Heat Wave, This Time In Kyiv

If we thought +27C in Copenhagen was warm, we certainly felt the difference having travelled to Kyiv last week: the temperature jumped to +36-37C, and it felt like sauna 24/7. Seeing family, godchildren and reuniting with best friends - all that gave tons of positive energy, regardless of the heat wave. And of course, we had lots of good food and visited a few pretty cool new places: italian Vero Vero with a beautiful outdoor terrace on Podil, Smakotella with a strong air-con and the best ginger alcohol-free mojitos, Shoti with authentic Georgian cuisine (mouth-watering) and excellent service, and of course the old favourite, Lvivska Majsternia Shokoladu (Lviv Handmade Chocolate) with mind-blowing ice-cheesecake and chocolate ice-lattes. Thank you Kyiv. Slava Ukraini!

The Lego Movie

The Lego Movie: 'Run away from the lone adult moviegoer!' Photograph: Warner Bros/Sportsphoto Ltd/All-star

Have you watched The Lego Movie yet? If you have not, don't even check the trailer, just book your tickets at the nearest cinema, grab your perfect companions - preferably your kids or your goddaughter if you are lucky to have her visiting, and enjoy 100 minutes of joy, laughter and admiration for the creators of this smart, funny and thought-provoking animated film. 'Everything is awesome'. :)

Meet Moshi Monsters, by our guest blogger Marianka

Have you adopted a Moshi Monster yet? If you do not live in the UK, chances are you haven't even heard of these fun and cute Monsters yet, or have you? Our guest blogger Marianka here in London says that she loves Moshi Monsters 'because they have their cute little village and it is like a real world'. If you and your children are curious and want to find out more, go to moshimonsters.com to have a world of fun all to yourself! And let us know who is your favourite Moshi Monster...

Baby showers

Image found via Pinterest here

Image found via Pinterest here

Images found via Pinterest here

Baby shower is not exactly a common thing in any of the countries the four of us live  at the moment (Ukraine, the UK, Germany and Denmark). Yet with each year this american tradition is becoming more popular among the Moms-to-be and their friends and families. Speaking from my experience here in Copenhagen, baby shower can be a memorable and fun event, especially if organised by a pro (my friend Christina does it best), kept in a relatively small group, relaxed and not over-done on the games side. It is an excellent excuse to throw a little surprise party for the future Mom, pamper and shower her with gifts, get together with your friends (no men are allowed, by the way) and brainstorm on the most original and beautiful names for the baby.

If you are in charge of organising one and looking for inspiration, Christina recommends these two, her top favourite baby-shower websites: BumpSmitten and Chic & Cheap Nursery. Ideas for the menu, gifts, decorations and games, you can find all sorts of things in there. Enjoy and remember to keep it a surprise!

Mother Groups



Eva, Oskar and Eva's Mother-group: photo by www.magasinetmor.dk

 My friend Eva, a Mom to adorable almost 6 months old Oskar, has shared her recent experience of being interviewed for a Danish magazine Mor (Mother), together with her diverse and very cute looking Mother-group. Not sure whether Mother-group concept exists in other countries in such an organised fashion like in Scandinavia? Here in Denmark, for instance, shortly after the new Mom is released from the hospital, which is normally after 24 hours, she would receive a list of names and contact details of the new Moms in her neighbourhood, inclulding a brief intro to their babies. This can be a good opportunity for the new Moms to bond, share their experiences, get advice and helpful tips, and just have a good time. What do you think? Have a fantastic week!

Babies sleeping outside in Scandinavia

Photo by Jenny Brand/Dos Family for A Cup of Jo

We have found a reference to this post from September 2011 on babies sleeping in prams outside cafes and shops in Denmark, in today's Motherhood Monday update on the american blog  A Cup of Jo. First of all, it was really nice to see the pictures of Copenhagen, in sunny weather, posted by someone from New York. And most interesting of course was the question asked by the american blogger: outside Scandinavia (or, if you are a foreigner living in Scandinavia), would you leave your baby in a pram sleeping outside while you are enjoying your brunch, coffee with friends or indulging in a bit of shopping? I must admit that having lived in Copenhagen for quite a few years, i am finally, slowly, buying into this idea. Especially if there is 200% visibility of the pram with the baby inside it from the coffeeshop window, plus the baby is equipped with a baby-alarm. What do you think?

Have a happy week!

Roll the dice and tell a story

Image from the Rory's Story Cubes

Welcome to the Kids Zone on our blog! 

If you are looking for a creative and fun Christmas gift for your children (and something you can happily play with, too), check out these award-winning Rory's Story Cubes.

Here in London we had these wonderful story cubes delivered last weekend and we all loved them instantly, already spending hours taking turns to tell our own stories. Some are better then others, some funny, some sad, but these little cubes definitely encourage your child’s and your own imagination to go to all sorts of places in a matter of a dice throw.  A truly amazing toy!