Princess On Ice

During the March School Holiday break (slightly more than a week), Auntie Lena and Mama brought the 2 girls to watch Disney on Ice - Princess Story, at the Indoor Stadium at Kallang. Both gals requested to be dressed in their princess costumes...at first, Mama was quite skeptical about that...however, when we arrived at Kallang, we saw many little princesses around and gave Mama the comfort that they're not the only weird ones...there were more to accompany them!

Before the show started, we visited the merchandise stalls at the entrance to the Stadium and bought some popcorns, tiara and Ariel wand, so that both gals will be seated quietly to wait for the show to begin. Mama didn't really find the whole setting impressive, well, at least as compared to those that she's been to in Hong Kong...the impression was totally different!


When the show began, we were all pleasantly surprised to see Mickey and Minnie appearing as the hosts to the show...before the princesses appearing one by one, with a much shorted version of their own stories. Both Auntie Lena and Mama agreed that the show was more entertaining for the adults than the kids, as they didn't really know what to expect...they didn't really understand the skills involved in ice-skating. But at least for Lyn Lyn, she went to Festival Walk in Hong Kong in January and saw the ice-skating ring and learnt a little about it before this show!

It was a good show, with good music, good costumes and good choregraphy! Bravo! Lyn Lyn has asked for the next show, when there's another Disney on Ice!

Dora Live @ United Square

Dora Live started on 23 November, with a special Premiere Show at 3:30pm, especially for StarHub Digital Cable TV subscriber! Since Mama was unable to bring Lyn Lyn for the Premiere Show, as she had some company activities, Papa took leave to bring Lyn Lyn and Joel along!

Registration was supposed to start from 2:45pm, but Papa didn't arrive until 3:00pm and the queue was already very long...unable to register on time, Papa quickly went to look for the end of the queue, which was not in sight at all...worse still, the viewing area was already full and there is no way that Lyn Lyn and Joel can squeeze in and be seated down for the show! After a long struggle, Papa managed to get Lyn Lyn into the designated show area...and what did Lyn Lyn do? She navigated her way to the front of the stage, despite the kids and parents already seated there! Wow...well done Lyn Lyn!

Throughout the show, she followed all the singing and dancing and was at an all time high! This was a much better show, featuring the Best Friends Day episode! Lyn Lyn was so excited and enjoyed it soooooooo much!

After the show, it was photo-taking time! Without following the queue, Lyn Lyn didn't bother about other people and rushed all the way to the front when another family was taking pictures! Guess what? Papa bumped into Auntie Lena, bringing Summer and Rachel along to watch the show, as her colleague had 2 spaces to spare (each ticket holder can bring a family of 4)...in the end, Lyn Lyn, Rachel and Summer took pictures with Dora and Boots together!

Boots was hugging Lyn Lyn and Rachel

What a nightmare, according to Papa...having to take care of Lyn Lyn, whilst having Joel sitting on his shoulders! As Joel couldn't take care of himself like Lyn Lyn did...Papa has to make sure that he had a good view of the show too! After the show, all of them sat at a ride together! The show was supposed to be not more than 30 minutes. However, with the big crowd, it didn't really start until after 4pm and Papa only left United Square at 5:15pm! What a hectic day! Lyn Lyn couldn't wait, but spoke to Mama on the phone, telling Mama how much she enjoyed it! That's the most important!

Dora Lookalike Competition

The long awaited Dora Lookalike Competition is finally held on Father's Day at Forum the Shopping Mall. Gwendolyn is all excited and has been "practising" her Dora dances, tag lines and Spanish words by watching her Dora VCDs! She insisted on performing the Pirate Show and needed the pirate costumes, but they were so difficult to find. Mama helped her with the usual Dora costume, bracelet, some stars and most important of all, her natural Dora Lookalike appearance!

We arrived at Forum at around 2:15pm, whilst the registration won't start until 3:00pm. She went around the basement area and sat herself down in front of the bookshop to watch the Dora VCD again, before her actual competition, waiting for Summer and Rachel, another 2 contestants! When Uncle Don arrived, he commented that it was so confusing to see so many kids being dressed up in the same way, as if a cloning problem outbreak at Forum!

Before the competition: Summer and Gwendolyn relaxing at McDonalds!

Prizes for the 3 winners!

There were 50 registered contestants for the Lookalike Competition, but Mama doubt that all of them have turned up! All the kids were being arranged in alphabetical order and seated in front of the stage, waiting for their turn to go up one by one. They're being judged by their costumes, personality and ability to act like Dora! Mama told Lyn Lyn that she needs to introduce herself by saying: Hola! I'm Gwendolyn and I'm pretending to be Dora today! (in Dora's usual speaking tone). Lyn Lyn was practising quietly after Mama and trying to remember her lines. After that, Mama told Lyn Lyn to try and sing/dance one of the songs, e.g. We did it! and then she was quietly trying to practise the song as well. She appeared to be able to remember what she's supposed to do on stage.

Patiently waiting for her turn to go on stage

Hopped on stage confidently

Once she got on stage, she got distracted by Joanna, the host, as she was asking Lyn Lyn questions and Lyn Lyn's forgotten about what she's supposed to do...

G: Lyn Lyn; J: Joanna

J: Hello, what's your name?

G: Gwendolyn (a big round of applause and cheer)

J: Oh, you've got a fan club here! You dressed up like Dora! What's hanging on your sleeve?

G: Boots (trying to grab the hanging Boots from her sleeve)

J: What are you holding in your hands?

G: Stars

J: Do you know how to say star in Spanish?

G: (Hesitated, with hints from J) Estrellas!

J: Thank you. That was lovely!

And that ended her "performance" on stage!

After the "hardwork", all the contestants were asked to go to the back of the waiting area to wait for the remaining contestants to complete their "performances". It was so nice of Ms Angeline and Ms Wahila to come all the way to support Lyn Lyn in the competition! Both of them came behind and spoke with her and she was so happy to see them as well. Especially Ms Angeline, as she's been spending most of the after school evenings with Lyn Lyn since she's enrolled at Etonhouse. After her departure from the school, I believe both missed each other's company so much! So touching...

After all the "performances", the contestants were once again brought on stage to sing together and took a group photo!

Lyn Lyn was standing at the back roll, third from the right!

What's more exciting? Dora and Boots came out from the back of the stage to meet and greet the kids again! All the kids were crazy about them and rushed to hug both! Lyn Lyn's asked both Boots and Dora to hug and kiss her little Boots!

When the results were out, Lyn Lyn didn't win anything, but all contestants received a goodie bag, containing a Dora water bottle, Dora lunch box and a Dora/Diego notepad! Most important of all, a certificate of participation! It was really fun for Lyn Lyn on that day!

At least, Papa Mama knows that Lyn Lyn doesn't have stage fright and she can stand up confidently on stage! It's really a good experience!

Dora's Backpack Workshop

9 June 2007 was the Dora Backpack Workshop, which Mama registered for Gwendolyn last week. Summer and Rachel are joining in as well.

Before the workshop starts

Lyn Lyn was enthusiastic about making the backpack and map. She was proactively talking to the helpers there, to show off how much she knows about Dora!

Auntie Lena and Mama are helping out in making the backpack!

Fold the paper, glue the features and staple the backpack together!

All ready and prepared for next week's Dora Lookalike Competition.

Dora, Boots and ME!

Mama bought before the show!

In between the show and the photo session

Auntie Lena bought after the show!

Waiting to go on stage to take picture with Dora and Boots!

I forgot to ask Dora and Boots to carry me to take the picture!

Summer and Rachel too!

Dora's Sing-along Fiesta

Mama noticed from the Toys R Us flyer that there will be a Dora Sing-along Fiesta at Forum the Shopping Mall from 2-17 June 2007. As Dora is currently Gwendolyn's favourite cartoon character, how would Mama let go of this opportunity to bring Lyn Lyn to watch and meet Dora and Boots? Mama quickly informed Auntie Lena and both mothers agreed to bring the two gals to watch Dora on 2 June, Saturday!

Papa, Mama and Lyn Lyn arrived at 10:45am to have brunch there and observe the environment, so that Mama can plan for a strategy to get Lyn Lyn to sit nearer to the stage and be able to get a photo ticket to take picture with Dora and Boots! Once we arrived, the first thing that Lyn Lyn noticed was the retail store on a variety of Dora stuff. She was all carried away, asking Mama to buy this and that. In the end, Mama bought a new Dora cup, bowl, piggy bank and a bag. We happily went into Jade Palace Seafood Restaurant, right next to the performance venue and had some dim sum. Since we're early and the first customers, it was very cold. Mama quickly help Lyn Lyn put on her new jacket, which Mama bought from Taipei. Lyn Lyn was playing with the hood and enjoying herself so much!

Funny faces

After the sumptuous dim sum lunch, we proceed to the performance area and people's already been filling up the seating area! Lyn Lyn quickly ran to the front of the stage and sat down, despite there were already kids sitting around there before her!

Initially, she was waiting by herself and was quite bored. Finally Summer arrived, we smuggled Summer into the front row with her and the two were talking to each other!

The host appeared to teach the kids some simple moves before the real Dora and Boots make a grand entrance!

Out-of-portion Dora and Boots

Does it look like a Madonna concert, with audience dancing along her performance?!

Some lucky kids being chosen to dance alongside Dora and Boots...though Lyn Lyn was disappointed, she didn't shy away from her moves!

The Silly Chicken Dance

Lyn Lyn: Dora, watch me dance like you!

Last dance before they bid farewell...

P.S. Mama still need to download the pictures where Lyn Lyn took with Dora and Boots!

Sesame Street LIVE

Finally, it's the long awaited Sesame Street LIVE Show! Papa and Mama was kind of worried whether she iwill be fit to watch the show, as she hasn't been well for the last few weeks! Last night, Papa and Mama brought her to see the doctor again for review and changed her medicine, got a short course of anti-biotic and at least, she slept for a consecutive 3-4 hours without waking (she hasn't been sleeping well!). This morning, she was much better and was "Sesame Street-ready".

Sesame Street-ready: Ernie t-shirt, Ernie socks and Elmo denim shorts

We setoff to Downtown East a little earlier to walk around and checking out the merchandise. Instead of selling Sesame Street character t-shirts, there were plenty of Barney items. In the end, Mama bought quite a number of Barney t-shirts for her! The whole of Downtown East was decorated with Sesame Street characters boards and somehow, Gwendolyn seemed to know what amazing thing is going to happen (however, Mama thinks that she has mistaken it with the "Meet and Greet" session that she's been going for this month, with the hope to take photos and touch the characters)!

Taken outside D'Marquee before the show

When we finally enter D'Marquee, where the show is to be shown, we were all surprised to see so many empty seats, as compared to Barney LIVE Show last year. Basically, more than half of the hall was empty and we're seated at a strategic position along the aisle, not too far from the stage. When the show finally started, Gwendolyn was so excited to see Ernie, her favourite character! She kept asking to touch Ernie, but Mama was a little skeptical and didn't want to give her a definite answer. However, when Mama spotted that some characters were actually coming down to the first row to shake hands with the kids, she quickly carried Gwen to the front and GREAT! Gwen managed to shake hands with BERT! That has really brought a BIG SMILE on her face...from then onwards, Mama was diligently spotting the movement of the characters, rather than concentrating on the show, just in case, her favourite characters come down again! Finally, the chance came and Ernie was coming down...Mama dashed towards the front with Gwen, that's how our strategic seat came in handy, and managed to have a very long handshake between the two! Funny enough, Ernie spotted Gwen's Ernie t-shirt and stopped there to point at himself and her t-shirt for a while, with a smile, implying that's him! Gwen took the chance to grab Ernie's nose and achieved her mission in "touching" Ernie! She was all smily after we have returned to our seat. Subsequently, she shook hands with Elmo and another muppet, but not sure what her name is (???), anyways...the show was longer than the Barney Show and lasted for more than an hour, excluding the intermission. After that, Gwen was very tired and once she hit the car, she fell asleep straight away!

She must have been so tired and hungry after losing appetite for the last few days, when she woke up and dinner was ready, she couldn't wait, but grab Papa's spoon and scooping for rice by herself...poor gal!

Meet and Greet Pooh Bear and Friends

There were so many shopping centre activities in the month of June and after the Barney photo session, Mama has decided to give another character a try: Pooh Bear and Friends! Contrary to the Barney craze, there was no limitation of passes to be given in order to meet Pooh Bear and Friends. Shoppers are only required to spend S$10 to obtain a pass to meet and greet them + photo taken! It was not so difficult for us to shop at Mothercare before obtaining the pass. At first, Gwendolyn was so impatient whilst queuing, as she has no clue what we are queuing for. However, when the 4 characters appear on stage and it was clearer to her that she's going to see the cartoon characters, she started to get excited. She started naming each character and tell Mama and Papa that she wanted to shake hands with "Booh Bear Bear", "iglet", "Tiger" and "Eeyor"...and kept telling Mama and Papa that it's "Lyn Lyn's turn"! When we finally reach the stage, she was overjoyed and shook hands with each and everyone! She's even touched Eeyore's nose!

After the photo shoot, she can't stop herself from saying: Lyn Lyn shake hands with "Iglet", Lyn Lyn shake hands with "Booh Bear Bear", Lyn Lyn shake hands with "Eeyor" and Lyn Lyn shake hands with "Tiger"...

Mama concluded that she is Hong Kong Disney-ready...

Barney and Gwendolyn!

It's Singapore's school holidays since 29 May 2006 and all the shopping malls are having special events, targetted at kids. Papa accidentally found out that Barney is actually having a Beach Party show at IMM and 30 lucky kids will get to have tea with Barney on 2 June 2006, 16:00, provided that S$50 was spent on the same day. Mama intended to take leave to get the ticket for Gwendolyn, but in the end, Mama fell sick and took sick leave instead. After sending Gwen to school, Mama went straight to IMM, dashed straight into Giant, the hypermarket to grab items to make up the S$50 and quickly rushed to the Customer Service Counter. Wow, to my surprise, there were many eager parents queuing for the pass already. Counting the number of people before myself, I knew I had a slim chance, but I'd still want to try. When 25 passes have been given out, the 26-30 parents were angry with the management, as the customer service staff has been told to keep 5 for the management. Fuming mad, parents #26-30 decided to stay on to argue and the rest of us, who doesn't have any chance, dispersed. But knowing that there is still a 2nd chance to get close to Barney (whoever spent S$30 and above will get to get a pass to take photo with Barney), Mama changed her strategy and decided to go early for the 19:00 show.

Papa and Mama started queuing from 16:45, for the 18:00 distribution for the 19:00 show, this time, Papa and Mama knew that we can definitely get a pass for Gwendolyn! In the end, we managed to get a pass and were seated at the VIP area, right in front of the stage. Since Gwendolyn is still not very well, she was quite grumpy when waiting for Barney, as she has little patience when she's sick. But when Barney finally came out and sang her favourite songs, she jumped up and followed him singing and dancing. So funny...and she kept telling Mama that she wanted to touch Barney. Mama reassured her that she will get a chance not only to touch Barney, but to take a photo with Barney. She was so excited. The show wasn't long, oh well, it's a free show, lasted for about 15 minutes, Barney sang I Love You and left for the backstage. Gwendolyn started to look sad and kept asking for Barney. The security guys asked those with a photo pass to queue up for the photo session and Barney, Baby Bop and BJ finally reappeared! The smile came back onto Gwendolyn's face. When it was finally her turn, she wasn't shy, but reaching out to touch Barney and was grabbing onto Barney's mouth and teeth. After the photo session, she kept repeating to herself: Lyn Lyn touched Barney's teeth, Lyn Lyn touched Barney's teeth!!!

Meet and Greet Elmo

Meet and greet Elmo function at IMM Building, at 3pm, for the official launch of the Polar Sesame Street cake, which papa and mama has already ordered for Gwendolyn's birthday party on 23 April 2006. Gwendolyn was so excited in seeing Elmo in real "person" and forgotten to pose for the photo...