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...