To have a Merry Christmas

To have November

So it's that time of the year again, Bonfire night. Perhaps the history behind isn't very cheerful but the fireworks are.

For the third year we went to our local park to see the display. M was a very happy girl.

To have another cousin

The little cousin from Portugal arrived yesterday and M is enjoying being the big sister. All big smiles. Very cute. It's half term so lots of fun planned this week and today we're off to a museum. 

To have had a birthday

7 years...in between princess and Monster High. The theme of the party this year was Frozen and ice-skating. Second time for Maya and a first for several of the other children. Everyone enjoyed it and no one gave up on the ice. 

We had a joint party with another girl in the class and it was nice to share the party planning and the fun. Something I really like here is the custom where all the party gifts are put, unopened, on a table - the gifts are then opened at home so no need to spend time opening presents in front of the other children, and no risk of comparing which gift was best etc. We then write a thank you card to each child that came to the party. Very civilised.

To have had a wonderful summer

It's been a bit quiet here...but not in real life. We just got back from a great summer holiday, three weeks in Sweden. I'm lucky to have been able to take three weeks of holiday in a row, not many Brits do or can. The weather was fantastic and we managed to meet up with over 30 friends and family. We spent most of the time on our island, and then a weekend in Gothenburg having fun at Liseberg with the favourite cousin.

Hope it won't be too long until we're back again. Missing Sweden already...

To have a cousin

What a surprise! M didn't know her cousin, and my brother, was going to visit as we kept it a secret - oh the happiness when they saw each other again. The school holiday week went so quickly but we managed to fit in a lot of fun, once again exploring our own city.

Love.

We met Anna at the Disney Store!

One can never have too many soft toys on a double decker.

Girlie stuff from Lush (who can resist these colourful bath bombs) and Cath Kidston.

To have a Funday

Today was the day - the sing-along adventure. We went to Leicester Square and Prince Charles cinema to watch and to sing along to the favourite film Frozen. We all got a party bag with soap bubbles, party poppers, crowns and grey balloons (the trolls...). And then we sang our hearts out!

But first lunch with M's Portuguese grandparents to celebrate grandmother's birthday. M's friend joined us for the day too. A glorious day in many ways with lots of sunshine and (Frozen) fun - summer has arrived in London. 

Two very excited girls all prepared for the big sing-along.

Nothing beats boredom whilst waiting for the train as a good old game of scissors - rock - paper...

Portuguese food went down a treat.

To have another London adventure

Another month has passed and M is now on Easter holidays. My mum and dad were here for a week and it went far too quickly. Luckily I had planned a big day out in central London the day after they went back to Sweden in order to cheer ourselves up and we went to see Matilda the Musical. It was brilliant (even if I'm not usually a big fan of musicals) and it was the first musical for M.  Elsa from the "Frozen" film decided to come along too...(a Disney Store visit was included in today's adventure).

Already got the next adventures planned - a sing-along - and then we've got visitors from Sweden so we'll explore a bit more of London again then. And still have 6 days left of the holidays, I'm sure we can fit in a museum or gallery visit.

To have a dress up day

It's the World Book day today and everyone at school, including the teachers, were asked to come in dressed up as their favourite book character. It was a great atmosphere in the school yard this morning and we saw some amazing creations.

M wanted to dress up as Alice in Wonderland, and we thought the Swedish "Madicken" pinny would do for the dress and pinny Alice look. Her friends were Merida and the Black Cat. 

Growing up in Sweden some of the book characters are not familiar to me but I'm sure I'll learn through M.

To read

I love to read. Nothing beats a good book and this is something I really want to pass on to M, my love of books, all sorts. I remember reading everything I could find, from a very young age, trawling through my parents' books, my grandparents' and so on. I remember the fairy tales, and I remember reading Roald Dahl. So even if we can do most things on an ipad, or a Kindle, it really can't really beat a "proper" book. When I saw the special edition of The Brothers Grimm's fairy tales, with fantastic illustrations, I had to order it for M. It arrived today and she was delighted, as I had hoped.

As I'm also still on a mission to make the most of London, I booked tickets for Matilda the Musical as an Easter treat - and so we are as prepared as possible, I also ordered the book Matilda.

Think I'm as excited as M.

To celebrate a dad

M made the best birthday present for her dad, a "birthday bunting",  and she did it all by herself, I only needed to help when it was time to hang it up. The birthday was on Tuesday but we had the Portuguese family around yesterday (Saturday) for dinner. Think this is a keeper, to hang up every time we have a birthday in the family, until M tells us not to...

To have a mum and daughter day

We did London in 7 hours today...Well, we didn't see everything but we managed to fit in quite a lot! We went to Covent Garden first, and the Disney Store...a well sought after doll was purchased, Anna, (from the film Frozen, M's favourite and she knows all the songs by heart...). That was the first treat.

I'd decided to show M China Town and after advice from a friend we'd booked a table at Imperial China, a Chinese restaurant which is mentioned in the Michelin Guide apparently (but still very decent prices). I had dim sum, M tried some noodles and spring rolls and decided it was lovely and that she wanted to come back and eat here every day.

Then it was time for cinema at Leicester Square - Tinkerbell and the Pirate Fairy - M said she really enjoyed it. At least I managed to avoid the Barbie film...

Lastly, some proper culture and we went to the National Gallery and did the "Spot the Royals" audio tour which we both enjoyed. M commented on that there were quite a lot of "naked bottoms, angel heads and big Jesuses" which probably sums it up quite well. As an "old" Art historian I always enjoy a trip to a museum or gallery and I'm glad M does it too.

A really lovely day, and one of those days when I'm grateful we live in a city like London (even though I sometimes wonder what we're still doing here...).

To have messy hands...

Swedish chocolate balls, as messy to bake as they are good to eat. A true childhood classic and today we passed on the skill to Maya's friend. Baking, such a great thing to do together, and so easy too (if you disregard the mess...). 

It's the start of the half-term holidays and we've got a couple of things planned for the week; cinema, swimming pool visit, play dates, a sleepover etc. So even if we have to work M will have some fun.

To have February

We're still waiting for the snow but as they don't cope very well with snow in this country I think it's enough with the rain...

As many others at this time of the year we've had a few colds and aches over the last couple of weeks. Today I'm working from home due to the tube strike, but M has got a bad cold so has been at home resting for the last two days.

At least she managed to join the school trip to Kew Gardens on Monday, which she really enjoyed. One of the mums took some lovely pics and I borrowed a couple...