Pancakes!
What exactly are pancakes? In America they are thick and small and eaten for breakfast in stacks – the higher the stack the cooler the cowboy! In France they are called crêpes and are very large, thin and delicate and eaten for lunch or a 
snack from one of the little street stands. (This makes me wonder… Michela, is there such a thing as an Italian pancake)??
In Holland, ‘pannekoeken’ are the size of an average frying pan, and are a bit thicker than a crêpe but thinner than American pancakes. Traditionally they are eaten for dinner, usually after the traditional Dutch pea soup called ’snert’, with a variety of savoury (bacon&syrup, cheese&paprika) or sweet (apple, banana, icing sugar, sugar syrup, confiture) toppings. It’s a children’s favourite.
We just discovered a restaurant called Pancakes!, which serves, well, pancakes (in all different varieties) and is conveniently located in the center of the ‘nine streets’ in Amsterdam (a little shopping delight for the ones who don’t know it yet)! They have highchairs (I counted at least three) and a children’s menu that comes with a little surprise. Might your little one get bored after all, a toy-box filled with books, toys and games is present, or the staff can provide crayons and paper. There’s a microwave for warming up milk. And they also cater children’s (birthday) parties – age 4 years and up!
-Esther
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.
Fun for kids in Paris
So you are visiting Paris and decide that shopping is not enough and it is time to do something cultural. Or alternatively, you are living in Paris and have decided it is time to finally do something cultural. You drag the whole family to the Louvre or the Musee d’Orsay and after approx. 45 minutes your toddler decides she has seen enough art, thank you very much, and it is time to answer her needs.
I have just discovered a solution. (more…)
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). (more…)
Mommy makeover? Not my cup of tea.
During the summer, while I was halfway through pregnancy #2, I was already thinking about the months and months it would take me to regain my already less than perfect figure after the birth.
It’s then that I started joking with my husband that what I wanted this time as a gift, instead of a diamond ring (because this was going to be the request), was a mommy makeover! (more…)
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!
More country differences: caring for the umbilical stump.
My #1 was born in London, and on discharge from the hospital I was told to bathe the baby regularly and that the stump would fall off pretty soon. That’s it, simple and practical. Then the midwife who came to our home a couple of times checked on it.
#2 was born last week in Milan, and stumps receive much more attention here in Italy. First of all, you should bathe your baby in very shallow water until the stump has fallen off so that it’s not submerged in water (I know other places even suggest sponge baths). On top of that, you should change the medication at least three times a day. It consists of a square sterile gauze, folded in two into a triangle and then rolled like a foulard which should be wrapped around the stump until it looks like a cute tiny white rosebud.
OK, not a big deal you think… but try to do this origami-style operation while the little offspring screams and kicks!
This morning I decided to revert to the English way. After all, everything went smoothly the first time and #2 is a girl so there’s even less risk of contamination from forgetting to “put the trigger down”!
-Michela
Sinterklaas- A Dutch Tradition
Here in the low-lands, we have a funny holiday called Sinterklaas. I know I’ve been trying to explain the concept to you before, but I thought I’d give it one more try.
St. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (Turkey) in the third century. He was known for his goodness and generosity: he was quite rich but used his entire fortune to assist the poor. Furthermore he was known for his love for children and as such he became their patron saint. Apparently he was also very concerned about the welfare of sailors and ships but that has nothing to do with this. He died December 6 AD 343, and the anniversary of his death has (weirdly enough) been celebrated ever since. In Holland, we like to be different and celebrate St. Nicholas day (‘Sinterklaas’) on December 5th. But for weeks leading up to that, Sinterklaas keeps everybody busy!
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.
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.
Don’t have a babysitter? Don’t worry. They have a basket of toys in the back to keep your kiddies entertained (the train track could keep my son busy for hours). In addition to all of this, they have an entire downstairs stocked with trendy women’s clothes and stylish maternity pieces. (Emilie- you would go crazy down there)!
Want the best news of all? Even if you don’t live in London, (girls, are you listening?), you can shop at their brand new on-line store! (Don’t tell your husbands I told you).
-Courtney
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!
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!
The sling is called the Tricotti, and I love it. It consists of 2 tubular jersey bands that you wear crosswise over the shoulders. It’s very easy to use. It can be worn in 4 different positions: comma (from birth, see above), face in to wearer (6 weeks) or out towards the world (3 months, see below), or a bit later in hip position (they say until 2 years!! Aggh!). It can also be used for discreet breast feeding.
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
Courtesy of Daily Candy.
