Little Scandinavian

The Danish Church in London are having their annual summer fair this weekend, starting today.
LittleScandinavian will for sure be going in order to get hold of some Scandinavian goodies.
What about having an open danish sandwich for lunch with a proper cream cake for dessert outside in the garden of the church? Or line up to buy those most delicious bright red danish hot dogs!

In addition to food there will be design, arts and craft, books, second hand clothing and lots more. There will also be lots of fun activities for children.
Find the Danish Church in Regent’s Park here: map

Times:
14th of May 4pm – 9pm
15th of May 11am – 4pm

Entrance: £1, children under 14 years is free. And you don’t have to be danish to enjoy this family event! You only have to enjoy danish food and people!

Fairtrade is an independent brand organization that controls that the products are sustainable produced, that the worker’s rights are respected and that the paid price stands in relation to the production’s and living’s expenses. The objective is that the good and stable incomes that the producers get through Fair Trade will enable the producers to support themselves without any aid.
Saturday 8 May 2010 is the World Fair Trade Day 2010. This is an international event that takes place in the beginning of May each year.

Read more about Fair Trade and learn how you can get involved here: www.wfto.com

Valborg’s Night (or Walpurgis Night as it is also known) stems from pre-Christian times but is named after Saint Walpurga, born in Devon in 710.

The good old Vikings celebrated the end of spring at the end of April and there is a tradition of lighting bonfires to chase away evil spirits on this night. When Christianity came around, this night happened to fall at the same time as the Saint Walpurga night, hence the mixed origins of the event.

Nowadays Valborg is celebrated every year in Sweden with large bonfires and with singing traditional songs of Spring.

Trying not to mention the hottest subject over the last week that we all are slowly growing tired of I have to admit that we had our return journey from our Easter Holiday in Norway unexpectedly changed from a simple 2 hours flight into traveling through Northern Europe by car, boat and train, staying at various of places whilst waiting for Euro Star to have 4 seats available for the last leg of our journey…

It’s amazing how rural Scandinavia suddenly is when there is no flights. But what an adventure at the same time when you have to travel more than 1200 miles through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and France in order to get back home.

Picture to the left is shot by Amélie, of her new souvenir from Brussels. Looking very happy to finally be on the train, going to his new home in the UK.

Picture shows two little Scandinavians missing the ferry in Rodbyhavn, Denmark by only 2 minutes.



Anyway! It’s lovely to be back in sunny London! First thing I did was clearing out our winter clothes, making space for Spring Summer! Thank you for visiting and looking forward to catching up!

It was the Easter Bonnet Parade at the girls School yesterday. There is no such thing in Norway so this is a new tradition to us.
Amélie is in Reception and this was her very first parade. She made a lot of effort to create the nest she had in top of her head, painting the cardboard cross with so much glitter glue that it fell down on the chicks and painted them lilac and glittery too. Even so, she was really proud of her hat.

And parade is obviously serious business. There is no smiling or chatting whilst walking…

Beatrice 8 is learning about the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons at school. Realising that she is not only 100% Norwegian but also that she has a few German ancestors she says:
Mummy, I’m actually both a Viking and a Anglo-Saxons. You know what that means? That I can’t be friends with myself!?

Children philosophy at its best!

Usually American website Mamaista is enjoyable reading with lots of useful reviews -and with an urban touch.
Last week I read Mamaista’s article “Get on the Best Tressed List” and came across a expression I’ve never heard before, and that I certainly do not relate to; “if it feels good, do it” Euro-parenting bandwagon

Say what they will about the dangers of hair dyes being greatly exaggerated, you’re one mom-to-be who is content to err on the side of caution. Next thing you know, they’ll be trying to tell you that sashimi is fine too and recommending that you take up smoking.
No, no. Much as you’d love to jump on this “if it feels good, do it” Euro-parenting bandwagon, your hair is just going to have to wait until that baby is born.

It would be nice if the writer could have recommended a product with out talking negative (and rubbish!) about mothers from a entire other continent.
I think in today’s impersonal world, it’s more important than ever for women to stick together. And I certainly do not think nonsense like this contribute in any positive direction.

Oh… by the way -hope you all had a fabulous Mothers Day!

Amélie turned 5 years the 5th of April. Today she asked me: Mummy, how many days is it to my birthday?
Amélie dear, I replied. It’s almost a year!
She kept smiling and looking at me, thinking for a short while, before starting laughing: Mummy you’re joking!

It’s going to be a looong year for her…

Once a year we get the chance
To wish you birthday cheer.
It pleases us no end to say,
We wish you another great year.

So happy birthday to you, our dear Amélie,
From the bottom of our heart.
And may your good times multiply,
Till they’re flying off the chart!

Happy 5th Birthday, Amélie!

With love and best wishes from
mum and dad

(more…)

Amélie was invited to a “Princess and Knight” party yesterday. She has a collection of princess dresses in her wardrobe. But she didn’t feel like wearing any of them, as she wanted to me more a modern princess.

Get the look:
Angora wool off white jumper, Sonia Rykiel pour H&M pale pink short sleeved knitted top, Lilli Gaufrette black satin skirt with bow details, Sonia Rykiel pour H&M striped tights, Monsoon pink ballerinaes. Tiara found in the dressing up box.

Photo: TheScandinavianMum

Amélie will soon be turning 5 years old. As she early on has expressed a wish to celebrate her big day with all her best friends, her family, all her other friends, class mates and the rest of the world there has been a few discussions. But in the end we have managed to narrow the list down to a few friends and class mates.
With the guest list ready the birthday party planning can start. I was thinking of going for the easy (if there is such a thing in this matter) option with a rented hall and a professional entertainer that ensures that the children will be entertained from the beginning to the end. It works, and it is easy. All you have to do is to show up with party food and gift bags.
But at the same time it’s hard to let go of the childhood dream birthday party. With party games, hotdogs (yes, that’s party food for children in Norway), strawberry jelly and vanilla sauce for dessert. And the birthday cake! Homemade cream cake decorated with strawberries, blueberries and candles. The venue would be decorated with balloons and fresh flowers and Norwegian table flags.

While dreaming away I’m surfing the net for themed princess party decoration whilst deciding on Mr.Brilliant or Mr.Fantastic.

Photo: matoppskrift.no

Todays catch from Sweden.



Shopping tips for launches and sale: Walk inside the store. Find the nearest shopping assistant, and ask for directions to desired items. Quickly scan through whats left. Move quickly to the fitting room, and see what’s left there. Then turn towards the till and ask if they have anything left there. Hold on to whatever you are unsure about until you are sure. If you leave anything behind it might be gone within the next second.
Yes, this is mad. But today I retrieved both the dress and a few items for myself as well from SR pour H&M following these simple steps. I read it online somewhere earlier today, and wanted to see if it worked. And after experiencing it I wanted to share it with you!
Photo: TheScandinavianMum for H&M

With two antennas on the head to receive all the UK Radio stations available! Faux fur bolero from H&M. Skirt and top from Krista Lynggaard. The set was bought for Beatrice back in 2005. Krista has since 2008 been on maternity leave, but we hope to see her back in business soon.

During half term the Scandinavian Mum, the Scandinavian Dad and their two Little Scandinavians are off on holiday. And the trip goes (of course!?) to Scandinavia!

We will be going to a lovely ski resort in Norway called Norefjell (North mountain). Norefjell with its more than 3.900 feet has a long history with tourism and down hill skiing, hosting the Winter Olympics in 1952. With continues development it’s today one of the most modern ski resorts in Norway.

The flight time from London to Oslo is about 2 hours. Then Norefjell is situated one hours car journey outside Oslo.
The resort we will be staying at has “ski in ski out”, great cross country slopes starting on your mountain lodge’s doorstep, there is an ice rink, there is SPA, outdoor jacuzzi and a gym for the adults and swimming pools for the children and there is a 52 feet tall indoor climbing wall. You can choose from several nice restaurants. The mountain lodge built only last year has all the facilities you would expect and is offering accommodation with a modern yet cozy interior with fire place etc. And what do you think the children are most excited about?
“Yeah! We get to sleep in a bunk bed!”

Photo: Boseter Quality Resort and Spa Norefjell

Another day with snow in London. But it’s not like we can ski to school like they can in Scandinavia. This is at the entrance, Tromso University

Visit My Little Norway for more fun info about Norway, written in English (there is lots of nice Norewgian recipes too)