Miffy’s House

Who doesn’t love Miffy? My daughter surely adores her! Dick Bruna created this little rabbit in 1955 and by now her stories have been translated to more than 40 languages! Did you know Miffy has her own website? It’s great to explore with children: there is an audio book, animation, music, games, and more! There are also links to a variety of webshops: the books are great and I can also recommend the DVDs!

Last weekend we decided to treat our children to a little trip to ‘Miffy’s House’ (a.k.a. the Dick Bruna House).

Babycook

So… we have crossed the big pond and survived the 9-hour flight to Seattle (where we will be spending the first half of our holiday).  We are all settled in and cozy, (despite our 4 a.m. wake-ups), and are adjusting to things here in the States…

…like huge grocery stores with hundreds of options, big vehicles on wide streets, loads of space, and anything you want whenever you want it (I’ve seen more “open 24 hours” signs in the past few days than I’ve ever seen in Europe)!  There is really no limit to what you can find here, and how easily you can find it.

This is why I am always stumped to find that there are actually a few of my favorite European things that you can not find here in this ”land of plenty” (nor find a suitable alternative)… like my Beaba Baby Cook!

Learning French without French Class

Ever since that blasted day at French Class when my wallet was stolen, we have stopped going to class. (I hate that mall).  Sadly, my son really misses it.  And the few French words he knows are not doing much for him these days (unless, of course, he wants to ask for a raisin…)

Thankfully, as I was surfing one of my favorite sites, Cool Mom Picks, I came across the perfect solution:  foreign language DVDs for your kids!   The Little Pim videos are designed for babies and toddlers. (Apparently kids under the age of 6 are most capable of soaking up different languages).   Their unique method combines immersion and repetition with animation (a cute little panda named Pim), and images of children engaged in everyday activities.  The videos are now available in French, Spanish and Mandarin, but nine additional languages are soon to be released (including Enlgish- which, I thought, would be good for your Italian, Dutch and French-speaking children)!

I just bought the Little Pim: Playtime DVD in French, which promises to teach my son more than 60 new French words!
Much easier than dragging my 2 children to French class every Wednesday, (and cheaper too)!

Oh- and it’s an American company (think $$$s), but they ship worldwide! 

-Courtney in London

thanks Cool Moms!

More beanbags!

Well, this proves that there is a lot to write about beanbags. (The third post already)! Though these ones aren’t for sitting on…

I bought these 12 tiny beanbags in NY about two years ago and they are a favourite in my family. The baby loves the different colors, texture and feel of them (they are filled with little rice grains). My 2-year-old loves stacking them (and tumbling them down, of course). I like making funny little guys or animals out of them. And we really like the way they look too! They are called Kushies Zolo Beanstax, and easily available in the US (unfortunately difficult to find in Europe, but this  American store, Babesta, ships to Europe – and stocks more of the cute Zolo range)!

-Esther in Amsterdam

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.

 

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…

A bit of an indulgence

I recently did a bit of extra freelance work… and what did I decide to do with that little bit of extra cash? Buy my husband a new jumper? Nope, he has got a least two and he likes them old and with holes. Buy my daughter a new toy? Nope, the child has more than enough toys.
In my quest to stay stylish during my pregnancy, I decided to spoil myself and splash out on a bright pink Agent Provocateur maternity bra!

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. 

Tricotti

I’ve carried 2 babies around London in this sling, and every time I used it at least three people would come up to me to inquire what sort of sling this was and where I got it. The inquiries were, of course, followed by “oohs” and “aahs”; all babies are cute, but in this sling they are even more endearing!

Couture Bean Bags

Just got a Daily Candy e-mail about these super cute bean bags for kids.

They might not be as functional as the doomoo seat that Michela wrote about, but they definitely score high points for their design!
Cocoon Couture is an Australian company that delivers worldwide (and if you consider how the Australian dollar fares against the pound or euro, you can’t resist the price)!

(I can just imagine my 2-year-old sitting in-style while watching “Thomas the Tank Engine”- can’t get much cuter than that)!!!

Wanted to let you all know about these…

Makes me wish I had a bigger flat with space to put them! 

-Courtney in London

Courtesy of Daily Candy.

A child in sheep’s clothing

Aaagghhh! Winter. You all know it depresses me. It’s dark, it’s wet, and it’s COLD!!

And I have a husband who refuses to turn the heat on during the night- (doesn’t want to waste energy, and also doesn’t mind if his babies freeze)!

Thank God for Mokopuna’s merino wool range. 

 

They make the cutest pajamas (and many other things) for babies made from 100% New Zealand mokopuna merino. It’s designed to keep your babies warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Their pajamas are super soft, cozy and oh-so cute.

Best of both worlds

At this time of year, I spend, spend, spend on presents and sometimes have a guilty conscience, as a little part of me feels that I am being a bit wasteful. But it is really hard to find beautiful presents that also make you feel like you are supporting a good cause, and there is no point giving something ugly just because it is politically correct!

Holiday Cards

It’s that time of year again… Holidays. Can you believe it?

And thus, time to pick out my holiday cards! (Is this just an American tradition, or do the Europeans do it too)??

Every year of my childhood (and even still now), my parents would send out personalized holiday cards, with a photo of their 5 charming children, to all their friends, family, colleagues, etc.

And so now that I have (charming) children of my own, I feel obliged to send out the traditional holiday card.  (And you all know me- I love this sort of thing)!

I had chosen the photo. All I needed was the card.  I could send out personalized holiday cards (with photo mounted on top), which costs around $550 (for 150 cards). OR, I could order the generic boxed holiday greeting cards (which is what I did last year, and I still spent almost $500).  Ordering holiday cards is easy:  you just go to www.crane.com and choose your selection. (I’m always a fan of their stationery, and their website is straight-forward and good). 

Perfect… if you’re not on a budget!

Sooo… what to do, what to DO?!

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…