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.
Just because its snowy doesn’t mean we can’t have fabulous outdoor shoots! Isabelle, Nikolas and I headed to the Parc in St Josse to play, cuddle and of course take loads of pictures. Here are a couple of lovely ones to brighten your week. Ahoy Spring!
Over the holidays I had the extreme privilege of taking portraits of a family living its way through cancer. Johan is almost like family to us and I am grateful that I was invited to spend the afternoon with this incredible and kind family.
A beautiful love story and now many years and six kids later, they nestled in for the holidays to celebrate life, love and family. In our thoughts and prayers too.
Update: Bengt passed on February 9, 2013 surrounded by his family. I am proud to have met him.
Oi, feeling down with a never ending cold has got us stuck at home. Besides munching on some oh so delicious Chocolate Sables and playing with newly rented toys, there is nothing Bababoo loves more than throwing each and every book in her considerable collection on the floor. Huzza!
I present the evidence for your review. It is Zoe’s world and we are all just living in it.
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
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!
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!
Can you tell I am catching up on A LOT of photo editing 🙂 After five Christmases in Sweden, I must say that it is beginning to feel a lot like home. Even though it is so very dark (sunrise at 9:00 and sundown around 3:30), it somehow feels very bright and beautiful. i especially love taking long walks in the forest. Have to burn off all that Christmas beer somehow right?
Although only gone a week, here is a somewhat nostalgic post of the fabulous landscapes deep in the heart of Sweden.
Now home in Brussels but I had SUCH an amazing time in the winter wonderland of Leksand, Sweden. It is my second family home and I am so happy to be about to share it with them and now with you. More landscapes to follow. Cheers!
Life of Bear and Dragon 