in, warm up and die happy.

The most wonderful year

February 21, 2013February 25, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

It is hard to believe but it is one year ago today that our little angel came into the world. It really has been the most wonderful year. Bababoo has an amazing happy spirit and fills each day with light. She is my most beautiful adventure. Happy birthday Zoe!

So how do we celebrate such a momentous day? The only way we know how, by shoving chocolate cupcakes into our mouth. Behold, the cake smash.

Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Baby Yoga!

February 19, 2013February 4, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

With this post we travel back in time to before Bababoo was a champion speed crawler. To a gentler time when she was happy to gently roll around in front of the mirror and to be lifted, crunched with and generally used as exercise equipment. I am talking about Baby Yoga!

Back in September, I was turned on to several baby yoga options by the knower of all things wonderful, Katy Kefferpütz. She suggested two to try although in the end just one fit with our schedule (both are below). So I dug out the old yoga mat and away we went!

Housed in the Udi Malka dance studio, Sivananda Yoga is led by the ever smiling (even when several babies are screaming) Laia. The yoga room has one all mirror wall which is very fun and provides roughly an hour of entertainment for the babies, which is perfect since that is the length of the class. With your little one positioned next to you, you will stretch, go through classic but gentle yoga poses and if you are comfortable, you can incorporate your baby as well. If you are a yoga veteran then you will find the experience very gentle indeed, it is designed to help get the body moving again after birth, not necessarily to give you a super work out.

If your baby catches the zen mood then it makes for a delightful hour. Move, chat with other mommies, smile at babies and enjoy Laia’s patient instruction.

Open for little tiny babies up to crawlers. Once you baby clocks in at under 20 seconds to cross the room, your out. 🙂

Om shanti om.

Laia Puig Escandell – Sivananda yoga
Udi Malka dance studio, Rue des Francs 51
Tuesday 1015 – 1130
laiulipe@hotmail.com

Kristen Macpherson – Kundalini yoga (with songs etc. for babies too)
At Kristen’s apartment, Rue Major Pétillon (Pétillon metro)
Monday 1400 – 1515
Wednesday 0930 – 1045
yogakristen@me.com
http://web.me.com/yogakristen/Site/Welcome.html

Update: The Yoga Loft is a cozy space with pre and post natal yoga classes. They even have a babysitter on hand. Seriously.

http://www.yogainbrussels.com/

Things to do with a child in Brussels: Brunch at the Orangerie in Parc Egmont

February 10, 2013March 2, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

Its Sunday. In San Francisco, where I am from, Sunday morning means one thing: Brunch! Whatever shenanigans you got up to Saturday night can always be soothed with an “all-you-can-eat” pancake, Eggs Benedict, bacon, and Bloody Mary extravaganza. When I moved to Brussels, I would mark each brunch-less Sunday with a strong cup of coffee and a small tear. That is until I discovered the deliciousness that is Brunch at Parc Egmont.

The Orangerie at Parc Egmont is ideally located between Sablon and Avenue Louise. One thing I love about Brussels is how you can go through a doorway or up a staircase and immediately be transported to a different world. This is how it feels when you enter the calm of Parc Egmont, completely surrounded by a tall brick wall and take in the charming restaurant, grand old trees and gently sloping lawn. The setting is worth the trip alone and the Parc makes for a perfect and safe run around zone for the little ones to play in.

Besides the bountiful spread of pastries and breads, salads, made-to-order omelets and fresh juices, there are a variety of adult breakfast beverages a la mimosas and long-lost Bloody Marys. You can sit inside the pretty dining room (they have high chairs, yeah!) or on nice days enjoy the patio and take in the sun.

Come spring you are sure to find us camped out, debating whether to squeeze in one more chocolate muffin. Bon Appetite!

Where: Parc d’Egmont, Brussels, 1000

When: Saturday and Sunday until 1:30

Seriously, they have made-to-order omelets!

You might say we are excited!

February 5, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

The first 10 sessions are booked with Bear & Dragon. Stay tuned for some gorgeous families and lovely little ones in the coming weeks.

Our website is nearly finished as well. We’re a-moving and a-shaking over here!

Things to do with a Baby in Brussels: Rent a toy at the Ludotheque

January 30, 2013January 3, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

On rainy days like this, it is hard to get up the motivation to go outside. That turns one’s eye to available indoor options AKA toys and games. Well as much as I love new toys, and I DO love new toys, it gets to be a bit much when they are stacking up and Bababoo gives them no more than a fleeting glance. So what is a rain-avoiding momma to do? How about check out some new digs at the Ludothèque in Etterbeek.

The Ludotheque is a Toy Library where you can check out toys. I was turned on to this resource back in the early fall and since selecting the “Musical Escargot” have been going regularly back for more. For the highly reasonable price of 0.50 EUR per week, you too can take home a new and exciting toys for your little one. Hooray!

In addition to toys, there are lots of games and puzzles for the older set. You can try before you rent in the small but well organized play space. Selecting your new friend is fairly straight forward in the catalogs where you can see pictures of the toys, their name and the recommended age. You can also preview the catalog and toys here.

Some of the toys are a little old (I am looking at you Sony cassette player!) but they are also classics. So stay dry and let the good times roll!

Where: Avenue Auderghem 233 – 1040 as well as many other locations. Check out the nearest here.

When: Hours vary by location but here is Etterbeek

Monday: 16h – 18h and Ready playroom

Tuesday: 15h – 17h and Ready playroom

Wednesday: 14h – 16h30 and Ready playroom

Thursday: 15h – 17h and Ready playroom

Saturday: 11am – 12.30pm and Ready playroom

Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Read a book at Le Wolf

January 18, 2013January 20, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

Have you been to Le Wolf yet? What are you waiting for? With Brussels firmly in the grip of an icy January, I love nothing more than to cozy up with my little one and a book. And some cake and coffee. And there should also be a tiny cinema there playing delightful short films. Sounds a little specific? Well luckily, there is a wonderful children’s book store that foots the bill.

Le Wolf is tucked away behind Grand Place at Rue de la Violette 18. When you come in, you are immediately struck by the whimsy of it all with floor to ceiling birch trees, rows of bright books, wonderful art and a little house/cinema all nicely laid out for your pleasure. They do of course have loads of wonderful books in French and Dutch (practice makes perfect :-)). The cinema also plays short films for 2 EUR a go.

If you fancy a cake or coffee there are always several yummy looking ones in the little cafe.

But I have saved the best for last! There is a reading room in the back where you can relax on beanbags or a couch (very convenient for nursing as well) and read until your heart’s content. I really love this place! Check it out when you need to get that ball of energy out of the house but don’t want to freeze your face off. Salut!

Tickets please – a most charming children’s cinema

Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Sledding in Parc de Woluwe

January 16, 2013January 16, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

Holy hot (cool) tip! Snow in Brussels is typically a meager affair. A light sprinkling here and there, quickly dissolved by traffic or rain. Boo! So this week when big, fat snowflakes started to fall, I wasn’t holding my breathe for a continuation of the white winter I had been enjoying to date. However, Holy Crap! We have actual snow. So exciting, so lush, so slippery.

Today I was minding my own business, riding Tram 39/44 down Tervueren when I looked to the right to one of my favorite parks, Parc de Woluwe and what should I see but a winter wonderland complete with THE perfect hill for sledding. WHAT?! I had to jump off at the next stop (Jules Cesar) and snap some pictures.

Ah, if only bababoo was a little older we would have been all over that! Kids, adults, dogs: everyone seemed to be having the time of their life. So my advice: go forth and sled! Bring your cardboard/sled/garbage bag and sled down an awesome hill just past the Embassy row on Avenue Tervueren. Happy, happy sledding!!

Where: Parc de Woluwe: take Tram 39 or 44 from Montgomery. Or drive. Or walk

When: While the sun shines and the snow holds

Why: Sledding is awesome!

Seriously Bob, this water is REALLY hard

Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Maison Ouverte

January 9, 2013January 9, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

The rain falls softly…I must be back in Brussels! It is great to be back and in the swing of things. Christmas promptly came down, food back in the refrigerator and Bababoo and I headed out for a little “us time”. For today, we made our second trip to a wonderful playroom called Maison Ouverte. Located in Woluwe Saint Lambert, Maison Ouverte is an open play space based on the idea that children need a place to socialize and have fun, while still having a parent or carer present in order to smooth the transition to a creche. With our creche debute coming up in April, I am ready to try anything!

Maison Ouverte is quickly becoming our “go to” place. Here are a couple reasons why:

–Really beautiful space with lots of new and varied toys: This is officially our testing ground before making a new toy purchase.

–Something for everyone: There is a lovely space for the 2 – 6 months set. It is set away a bit and filled with soft lovely toys. Zoe loves it too but if you worry about those older ruffians bulldozing your gentle baby, you are safe here. Also great secret spaces, big toys and a sink (trust me, its a super hit) for the mobile ones.

–Excellent staff: Somehow you can just tell that the ladies who work here really love what they are doing. And how could you not.

–Convenient by metro: Just a 3 minute walk from Gribaumont. Also tram connections.

–Strong coffee: Hey, I like coffee

Sheesh, it was just a matter of time before I made a bullet pointed list on this blog. Well, you can’t beat that! Seriously though, check it out and enjoy.

Where: 251 Ave Georges-Henri, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels 1200

When: Almost every day of the week! Monday to Friday 14:00-18:00. Excluding school holidays, Saturdays from 10:00 -13:00.

How much: Just 3 EUR.

Life of Bear and Dragon

A beautiful adventure in Brussels

Having a baby in Brussels