School’s Out for Summer! School holiday is in full effect – pool time, playdates and staying cool are our daily goals and we’re getting pretty good at accomplishing them!

Marina Bay Mums!

While scooting around Marina Bay, we saw an identified flying object. The kids thought this was cool. Mama thought it was creepy, note the camera.

It’s been hotter than even Singapore standards dictate – so when not in the pool we’ve sought shelter at indoor playgrounds! Peek A Boo, Cool-de-Sac and HO2T.

Last weekend we searched the island for margarita’s of all things … we spent a glorious afternoon with friends and ended the day at food street in Chinatown. And, let the record show that Aileen is the best prepared mom to keep kids happy in a restaurant. She set up a “kid corner” complete with playmat, playdo, blocks and LOTS of stickers

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In efforts to beat the heat, the kiddos had their first Singaporean haircuts … they loved it – movies were playing and treats and stickers were handed out left and right. Oh, yes, and Maggie Lou decided to put a little purple in her hair to mark the start of summer!

Lastly, as Mama has shared with some folks back home, clothes shopping in Singapore can be hard because of the sizing. There is an abundance of cute dresses all over the island, but often Mama’s arms don’t quite fit in the holes, or a zipper won’t make it all the way. Mama has grown accustomed to this, however, FELL head over heels for this Marimekko patterned dress that was on sale, but alas it wouldn’t work. Mama took the picture for posterity – a little reminder of her numerous shopping experience for her virtual scrapbook. Feel free to laugh.

This week’s links revealed:

Miss from NH: Alaina, NESN, the sandbox, road trips, Nemo,

Miss from Singapore: nasi lemak (Michael), sleeping on the top bunk (ML), scooting to the Merlion (Jack), grocery delivery (Mama), living on top of a mall

Stay tuned for Week 22 – posted from BALI!

This week’s highlights involve a child-free night rug shopping in Kampong Glam, a lazy father’s day, adventures in durian eating and deciding on the next phase of Michael’s career.

Daddy and Mama. Sultan Mosque.

Mama and Daddy’s new favorite – fish head curry!

A little souvenir!

Lots and lots of hookas.

 Note: the picture on the left is the “leaning tower of beerza.” ML and her friends at school decided Dads would like it. Michael’s response, “well, it is a Canadian school.”

photo credit: Aileen Lam

Our friends, Colin & Aileen, arranged a durian eating night for us, but we were unable to attend. Aileen, however, kindly brought us the goods later that week. Note: In the last picture we’re eating it outside, and I opted for gloves! It has a creamy, custard-like texture and a sweet, carmelized onion taste. The smell is pungent and it lingers. People have described the smell as “rotting flesh,” but we (at least the kids and Mama) have grown to love it.

Below are the warnings not to carry durian on the MRT (subway) and buses, respectively.

Aileen, Colin, Nick and Rachael embrace the king of fruits. Notice how there are sections inside and the flesh and fruit is around a big pod. Such a cool, spiky, smelly fruit! **photo credit Rachael Garrett

Aileen excited by the newbies first bite!

As the mama’s dug on the durian, Andrew and Jack had a ball playing together.

Jack finished up school. Here he is with his teachers Ms. Qistina and Ms. Harvin. His classmates created a beautiful and very large going away card! Jack will miss Whitelodge.

This week’s links revealed:

Miss from NH:  Picking Blueberries, driving, ORPP, Grammy & Grampy,  Sushi Boats

Miss from Singapore: ML’s friend, Saisha,  Sentosa Island,  Driving in Taxis, Curry Puffs and Chicken Wings for breakfast (Michael), Pure Yoga (mama)

Random pics:

Shake it like a polaroid picture!! Maggie Lou received a special present from Michael’s colleague, Puspa — a polaroid camera!

Enjoying a little cushion on the marble!

Pork Floss on Thick Toast … pork floss and chicken floss are all over the island. They have the texture of cotton candy, but are made with meat – strangely delicious.

A little bubbly tasting on the way to the apartment with a pair of pink elephants.

And, like the rest of the world, Jack has World Cup fever. He’s rooting for Argentina as he is now the world’s cutest Messi fan:)

Lastly, Michael has accepted a position as Director of Product Research for the Life Company and will be based in the Dover office. We are all very excited to be staying in New Hampshire and supporting Daddy in the next phase of his career!

photo borrowed from: dcbeaneconstruction.com

This week’s hits & misses:

Saying goodbye to some of our buddies as they take off for summer holiday is hard to do! There is a great group of families at Marina Bay Residences and they will sorely be missed!

Adios, Rafa! We’ll miss you:)

Zaffron Kitchen – AGAIN! This has been the only destination (meaning not within walking distance) restaurant we’ve revisited numerous times. As we enjoyed our (most likely last) creamy daal and tandoori gobi from this family friendly establishment, Michael and I savored each bite and reveled in completing a pitcher of Tiger Beer while the kids played between taking bites of Indian spiced fish sticks!

Jack has started Hip Hop Dance classes. He is smitten with his teacher, Jose. To quote Jack “He’s a real cool guy with cool moves.” Mama agrees – he has the patience of a saint (as well as amazing rhythm and flexibility;)! Photo credit: Ryder’s Dad!

Mama and Daddy suited up to join team Sharknado compete in the Lion Dash – an 8k (despite being advertised as 5k – errrr) obstacle course. It was super hot, sorta challenging and extremely fun! We were happy to enjoy the morning in the jungle with new friends.

Three CDP families! Nick and Rachel (on right) are in their second rotation, while Colin and Aileen (center) begin their first in the fall!

Maggie Lou had butterflies in her stomach all week as she prepared for her performance in “The Licious Girls.” The last unit of inquiry in SK5 (ML’s class) has been about “performance.” They wrote, created and executed short plays with minimal guidance from their teachers. The final product was cute and totally kid driven.  Maggie Lou was fantastic and had a huge smile the whole time. After enjoying the plays we all danced in a conga line! The program was closed by Vice Principal Henderson and Principal Hoff handing out awards. Maggie Lou was awarded with a “thinker award” because of her knowledge, problem solving and creativity.

The Inspiration

The gist and set.

Maggie Lou and her teacher, Ms. Priya

Random pics:

ML with Singapore BFF, Saisha.

Preparing for National Day Festivities 9.8.14

Our lack of “dress up clothes” has resulted in an emptying of the closet every afternoon. Maggie Lou and Jack have played both “Indian woman gets married”  and “Scientist Supermodels,” as of late … pictures are too cute not to share.

This week’s links revealed:

Miss from NH: Lee Church & Sunday School, our friends – Nathan and Zoey, playing Playdo at the Red House, running on gravel (Michael), The Lee Library, and the Candy Bar

Miss from Singapore: Hawker Centres, “boys talking on the bus,” (ML was very entertained riding on the bus with the 4th & 5th grade boys), Singapore Zoo, visiting Buddhist Temples, Fish Head Curry (Mama), the pool, Whitelodge (Jack’s school)

Lastly, we booked our trip home. We are scheduled to sleep in our own beds on August 1st – Happy Birthday Grammy! Woo hoo!!!!!!!

**This post is dedicated to Cousin Hannah!**

Both Jack and Maggie Lou’s schools have recently hosted art shows. Maggie Lou’s was casual (stop by when you have a chance), whereas Jack’s was the real deal (wine, snacks, programs, speeches). Here are a few choice pieces from their respective collections.

The Stingray by Jack … acrylic – created in the spirit of Aboriginal dot painting.

The Butterfly by Maggie Lou … watercolor and pencil – experimenting with cubism.

The art show has done wonders for Jack’s interest in overall pen- to- paper activities. Just a few weeks ago Mama overheard this gem of a conversation while the kids painted at home.

Maggie Lou: “Wow, Jack. That’s great. That’s looks like a Jackson Pollock.”

Jack (crumpling up his painting): “ERRRR. I hate art!”

Now he walks around talking about color wheels and Aborigines. He smiles when ML suggests painting or sculpting and he even chose colored pencils over toy cars the other day … who knew!?

This is a permanent piece of the gallery’s collection – not a White Lodge special;)

Over the weekend we visited the aquarium and were blown away. The colors, lights and overall feel of the S. E. A. aquarium made for a wonderful trip. Here are some of the highlights:

The remainder of our time this week has been spent re-acclimating Daddy to Singapore time – his narcoleptic bouts were getting to be a bit much  – and preparing for our long weekend away in Malaysia. Next stop: Penang!