Fun Activities For The Family

Mar 1 2010

Yona Yona Penguin

Last Saturday, the kids had the privilege to go to Jurong Bird Park for a special preview of Yona Yona Penguin. Tickets were kindly sponsored by OMY.sg and many thanks once again to the OMY team for selecting us!

Making its debut in Singapore, this animated film is by Japanese Anime Studio Madhouse.

Directed by Japanese animator Rintaro, director of Metropolis, Yona Yona Penguin is a Japanese animated movie with English subtitles about the amazing adventures of Coco, a small girl with a penguin coat, as she journeys through a world of fantasy and magic to save her friends from the Emperor of the Dark.

What’s fun about this event is that it was screened outdoors at the Pools Amphitheatre and it was a special one-evening only preview.

Nicole was all excited about her outing to the Bird Park. Previously when we were here, it was also for an OMY’s event, when we won a Canon Camera and Canon Selphy Photo Printer. (Check out the contest entry here)

The excitement rubbed off on Nadine as well, and the 2 girls were all giggly as they entered the park with their tickets.

The Park’s Amphitheatre was crowded by the time we got in, as many families were there with their Potato Chips and Burgers and having a quick bite before the movie started.

The whole outdoor ambience actually reminded me of my younger days, when Dad and Mum brought me to the Jurong Drive-In Cinema, except that this time, we were not in our cars. It felt “rustic” but certainly a different experience for the kids and the parents.

We sat near the projectors, so that the kids could catch a glimpse of these big machines working.

At 745pm, the show started promptly and the projectionist got the machines into action!

Sorry, but got no pictures of the movie, as we were not allowed to take any pictures when the show started.

Synopsis: The show is about Coco. A rather adorable and fearless child, Coco lives alone with her mother not soon after the death of her father. Being a young girl in love with Penguins, Coco spends many a night frolicking through the streets wearing her favorite outfit — a penguin costume — trusting that one night she might magically take flight to see her late father again. Critics will says that Coco’s youthful naivete is the film’s centerpiece.

The movie lasted for 88 mins, and the girls were ready to go home after the event.

Thanks once again to OMY, for making it a special Saturday for the family.

Btw, today was an ALL Girl’s event for the family.

Nathan got a virus, and he was at home resting with Popo.

But Daddy was happy to be surrounded by all his favourite women in the world!

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Feb 25 2010

Chinese New Year Performance

Chinese New Year is not just a season of Ang Pows and an exchanging of greetings, but it is also the time of the year, where Nicole has her yearly performance in school.

As usual, Nicole was “pumped up” for her performance.

However, this year, the performance was going to carry a deeper meaning for the family: As it was also….drum roll…Nathan’s 1st Public Performance.

Nathan has been attending Pre-School for only 1 Month, and naturally this was going to be a BIG time of adjustment in his life.

Naturally, Nathan was not at his ***cough*** cough *** “VERY BEST”

Just look at him and his friends…I think the anticipation is killing them…check out the “NOT Happy face”

Nathan has not “broken out of his shell” yet, so he does like the public attention.

Check out him and our friends daughter in comparison:

Yes…That is him crying…despite the fact that Daddy was standing in front of him.

When the music started, the kids were supposed to pick up their tambourines and do some simple dance steps.

This is what the situation was like 1 min into the music…

Yes…All the kids in the back row had stage fright…and were basically stoic throughout the performance. (I think the “not-so-good” performers are all put behind!)

Don’t worry, he was alright…and Daddy gave him a big hug after the performance. My boy will definitely do better next year!

Meanwhile, Nicole was looking forward to her performance…

It was a Chinese Ribbon Dance and she performed well!

Overall, the kids enjoyed the whole outing, as the school organized a mini carnival after the event, and the kids enjoyed themselves with the food and the games!

MeiMei was there as well and she loves playing with the drums!

Here’s a picture with the 2 girls and their teacher wishing everybody a Happy CNY!

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Feb 21 2010

Preschool Science

Mummy blogs …

Recently, Nicole surprised us with a really cool song from school. Check out how she remembers the planets in our solar system:

(Sing this to the tune of “She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes”)

There are eight planets going round the sun

There are eight planets going round the sun

Mercury Venus Ear-th

Mars Ju-pi-ter and Saturn

Uranus Neptune going round the sun

When I first heard it, I actually clapped in pure astonishment. It was a fantastic song, and she knew the names of the planets and all in order! (cos I didn’t know!)

Well, we asked her questions about the solar system, and she was really quite a little expert at it! Things she learnt (and we learnt too):

1. Pluto is the furthest away from the sun. And it is so so far away, we can’t really see it. So it is not really a planet.

2. Mars is red, only Earth has water

3. The earth moves around the sun, and it also rotates itself

4. We all live in a solar system called Milky Way

5. She could identify the planets based on pictures we shown her!

Oooohhh aren’t you impressed? She’s four-and-a-half, and knows so much!

That’s not all! Out of this *deep* interest in planets, she requested the following for her birthday present this year:

1. A telescope that we can put in the house, so that she can see all the planets! (haha…I’m not even sure if our Science Centre has that powerful a telescope!)

2. A BIG book on planets. She says our current ladybird one is too small, she can’t see all the pictures of the planets.

Request 1 was easy to settle. We told her, we need to find such a good telescope. We don’t think it’s sold in Singapore! As for Request 2, my initial reaction was, ok. I’ll get it for you.

I felt really guilty after a week of persistent asking. I mean, my daughter is asking for a BOOK, and a EDUCATIONAL one… why am I so hesitant to get her that? I can save that for requests for PSP, iphones, toys, chocolates, ice creams etc…!!

So this week, we brought her to Borders to choose her Big Book on planets. This is what she chose! And I really like it too! Not too wordy, easy to understand, nothing overly scientific!

She is one happy Planetary Scientist!

Tips for Parents:

Songs make learning really easy! The tunes have to be catchy so they pick it up real fast. So it does help for us parents to up our repertoire!

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Feb 11 2010

Resorts World

This week, I took the family for an “Eye-Opening” trip to Resorts World Sentosa.

Everyone is Singapore is “pumped up” for the Integrated Resorts and all of us are waiting for the Official Opening.

Rumours have been going round that the Casino will be opening up for business this Chinese New Year.

With many locals willing to try their luck at the tables, the Casino will definitely be a money-making venture!

Entry Prices are included in the picture below:

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Looks like before you hit the tables, you will be losing money already

I know everyone has also been talking about the new boutiques that are setting up shop there. Well, you got to go early, as the shops close at 7pm.

Most of the shops are still not completed!

Contractors and technicians rushing to finish their jobs are a common sight.

Check out these contractors outside one of those expensive watch shops.

The carpet is so thick and expensive, that they have to take off their shoes and put a “cling wrap” on it, as they go about their business. Looks like I wont be able to afford anything here!

And of course, here we have the shop that is making a lot of “waves” in the local news. Singapore’s very 1st Victoria’s Secret!

Frankly, I don’t see the fuss, but as you know…We are a small island, and it does not take a lot to get the Newspapers excited!

Before I left, I also took a picture of “Crockfords Tower”. This hotel is specially reserved for the “High Rolling” patrons of the Casino, and commoners like us are not allowed entry.

Expect All the shops to be functioning when the Casino opens in a few days’ time!

We are of course looking forward to the Universal Studios Theme Park!

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Jan 31 2010

Free tickets to Asian Civilization Museum

You are invited to a sneak peek at a upcoming blockbuster exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) … The Treasury of the World is THE exhibition of the year at the museum…

Wow! When I saw the email invite, I was curious! A blockbuster exhibition? Treasury of the WORLD?

When I read on, I realised this is no ordinary collection! It has been shown in the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Louvre in Paris… and now for the first time in Asia—in Singapore!

I’m no historian, but when I read about what would be shown at this collection, I really wanted to see the artefacts up close!

So along with Nicole, we went for this exclusive sneak peek! Ooohh it was a night of Indian Culture! We had a short introduction to the Mughal Empire – one of the wealthiest dynasties ever in the world.

Some interesting facts:

- the Mughal rulers lived lavishly. Everything they owned was jewelled with precious stones. Check out the dagger…

It’s adorned with rubies, diamonds, emeralds, ivory and agate! And that round ball-looking thing? That’s a mouthpiece for a smoking pipe. It’s just good ol’ rubies that they used!

- the Mughals loved life and lived it to the fullest! They smoked pipes, and collected art pieces.

- the Mughals were passionate people. The famous Taj Mahal was built by a Mughal emperor, out of his love for his beloved queen. One of the rulers who had a harem of 5,000!

After the presentation, we were treated to an Indian dance performance, and were even taught basic dance steps! (See how shy Nicole was!

Nicole had a blast as she bravely offered her leg to the Henna artist. We had to convince her one leg is enough! She wanted her hands and legs and face drawn!

Artist at work:

Near completion:

Check out Nathan—our little Mughal prince! (much thanks to ACM for the turban)

I can’t wait for the exhibition when it runs from 12 February-27 June! The whole family would be going down to see how the Mughals lived, try their clothes, taste their food, and have a hand at some jewellery designing. I know Mummy is definitely going to check out those precious stones!

FREE TICKETS TO THE MUSUEM

AND… I have 5 pairs of tickets to give away to my readers!

To qualify, simply leave a comment on this post by completing this sentence (less than 50 words):

“I have a bit of the Mughals in me because … …”

Please send in your entries by 5 Feb 2010, 2300hrs .

Winners will be announced on 7 Feb 2010.

Valentine’s Day Contest

Well, that’s not all! The museum is having a Valentine’s Day contest for visitors in February.

In celebration of the Mughals’ passion, ACM is giving one lucky visitor a chance to win a prize of a venue sponsorship of ACM’s River Terrace and River Room. The location is ideal for a wedding, anniversary party, or any special occasion! Look at the pictures!

To win, simply fill in a contest form stating your favourite artefact and why. You can drop in your form into a box at the end of the exhibition. More information is available at the museum. The contest closes on 28 Feb 2010.

So quickly send in your entries to win those tickets!

Below are additional details about the exhibition:

Date: 12 February to 27 June 2010

Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555

Website: www.acm.org.sg

Admission charges: $8 (adults) / $4 (concession); Family packages at $20 for up to 5 pax. Free admission for children aged 6 and below and seniors aged 60 and above.

Opening hours: Mon 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tues to Sun 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (to 9 p.m. on Fri)

Tips for Parents:

On the 27 & 28 March, ACM is organizing a weekend festival for the Treasury of the World.

It’s going to be carnival time as you get to try out the Mughals’ favourite past-time of archery, and get to watch live performances of song & dance!

Cool Yah!!! See you at the ACM!

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Jan 25 2010

Family Development

This year promises to be an exciting year for the family, as we are seeing many changes among our midst. Blogging also helps me, as I began to chart my Family’s Development.

For a start, Nathan is now officially going to school, and he is in the same Pre-school as Nicole. It was not that long ago, when Nicole had her 1st day at school!

It was certainly a very teary day for her, but Nathan was much braver! This was a big contrast from his 1st day at school at Julia Gabriel! We also did not send Nathan to a Pre-school earlier, due to our experience with Nicole’s progress.

He was excited and yet apprehensive…and things were easier for him, as he has a friend in school (Debbie) to help him along as well. They are both from the same Nursery, and as a result, they spent a big part of the 1st week, literally holding each others’ hands.

Can’t wait for Nadine to grow up and enter this milestone as well!

Talking about milestones, check out these photos of the kids:

Here is Nicole: Small, Cute, and Quiet…How she has grown!