HOLD ON TIGHT!

I found this lovely wooden holder which calls Cowacca strap when I was in Tokyo last time. It looks like a rattle or a big key ring. But it is for children to hold onto. We have lots of these type of rings hanging from the ceiling on public transport in Japan, but children aren't able to reach it because they are too little. So Rina Kono designed it for children to satisfy their desire to do what grown-ups do.

I think it will be handy for when your hands are occupied with shopping bags, so your little one can stay close to you.

BAGPUSS

B Mirai took a picture of her new cuddly toy, Bagpuss at Fortnum & Masons café.

We went to see Bagpuss at Soho theatre last weekend. Thanks to Sarah who came to the Bellieboo pop-up shop in Stoke Newington back in December and my husband who fixed the tickets.

It was a very cute performance, magical even, and B Mirai enjoyed it very much, especially when Emily came down to shake her hand. Bagpuss finishes on 9 January, so there is still a chance to go to see him.

We were not allowed to take pictures inside the theatre, but I did it accidentally...

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

We normally go to France, Cornwall or Japan for Christmas, but we decided to stay in London this year and have a lazy holiday. (It is my 2nd Christmas in London in the last 14 years!!)

One of the things on my daughter's wish list was a Gingerbread house kit, which was great because she had something creative to do at home during our lazy holiday. It was fun decorating the house with her. If you are looking for something to do with your kids, I think they are great! And they are on sale at John Lewis as well.

B Mirai created a scene with her Gingerbread house

Mrs Dino came to see the gingerbread house and Pee Wee Herman and Miss Yvonne had too many sweets...

CHRISTMAS SALE IN STOKE NEWINGTON

We had a pop up shop at Abney Hall in Stoke Newington last Saturday. It was very nice to meet people and talk to them about Bellieboo items directly. I also enjoyed exchanging information about children events over the Christmas holiday. I would like to take my daughter to the Bagpuss show at Soho Theatre.

Aki and I totally forgot to take pictures of our stall, so I asked B.Mirai to draw it for us. I think her description is pretty good!

P.S

It was great to meet Courtney from Babyccino too.

POTATO STAMPS

We were not going to send any Christmas cards this year. But after we got so much snow last week, we got bored and started making the cards with potato stamps. You get a nice organic shape and texture in the print, which is lovely.

We also used glitter to decorate them too.

Potato stamps: christmas tree, star, dots and small star

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT LIBERTY

Since my daughter B Mirai was 3 years old, we have been going shopping together for Christmas decorations. She is allowed to choose one or two decorations each year. The first year she got a bright red heart and she got two pink birds last year. Her choice this year was a gold reindeer and a sparkly star. I figured out she really loves something very BOLD. I love neutral colours, so I am worried that my decorations will clash with hers. Probably I should get her her own Christmas Tree this year.

Here is my daughter's collection

It was quite amazing that the projection could detect our movement into their image.

She had jolly good fun with that.

MISS THE BOAT

I was so sad to find out that I missed the opportunity to purchase this extra specially special book, The secret garden designed by Lauren Child. It was published to celebrate Puffin's 70th anniversary in September this year. It is so gorgeous!

I wish I had known about this earlier.

Look at the details! I wonder how they produced 1000 copies of this complicated book?