This was the highly anticipated week of Mama and the kiddos being alone in the Lion City.  Daddy backtracked home via London to participate in some face to face interviews. As nerve wracking at it seemed from the outset, it’s been fine. The children have been angelic (well, sort of), and after having done this drill for a whole year prior, the only thing that is different is the scenery (and the fact that Mama is not worrying who will come start the generator should we lose power). I have been missing Nemo though. He kept me company back in Lee when Daddy was on the road and these nights alone in bed have been a little unsettling.

                            

Daddy made sure to incorporate some play into his week and caught a Sox game with some buddies.

 

The weekend leading up to Michael’s departure was full of the mundane. We spent a good chunk of Saturday at a (a new to us) mall quite close to the kids’ schools. Maggie Lou was invited to a bowling birthday party – her first time big ball bowling. She had a blast hanging with the fourth graders and thoroughly enjoyed her root beer float.

Mama is getting a little tired of taking pictures of our food, but we want to preserve, in photograph, some of Singapore’s signature dishes. Here are some of the things we have been scoffing down. Apologies for the poor pictures – I leave the food styling and photography to other family members (Thom, Minta, Hannah. . . ).

 

Curry Puff: curried chicken and potato in pastry. An “anytime snack” and a popular breakfast choice.

 Jack and Mama had fun discovering yet another indoor playspace. This one was the best yet, and not just because there is a bistro attached. Cool-de-Sac is a great spot where parents can sip lattes and eat decent food (that’s where mama had the mussels laksa) while the kiddos run wild. It offers great equipment to climb, run, play on, as well as has an art center, lego center, dress up center with stage and disco ball, and a zip line! Jack dressed like Spiderman and liked the slides the best. We’ll be  coming back here with Maggie Lou and Daddy.

               

 

This week in “things you probably won’t see in Lee:”

The first three are our “haunts” in the basement…

Mama was ignorant to squat toilets. For those who are like me and need a tutorial please note:  in other cultures folks squat to go potty! Most public bathrooms in Singapore offer at least one squat toilet. We (the Aldous collective)have all “tried” – some have had more success than others, and Jack sometimes has to be talked out of squatting (it’s a bit time consuming and sometimes laundry producing being an amateur, and all). It’s been great to be reminded that most basic things can be done differently!

 

 

 

The children were at 50% this weekend, so we laid somewhat low . . . a few swims, some more shopping (we’re embarrassed to admit it, but we’ve really taken to the mall culture) and exploration of Haji Lane in Kampong Glam.

Kampong Glam is  the Muslim and Malay center of Singapore. It’s small, but teeming with textiles, carpets, mosques and interesting boutiques. We took in the sights, sounds and smells. We strolled down Haji Lane – a little narrow street, not open to vehicles and lined by bustling shop houses that have been converted into hip shops full of “vintageeverythingmongers” and quaint bars and cafes. Mama took advantage of the Mother’s Day weekend and found a newly crafted necklace (reminiscent of contemporary Singapore Architecture) and a vintage maple leaf pin.

 

                             

 

      

Another notable building we passed on the way to Kampong Glam was ParkView Square. We have been staring at this building since we’ve moved here (we see it from the highway) and have been impressed with its fresh, art deco look. Michael had learned that the locals refer to it as the Gotham or Batman building and he said there is a bar in the building with a unique twist. Mama had to find out more …. check out the “Angel Bar.” Hint: there is a 3 story wine chiller inside!

         

On Vesak Day, celebrated this year on May 13, the family headed over the City Hall. Our plans to explore were scrapped on account of the heat and we quickly (bad habit, i know) hopped into a mall. This mall was special – no clothes, no handbags, just electronics and collectible toys — a nerd mecca. We checked everything out and now know where to head should we be in need of new gadgets or old toys! On the way out we took in the old fire department, the old police station and Parliament -and walked home via the river.

    

Later that night we met up with a dear friend’s husband who was in town on a business trip. He came armed with goodies for the children – thanks Pribble & Hubbell Family!

Daddy has been busy preparing for his job interviews. A lengthy process, he’s been burning the midnight oil with conference calls and skype interviews to Boston (EST).

A few things you probably won’t see in NH:

And a few parting Mother’s Day pics:

 

 

 

 

 

This week’s hits and misses:

1. Mama had a truly Singaporean experience. She queued for fish porridge for an hour and a half. This city is fueled by good food and great patience. The folks in line with Mama became fast friends and helped her practice her ordering  as the stall is notorious for having particular, all business types, doling out the goods. It was very Seinfeld-esque. The soup was worth the wait, a deep broth flavored with fried blue ginger and fresh, fresh fish.

2. We traveled outside of the concrete jungle in search of horses. We headed to Bukit Timah – home of the island’s saddle club, polo club and all things horse related. We ate lunch at a cafe that overlooks the paddocks, but all the horses were escaping the heat. In fact, we saw one horse from afar, and were a bit disappointed. The smells, however, reminded us of home!                                     

3. Jack and his buddy, Ryder, enjoyed a morning at the Science Centre where they ran around exploring all the museum has to offer. Jack’s favorites were the robots and the “connecting the tubes and playing cars with Ryder.” We were happy to be with good friends and help ring in Ryder’s third birthday! We’re going to miss this kiddo (and his parents)!

 

4. Maggie Lou woke up sick on Wednesday and hasn’t quite been herself since. Jack soon followed, hence our weekend trip to Penang was cancelled. The children are getting better slowly. Thankfully, Jack didn’t get sick until after his big events in school: dress up like your favorite occupation day and a nursery school performance. Jack opted to dress like a Sea Captain, and he did very well in his performance dazzling mama with his Mandarin songs.

Practicing their captaining skills in a not so sea worthy  vessel!

This week in, “you probably won’t see this in NH”

Need I say more?

To think that little Jack, baby Jack Aldous, is now 4 years old is remarkable. Maybe it’s the fact that he still fits into a 2T or that he still convinces his Mama to carry him all over the Red Dot that makes us all shake our heads and ask, “where has the time gone?” Even big sis finds it hard to believe that he’s one year away from Kindergarten. Gulp!

That being said, we rang his 4th year in with much ado. A day in Universal Studios, a day at Adventure Cove Waterpark, a school party and then a poolside fiesta with new “Singapore friends” marked this occasion with too much pomp and circumstance. He had a busy week, but was smiling ear to ear throughout!

Our trip to Universal was a good introduction to theme parks — smallish, not too crowded but full of the hype and facade that accompany such places. The children had a blast checking out the giant Transformer and dinosaurs. They learned a little about special effects and sampled their fair share of theme park junk food! Our only real complaint (which we were prepared for) was that we had not seen any of the movies in totality. We’re are still not sure who or what Foosa (from Madagascar)is … and what, exactly, is King Farquar’s (from Shrek) problem? Both movies are in the queue for the next rainy day!

The next morning we headed to the water park. The closest our children have ever been to a waterpark is in the parking lot of Shio in Portsmouth, NH, so it’s safe to say their little minds were blown. Complete with a small pool, a climbing/mini slide, a tolerable wave pool and an AMAZING lazy river that goes through aquarium elements full of fish, sting rays and dolphins – even Mama, who would previously thought she’d rather get a root canal than go to a water park, had a good time!

 

 

 

 

The weekend was full of exciting times, but the partying continued through the week. Mama sent Jack to school with cake for his classmates.

 

Our little man is growing up. Thank you for all the packages, emails, and cards.

Jack had a wonderful week!