Note: Mama is  writing this pool side and really hoping the skies don’t decide to open up. It’s been a whole entire month without ANY, not even one drop, of precipitation.  Jack is frolicking in the children’s pool – singing the Frozen soundtrack at the top of his lungs. The International Jazz Festival kicked off across the street today so no one can hear him above the sultry tunes. Mama is hoping to get some color on her pasty legs!

This week was again, full of adventure. On Friday we were surprised with a package from Michael’s previous department at Liberty Mutual. Great t-shirts to outfit the family, moose mugs, pancake mix and our much missed maple syrup. Thank you Bruce and the Life Company!

We started the weekend at the River Safari – the park was  “comme ci, comme ca” as Maggie Lou would say (she’s digging her French classes). The giant pandas were neat to see in person, but the standout was walking through a forest of squirrel monkeys. These cheeky little monkeys were trying to get into women’s purses! It was unreal.

The children liked the zoo, but they really wanted to get back home to use their new scooters. THANK GOODNESS for scooters. Jack’s dislike of walking was wreaking havoc on mama’s back … these scooters have done wonders for morale, back pain and Jack’s fun factor. Another byproduct of the scooters:  because our front yard is Marina Bay, mama and daddy can sit out at the cafes while Maggie Lou and Jack scoot back and forth – everyone wins!

The scooters have opened up new doors. Hours of exploring the Gardens by the Bay (which we had checked out our first weekend) are now possible. Jack and mama spent most of Monday checking it all out – and learning our way around the extensive gardens.

We are continuing our eating adventures. We have had a little lapse and have enjoyed some “western food” but that’s okay. We’re preparing ourselves for barbequed sting ray, more fishballs, minced meat noodle and pigs feet.

Here are a couple of shots of things you don’t see in New Hampshire!

Lastly, on Wednesday, the kiddos and mama adventured to the Gardens again to check out the non-water playground … it is the best.playground.ever! The pictures do not do it justice. The whole time Maggie Lou said, “man, Nathan would like this” referring to her friend back home. There are tons of climbing features and a modern day, safe merry go round, many slides and beautiful arched plants making tunnels to run through.