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!

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!

First look: Jumpin’ Jack

September 3, 2014September 3, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

What a week! Bababoo started school on Monday and I think she likes it. Come on, they have a pet rabbit! Excited to get to spend some one on one time with my little Babatwo who, let’s face it, is not so little any more. 10 months old on Friday, crawling and talking up a storm including a rather unusual first word, color.

It has been a busy time in the studio as people reach out for back to school and last summer hurrah in the park pictures. Last week I had the chance to meet a lovely American-British family, in for their first photo session with 3,5 month old Jack. Such a sweet boy and with the most amazing eye lashes. Why do little boys always have the longest lashes?!

Please enjoy these sweet pictures and the late summer bump of sunshine. Cheers!

Things to do with a toddler or baby in Brussels: Stroll through the forest at the Rouge Cloitre

August 22, 2014June 7, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

You can feel it, can’t you. The air is a little cooler. The forest a little quieter. And somehow the light has more gold in it than before. I just can’t help but fall in love all over again. Fall is coming.

We are making the most of our last summer days. Out and about, long walks, picking berries. I just can’t believe that my little Bababoo is starting school in a matter of days. Where does it all go?

Enough musing and on to the topic of this post! If you find yourself taking a drive down Avenue Tervuren, look for a sign on the right side of the road for the Rouge Cloiture. Located in the Forêt de Soignes, the Rouge Cloiture is one of our favorite places to get away. When we say, let’s go for a walk in the forest, this is where we mean. But the Rouge Cloiture is much more than just a beautiful forest. After a while, you emerge to find the Abbey which was founded in 1367. Lots of beautiful buildings and an art gallery but more often we are there to pet the muscular working horses, to take coffee and cake on the weekends or to just walk around the grounds. A perfect step away from passing time. It is truly a wonderful way to spend the day. To get you in the mood, I wanted to share a few snaps from a recent wander.

In Bear & Dragon news, things are already getting very busy for the fall. It seems I am not the only one who loves Autumn colors! I am planning a series of mini photo session in a location soon to be finalized. On hand will be gorgeous portrait and family photo set ups, great light and of course brilliant red, gold and green fall trees. Drop me a note at bearanddragonphotography@gmail.com to get on an early list. October weekend spots are already getting scarce!

Ciao bella

August 6, 2014August 6, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

Ahh vacation, you are sweet indeed. Just home now from our travels across Europe and down to Lake Como for two weeks of living la vida loco, oops, I mean la dolce vita. Our first road trip with the kids! They were troopers and after a stopover around Strasbourg, we hopped, skipped and jumped over the alps to the noble and stunning Como area. Just one hour North of Milan, Como is an incredible mesh of Swiss and Italian culture. Where the wealthy Milanese families escaped the heat, Como is now an eclectic mix of families, Russian mobsters (parlez-vous russain?) and elegant Italian matriarchs.

We stayed as always at a little house in Carate Urio found via our favorite site, airbnb. Though it rained much more than expected, we had a wonderful time eating lots of gelato, dipping into the cold lake and checking out the many small villages.

Now happy to be home in Brussels and buckled down for a busy fall. To reminisce, here are a few snaps to share. Enjoy!

My sister, myself

June 9, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

When the Bear received a reward to do two weeks of volunteering in Nepal, I wondered if I would survive on my own with the littles for that long. Thankfully it was little sister to the rescue as Lauren swooped in from San Francisco to lend a hand and meet Babatwo. Hallelujah! We had the most wonderful time. So many laughs, new memories, late night card games and sisterly love. I miss her tremendously and each day after she left reminded me of some kind of post break up mourning. “Oh, this is the last of the pasta we made together” and “Hmm, last time I was in this park, Lauren was there with me”. Oi, the bittersweetness of it all.

Of course I made everyone get a little dressed up for some memory making with the big camera. What better backdrop than a lawn of blooming lavender and the European Commission building at Berlaymont. Bonus shots at our favorite park. Miss you Laurenee and love you to pieces!

Things to do with a baby or toddler in Brussels: Sip, shop and play at Haricot Magique

June 4, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

Somehow when I started maternity leave I envisioned myself frequenting cafes, sipping coffee and chatting with a friend while our little ones snoozed nearby. Much to my surprise, there is somewhat a lack of chic and yummy momma cafes. In Brussels? Really?! Strange! A while back I heard about Haricot Magique (Magic Bean) but it took me until now to make my way to Schaerbeek to check it out.

What a lovely place. Just as I imagined only better! It is as though they made a check list of all the ingredients that go into a great momming lunch and made it happen. You need a nice, fun place for kids to play while you sup? Check. Fresh healthy food (baby and adult) and free trade coffee? Sure. A bright bathroom with changing table, potty and real towels? Check, check, check. We had such a nice time here! I also learned that they have lots of fun sounding workshops, book readings, etc. We will be sure to check one soon. Maybe Introduction to Music on Saturday!

If you are in the vicinity of Parc Josephat, stop in! You won’t regret it. Cheers.

Where: Avenue Louis Bertrand 22, 1030 Bruxelles

When: Monday – Saturday, 9:30 – 18:00

Waaay down under

February 10, 2014February 10, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

: On the great Great Ocean Road

G’day mate! Fresh back from putting another shrimp on the barbie in good old Oz. What a fabulous place and a healthy dollop of sunshine to boot. We spent three weeks in Melbourne and most daylight hours in parks, zoo or aquariums. Bababoo and Babatwo had a blast (once recovered from some mean jet lag). Now home and ready to hit the ground running as super busy momma of two.

Took a mini-break from the big camera so holiday photos are courtesy of Instagram and iPhone. 🙂

: Travelling is such sweet sorrow – Abu Dhabi airport

: My sweet angels

: Baby nap photo bomb

: Discovery

: Party animal!

First look: Kasia and Gianfranco Maternity Session

October 4, 2013March 2, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

This much fun at a photo shoot should be illegal. It all started when Kasia’s best friend Amelia contacted me for a last minute maternity session to be done while she was visiting Brussels. Luckily things fell into place and we were able to schedule that week.

So what happens when a Polish beauty meets her Italian prince? A whole lot of fun, that’s what. Baby blanket togas and lots of strawberries later, we had our set. I present those most fit for public consumption. 🙂

Life of Bear and Dragon

A beautiful adventure in Brussels

Summer