BOOKS
'Counting on Katherine' by Helaine Becker, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Having recently watched the movie, 'Hidden Figures' with the girls I was beyond excited to have found, Counting on Katherine. It's an excellent biography of Katherine Johnson who was the genius mathematician who helped make the Apollo 11 landings on the moon possible. She also helped at a critical stage in the return of Apollo ...
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FOOD
The joys of shop- bought pastry when cooking with toddlers
Lily and I have been using shop-bought pastry so as she can make her own sausage rolls. Lily is two, and loves baking and making anything in the kitchen. When we have time and I’m in the mood to embrace the inevitable mess made when cooking with toddlers, and measuring everything out for her to use ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
DIY "ABC" Letter Tracing Chalkboard
My daughter is nearly three and lately she has shown an increased interest in writing. She has been holding a pencil and pretending to write for ages, but now she she is able to identify letters and attempts to draw them. I wanted to find a way to help her practice writing letters. I prefer ...
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OUTDOORS
Little Green Fingers for the Summer Garden
Summer here in London is still young enough that we can get a good crop of veggies and herbs going in even the smallest of city gardens or balconies, and with that comes many opportunities of learning for my two little gardeners. Even though I am a trained Montessori teacher, it has been a learning ...
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HEALTH & CARE
Aromatherapy, a gentle way to soothe our minds anytime
Regularly, we use aromatherapy in our home to help soothe our minds and create an ambiance. It subtly makes the air like nature has entered the room and helps us feel more relaxed. In the cooler months, I enjoy candles. Especially the warm gentle fragrance of natural beeswax candles. It's such a treat then. But ...
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PARENTING
Welcome, Mari! Our new contributor from Chicago :)
What wonderful, strong and talented women have joined our team recently. It fills me with so much pride and gratitude... Our community is growing, on all levels it is! I'm incredibly happy to introduce our third new Babyccino contributor today. I met Mari when we connected online, after she reached out to us when we ...
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DECOR AND FURNITURE
The LEMO chair -- the easiest adjustable high chair from Cybex.
In the beginning of 2020 (pre Covid -- gosh, it feels like such a long time ago!), I travelled to Frankfurt to see the trade fair stand of Cybex, where one of my friends was working at the time. It was such fun to see her, but also to discover all of the innovative products ...
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PARENTING
Introducing Mariam, our lovely new contributor from Germany!
In the light of the recent events, our long time reader Mariam got in touch with us to ask the following question -- are you, as a company, and in regards to the brands and boutiques you work with, looking at their ethical standards *on all levels*? Are you looking not just at the ecological ...
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PARENTING
A new contributor! Sydney, in London
Over the past weeks and months, so much has happened in the world. There's been so much pain and loss, but at the same time we have started change and experienced support and love. Good things are coming out of all of this! One of those good things is that we are strengthening our Babyccino ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
Children's art inspired by black artists
Every month, our friends at LoLA (Lots of Lovely Art) assemble an art box with everything you need to create three high quality, artist-inspired projects: an introduction to the artist, recommendations on books and galleries to visit, plus all the materials you need to make a true masterpiece. The boxes are delivered to your front door, ...
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BOOKS
"Julián is a Mermaid" by Jessica Love
This book, so beautifully written and illustrated by Jessica Love, is a celebration of individuality and a heartwarming story of unconditional love and acceptance. Julián is a Mermaid tells the story of a little boy, Julián, who spies three women on the subway one day and is entranced by their beautiful hair, their shimmering mermaid ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Do your children follow the news? And do you discuss it with them?
The recent news about the tragic death of George Floyd and the successive, powerful growth of the Black Lives Matter movement has made a deep impression on me, our family, our city, our country, our world. A change so profound has been set in motion, in me personally, and in many, many people I know ...
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CELEBRATIONS
Ramadan: The Islamic Month of Fasting
This week sees the beginning of the annual period of fasting called Ramadan, which lasts for 29 or 30 days, according to the lunar Islamic calendar. Observed by a large proportion of the almost 2bn Muslims all over the world and collectively felt as one of the most special times of the year, it is ...
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TUESDAY TIPS
Simple Montessori activities for 2 year olds
Being indoors for the majority of the day with children is hard at the best of times. Juggling different ages is another thing to manage and if you have a toddler too it can sometimes feel as though their play is just plain disruptive. Added to being in the midst of a pandemic and it ...
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BOOKS
Good books for teenagers -- Sara's now favourite reads
It's already nearly two years ago that I asked Sara to share her favourite books, and many of you have asked to share her current favourites. She is nearly 15 years old now, and still absolutely loves to get lost in a great story! She reads loads, so there's a lot of material to choose ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
A schedule for our new reality...
We are in our third week of lockdown here in the Netherlands, and a new reality has slowly settled in. As much as it is humanly possible, with 5 children and 2 adults at home 24/7 for the unforeseeable future, the new ways and customs we have established already feel surprisingly 'normal'. Where usually our ...
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TUESDAY TIPS
How can we manage worrying information around our children?
Remembering days outdoors with my friend Sarah @abitofpink and her big girls As we are all well aware by now, we are in ‘unprecedented’ times. Endless news reels, articles, conversations, not only between adults but children too, are hard to ignore. It is impossible to shield our children from the worries and events of the ...
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PARENTING
A different world...
Dear friends, How are you? It's a different world! Some of you may have been house-bound for a while now, and for some of you it's only just beginning. Working from home, schooling from home, spending less time outside... No playdates, no sports or hobbies, no little trips to parks, pools, museums or even family. ...
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FOR MUMS
Going back to work -- tips and thoughts
A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a friend who is taking the big step of going back to work -- in an office, with a commute, and with colleagues. It is such a massive shift, not only for her but also for her family! So I jotted back some of my random ...
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PICTURE BOOKS
The Girls by Lauren Ace and Jenny Lovlie
"The four women were still as different as they were the same. And they were still the best of friends." The Girls by Lauren Ace and Jenny Lovlie is a gorgeous picture book and it's well celebrated in our house by both of my girls. It was also a treat to see it being used ...
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PARENTING
Laundry - Are we doing too much of it?
I've been thinking a lot about laundry lately, and it's not entirely because I always seem to be faced with piles that need to be washed, folded, or put away (although yes, that is my reality!)....no, laundry has been on my mind because I think I am slowly coming to the realization that I'm doing ...
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TUESDAY TIPS
Tuesday Tips: integrating older siblings into life with a newborn
In the last seven months since our sweet baby, Georgina Rose, was born, time has flown by! And it is amazing how many of my friends have also had new babies too... and one of the most common questions around day two or three of the new baby in the home is 'how do I ...
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BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Birthday gifts for school friends -- what do you give?
My daughter started kindergarten last fall, and beyond the expected academically-focused changes (beginning math! learning to read!), I've noticed a big social one as well: a larger class, an expanded social circle, and invitations to so many birthday parties for school friends. At first, choosing a birthday gift for my daughter to give the birthday ...
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