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...

To have a New Year

December passed too quickly, as usual, and Christmas too - my favourite time of the year. I think it was really special for M this year especially as we had a Swedish mini-Christmas in Gothenborg with her cousins which meant the celebrations lasted a bit longer.

Today is the last day of 2013 and a new year is waiting for us. I'm looking forward to 2014 - there will be no resolutions but I do have a list of what I'd like to achieve...

Happy New Year!

M and her cousin

Even Santa arrived early!

My version of a nativity set, nordic style...

And we met Rudolph in Covent Garden on Christmas Eve. We decided to do something different this year and went to the Royal Opera House and saw The Nutcracker - beautiful.

It was Christmas for Moo Moo too...a new bed arrived, all the way from Sweden...(love that little wooden bed, bought in a beautiful little toy shop in Gothenburg).