London’s Transport Museum has reopened!

Living in London BC (before children), I was able to visit the many museums this city has to offer.  (Aaaahhh… free time!  I have almost forgotten the meaning of the term). 

Back in those (more cultural) days, I visited the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, which gives a very detailed history of London’s public transportation.  On display is an original steam locomotive from the 1800s,  horse-drawn trams, London’s first motor bus, and an electric trolley bus from the 1930s. 

What it really is… is a kid’s heaven! (They have a variety of hands-on exhibits for kids, and allow children to climb aboard the vehicles and even sit in the driver’s seats).

Plan City

In this tiny flat I share with my three boys (one husband and two sons), space is a scarce commodity.  That’s why it’s a huge wonder that we have an entire room (and a good-sized one, in London terms) devoted to toys!  What used to be a semi-respectable reception room, has been converted to a playroom paradise.  Those boys have more toys than they know what to do with.  (It’s actually a bit ridiculous).

It’s ridiculous because of all his many toys, my 2-year-old really only plays with a few favorites, and the rest lie around collecting dust (and taking up precious space).

So I’ve decided, (since it’s holiday time and you’re sure to fill your houses with silly toys), to tell you all about my son’s most favorite toy: Plan City.

 

Babyccino

My daughter has known the meaning of a good babyccino since she was able to hold a spoon. I have known the meaning of a good babyccino since I discovered that it could keep a toddler entertained for at least 10 minutes at a lunch table. If one orders a second one (disregarding the occasional babyccino spilled all over the table) that’s 20 minutes of valuable, uninterrupted mummy time! What a great invention is that?!

While our children were happily messing about with their babyccinos, I think my girlfriends and I spent hours discussing topics like: the best baby/toddler products, fashion, recipes, films, websites, beauty products, shopping, expositions, restaurants, travel, practical matters, the occasional gossip (think Sienna Miller & Jude Law, Kate Moss & Pete Doherty), raising our kids, raising our husbands -and anything else that would interest us, (urban mothers).

Sophie la Girafe

I first discovered Sophie the Giraffe at Esther’s house when we first met.  We both had 6-month-old babies who loved putting anything in their mouths. Esther had a rubber giraffe that squeaked when you squeezed it.  Both our babies loved it; it was one of their favorite toys.   But, at that point, neither of us knew she was called “Sophie.” 

 It wasn’t until a few months later, when I was in Brussels with my husband (and baby), that I learned of her name.   My husband was speaking at an animation conference, so naturally, I went shopping…

Elias and Grace is on-line!

My husband calls it a “money pit”- (he’s the one who reviews the bills), but I just can’t resist it. If I even stroll past the shop window, I’m hooked in. They quite possibly have the cutest range of children and baby clothes in London. (Well at least this shopping expert thinks so)!

Elias and Grace is located on the main strip in Primrose Hill.  They stock all my favorite brands: Simple Kids, Quincy, Maan, Album di Famiglia, Petit Bateau, kid’s Levis, Pepe Shoes, etc. etc. 

H&M School Uniform

When my toddler started nursery school this fall (and came home covered in paint, glue, mud, food, etc.), I decided that his wardrobe needed a redress. Cashmere jumpers are just not ideal- (who has time to hand-wash anymore)??  Actually, let’s face it- anything even slightly expensive is NOT a good idea.  The cheaper, the better.

So I went on a search: I wanted cheap, but not cheaply made.

And I found it at H&M!  You have to be really selective- (avoid the ubiquitous tacky slogans and flashy logos), but H&M sells a few items that have now become staples in BOTH my boys’ closets!

Thanksgiving

 It is America’s Thanksgiving Day today!

So, as an American (not living in America), we will be celebrating… (er, sort of).  My 2-year-old went to nursery, my husband went to work, I’m not surrounded by extended family, and there is no parade to watch!  But, nonetheless, we will be feasting on the usual turkey fare tonight with some of our obliging European friends!

In addition to the turkey dinner, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks. 

Stolen Wallet- Stolen (fashion) Identity

Some jerk stole my wallet on Wednesday! My lovely, leather, Chloe wallet… the last remaining slice of style I still had.  He probably saw me, (carrying one baby in the Baby Bjorn and dragging the other along on the way to French Class), and thought… bingo! Easy target!  He stole it right out of my diaper bag…

Book Binge

I have become a little bit obsessed. First I started with one, and then we bought another, and then we had to have ALL of them, and now I’ve decided we should get them ALL in hardback! Yes, it’s books I’m talking about; children’s books.  But not just any children’s books- I’ve become obsessed with one author/illustrator in particular: Oliver Jeffers.

My husband (being an artist himself) first discovered one of his books in a bookstore just because he was drawn to his illustrations. BUT, not only are his drawings SOOO endearing,  his stories are clever, sweet and very original.

Our favorite is “Lost and Found”, about a boy and a penguin, and we also love “How to Catch a Star”.  They are Easton’s favorite books. A definite “must read” at bedtime!

We have become SO obsessed, that we have even bought a few prints from his website: www.oliverjeffers.com, where you can go and have a look at his work and see for yourselves!

You can buy his books from www.amazon.com. I know, for sure, that his books are translated to French (because we bought a French version last time we were in France), but I’m sure he’s in other languages as well.

AND.. as if his talent wasn’t enough to have me hooked… he’s also REALLY cute! (I saw photos on line).  I’m truly obsessed! (wink, wink).

I think you girls would really like him.  (Despite your taste in men)!  he he…

-Courtney in London

A Bra Dilemma

My baby is now 6 1/2 months old and I had been thinking about making the big switch from breast-feeding to bottles for the past couple of weeks. Well, there’s nothing like having the flu (and handing the baby over to your husband to watch) to kick that thought into gear! After being sick for two days last week (and only feeding him in the night time), I decided that enough was enough! It was the perfect time to stop.  (Six and a half months is a pretty long time, if you ask me).

So, now I am officially finished nursing. And alas, some changes ensue…  Now I have to be a bit more organized when it comes to leaving the house; do I have bottles, formula, etc? It’s also not so easy in the night-time to quickly nurse him back to sleep.  I end up stumbling to the kitchen in the darkness to mix the formula and water.  BUT, those things aside, I feel good- a bit more independent, (and he doesn’t seem to mind either)!

However…

Super Porridge!

As the mother of a 6-month old (who LOVES to eat), I can tell you that I am becoming quite baby-food savvy. 

Babycook?…  Check!  Fresh fruit and vegetables?…. check! Baby rice?…  NO!

I’ve found the superior alternative to plain ‘ol baby rice.  It’s called Four grain super-porridge, and it’s JUST that! A mix of four (organic) grains: quinoa, wholegrain rice, wholegrain millet, and amaranth. 

It’s one of Plum Baby’s brilliant concoctions.  (And they also make a four grain super porridge with plum and banana and another one with apple and apricot). 

In addition to its nutritional advantages, I also think it mixes into fruit and veg purees a bit easier than simple baby rice, and the consistency of the porridge on its own is also smoother and easier for babies to eat.

My baby loves it, and I love that he’s eating loads of whole grains! 

Check out Plum Baby’s website for more info and where-to-buy:  www.plum-baby.co.uk

-Courtney in London

Halloween

As an American living in London, I don’t usually cling defiantly to my roots and flaunt my “American-ness”.  It’s not that I’m ashamed. It’s more like I’m trying to fit in among the general (more reserved) British public.

But today is an exception.  Today is Halloween! The fantastic American (Hallmark) Holiday where every American child dresses up and goes out “trick-or-treating”.   (Yes, the Brits have made a respectable go of catching on to the American tradition, but it’s simply not the same here). 

In America, you don’t have to ask where the trick-or-treating neighborhood is; every neighborhood is a trick-or-treater’s paradise: houses decorated, pumpkins lit, bowls of candy waiting for little hands to dig in.

But alas, it is Halloween and we are NOT in America! We are in London. So, what do you do with your two children on this fine day?

First: You order your costumes from the states. (I spent hours searching on-line for something decent in this country, and I simply can’t find anything).  The best costumes (for children under 5) are found at www.oldnavy.com.  They are cheap (especially if you get them in September for surprisingly huge discounts) and they are well-made, cozy, and oh-so cute! (See photo above).

Secondly: You take your children over to the lovely Kensington neighborhoods where the Americans (and obliging British) live.  Head to Palace Gardens Terrace (and the surrounding streets) or Upper Phillimore Gardens (and the surrounding neighborhood).  Nearly every house will have their lights on and decorations up!

My two boys both have terrible head-colds, and what they DON’T need is to spend two hours out in the cold.  But we are American, after all, and we will be there tonight!

Happy Halloween!

 -Courtney in London