Navy Open House

26-27 May 2007 was the Singapore Navy Open House and we've decided to go on 26 May. Instead of driving directly into the Naval base, everyone has to take a shuttle bus from the Singapore Expo, due to security reasons. We went there for lunch and waited for grandma, Bao Bei Gu Gu, Gu Cheung and Joel...before we set off for Hall 1 & 2 to join the queue for the shuttle. Along the way, there were missiles, interceptors being displayed in the exhibition hall. Gwendolyn was interested in the boats and asked one of the navy guy what those things are. Below is the funny conversation:

G: Gwendolyn and N: Navy guy

G: What is that?

N: It's a very fast boat, an interceptor. It can chase pirates. Do you know pirates?

G: Yes, the pirate piggies (she learnt from the Dora's pirate show).

N: Grrrrr...These are very fast...you know cars are fast, right?

G: (Hesitated) No...cars are not fast, only Lamboghini is fast!

N and others: (All laughed)...Haha...

What a matured conversation!!!

Anyways, after that, we went through security checks before we hop onto the shuttle bus. On the way, Lyn Lyn was enthusiastic in reading the map that she's gotten before entering the exhibition halls...Mama was observing the map with her in locating various activities available for kids, like bouncy castles, trampolines, etc...Finally, we've arrived and the first thing that Lyn Lyn looked for was the bouncy castle! She enjoyed herself so much in jumping in them, whilst leading Joel Di Di, as he couldn't really stand up with all the bigger kids jumping! It was so much fun...but after a short while, we went and join Papa in the queue, where he's started queuing for everybody to have a bum boat ride.

You know those Duck Tours? They were converted from these army bum boats! Lyn Lyn was all enthusiastic when she saw people queuing in front wearing life jackets! She was really looking forward to her turn, as Dora and Boots were also wearing life jackets in one of the episodes and she loves to be associated with things that has happened to the two! However, Joel Di Di wasn't very impressed with the life jackets and refused to put them on when initially being offered one...but when he saw Lyn Lyn was wearing and everyone was wearing, his fear disappeared and he was wearing with Lyn Lyn! We took a slow ride in the bum boat and it was a short distance only!

After this not so "exciting" ride, we went on to visit a carrier. It's big and we have to walk up the steep staircase! Lyn Lyn insisted that she walked by herself and whenever the navy guys offered to give her a hand, she will say: No, I can do it by myself! Scared off the navy guys! When we reach the control room, the first thing that Lyn Lyn looked for was the steering wheel, where in the Dora pirate show, Isa the iguana broke the steering wheel when trying to turn the wheel! She went over to another navy guy and asked for it. When the guy showed her the sophisticatedly small steering wheel, she wasn't convinced and was very very disappointed. She was expecting the wooden ship kind of traditional steering wheel...oh well, what to do? She went on the sit in the chairs located at the front two corners of the control room. When she saw the ventilation window that shaped like a circle, she pointed at it and said: See, this is round, this is the steering wheel! She wasn't very convinced with the navy guy's response! Anyways, we continued on visiting other parts of the ship and finally reached the lowest deck for another boat ride. This time, the boat is much bigger and have no seats! You know what? It was a very bumpy ride. The boatman purposely speed up, stop suddenly, U-turn, whatever pattern you can think of...and Lyn Lyn was really scared! At some point, she was screaming out aloud: I scared, I scared...and started crying...you know what? She's the only one who screamed and cried...whilst Joel Di Di was standing cool, holding both parents' hands! Difference between boys and girls? Not sure though!

It's getting late and it's time to leave...because the open house ends at 5:30pm. We took the shuttle bus back to Expo to collect our cars and Lyn Lyn fell asleep before we board the shuttle bus. After that, we went to Bedok to see Auntie Sharon and Uncle Justin, Gu Cheung's elder brother and sister-in-law's new born baby: baby Jenny! We didn't take any pictures of her, as she was sleeping. She has big round eyes and is very pretty for a new born! After staying for a while, we went for dinner at Feng Shan Food Centre. That ended our day and left us all tired!

Etonhouse Sports Day 2007

Unfortunately, Mama had a Strategy Meeting on 24-25 May, which coincided with Gwendolyn's first Sports Day. Mama was so disappointed not to be able to join Lyn Lyn in sharing this experience, but requested Papa to be there! According to Papa, it's more of an activity day rather than competition amongst the kids. Participation is the most important element and showing their gross motor skill development (hand, foot and body coordination!). The school was being setup with various activity areas with their respective station activities.

The layout of the obstacles course!

The Grand Entrance!

Lyn Lyn's first task was to complete an obstacle course. She has to climb up a staircase, slide down, followed by crawling out from a tent-like place, balancing herself on beams and go around the cones.

What was really nice was that Angelique, Ms Jo's daughter, one of Lyn Lyn's best friends in last year, who's now entered primary 1, returned to see her. From the pictures, she's always standing by Lyn Lyn and guiding her along with the activities. Lending her a hand whenever she thinks is required. But over the last 6 months, since she's left Etonhouse, Lyn Lyn has become a more independent child and rejected all her assistance...she must be shocked by that sudden rejection then!

After completing two rounds at the Obstacle course, they proceeded to the next, where they are required to collect balls from a shallow pool and try to run back to fill up a bucket.

When this ball-transporting activity was over, the N1 kids all went for a short break, when Lyn Lyn was on the verge of dying of hunger, she requested for food, but the teacher told her to sit down first. Without further hesitation, she sat down on the floor on the spot and said: Can I have my food? See how much she was enjoying and apparently, she was causing the delay of her group, as she was still eating when the teachers were about to start the next activity!

After the short break and replenished her energy, she started the next activity, where she is required to balance a plastic turtle placed on a flat surface from one side and return. Initially, Mama thought that the kids were required to do it with egg and spoon, but apparently, they're more generous to the N1 kids and let them use bigger objects!

Balancing seriously!

The final activity for the N1 kids was to do a simple bowling game. Don't think Lyn Lyn would have any problems, as she has been practising the real thing at the bowling alley and at home! She must be very happy to play one of her favourite activities!

All tired after the last activity and the kids congregated on the grass playground, resting for a while before heading back to their classrooms.

Removing her sports shoes and socks all by herself before returning to her classroom.

Swimming at Uncle Victor's

The Sunday after Papa and Mama came back from Taipei, we met up with Uncle Don, Auntie Lena and Summer, as the two kids haven't been playing with each other for quite a while, as before Papa and Mama's trip, Uncle Don and Auntie Lena went to the States too, with Summer staying at her grandma's place too. We decided to go for a swim at Uncle Victor and Auntie Tonya's place, as there is a fun pool with slides and water features! This time, there were 3 kids, with the special appearance of Summer's cousin, Rachel, who's parents happened to be overseas as well! This time, Papa and Mama wanted to try Lyn Lyn out with her Hello Kitty life jacket and see whether she can float in it. She was not resistant to it, as she saw Dora and Boots wearing it in one of the Dora adventures before! She was busy playing with water guns (those bought for her birthday at Aloha Changi?!), new bubble set that Mama bought from Taipei and the various water outlets in that special pool!

After playing over there for a long while, Uncle Victor was done with inflating the floating bed. All of us proceeded to the adult pool to try it out. Initially, the kids were a little skeptical and observed the adults for a while before giving a go themselves. Lyn Lyn and Summer were brave enough to hop on to it and being pushed around...later, after much persuasion, Rachel agreed to join in as well...she was very scared of the possibility of falling into the water! But after she had a first try, she refused to leave the floating bed!

After a round of busy action, Lyn Lyn was already tired...she requested to rest for a while. She was eyeing on the snacks by the pool side and sat next to Uncle Don for a quick energy boost!

After the short break, she couldn't wait to get back into action and joined the adults in "fighting" to stay afloat on the floating bed! You want to know what happened when Lyn Lyn sat with Auntie Lena? Auntie Lena couldn't navigate and kept going further and further from the rest...all of us couldn't stop laughing as she was using all her energy to get further and further away!

Before we head back, Mama was trying to teach Lyn Lyn to float by first piggyback riding her around the pool and followed by supporting her body, whilst she do face down "swimming". She's very interested in learning to swim, as that was one of the featured stories from her Topsy and Tim books. She was even asking for armbands, but Papa and Mama just had problems locating them...still trying...

Both adults and kids had so much fun and we had dinner at a restaurant near to Uncle Victor and Auntie Yaya's place, for Sichuan steamboat, Mama's favourite! It's quite good value, costing only S$18.80++ per adult!

Mother's Day Dinner

This year's Mother's Day is celebrated early on 12 May, Saturday, instead of Sunday, as Papa and Mama will not be in town for the dinner. Grandma, Bao Bei Gu Gu, Gu Cheung, Joel Di Di and all of us went to try the Chinese restaurant at Mt Faber SAFRA Club. Since we arrived early, we went to Yah Kun (newly opened) for a drink and some kaya toast. As usual, Gwendolyn will not miss out on tasting Papa and Mama's tea and coffee! Yum Yum!

Since after Yah Kun, it was still early, we proceeded to the playground for some action fun! Lyn Lyn requested to be pushed higher and higher, seems like she's not scared at all...

Finally, when the who group arrived, we proceeded to the restaurant and sat down to order our food. Joel Di Di was quick at spotting where the fish tanks are and requested to go and see. After that, Gu Cheung was trying to keep the kids seated at the table, he was folding the napkins as hats for them. Our vain gal Lyn Lyn was so interested in making herself "pretty" and kept asking Gu Cheung to re-do that hat!

Am I pretty?

It's Gu Cheung here, demonstrating how strong he is!

The food is actually not bad and Lyn Lyn enjoyed the Char Siew, Roast Duck and Asparagus the most!

Mother's Day Breakfast

Gwendolyn's school organised a Mother's Day breakfast on 11 May 2007, to invite mummies to join their beloved child in school for a little gathering! This year, Mama asked Lyn Lyn whether she wanted her to go. Her respond cannot be more positive than anything else! YES YES...I want my mummy to go! So Mama accompanied Lyn Lyn to school for a brief session. As it was drizzling, the breakfast was held in the K1 classroom. Apart from Silje's mummy, there wasn't many mummies from Lyn Lyn's class. Both parents greeted each other and Silje joined us to sit together! You can see how Lyn Lyn was enjoying herself with the little chocolate tart! Yum Yum...after the tart, she was eager to join her good friends in the classroom and Mama brought her back to her class and returned to work! It's a nice and warm breakfast.

Happy Mother's Day to all mummies! Oh yeah, as a sweet gesture, the teachers prepared a little earring gift for all the mummies and Lyn Lyn drew a nice Chinese card and made some drink straw lilies too! Thank you Lyn Lyn!

Finger-lickingly good!

Trip to the Zoo

Bao Bei Gu Gu managed to queue for her company's zoo pass for the weekend, where she can bring in 8 people for free, we agreed to go on 6 May all together! As Papa and Mama knew that Gwendolyn will asked one of them to carry or fall asleep like last year, even though she's grown out of her stroller, we brought along anyway! As long as Joel Di Di sits in his, Lyn Lyn will agree to sit in hers!

First of all, we took the zoo tram to the performance area to catch the show. Lyn Lyn was quite interested in joining the fun, but when she realised that after volunteering to help, the sea lion will actually give the volunteer a kiss on the cheek...she backed out! She thinks that it's better to be an audience...


After the performance, as always, we headed to the Children's Play Area, so that the adults can eat KFC whilst the kids played. This is the first time we noticed that there is this ball pool place...Lyn Lyn, demonstrating her familiarity in the environment, was showing off my navigating herself easily in the pool, whilst this is Joel Di Di's first time. He was so amazed by the scene that most of the time, he was just sitting there laughing and throwing the balls!

After a while, Mama suggested Lyn Lyn to try out the waterplay area, where she's never tried before, as we didn't bring swimming costume for her in the previous visits. Mama made a good decision in packing her swimming costumes and she really loved it!

After the waterplay, Mama bathed Lyn Lyn quickly and changed her back into t-shirt and shorts before she continued with the swing! Higher, all the highest! Cried Lyn Lyn!

As the adults wanted to catch the last Animal Friends Show before leaving the zoo, we quickly hurried off next door to find a seat. It was all full already and we can only get the last few side seats! Lyn Lyn, eating her Orea biscuits and drinking her water while watching the show! So comfortable!

Two satisfied kids napping away after the fun-filled activities in the zoo!

Dinner was at the Bottletree Park at Sembawang. This is under the same management of the one at Yishun, where we had our first prawn fishing experience. Over here, the food is nicer that Yishun, at the very least, but absolutely no activities for the kids, except for the ordinary looking playground!

Labour Day @ Changi Beach Park

Uncle Don, Auntie Lena and Papa Mama planned for some activity on Labour Day at the Changi Beach Park. We all met at Changi Village Food Centre for lunch before heading to the Beach Park!

This time, we went all the way to the furthest BBQ pit, as the weather wasn't very good on that day and we wanted to settle at a sheltered area. The adults tied the hammock under the shelter instead of the trees, so that everyone is well protected. A small accident happened when Summer fell off the hammock facing down...luckily, she wasn't hurt!

After hanging the hammock, Gwendolyn was enthusiastic in helping out in pitching the tent, showing off that she's experienced in pitching the tent.

As this is Summer's first time in playing with a tent, Lyn Lyn was acting her "Jie Jie" role in guiding her in and out of the tent, zipping and unzipping the two openings to the tent.

After the tent was up, both happily went down to the beach to build sand castles. More importantly, Lyn Lyn got a new set of sand toys for her birthday and we're trying them out in building a "castle"!

Both kept digging and digging and have been digging for almost half an hour, until the adults wanted to try out Papa's new remote control boat! At first, none of the adults were confident with controlling the boat. But slowly, when they started to be able to control, Lyn Lyn joined in and played for a while! Not bad...she was able to handle! But poor Uncle Don had to keep following the boat and making sure that it can come back!

After the fun 15 minutes, when the battery was running low, Uncle Victor and Papa started the fire for the planned mini-BBQ with only sausages, sotong ball, otah and satay!

After filling their stomach, both Summer and Lyn Lyn were tired...they shared one hammock and asked the Papas to rock them. However, they didn't sleep and kept giggling!

What a laze afternoon...Lyn Lyn was really enjoying herself and helping herself freely with chips, where she's not allowed to eat freely when at home!

The sky is getting dark and rain seems more likely...the adults packed up and end our happy outdoor play...how all of us wished it were a holiday the following day!

Heading home...

Bye...see you next time!

Karaoke

First time to karaoke! Gwendolyn was curious about why adults wanted to sing with microphones and kept asking why she has to sing into the mic? You know what she was singing (together with Summer)? They sang the Dora the Explorer song without any music! When the adults chose some kids songs for them to follow, e.g. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, London Bridge is Falling Down, they were at lost, as the motion picture behind does not make any sense to them! Also, not sure why kids song didn't come with analogue function. Only when the adults were able to get the analogue going for Do A Deer, then Lyn Lyn started singing into the mic!