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Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park: Hello Kitty Town Review

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Media Invite
(Daddy reviews)

"WHAT??!?!?!!"

That was the response I got from both Ash & Ayd in unison when I told them that we were going to Hello Kitty Land and The Little Big Club over the weekend. I reckon they found them to be a tad childish but hey - it isn't always about them and it is about time that Ale - and the wifey too - got to visit some place that is geared towards their liking.

And it doesn't come any bigger than a white kitten with a red bow and no mouth.


Located in Nusajaya Johor and less than 10 minutes away from LEGOLAND Malaysia, the Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park houses popular global children’s characters from Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, The Little Big Club - think Barney, Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder - and LAT. And the best part?  Everything is located indoors!


No prizes for guessing which area we ventured to first then.

Hello Kitty Town Map

As we walked through the entrance of Hello Kitty Town, a whimsical spinning Tea Cup Ride caught the 2 ladies' eyes.


Compared to the usual tea cup rides at other theme parks, I spied MORE adults than kids on this particular tea cup ride. Perhaps the reason being that it is the only ride in Hello Kitty Town?

But that's not to say there are nothing else to do at Hello Kitty Town. If you a huge fan of everything Hello Kitty and love Hello Kitty merchandise, the Hello Kitty House is a must-visit place. And if you are lucky, you might even bump into its home owners!


Ale couldn't resist planting a kiss on Miss Kitty.


EVERYTHING - from the living room, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, walk-in wardrobe and kitchen, they are all decorated in Kitty-style. Definitely enough to satisfy every single Hello Kitty fan I'm sure.


I think we all agreed that the Bathroom was our favourite of the lot. Yes, me included.


And for the first time, Ale was the one who kept bugging me to snap photos of her while she pose ever so sweetly beside the numerous cute figurines.


Well, the boys were craving for some action and luckily, the Hello Kitty Black Wonder provided just that.


Conceptualised as a hi-tech interactive themed experience, we had to solve a series of puzzles in order to rescue Hello Kitty who is held captive in a castle. We were handed a Hello Kitty-shaped lamp and then sent packing to hunt for our clues.


This activity definitely perked the boys up... and you can tell that they were dead serious in wanting to free Hello Kitty. Heh.


There were 5 areas, and each contained an alphabet which we had to search for. Then, we had to piece the 5 letters together to form a word in order to complete our mission. One area had us trying to make out the letter in the barrel using our hands, while another area saw us trying to spot the differences between 2 identical rooms. The final piece to the jigsaw laid within a huge map, which we had to place our lamp over it and shine over the hidden letter.


And with that, it was mission accomplished!


The monkies even had a certificate to show for all their efforts!


I would say the boys certainly enjoyed this sleuthing bit of Hello Kitty Town the most. Coming in a close second was the 'Happy Carnival' Street Parade, which happens at 4pm on weekdays and 11.30am & 4pm on weekends.


DO NOT miss this parade because it is just so fun and colourful to watch. Try to plonk yourself near the Purrfect Stage so that you would not miss out on all of Dear Daniel's, Great Batz Maru's, My Melody's and Hello Kitty's dance steps.


During the second half of the show, kids will be taught some of the dance steps and invited to join in the fun in front of the stage. Some adults couldn't resist and actually joined in the dancing too! Heh.

And when the parade approached its end, there were plenty of opportunities for handshakes and hi-fives as well.


Though Ale appeared to be rather intimidated by the Great Batz Maru.


 I found him to be quite endearing actually.

Here's a useful schedule for all the showtimes and meet-and-greet sessions at Hello Kitty Town:



If hands-on activities are what you are yearning for, you would be glad to know that there are lots of Hello Kitty-related activities to keep you busy!

At the Wishful Studio, one can make and take home their very own Hello Kitty bracelet,play dress-up by donning Sanrio characters costumes at the photo studio as well as visit the nail salon where they can decorate their nails with Sanrio characters nail art.


There's even a cookie studio, where we had the chance to decorate our very own Hello Kitty shaped cookies with colours and sprinkles.


Adults may find this to be boring though, because all we were given was one Hello Kitty cookie, strawberry jam and chocolate sprinkles. And we had to finish decorating our cookie in under 5 minutes - which is good actually because it meant that the queue waiting time is kept short.

But what isn't fun for us adults can be very different from a child's perspective... because Ayd said he thoroughly enjoyed decorating his own cookie, even though the end result was a convoluted lump of sprinkles.


But at least the cookie tasted really good! Very buttery and oh-so-yummy.

Oh, and do note that each person is only allowed to tackle each hands-on activities at the Wishful Studio once. Ditto for the Black Wonder experience. We were each handed an activity card when we entered the theme park and for every activity we completed, we would get a stamp.

By this time, if the kids still have energy to expend, there is the Friendship Land - a padded Indoor Playgym - for them to wreck havoc in.


The good thing about this particular playgym is that the maximum entry age is 3 years old, which makes it a safe haven for toddlers as they would not get older rowdy kids like Ash & Ayd bumping into them.

There is also a Cinnamoroll Café directly opposite, and that makes it ideal for parents to keep a watchful eye over their young-lings while enjoying a Hello Kitty-shaped waffle or hot coffee.


We didn't enter the playgym though as Ale fell asleep after all the above exertions. So we did the next best thing.


We paid the Sanrio Shop on the Ground Floor a visit first. And guess who was the happiest of the lot?


I guess there isn't any need for me to elaborate what kind of merchandise the shop stocked... stuff which can make ladies hyperventilate.

My thoughts on Hello Kitty Town? It's definitely a place for kids aged 6 and below.  But obviously, the age doesn't matter at all if you are a huge fan of any of the Sanrio characters. Both Ash & Ayd had mixed feelings about it - they loved the clue-collecting Black Wonder attraction and enjoyed the Parade too, but they probably grew bored with the overly-pink decor and hands-on activities. As for Ale, needless to say she totally enjoyed it! Most importantly, we were there on a Saturday and it wasn't too crowded.

Of course, we were not done as yet. There was still The Little Big Club to be conquered, where Barney, Thomas, Pingu, Angelina and Bob awaited. Again, both Ash & Ayd had the notion that they were not going to enjoy it... but they would soon to be proven wrong!


Thanks to Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park for the kind invitation. Stay tuned for Part 2!

View MORE photos of our time at Hello Kitty Town at our Facebook page HERE!

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Useful Details

Ticket prices:
Sanrio Hello Kitty Town
Regular : RM65 - Adult and children.
Malaysian ID : RM50 - Adult and children

The Little Big Club
Regular : RM65 - Adult and children.
Malaysian ID : RM50 - Adult and children

2 Park passes
Regular : RM85 - Adult and children.
Malaysian ID : RM65 - Adult and children

To purchase tickets online, please visit www.playtime.com.my

Operating Hours*: Monday to Sunday - 10am to 6pm
*Closed every Tuesday except for Malaysian and Singaporean public holidays / school holidays.

Address: Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, 79000, Nusajaya, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

Directions:
From Singapore via the TUAS Second Link
Proceed to Nusajaya Look out for EXIT 312 (E3). Follow signs to Kota Iskandar/Puteri Harbour. At roundabout take 2nd exit onto Persiaran Laksamana At Bulatan Laksamana, take 1st exit onto Lebuh Laksamana. Look out for Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park.

The Shaver for the Modern Man

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Sponsored Advertorial
(Daddy reviews)

Shaving can be a chore - especially if you have to wake up at 5.30am every morning to prepare the boys for school! I admit, I rather spend a few minutes more lazing in bed than attempt to slash the stubby foliage covering my chin with my shaver. So yes, I don't shave everyday if I can help it.

But you know how the world operates - a clean-shaven man projects an image of professionalism and tidiness. Not to mention my 3 monkies would have no reason to reject a kiss from me if I'm clean-shaven! The wifey still hasn't shown any signs of rejection (yet) but I don't think I will be taking any chances. So I am always game for any sort of help which would drastically lighten my shaving load.

And thankfully, it came in the form of the Philips AquaTouch Electric Shaver.


For the most part of my life, I have been using a manual cartridge shaver. And I always hated the stinging irritation that almost always accompanied the shaving. Oh, and who can forget the occasional razor mishaps where nicks and cuts form part of my shaving routine... especially since I am the bleary eyed one in the mornings!

Not cool at all.

So I was intrigued when I saw from the packaging of the Philips AquaTouch that it boasts either a comfortable dry shave or refreshing wet shave, without worrying about damaging one's skin. Ah, that last bit is definitely music to my ears.

Actually, I think my 2 boys were more eager than me to try out the shaver as they happily unboxed the package on my behalf... without my asking.


Well, the standard items are there: shaver, protection cover cap, charger and a cleaning brush. What I liked was the travel pouch, which will serve as a nifty storage bag especially on my travels.

As for the shaver itself, it has a TripleTrack cutting system with dual blades, with three shaving tracks that provide 50% more shaving surface while the blades lift and cut hairs. What this means is you are able to shave even the shortest stubble, which results in a far smoother shave and doesn't damage the skin unlike the manual ones.


Oh, and did I mention that the shaver is 100% waterproof??? It is absolutely safe to shave while in the shower - saving even much more time for busy fathers like me!

Not only that, the Philips AquaTouch also has an attached Pop-up Trimmer which is perfect for grooming moustaches & sideburns.


All well and good, but how did it perform when I put it to the test?

I had a nice little stubble growing prior to my first shave with the Philips AquaTouch and I always detest shaving short stubbles with a manual shaver because I always get the inevitable irritation after that. So to be honest, I wasn't exactly sure whether the same irritation will follow after using the Philips AquaTouch.


A few small circular motions across my chin later, I was done. And the result? My chin was smooth and clean. And the best part was I didn't get any stinging sensation in the aftermath even though I didn't use any shaving gel or foam.


With shaving comes cleaning too, and with my previous manual shaver I had to practically keep knocking it against my sink to get all those stubborn hairs out. Very frustrating indeed. But for the Philips AquaTouch, cleaning is as easy as it can get.

Just press a button below the blades and the entire shaver head will flip open. And since it is totally waterproof, just pop the shaver head under running water and give it a good rinse.


For the first time ever, I have both Ash & Ayd clamouring to wash my shaver for me. Yes, it is that simple (and fun).

Ayd even lamented that he couldn't get a chance to try out the shaver due his apparent lack of facial hair. LOL!


And if you are worrying about the cost and maintenance of an electric shaver - I know I did - you would be glad to know that the Philips AquaTouch comes in three different models, with prices starting from just S$79. To make it even more economical, there is no need to replace the self-sharpening shaver blades for up to three years, including a three-year warranty for the shaver. You can do the math, but I am sure the Philips AquaTouch offers a cheaper alternative in the long run than the frequent-blades-changing manual shaver!

Overall, I love how the partial rubberized contour-shaped body of the Philips AquaTouch AT890 allows me to have good grip and be in  full control of my shaving. Not forgetting the fact that I can enjoy up to 50+ minutes of cordless shaving on one charge. That's good enough for up to 17 shaves and adequate for me to head off for a 2-week holiday without the need to bring along my charger.

Hop over to www.philips.com.sg/aquatouch to see the entire range of Philips AquaTouch electric shaver models on offer. It'll make the perfect gift for the man in your life (for the ladies) or simply yourself (for the gentlemen)!

Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park: The Little Big Club Review

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Media Invite
(Daddy reviews)

If you are not familiar with Barney, Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, Pingu or Angelina Ballerina, then you are probably not a parent yet. Surely kids nowadays would have grown up coming into contact at least one of those characters... so if you have a preschooler who is still infatuated with either of these famous five, then you are in luck.

The Little Big Club at Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park gathers all these characters under one roof complete with a series of 6 themed interactive play zones - with games, rides, soft play areas, live shows and meet & greet sessions!

As I had previously mentioned in my previous post on Hello Kitty Town, both Ash & Ayd were not exactly keen on paying this theme park a visit as they deemed it to be too childish. But they quite enjoyed Hello Kitty Town, so they were game enough to give The Little Big Club a shot.Okay, so they had no other choice really.

As we entered The Little Big Club on the second floor, there was the Barney's playhouse beside the entrance which is essentially a re-creation of the familiar set in the Barney series.


This mini-playground is targeted at younger kids aged 4 and below, and consists of low slides and climbing structures. But we didn't get a chance to try out the playground as something else purple clearly distracted Ale.


From the friendliest T-Rex to the coolest Penguin, we headed to the North Pole next where we paid a visit to Pingu's igloo.


The igloo housed different types of arcade machine such as air-hockey, basketball-throwing and mole-whacking games. Pretty simple stuff but the kids did have fun inside, probably because they could play for as long as their hearts desire as there was no need for any tokens!


The host dropped by as well, and somehow all 3 monkies were uber delighted to see him.


And so, yet another photo opportunity.


By now, Ale was itching to shuffle her feet and what better place to do so that at Angelina Ballerina's Dance Studio?


This is the place where girls can put on a tutu, don a set of mouse ears, wave a pink wand in the air while dancing alongside Angelina Ballerina. Even the wifey gamely put on a tutu and joined in the ballet lesson!


I think I can safely say that this is almost every little girl's idea of fun. After all, how often can one get to hold hands and take ballet lessons from an oversized mouse? I mean that in a good way of course - I could see Ale thoroughly enjoyed her 20 minutes of dancing.


As for the 2 boys, they were utterly bored. I think they were secretly hoping that I will be asked to don a tutu too so that they can derive some entertainment at my expense. Luckily for me, they had no sizes for me.

Well, they did get some entertainment next at Bob the Builder's Playzone next where yet another indoor playground awaited.


Compared to the Barney's one, this playground is geared towards older kids with all the usual suspects of climbing structures and even a wave slide.


The Playzone also consists of a 'Build It' Zone which I particularly liked. This was where aspiring little builders can join Bob's 'Can-do Crew' and chip in to build a house.


Kids can use various soft interlocking bricks of different shapes and sizes to construct walls in Bob’s house. Or in Ayd's case, he took greater joy in demolishing them.


Or kids can also help to transport the bricks via a conveyor system - and this was a huge hit with all the kids present.


And with that, we were about halfway done with The Little Big Club and we had another level to conquer.


The other level was devoted entirely to Thomas & Friends, and this was where both Ash & Ayd had their greatest share of fun.


Because if you are looking for rides, then this is the level to come up to. There are a total of six Thomas-related indoor rides!


Ride #1: Windmill Ride.


It's the typical mini-Ferris Wheel ride for kids, which Ash & Ayd got disinterested with it rather quickly. On the other hand, Ale enjoyed it quite a fair bit.


Ride #2: Harold's HeliTours. Again, the 2 boys only went on it once. For Ale though, after having experienced the LEGO City airplanes ride at LEGOLAND Malaysia, these kind of rides rank as one of her fave rides currently.


Ride #3: Colin's Crane Drop. A common sight in most theme parks, Ale was slightly below the required minimum height so it was up to her 2 brothers to experience the drop.


Ride #4: Bertie the Bus. This bus ride brings its passengers on its rounds but in a vertical circular motion. Again, a familiar sight at most theme parks but it was fun enough to warrant 3 sittings from the 3 monkies.


Ride #5: Bumper Buffers. Essentially bumper cars. this attraction has kids (and adults) trying to bump each other off in diesel engines and troublesome trucks.


And this, was both Ash's & Ayd's fave ride of the lot. To think they went on it 10 times! But I have to agree with them - the bumper engines were really well done, and the movement and steering were very smooth and effortless.


Ride #6: Thomas Imagination Station. This is the Thomas train ride to drive your little ones nuts if they are crazy over Thomas. It is just a simple train ride that goes round the indoor play area, but I think it will be enough to make them want to go on again and again.


The 6 rides were good but personally, the highlight of the Thomas & Friends zone has got to be this - Sodor Playground.


If you have older kids, then this is the playground that they will love you for. There are lots of climbing structures, slides and even trains which double as tunnels that kids can crawl through.


And the playground is rather huge - I would say the play experience is a cross between Kids Amaze @ SAFRA and Amazonia but infused with Thomas elements of course. I would have loved to show you more photos of the internal workings of the play structures... but I couldn't squeeze through the first obstacle.


No matter, oversized adults like me can just lounge comfortably in the huge sofas just outside the playground and yet still keep a watchful eye over the kids. Although it will be perfect if there's WIFI.


Of course, what's a theme park without some live shows? So while the boys were busy alternating play between the Sodor Playground and bumper cars, Ale was lapping up the live show by Barney at The Little Big Club stage.


The show is rather similar to those at shopping malls during school holidays and Christmas season, with familiar ditties like 'If You Are Happy', 'Mr. Sun' and 'Lemon Drops & Gumdrops'. But the premise isn't as crowded so kids were able to stand up, participate and dance freely together with Barney on stage.

Ale even sat through the Thomas live show too!


With so many characters and shows to see, here's a useful schedule for all the showtimes and meet-and-greet sessions at The Little Big Club:


Food-wise, if you are looking to lunch within the indoor theme park then the MC BUNN cafe at the Thomas & Friends zone (third level) is your best bet.


Other than the usual fast food of burgers and nuggets, it serves roast chicken (RM38.90 for half-chicken with 2 sides and a drink), lasagna (RM12.50) as well as kids meals (RM9.90) ranging from fish fingers, nuggets to hot dogs.


Do note that if you order the roast chicken, the gravy is a tad peppery. So you might want to ask for the sauce to be separated if kids are consuming it.

As for the taste test, the food was nothing to shout about but decent enough. At least the lasagna proved to be the greatest draw as all 3 monkies vied for it.


After-thoughts 

Ale definitely had the greatest share of fun in both Hello Kitty Land and The Little Big Club. Compared to LEGOLAND Malaysia, she could venture on most of the rides here, join in the activities and also come face-to-face with some of her favourite characters. The 2 boys admitted in the aftermath that they too had fun (thanks to the bumper cars and playground!) but they would of course pick LEGOLAND Malaysia any time.

For me, I like it for the simple fact that it is entirely indoors and our experience isn't at the mercy of the fickle weather. Okay, so the air-conditioned environment is a big plus... but I would think that this place would clearly be a dream come true for most kids aged 6 and below. We took about half a day to cover both Hello Kitty Land and The Little Big Club and that was just about right I would think.

Considering we went on a Saturday, the place was not crowded at all. In fact, we didn't have to queue at any of the attractions which was major plus. Here is something that I had noticed - we were there right on the dot when the theme park opened at 10am and there was hardly a sizeable crowd but, more people started coming in after lunch time.


Other stuff to take note:

Child-friendliness - There are toilets for families with young kids, with flip-down changing tables.
Food - Beside the MC BUNN cafe at Level 3, there is a Red Bow Cafe on the Ground Level as well as 2 other smaller cafes on each of the first and second level.
Parking - Parking is free at the underground car park.
Air-con environment - It may get a bit cold a times, so bring along a jacket if your child is afraid of the cold.

Thanks once again, to Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park for the kind invitation!

View MORE photos of our time at Hello Kitty Town AND The Little Big Club at our Facebook page HERE!

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Useful Details

Ticket prices:
Sanrio Hello Kitty Town
Regular : RM65 - Adult and children.
Malaysian ID : RM50 - Adult and children

The Little Big Club
Regular : RM65 - Adult and children.
Malaysian ID : RM50 - Adult and children

2 Park passes
Regular : RM85 - Adult and children.
Malaysian ID : RM65 - Adult and children

To purchase tickets online, please visit www.playtime.com.my

Operating Hours*: Monday to Sunday - 10am to 6pm
*Closed every Tuesday except for Malaysian and Singaporean public holidays / school holidays.

Address: Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, 79000, Nusajaya, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

Directions:
From Singapore via the TUAS Second Link
Proceed to Nusajaya Look out for EXIT 312 (E3). Follow signs to Kota Iskandar/Puteri Harbour. At roundabout take 2nd exit onto Persiaran Laksamana At Bulatan Laksamana, take 1st exit onto Lebuh Laksamana. Look out for Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park.

Sesame Street Character Breakfast Buffet

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Media Invite
(Daddy reviews)

Other than the fan-boy type of characters from Transformers and Star Wars that I grew up with, the other show which I had great memories of was Sesame Street. I remember watching it every Saturday mornings and trying to spot the strings/wires that were attached to the numerous muppets then. Oh, and of course the educational aspect helped too.

Some things never change and it is now the turn of my 3 monkies to grow accustomed to Sesame Street. Or in their case, the likes of Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird. And no matter whoever you fancy, one can catch them all at Universal Studios Singapore who have been performing on a daily basis since May last year.

And what's cooler than watching them dance and prance around?


Uh-huh, having breakfast while they dance and prance around you.

The newest ride to hit Universal Studios Singapore - Elmo's Spaghetti Space Chase - began blasting off last Friday and in celebration of that, a 3-day Sesame Street Carnival was held. Resorts World Sentosa organised a kick-ass FANS DAY OUT for some of its most awesome Facebook fans and... we were lucky enough to tag along as well.


Such a lovely sight, isn't it? The entire New York section of USS was made even more whimsical with the many windmills and Sesame Street decoration all around. And it succeeded in making both Ash & Ayd much more excited to try out the new Elmo ride!

But more on that in the next post. First, there was the small matter of diving straight into the Character Breakfast Buffet proper.


And oh my, what a visual feast it was... everything looked so downright cute.


There were the usual suspects like sausages, eggs, hash browns, pasta with meat balls, pizza slices, waffles, mashed potatoes but what got to me was the Elmo-plates for kids that practically screamed SUPER CUTE!


Of course, what's a Sesame Street breakfast without some delightful pastries... conjured up in Sesame Street characters fashion no less.


I fear that the word 'cute' is already in danger of being the most overused word in this post but heck, they ARE oh-so-cute.


So cute that it would be criminal if one is popped into the mouth before a photo is snapped.


See what I mean?


And since we are at it, the mugs were cute too. Luckily, Ash had the perfect tee to complement it.


Okay, so enough of all the visual snaps already. Our tummies were rumbling, and all 3 monkies could not wait to sink their teeth into those tasty morsels. Especially Ayd I would think.


Except that he got waylaid by the first character appearance of the day - Cookie Monster!


Ale's fave character is Elmo, but I suspect Cookie Monster comes in at a close second... which probably explained why she demanded requested a solo portrait shot with the blue one.


See how ecstatic it made her?


So it was no surprise then that she was practically hopping down with excitement and jubilation when the next monster made his appearance.


And the next.


The amazing thing about these character breakfasts is that kids tend to eat a lot more quicker so as to snare a photo opportunity with the roving characters. And they eat a lot more too!

Ale obviously couldn't get enough of them so she bided her time at her table while waiting for the monsters to swing by once again.


She wasn't disappointed.


As a final treat, MY fave character from Sesame Street made his grand entrance. And no, he didn't stink.


By the way, I loved Oscar's costume the best too. It came complete with a trash can which he can just park and sit inside it whenever he's feeling tired. What a genius.

The boys too became geniuses of their own when they realised the Spaghetti Space Chase ride was due to open really soon but they had yet to polish off their plates. So they did what all kids would do - they proclaimed that they were full.


Well, tough luck. They still had to finish off whatever food was left on their cheery plates, and they eventually did.


A good thing too, because we need all the energy we could muster to aid Elmo in his space mission to save all the spaghetti in the world. Stay tuned for that in my next post!


The Sesame Street Character Breakfast is held on weekends and select holidays at 9am at Loui’s NY Pizza Parlor, Universal Stuidios Singapore (USS). Tickets are priced at S$44 each for adults and S$32 each for children, excluding day admission fees to USS.

Special Promotion!
From now till 30 March 2013, take your pick from these 2 options - Single Admission Package or Family Admission Package!

Single Admission Package: Adult $113 | Child $82 | Senior Citizen $75
Package includes:
Universal Studio Singapore 1 Day Admission
Sesame Street Character Breakfast for One

Family Admission Package at $280, with Complimentary Child Breakfast
Package includes:
2 Adult Universal Studio Singapore 1 Day Admission
1 Child Universal Studio Singapore 1 Day Admission
2 Adult Sesame Street Character Breakfast
Complimentary 1 Child Sesame Street Character Breakfast

Available on these dates only: 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar and 30 Mar 2013.

Spaghetti Space Chasing: Sesame Street-style

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Media Invite
(Daddy rides)

With our bulging tummies from the Sesame Street Character Breakfast earlier, it was time to get down to the business of having some serious fun.


That's right - March 1 saw the launch of Universal Studios Singapore's newest ride,  the Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase which is also the world’s first fully immersive Sesame Street indoor themed ride.


And to celebrate its launch, a special Sesame Street Carnival was held over last weekend with New York Street being transformed into an extension of Sesame Street! There were numerous carnival games to add to the festivity, much like this Toss-the-cookies game.


I lost count of the number of cookies the monkies tossed but they did have loads of fun indeed. Or maybe their fave game was the Twister-inspired giant street game.


Whatever the case, all that paled in comparison when the moment to finally board the new ride arrived.


It was a shame that Ale was a few centimetres off the minimum height requirement of 92cm, so that meant that the wifey and I had to take turns to experience the ride. Which of course also meant that the 2 boys could have repeat sittings.


That was the Spaghetti Space mobile that had us blasting into space with Elmo. The thing that is slightly different compared to the usual indoor rides is that the vehicle does not travel on a ground track. Instead, it is pulled along via a conveyor belt system on top.

Once we were safely snuggled in our seats, we were off!


The premise of the ride is simple enough: the world's entire spaghetti inventory is in danger of being stolen by Macaroni the Merciless and his two bumbling henchmen, Zester and Shredder and only you can help Elmo and Super Grover to save them.


I thought that the storyline and animatronics of the muppets were very good. Granted that this ride is no rollercoaster but then again, it was never meant to be a scary ride. On a scale of 1 to 10 - with 10 being extremely hair-raising and stomach-churning - I would say Spaghetti Space Chase is a 2.5.


It may get a little dark inside at times (after all we are supposed to be in space) but there will be instances when Abby Cadabby will light up the way. For a better idea of what to expect, here's a video of the later half of the ride.



In the end, both Ash & Ayd experienced the ride 3 times. Although I suspect that if they had their way, that figure would well be over 10 times. Ayd, in particular, enjoyed the ride tremendously. And this coming from someone who had experienced the thrills of rollercoasters at LEGOLAND Malaysia! He mentioned that he felt as if he was floating in space during the ride - something I concur and attribute it to the vehicle being suspended from the top.

And if you still can't get enough of the Sesame Street gang, there will be plenty chances for you to do so at the new Big Bird Emporium where park-exclusive merchandise will be lying in wait.


As for Ale, she would just have to make do with this Elmo bolster first... and shooting up a few centimetres more so that she can blast right into space with Elmo the next time!


This time however, our day at Resorts World Sentosa was barely halfway through for we still had the Marine Life Park coming up!

Big Breakfast

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What can be more fun than having a lazy breakfast on a Sunday morning?

Having breakfast together with 1,900 people on a Sunday morning, that's what!


The Rise & Shine Carnival was held at The Lawn@Marina Bay last Sunday, and it was a huge breakfast picnic affair where everyone ate their way into the Singapore Book of Records for the largest breakfast picnic turnout!


As a Partner Blogger for the Rise & Shine project, di-di, mei-mei& I too headed down for a slice of the action. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And it is with this in mind that this breakfast initiative was launched to promote healthy breakfast eating on a daily basis among children aged 4 to 12 years of age, and hopefully raising healthier and happier children in the process.


As with all carnivals, there were tons of activities like bouncy castles, sports try-outs stations, fitness corners, craft-making and face-painting to keep all kids occupied.


However, the most fun we derived at the Carnival was from a simple frisbee in our goodie bag... and it was multiplied many times over as a result of the great company we had from Sengkangbabies and BPDG Travels!


Mei-mei though, was more determined to seek out the roaming mascots and have her picture taken with them.


We had a great time at the Carnival, even more so since the location of the Carnival was superb - it was well-shaded and very windy! I think that any event that doesn't have Daddy perspiring profusely can be deemed as a resounding success. LOL.


Although the Carnival has come to a close, the breakfast initiative hasn't. Should you need an idea or two as to how to whip up a nutritious breakfast for us kids, then do visit the Rise & Shine Breakfast website HERE for many yummy and healthy recipes.

And see you at the next Rise & Shine event - the Rise & Shine Expo, the only children’s healthcare and development expo in Singapore to be held from 27 to 29 September 2013 at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 401!

Oz The Great and Powerful

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Sponsored Advertorial
(Daddy reviews)

"I don't want to be a good man. I want to be a great one." So says James Franco’s fraudulent wizard in “Oz the Great and Powerful", Disney's prequel focusing on the life of the titular Wizard of Oz.

The synopsis of the movie sounded intriguing enough.

Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful wizard but into a better man as well.


I don't know about you, but I remember spending a great part of my childhood immersed in the magic of fairy tales, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was one such fairy tale. After all, the likes of the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion were, and still are, iconic characters in their own right.

So thanks to Disney Studios Singapore, I had the opportunity to attend a sneak preview of the movie before it opens islandwide today.

Much like the 1939 Wizard of Oz classic, Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful opens with a lovely sequence set in a black-and-white Kansas, everything contained in an Academy-ratio box in the center of the screen. We meet Oz - short for Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs - who is a two-bit, skirt-chasing magician dreaming of bigger and better things. He gets into some kind of trouble with a strongman, and escapes by hopping into a hot-air balloon. Cue tornado.

The Land of Oz then brings rapturous, saturated blooms of colour with trees bedecked in butterflies, and rivers swarming with strange, small toothy creatures. Oscar soon comes face to face with three witch sisters and it is his relationships with these women that form the core of the story. I felt the movie did a commendable job of slowly unveiling the witches’ true intentions and using Oscar’s character flaws as a catalyst for one of them to become the Wicked Witch of the West.


Joining him on his quest to destroy of the evil witches are Finley the Flying Monkey - who is one of the movie's highlights - and the Little China Girl, the only survivor of a Wicked Witch attack on China Town, a land where everyone is made of, you guessed it, fine china. Along the way, Oscar learns how to be a good man and realizes that maybe power and ultimate wealth are not the most important things in the world.


For me, I enjoyed the movie somewhat. It wasn't the kind of movie that would have me raving about it, but I suppose this movie will appeal mostly to children. Do note the movie contains scary attacks by fanged flying baboons that test the outer limits of the PG rating - this being a Sam 'Evil Dead' Raimi movie after all - but the jump-in-your-seats bits are not overly done.

I think both Ash & Ayd would enjoy the movie as they would identify with the main theme of the story. They are heads over heels in love with LEGO Ninjago at the moment, in particular with this Great and Powerful ninja known as the Green Ninja. He is a legendary ninja who is destined to defeat evil in order to save the world. And through it all, he must learn how to stay true to oneself so as to realize his hidden potential. Just like Oscar Diggs, no?

As for me, what did excite me about the movie was the subtle nods to the classic 'The Wizard of Oz' film. There are lots of throwback references to the 1939 film... like when Oz first arrives, he’s awakened by snow just as Dorothy and her pals were in the poppy fields (which also feature here). Glinda kisses Oz on the forehead, much like as she did for Dorothy. Even the Cowardly Lion gets a quick cameo here, as with his “something’s got my tail” gag being repeated here, with a slightly different variation.


All in all, 'Oz The Great and Powerful' isn't the sort of movie that's in any danger of making my must-see movie of the year list, but it is an accomplished bit of film fantasy, and I encourage any families who are starved for a worthwhile film in the theatres this coming March School Holidays to catch it.

For a chance to win 'Oz the Great and Powerful' movie premiums, take part in the 'Tweet to Win' Contest now! For more details, LIKE the Disney Studios Singapore Facebook Page, FOLLOW Disney Studios Singapore Twitter account, and SUBSCRIBE to Disney Studios Singapore YouTube Channel.



“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth, with a screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Grant Curtis, Palak Patel, Philip Steuer and Josh Donen are serving as executive producers. 

“Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in Singapore theaters on March 7, 2013.

UPDATED: Emicakes' newest Sunshine + Giveaway!

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Sponsored Review
(Daddy reviews)

The wifey and I celebrated our Wedding Anniversary yesterday, and Emicakes seemed to have known that... because they sent us a very tantalizing creation! So it became the perfect opportunity for the monkies and the both of us to have an impromptu early mini-celebration at home.


Actually, the Peach Mango Sunshine cake is Emicakes' newly-launched cake flavour which they have kindly given us for a review. But don't tell the wifey that, okay?


At first glance, the design of the Peach Mango Sunshine cake is pretty straightforward. But when it came to the all-important taste test, it didn't disappoint. The juicy peach cubes are generous and I like the texture of the zesty blend of mango mousse tucked in between layers of soft and fluffy vanilla chiffon+.


So what is chiffon+Chiffon+ is a light and fluffy chiffon that is healthier than ordinary sponge cakes. The enhanced recipe is made with milk protein making it up to 30% less cholesterol!

Amazingly, the taste of the cake isn't compromised. The sponge is well-compacted yet soft and the mango mousse which also covers the cake isn't sickeningly sweet, making the overall taste of the cake one of the best mango cakes I have ever tasted.

I admit, I couldn't stop after the first slice. And considering that both Ash & Ayd are not a huge fan of anything cakes, they had second helpings! Drats, even lesser portions for me.

But no worries, sharing forms part of the enjoyment as well. So... to put the icing on the cake, Emicakes is giving away a $20 voucher each to TWO lucky readers!

UPDATED: WINNERS ANNOUNCED!


Congratulations to Cheryl Chiang and HanBoon Wong! You have each won a $20 voucher from Emicakes. Kindly email me at kelvin@cheekiemonkie.net to claim your prize by 17 March 2013. If I do not hear from you by then, another winner will be picked.


Peach Mango Sunshine Cake
S$31.60 for 0.6kg | S$55.10 for 1.2kg | S$69.60 for 1.7kg
From now until 31 March 2013, enjoy 15% offOrder yours via online HERE!

March School Holidays Activities for Kids 2013

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(Daddy compiles)

Congratulations, you survived Term One of 2013! And if you are looking for activities to do with your kids this coming March School Holidays, there are TONS of it... in fact, I have listed more than THIRTY activities here. So go ahead and enjoy your family time! :)

Goldilocks and the Three Bears



This March 2013, SRT's The Little Company brings the well-loved fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to the stage.

Goldilocks, on a trip into the forest, ventures into a seemingly uninhabited house. In the process of making herself feel at home, she turns the place into a gigantic mess! Little does she know that the house belongs to a family of three bears, who will not be too pleased to witness her handiwork.

Venue: DBS Arts Centre
Dates: 8 Mar - 21 Apr 2013
Time: Various timings (Check SISTIC for more information)
Price: Weekday: $21, $18 | Weekend/ Public Holiday: $29, $26
To buy tickets, click HERE.



Follow the Tide - From Mangroves to Coral Reefs

Learn more about the amazing marine biodiversity in this roving exhibition. There is much to discover about the world diversity of the marine creatures that live around the little island state.

Venue:  Lot One Shopping Mall, Rooftop Garden
Dates: 11 - 24 Mar 2013
Time: 11am - 9pm
Price: Free

Disney On Ice presents Princesses and Heroes

Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves and Prince Eric breaks Ursula’s slithering spell to reclaim his one true love. See Prince Philip defeat the evil Maleficent as she transforms herself into a fire-breathing dragon in a race against time to rescue Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora. Be there to discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin. And, watch in awe as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana all come true. High flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends are just a wish away!


Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Dates: 14 - 17 Mar 2013
Time: 14 Mar 7pm | 15 Mar 3.30pm, &7pm | 16 & 17 Mar 10am, 2pm & 6pm
Price: $20 | $40 | $60 | $90 (Rinkside)
To buy tickets, click HERE.

Navy@Vivo

RSS Intrepid, a Formidable-class Frigate from the Republic of Singapore Navy will be berthed at VivoCity for public visits onboard. See for yourself the weapons and gears used by the elite Naval Divers. Kids can also take pictures in Navy uniforms. Ballot for tickets for a ship tour on board.

Venue: Vivocity Promenade
Dates: 15 - 17 Mar 2013
Time: 15 Mar: 4pm - 9pm | 16 & 17 Mar: 10am - 9pm (Last boarding at 8pm)
Price: Free.
*To board the Frigate, tickets are required  However, the ballot has already closed. However, you can still get same-day tickets at the Navy exhibition booth in VivoCity, Level 1 on 15-17 March 2013. Tickets will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis and is subject to availability, so go early to avoid disappointment!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/navyopenhouse

Balloon Carnival @ Marina Square

Soak in the joyous atmosphere at Marina Square's carnival-themed balloon world featuring carousel, roller coaster, octopus rides and more!


Venue: Marina Square
Dates: 15 - 17 Mar 2013
Time: 10am - 10pm
*For various activities, kindly refer to above poster.

SmartKids Asia 2013

SmartKids Asia, the World's largest Educational Kids' Fair is a fun-filled family event where parents and children, 0 -12 years of age can discover and experience educational stimulation and mind-expanding fun through exciting interactive activities put together by 200 leading multinational and local organizations.

Venue: Singapore Expo, Hall 5
Dates: 15 - 17 Mar 2013
Time: 15 & 16 Mar: 11am - 9pm | 17 Mar: 11am - 8pm
Price: Free
Website: http://www.smartkidsasia.com/

Wild Wild Wet Water Safety Week

Playing safe can be fun too! As part of Wild wild Wet's Water Safety Week, experience the thrills and spills of water activities – all within the safety of an interactive yet carefully designed environment. Catch a lifeguard in action as he saves a stranded casualty and give a CPR demonstration. Learn why and how you should wear a lifejacket and differentiate the colours. Figure out the dos and don'ts of water safety in additions to key safety symbols as you wander about the interactive theme park.

Venue: Wild Wild Wet!, Downtown East
Dates: 15 - 24 Mar 2013
Time: 2 - 5pm
Price: Free, but entry fees to Wild Wild Wet applies
Website: http://www.wildwildwet.com/happenings.php

Thomas Land at United Square


Venue: United Square, B1
Dates: 15 - 24 Mar 2013

Fun Walk along the Southern Ridges

Take your family on a stroll through a soothing sanctuary of greenery and home to some of the nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna. Highlights include the Henderson Waves, Sembcorp Forest of Giants, Forest Walk and The Singing Forest.

Venue: Mount Faber Park, entrance of Henderson Waves
Date: 16 Mar 2013
Time: 9 - 11am
Price: Free

Concerts for Children: Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery

Vivaldi, Venice and violins – the three are celebrated in Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery, a compelling mystery about an orphan girl in the early 1700s who is in search of her roots. A central clue to the mystery is a missing Stradivarius violin that the Duke of Cremona has brought to Vivaldi’s school of the Pieta in the hopes of finding his long lost grandchild. Audiences will enjoy more than twenty-five excerpts from Vivaldi's most popular and important works, including The Four Seasons, the Violin Concerto in A minor, and the Guitar Concerto. The music is magically woven into the drama as two actors solve a mystery built around the historic context of the composer's real life and his school of the Pieta. Each concert lasts one hour and is suitable for ages 4 to 14.

Venue: Republic Cultural Centre Theatre, 9 Woodlands Ave 9, Republic Polytechnic, S(738964)
Date: 16 Mar 2013
Time: 11am & 1pm
Price: $25 | $30
To buy tickets, click HERE.

Gloobaloo and the Enchanted Forest

It is time to unleash your imagination as Gloobaloo and his friends bring you on a musical journey into the Enchanted Forest. In a performance filled with original songs and energetic dance choreography, get ready to meet the amazing creatures that live in this mystical place.


Venue: Kallang Theatre
Date: 16 Mar 2013
Time: 10am
Price: $25 (Restricted view) | $30 | $35 | $40
To buy tickets, click HERE.

Once Upon A Rainforest Trail

Get ready to embark on a self-navigated trail that takes you through Singapore Zoo's heritage and some of our most popular animals and exhibits. Complete the trail and receive a special *gift pack. Do your part for our education and conservation efforts when you get your face or hand painted with a nominal donation!

Venue: Singapore Zoo, Outside Gift Shop
Dates: 16 & 17 Mar 2013
Time: 10am – 4pm
Website: http://www.zoo.com.sg/events-promos/40bday13.html
*While stocks last. Registration for the trail sheet is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Limited participants per day.

Play-Doh Meet & Greet Sessions

16 Mar (Sat) – OG People’s Park, 1 - 3pm
17 Mar (Sun) – OG Orchard Point, 1 - 3pm
23 Mar (Sat) – Isetan Scotts L4, 1 - 3pm
30 Mar (Sat) – Takashimaya Dept Store L3 Toys Dept, 1 - 3pm
13 Apr (Sat) – Toys’R’Us Vivocity, 1 - 3pm

Batman: The Brave & The Bold Meet & Greet

Venue: Bukit Panjang Plaza, Garen Plaza (L2)
Dates: 16 & 17 Mar 2013
Time: 16 Mar 1pm, 3pm & 6pm | 17 Mar 11am, 1pm & 3pm
*Spend $30 (max 3 same-day receipts) to redeem 1 photo-taking pass. Limited to the first 30 redemptions per session.

Despicable Me 2 Minions Meet & Greet

Venue: Cathay Cineplex West Mall (L5)
Dates: 16 & 17 Mar 2013
Time: 3pm & 5pm

Hello! I Am 2013 - I Can Fly Preview Exhibition

The Connoisseur Concerto and the Singapore Tyler Print Institute come together in a creative endeavour to engage young talents in the art of printmaking. Each framed artwork will be on sale for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

Venue: Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI) Gallery, 41 Robertson Quay, S(238236)
Dates: 16 - 23 Mar 2013
Time: Tue - Sat: 10am to 6pm
Price: Free

Kids at the Conservatories

A series of Conservatories Guided Tours specially curated for children aged 4 to 9 years. Each tour is followed by an interactive activity that reinforces important lessons learnt during the tour. There are a total of 4 tours namely Talented Plants, How Clever...,I'm Special and  Going Batty.

Venue: Gardens by the Bay
Dates: 16 - 24 Mar 2013
Time: 10:30 AM & 2:30 PM
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: $18 per pax
Click HERE for more information on the individual Tours. Registration is required, click HERE to register.

Sentosa KidZ Flea Market

Show your support to the little ones, be a bargain hunter and purchase pre-loved treasures and hand-made items carefully selected by 7-12 year-old PLAY-trepreneurs! 20% of the sales proceed will be donated to Hospice Care Association.

Venue: Beach Station, Sentosa
Dates: 16 - 24 Mar 2013
Time: 2 - 7pm
Price: Free, but island admission fees apply
Website: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/whats-on/events/current-events/

Puppet Master Musical

Meet the friendly Puppet Master and his assistant, as they take us on an enchanting journey to help their newest puppet unlock the secret of her powers. Be enthralled as the magical box opens to reveal music, magic and adventure!

Venue: Beach Station, Sentosa
Dates: 16 - 24 Mar 2013
Time: 4.30pm & 6.30pm
Price: Free, but island admission fees apply

March School Holidays celebrations at Jurong Bird Park

From 16 to 31 Mar 2013, it's FREE admission for kids to the Jurong Bird Park! Simply flash the coupon below at the ticketing counter to enjoy this offer!


For more information, click here: http://www.birdpark.com.sg/events-promos/march-school-holidays13.html

High Flyers Show
Get ready for an exhilarating line-up of bird stars as the stage is set for the newest bird show in town! Experience dramatic flybys and marvel at the show-stopping antics of our talented bird stars. This is a show that is sure to delight the young and the young-at-heart!

Date: Daily
Time: 11am & 3pm (30mins)
Venue: Pools Amphitheatre

Chicky Time with Feathered Babies!
Be sure to join this free guided tour at the Breeding & Research Centre and learn how the birds are hand-raised, from artificial incubation to weaning the chicks from a liquid to a solid diet.

Date: 16 - 24 March 2013
Time: 10.30am, 11.45am, 2.00pm & 4.30pm (20mins)
Venue: Breeding & Research Centre
Spaces are limited, click here to register.

Enchanted Balloon Garden

Kids aged 5 – 12 years old can look forward to a fun-filled time with the balloon-sculpting workshops, magic shows and receive a $5 Andersen’s ice-cream voucher plus a balloon home-kit when they present a $30 receipt.

Date: 16 - 24 March 2013
Time: Mon - Fri 5pm | Sat & Sun 2pm & 5pm
Venue: City Square Mall, L1 Atrium
*Limited to 60 children per session

Fascinating Russia - Ice Skating Rink

For the first time, you'll get to enjoy Moscow's Red Square ice-skating rink experience at Changi Airport!

Dates: 16 - 24, 30 & 31 Mar and 6 & 7 Apr 2013
Time: 12pm - 10pm
Venue: Terminal 3 Departure Check-In Hall Row 11 (Public area)
*Present a single same-day receipt with a minimum spend of S$40 (S$30 for Changi Rewards members) from any Changi Airport outlet to redeem one (1) activity pass. Redemption starts from 12pm and ends at 9.30pm or when the activity passes are fully redeemed; whichever is earlier. Each activity pass admits up to two (2) persons per session, regardless of spending amount.
*Minimum age to participate is 5 years old. Children under the age of 10 years must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years in the rink at all times.

Looney Tunes Charater Meet & Greet

Venue: Junction 10
Date: 17 Mar 2013
Time: 2pm
*Spend $30 in a single receipt from 8 to 17 Mar to redeem 1 photo-taking pass. Limited to the first 50 redemptions.

Making Stories, Telling Stories!

Moonshadow Stories and The Arts House present a special event for the whole family to celebrate World Storytelling Day together! Immerse yourself in an afternoon of story by listening to stories told by master storyteller Kamini Ramachandran! Let her guide you in making your own shadow puppets and crafting your own storybook so you can take them home and keep sharing your story! You’ll also get a chance to stand behind the screen to perform and watch your puppets come alive! Suitable for children aged 4 and above.

Venue: Blue Room @ The Arts House
Date: 17 Mar 2013
Time: 3 - 4.30pm
Price: Child (4-15 yrs old) $10 | Adult (16 yrs old & above) $15
Website: http://www.bytes.sg/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=405

Flights of Fantasy! - A Bird-watching Workshop

If you are between the ages of 5 to 10 years old, and are interested in birds, join this workshop to find out about the birds and plants that live on and around the Singing Forest along the Forest Walk. Remember to bring along your binoculars too!

Venue: Telok Blangah Hill Park, Multi-Purpose Plaza
Date: 17 Mar 2013
Time: 8.30 - 10.30am
Price: $10 per child
Pre-registration is required, and is on a first-come-first-served basis. To register, email NParks_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg or call 6471 560.

Ukulele Sing-Along

Be sure to catch the friendly POLW Wonder Crew as well as jovial ukulele players strumming fun, groovy songs for you. Let your hair down and sing your heart out to all the familiar tunes!

Venue: Beach Station, Sentosa
Dates: 18 - 22 Mar 2013
Time: 3.30pm & 5.30pm
Price: Free, but island admission fees apply

Looney Tunes Live Classroom Capers

It’s back-to-school for Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes gang in Classroom Capers, the new non-stop hilarious musical production the whole family will love! The teacher is running late for class at the ACME Academy so the Looney Tunes decide to take turns as the substitute teacher - quickly becoming a textbook example of how things can easily get out of control. Starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester, Taz, Marvin the Martian and Porky Pig!


Venue: D' Marquee, Downtown East
Dates: 22 - 24 Mar 2013
Time: 22 Mar 7.30pm | 23 Mar 11am, 3pm & 7.30pm | 24 Mar 3pm
Price: $38 | $48 | $58 | $68
Website: http://www.downtowneast.com.sg/events/looney_tunes_live_classroom_capers
To buy tickets, click HERE.

Kent Ridge Park Heritage Tour

Discover the interesting fauna and flora at Kent Ridge Park, and learn all about the fiercest and one of the last battles fought in Singapore during World War II. Suitable for participants aged 7 and above.

Venue: Kent Ridge Park, Carpark B
Date: 23 Mar 2013
Time: 9am - 10.30am
Price: $7 per person
Pre-registration is required, and is on a first-come-first-served basis. To register, email NParks_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg or call 6471 560.

Creating a Convincing Villain: Writing Workshop
by Authors of Sherlock Sam books (for ages 7 to 11)

Venue: Living Room at The Arts House
Date: 23 Mar 2013
Time: 11am - 12pm
Price: Free
Registration is required. Email michelle@epigrambooks.sg with child's name and age by 20 Mar 2013.

Workshop for Kids: We Love The Night Life!

Who loves the night life? Bats, snakes, frogs, toads, owls and night jars! There will be a talk showcasing native nocturnal wildlife, followed by an art and craft session where kids can make and keep paper souvenirs of nocturnal animals. The event will end with a night walk at Hortpark where everyone can try and spot nocturnal wildlife. Suitable for participants aged 5 to 10 years old.

Venue: HortPark, Hands-On House
Dates: 23 Mar 2013
Time: 6 - 8pm
Price: $25 per child
Pre-registration is required, and is on a first-come-first-served basis. To register, email NParks_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg or call 6471 560.

Dance 2 Power Earth Hour!

Don’t miss the chance to participate in the first-of-its-kind, kinetic dance-out at Earth Hour! Join us in re-imagining sustainability as we generate kinetic energy, which will be used to power an outdoor film screening at the Earth Hour event! Look forward to an evening of celebration filled with exciting live performances, eco-carnival and witness the lights-off at 8.30pm on Singapore's signature skyline!

Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay
Date: 23 Mar 2013
Time: 4.30 - 10.30pm
Price: Adult $20 | Child (aged 12 and below) $10
Website: http://earthhour.wwf.sg/event.php
To register, click HERE.

Teen Titans Meet & Greet

Venue: Bukit Panjang Plaza, Garen Plaza (L2)
Dates: 23 & 24 Mar 2013
Time: 23 Mar 1pm, 3pm & 6pm | 24 Mar 11am, 1pm & 3pm
*Spend $30 (max 3 same-day receipts) to redeem 1 photo-taking pass. Limited to the first 30 redemptions per session.

Help Conserve Our Forest!

Play a part in conserving the forests by participating in this invasive species removal programme. You will help improve the quality of the habitat around the Sembcorp Forest of Giants, so sign up if you are keen to make a change!

Venue: Telok Blangah Hill Park, Multi-Purpose Plaza
Date: 24 Mar 2013
Time: 9 - 11am
Price: Free

Metta Charity Walk and Family Carnival 2013

Metta Welfare Association annual charity event, Metta Charity Walk and Family Carnival 2013 aims to raise funds for its beneficiaries including those with intellectual disabilities, the elderly and terminally ill, while promoting healthy living and family bonding.


Venue: Metta School/ Metta Building , 32 Simei Street 1 , S(529950)
Date: 24 Mar 2013
Time: 9am - 5pm *Flag-off for Charity Walk at 9am
Price: Free
Website: http://www.metta.org.sg/MettaCarnival2013/

10 years with You

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(Daddy blogs)

Sometimes in life, you get lucky... and it’s safe to say that I struck gold when I married my wife, ten years ago. As I have mentioned in my Facebook posting, hindsight is a wonderful thing - if I had known then what I know now, I would have married her sooner!


And so for our 10th year anniversary celebrations, we decided to head up to Melaka... just us and no kids. Amazingly, this has got to be the first time ever that we have left Singapore without the monkies and we were undeniably jittery about leaving them behind.

But we knew they would be in good hands as my parents and sister had offered to look after them for one night. In fact, I think we would miss the kids more than they would miss us!

No time for mulling though as we have a town to explore, and this time we can explore Melaka to our hearts' content without having to worry about the fatigue of the monkies. As usual, we stayed at the remarkable Courtyard @Heeren - which you can read my previous review HERE - but that's besides the point. The point was we were on a mission: to suss out new famed makan places to satisfy our bellies!

And one such eatery was Teo Soon Loong Chan Teochew Seafood Restaurant, a hidden gem just behind the bustling Jonker Street.


From the outside, Teo Soon Loong Chan looks like a rather dingy and nondescript hole-in-the-wall eating place. The entrance is almost entirely blocked by the outdoor kitchen, and one would have to squeeze through the kitchen to enter the restaurant. Definitely a first for us!

Once inside, I was struck by how tiny the entire place is. It can only fit between at most 8-9 tables which makes reservations a must. Luckily for us, we were there on a Friday evening and since there were only 2 of us, we managed to a snare a small table at the corner. I loved how the eatery exudes a unique cosiness feel. Granted the whole place looks dated and very retro but this is precisely the charm of the place.


The other unique point about this place is there isn't any written menu. Everyday there will be an array of fresh produce on display and you just pick what you want to eat and leave it to the cooks to whip up something tantalising.


Being our first time there, we left it to the boss, Towkay Tan who looks years younger than his 86-year-old age, to recommend some of his must-eat dishes. And every single one of them didn't disappoint.


A must-try is the signature Oyster Noodles, which was full of flavour. We were told to add vinegar to the noodles for that extra zing and it tasted even better! The Steamed Pomfret was super fresh and perfectly steamed in an appetizing gingerly broth. We had the Sweet Potato Leaves in Sambal too which was unlike anything we had tasted in Singapore, and also the Braised Pork with Bittergourd. The latter was heavenly, to put it mildly. The bittergourd was very soft and not bitter at all while the braised pork was so tender and succulent.

What's a hearty Teochew meal without washing down all those good food with a generous dose of orh-nee (a soft yam pudding) right? And my word, it was one of the best orh-nee I have ever tried! The yam paste was cooked perfectly, very creamy and smooth and not too sweet. And the cooked-and-pummeled -to-perfection concoction was enhanced with the sweet soft pumpkin and gingko. Definitely a must-try and they even sell frozen pre-packs for people to cart home.

One last quirky thing about the boss - he walks around the eatery to make sure that NOTHING is left on the plates! He demands that there is no food wastage... which explained why I had to finish the orh-nee despite a bulging belly.


Bulging belly or not, there was no stopping us in our next quest to find yet another famed eatery for nyonya food. Which brought us to Restoran Aunty Lee, a small and humble Peranakan eatery located some 20-30 minutes drive away from Melaka's historic centre at Ujong Pasir.


Like Teo Soon Loong Chan Teochew Seafood Restaurant, the interior brings about a homely kind of feel and reservations are also a must. Thanks goodness we were kiasu enough to head down at 11.30am and eventually managed to get ourselves a table as well.


We ordered the Ayam Buah Keluak which ranked as one of the best I had ever tried and the Ikan Bilis Sambal Petai which had the wifey purring. Two other note-worthy dishes we had were the Sambal Lady's Fingers and Mutton Curry, with the latter being a hit with the wifey despite her not being a huge fan of mutton!

Since there were only two of us ,we didn't get to try as many dishes as we would have liked - I heard the Cincalok Omelette is heavenly! - so I guess we would be making a trip down again soon... this time with a larger group of friends. Heh.

We shopped, we dined, we basked in the enjoyment of each other's exclusive company. And we thoroughly had a blast. A huge THANKS to my wonderful family for taking care of the monkies!


After 10 years of matrimony, I still want nothing more than to make the wifey happy and I was glad that she too enjoyed herself during our 1-night jaunt to Melaka. Thanks, my dear wifey, for everything all these years and here's to more wonderful times... AND more trips as a couple! :)


Teo Soon Loong Chan Teochew Seafood Restaurant
55 Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +606 282 2353
Opening Hours: 12pm-2.30pm; 6pm-9.30pm (closed on Mondays)

Restoran Aunty Lee
385 Jalan Ujong Pasir, 75050 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +606 283 1009
Opening Hours: 11.30am-2.30pm; 6pm-10pm

UPDATED: Singapore Zoo turns 40 + Tickets Giveaway!

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Sponsored Post
(Daddy blogs)

Did you know that the Singapore Zoo turns 40 years old this year?

Built in the budding years of Singapore’s independence, Singapore Zoo was the brainchild of a very young team led by Dr Ong Swee Law. Although armed with little knowledge of zoos, their unreserved gusto and foresight propelled them ahead and Singapore Zoo has been a hit since its opening in 1973, with its pioneering open concept and its ‘people-friendliness’.

In fact, Singapore Zoo has been consistently ranked as one of world's best zoos and indeed, it holds a special place in my heart as I remember paying the Zoo many many visits when I was a child many years ago.

Many Singaporeans will remember their first visit to Singapore Zoo. In a file photo, children visiting Singapore Zoo during its early years seem to imitate the apes they see before them, or is it the other way around?
PHOTO CREDIT: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Now that I am a parent to 3 monkies, it is their turn to explore the vast exhibits that the Singapore Zoo has to offer and for me to re-visit my childhood place of attraction.


And so to commemorate the momentous 40th year, Singapore Zoo will be rolling out lots of celebratory activities from now till the end of the year. To kick off the celebrations, a 40th Birthday Bash Zoo Hunt will be held THIS weekend(16 and 17 March 2013) which also happens to be the beginning of the March School Holidays!

The young - and of course young at heart too - can take part in the Once Upon A Rainforest Trail where participants get the chance to complete a self-navigated trail that takes them through some of the Zoo’s heritage and most popular animals and exhibits. Complete the trail and receive a special gift pack!

But that's not all. If you are turning 40 years old in 2013, good news! From 1 March until 31 December 2013, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who turn 40 this year can enjoy 40% off admission ticket prices for themselves and four other friends when they visit during their birthday month.

Even better if you are born on the same day as Singapore Zoo's birthday - 27 June 1973. If you are born on that date, or know of anyone who has that birthday date, email the Zoo at corpcomms.szg@wrs.com.sg right away! Singapore Zoo will extend an exclusive invite them to attend a very special Singapore Zoo Birthday Bash, and take them on an exclusive tour with a zoo pioneer.

And now, Singapore Zoo has kindly given 2 Family Packs (Each pack admits 2 adults & 2 children) for me to give away to 2 lucky readers!


UPDATED: WINNERS ANNOUNCED!


Congratulations to Lye Yin Leong and Joanna Lye! You have each won a Family Pack which consists of admission for 2 Adults and 2 children to the Singapore Zoo. Kindly email me at kelvin@cheekiemonkie.net to claim your prize by 12pm, 15 March (tomorrow). Sorry for the rush as I have to submit your details to the Zoo to facilitate your admission. If I do not hear from you by then, your prize will be forfeited.


Useful Details:

Once Upon A Rainforest Trail
Venue: Singapore Zoo, Outside Gift Shop
Dates: 16 & 17 Mar 2013
Time: 10am – 4pm
Website:http://www.zoo.com.sg/events-promos/40bday13.html
*Registration for the trail sheet is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Limited participants per day.

Making the news... Part 2

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(Daddy blogs)

If you had flipped open the Lifestyle section of the Sunday Times last Sunday, you would most probably have seen this.


The article touched on 'Sharenting' - how today's parents are putting information and pictures of their children online be it on blogs, Facebook, Twitter or other forms of social media and more importantly, how parents balance the need to share or impart knowledge with the need for security.

Perhaps due to my previous stint as a panel speaker for the recently concluded Social Media Week's  'Growing Up on Facebook' session, I was approached by Sunday Times to share my thoughts on the topic. And I gladly obliged.

The news article had predominantly focused on Ayd's fall into his school pond, and his aftermath reaction. But in fact, I was quizzed on a far wider range of questions but given how space in newspapers is a premium, I understand not everything can be used.

And so, I reproduce the entire set of interview questions (and my answers) for your reading pleasure. :)


Your wife started the blog when your eldest son Ash was born in 2005. Why have you both kept it alive all this while?

At that time when my eldest son was born, we started a blog as a means to document the growing years of our children. We wanted something that we could go back and read about all the wonderful experiences that we have accomplished together as a family... after all our kids have grown up and become independent. Truth is, I write my blog posts at night when all my kids have gone to bed so it has become a somewhat therapeutic ritual for me which I have not grown tired of.

Who is the blog for primarily? For example, the section on Kids Activities -- what is the main purpose of it?

As with all other family blogs, our blog started out with the sole purpose of being an online diary for my family and our relatives and friends. We have a few relatives overseas and they find great joy in keeping tabs on the growing up years of our 3 kids. That said, over the past 8 years our blog has slowly evolved to one which serve to share kids-related ideas and activities with fellow parents.

I have often heard how some parents lament that Singapore is boring for kids, and that they are unable to think of any kids-friendly activities or places to go to whenever the weekend rolls by. But that's just a myth - at least in my eyes. There are tons of stuff to do and go in Singapore, if you know where to look. And that's where the sharing through my blog comes in so hopefully, we are able to inspire other parents to embark on an exploring and bonding journey with their kids too.

And I believe that our blog is making a difference - I have had friends' colleagues and strangers come up to me telling me that they go to my blog whenever they run out of ideas of where to bring their kids during the weekends or school holidays.

Are you concerned that with the pictures, names and details of your children's likes and dislikes - that someone with bad intentions may use it for bad purposes (eg extort money)?

With the proliferation of technology, nothing is private anymore. I believe that if someone has the deliberate ill intention to cause harm to another, he/she will be able to dig up any information regardless of whether it is made online. At the other end of the spectrum though, I am also mindful of sharing their entire lives online for all to gawk. So I do not post information like the names of schools or enrichment classes on my social media platforms.

When does giving information become "oversharenting"? How do you balance the two?

I think the issue of 'oversharenting' occurs when a parent blasts off information about their kids relentlessly and without giving it much thought. This can come in the form of sharing photos of one's baby's poop or posting about a naughty incident that his/her kid had done with the intention of shaming the child.

I feel it is important that we as parents take a step back sometimes and think if certain things that we upload online will have a detrimental effect on our kids at a later part in their lives. So it is often a thin line to thread when it comes to sharing our photos and status updates on the various social media platforms. But when it comes to technology, one thing is for certain - our children cannot afford to fear technology. Banning social media from children until they are deemed old enough, or even parents shunning the use of such platforms can be counter-productive to a child’s development. Like it or not, the ways that people interact and make friends are changing. It is here to stay.

We cannot simply afford to pull a blanket over our children's heads and hope that they will suddenly become savvy social networkers, nor can they be thrown in to the likes of Facebook or Twitter. Education is the key, and they should not merely be told that. They need to be gradually introduced to social networks and trained on how to use them safely.

For both my boys, they are now old enough to understand the simple concepts behind an online blog as well as the notion of how the entire world can read whatever I publish on my blog. So now, I usually include them when I am in the middle of drafting a blog entry and let them read whatever I post. In this way, I hope to inculcate in them in taking responsibility of what one posts online, and also the amount of information shared. I would rather be the one who exposes them to the world of social media and guide them along as they grow older, than let them learn about the workings of social media through their friends.

So hopefully, with the right nurturing, guidance and practice, my kids will have the best possible preparation when they are deemed old enough to tackle social media on their own and at the same time, I have been involved long enough so as to be constantly aware of their actions online.


In other news, the wifey exclaimed that our photo in the article was "freaking HUGE!"

And in case you are wondering, Part 1 is here.

Star-shaped Goodness

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Sponsored Post
(Daddy reviews)

Remember this?


When I was a young boy, I used to detest this a lot! I just couldn't stand the fishy after-taste so when the time came for my monkies to take their daily dosage of Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil, I expected them to take after me.

The opposite happened instead. They LOVE the taste - yes ALL three if them!

So when Scott's sent me some of their MultiVitamins & Minerals packs for a review, all three of them recognized the logo and wanted to try it almost instantaneously. Which didn't surprise me actually since Scott’s has been there for parents in Singapore for many years and generations of Singaporeans trust Scott’s as the best provider of daily care for their child. 


Scott’s Multivitamins & Minerals is a natural progression for children who grew up with Scott’s Emulsion. Packed with a chock-full of 20 essential vitamins and minerals, it contains Vitamins A, B, C, D, Calcium, Magnesium and other ingredients which help to maintain the good health of children.

But to the monkies, that wasn't the most appealing part.

The part that got them really excited was the chewable grape-flavoured tablet came in the shape of a star!


Pity Ale couldn't pop one into her mouth as it is recommended for children aged 6 years and above. So she could only watch in envy as her 2 brothers chewed away.


And they loved the grape taste! So did the kids of other parents who tried the Scott’s Multivitamins & Minerals. I had passed a bottle each to 5 other friends who have kids and then did an informal survey with each of them. Of all the kids who tried, all loved the taste, colour and shape of the multivitamins... in fact, they gave it 5 stars out of 5!

As for the parents, all 5 of them remember Scott's as a familiar brand as they were growing up as a child, and they were familiar too with the Multivitamins product. And seeing how they took to chewing the health supplement so readily, they too said they are highly likely to buy it for their children in future.

So I guess there isn't any surprise that Scott’s is rated the number one brand for Children Health Supplements in Singapore then. All thanks to the star shape. :)

Giveaways Results: The Winners!

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Over the past week, we had the opportunity to organise 2 giveaways with one being the vouchers from Emicakes while the other was the Singapore Zoo's Family packs.

And we had fantastic responses to both, with over 50 entries for each giveaway. Thanks to everyone who had participated.

Now, the winners have been picked randomly... and here are the lucky winners!

Emicakes Vouchers ($20 each)


Congratulations to Cheryl Chiang and HanBoon Wong! You have each won a $20 voucher from Emicakes. Kindly email me at kelvin@cheekiemonkie.net to claim your prize by 17 March 2013. If I do not hear from you by then, another winner will be picked.


Singapore Zoo Family Pack (Each pack admits 2 Adults & 2 Kids)


Congratulations to Lye Yin Leong and Joanna Lye! You have each won a Family Pack which consists of admission for 2 Adults and 2 children to the Singapore Zoo. Kindly email me at kelvin@cheekiemonkie to claim your prize by 12pm, 15 March (tomorrow). Sorry for the rush as I have to submit your details to the Zoo to facilitate your admission. If I do not hear from you by then, your prize will be forfeited.

CONGRATULATIONS once again to all the winners!

Marine Life Park: S.E.A. Aquarium Review

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Media Invite
(Daddy reviews)

As part of the awesome Facebook Fans Day Out event organised by Resorts World Sentosa, we got invited along to have breakfast with the Sesame Street gang, and also test-drove the newest Spaghetti Sapce Chase ride at Universal Studios Singapore. But that wasn't all - it was time to dive into the marine wonders at the Marine Life Park next, a place which my monkies and I have been wanting to go ever since it opened in November last year.

The Marine Life Park consists of two attractions - S.E.A Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark - and it was the former that we delved into first.


The Southeast Asia Aquarium (S.E.A. Aquarium) is the world's largest aquarium, and houses over 100,000 marine animals from 800 species. Add 10 habitat zones - the marine animals are grouped according to the geographic locations where they are found - to the mix and you can already imagine how much there is to see and do there.


When I first stepped in to the Aquarium, I was struck with awe at how awesomely huge the place is. Sure, the initial underwater tunnel near the entrance made me feel like I was in the Underwater World....


 But once I came out of the other end, the feeling was entirely different.


I think I was so excitable partly due to the fact that I was fantasizing how the stingray would go so well with sambal, or how the kuning fish would complement my nasi lemak


As for the monkies, they were excited for a far lesser carnivorous motive - they genuinely loved being so up close with the marine life.


And a huge hit with them was the Discovery Touch Pool, where they got to molest some starfishes and corals.


There was just so much to see and information to soak in. I love the informative bits of trivia that accompanied the exhibits which made Ayd, in particular, stop and absorb the knowledge along the way. So now, I know that marine animals like 'Cock-eye Squid' and 'Dumbo Octopus' really do exist. I kid you not.


Ale was particularly enamoured by the mesmerizing (but stingingly deadly) jellyfishes.


Of course, the centrepiece of the S.E.A. aquarium has got to be the Open Ocean Habitat, where a paranomic marine masterpiece awaited us. Boasting the world's largest viewing panel, it is as if I have a gigantic flat screen LCD TV panel right before my eyes along with captivating content. And it was terribly therapeutic.


We even got a surprise waiting for us inside the tank.


But a far greater surprise awaited us after that, where we were whisked off to the top of the humongous tank and given the opportunity to feed the many fishes! This was definitely the highlight for the everyone but as the area was restricted, no photos were allowed.

No doubt, the monkies had a blast at the Aquarium and here are a few more reasons to pay it a visit... in case you need some.


We visited the Aquarium on a Saturday and it was pretty packed, with lots of people jostling for coveted positions in front of the tanks to take prized photos of the marine life. So I guess a far better option is  to visit during weekdays. 


Also, we didn't get to spend as much time in the Aquarium as we would have liked though I reckon 3-4 hours would be more than adequate to cover every nook and cranny of the Aquarium comfortably.


Personally, I love the fact that the whole aquarium is divided into 10 different zones with so many marine species to gawk and spot. By walking through the whole aquarium, one can really appreciate how unique the marine world can be in different parts of the world and provide a great insight into the mysterious underwater kingdom.


And I am sure that will fascinate adults and kids alike. Definitely a must-see and must-go place!

Photo courtesy of RWS

Well, it must have left a great impression on Ayd because that very night, he muttered during his sleep, "I'm cooking the manta ray."

Ooh, I hope it's with sambal.

Trailblazers

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Media Invite

When Daddy first broached the idea of going on a rainforest trail hunt at the Singapore Zoo over the weekend, di-di& I gave resounding roars of approval. Mei-mei, as usual, was at her monkie-see-monkie-do mode and wanted to be a part of the action as well.

No matter though, it was definitely a case of the more the merrier because it is Singapore Zoo's 40th Birthday  this year! And as part of its birthday celebrations, a Birthday Bash Zoo Hunt was held over the past weekend and we were all invited to give the hunt a go.


The Once Upon A Rainforest Trail was a self-navigated trail where we were given a questionnaire with a map, and tasked to answer the questions at the various check-points scattered within the Zoo. Once the trail was completed, we would be rewarded with a special gift pack!


We wasted no time in getting started, and promptly found our first station at the White Tiger Exhibit.


The trail took us through 12 of Singapore Zoo's most popular animals and exhibits, ranging from the Pygmy Hippos, Proboscis Monkeys to the hard-working Asian Elephants.


And through it all, we picked up some interesting tidbits of Singapore Zoo's heritage... including some which Daddy and Mummy didn't even know. For example, did you know that when the Zoo was first set up in 1973, the early team marked out the areas for animal enclosures using coloured raffia string and sharpened sticks?

Wah, I wouldn't want to go near the old Lion exhibit then!


And while di-di & I were hard at work, guess what mei-mei was doing?


Posing and requesting Daddy to take more photos of her, that's what.

But being the nice kor-kor that I am, I helped her filled up a copy of the trail questionnaire as well... just so that she wouldn't bug me for my gift pack at the end of the Rainforest Trail.


Thanks Singapore Zoo for the kind invite, and be sure to look out for more celebratory activities coming up from now until the end of this year!

But there isn't any need to wait if you are turning 40 years old this year. From now until 31 December 2013, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who turn 40 in 2013 can enjoy 40% off admission ticket prices for themselves and four other friends when they visit during their birthday month! For more information, visit http://www.zoo.com.sg/events-promos/40bday13.html


In need of more ideas this March School Holidays for the kids? We have compiled more than 30 activities here: http://www.cheekiemonkie.net/2013/03/march-school-holidays-activities-for.html

Humming right along... and feeling cheery!

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Product Review
(Daddy reviews)

You know what they say about flowers and fruits really brightening up one's day?


It's true.


Thanks to Humming Flowers & Gifts, we received the Tropical You(worth $100) fruit hamper which consisted of a lovely bouquet of sunflowers and a wide array of delicious fruits presented in a old-fashioned wooden carry tray.


Ale took a quick sniff at the sunflowers and muttered 'Nice!' But what got her really excited were the fruits and she immediately directed me to unwrap HER - yes, she had ingeniously laid claim to it - fruit hamper.

Unlike her 2 older brothers, she is a HUGE fan of anything fruits. So you can imagine how delighted she was to have the likes of strawberries, mangoes, persimmons, bananas, kiwi fruits, apples, avocados and honey pears staring back at her.

Much as she had wanted to gorge on everything there and then, the wifey and I convinced her to save the fruits for the following day - when we were due to pay the Singapore Zoo a visit, so that she could savour the juicy fruits in the great outdoors.

And she did.


Seeing how she had almost single-handedly walloped the fruit hamper's contents, I think I had better choose a Fruit & Flower hamper of my own. And I think this 'Triple Sweetness' one will do nicely... if I can keep Ale's hands away from it, that is.


Flowers and fruit have a lengthy tradition as gifts. There are as a lot of colours in fruit as there are in flowers and they are definitely appealing to both grown ups and small children alike. With fruit brings color, wellness and vitality... so if you are looking for that perfect fruit bouquet hamper for that special someone or occasion, look no further than hummings.com where you can browse and order from its Fruits & Flowers online catelogue with just a few clicks of your mouse.



Humming Flowers & Gifts Pte Ltd

Website: http://hummings.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HummingFlowers
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/HummingFlowersandGifts
Instagram: @HummingFlowers

LEGOLAND Malaysia revisited

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Can one truly ever get tired of LEGOLAND Malaysia? Definitely not di-di or me, that's for sure. 

In fact, the last time we were there was in December last year - yes, that infamous episode where di-di got lost in LEGOLAND Malaysia! - and one doesn't need to be a genius to guess how much the both of us begged and nagged Daddy & Mummy to bring us back.

Well, the clamouring worked.


We made a short stop over at LEGOLAND Malaysia last month after we visited Hello Kitty Town and The Little Big Club at Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park.

And compared to our previous visits, mei-mei was much more knowing this time around. And demanding too, as she sought to have her photos taken with any mascot/princess/man-in-funny-suit she could lay her hands on.


She even made us take the *cough*boring*cough* DUPLO Express at DUPLO Playtown with her.


In the past, that would be the be all and end all of her day in LEGOLAND Malaysia as that was the only ride that she was tall enough to hop on.

But the past 2 months had seen her shoot up a few centimetres and she has since discovered the joys of joining us on some of the rides... like going on a laser-blasting treasure hunt on the Lost Kingdom ride.


Or having the bounce of her life on the Beetle Bounce, which incidentally ranks as one of her faves currently.


No wonder she's feeling all so smug about her new-found ride licences.


But any fun at a theme park can be multiplied even further - when our buddies are involved!


That's right, the week-long March School Holidays gave all our parents the perfect excuse to bring us kiddos down to LEGOLAND Malaysia for a day of mayhem. Well, we actually only went down at 3pm... and that turned out to be a wise decision as the crowd was non-existent!

Which meant that we had a field day trying out almost all the rides that we possibly ever wanted, without having to waste time queuing.


I guess there isn't any need for me to say how much fun we thoroughly had.

And to up the FUN factor, LEGOLAND Malaysia is having Asia’s first LEGO Minifigure Swap from now until 31 March 2013!


What's the LEGO Minifigure Swap? It involves the trading of small LEGO figurines, usually referred as Minifigs. It is designed to encourage interaction between Model Citizens (LEGOLAND Staff) and Park visitors. The concept is that visitors are able to swap their Minifig with any staff member who wear the figurines on their name badges.

To help guests get started, a complimentary Build a Minifigure voucher will be given away with the purchase of a ‘Kids Meal’ at selected food and beverage outlets at LEGOLAND Malaysia.The vouchers can then be exchanged at three designated Minifigure Redemption Stations around the Park.

And to spice things up even further, an exclusive ‘Spot the Minifigure’ give-away will also be happening too! Every day, a custom-built Minifigure will be worn by a designated Model Citizen. Each time a lucky guest correctly identifies the Minifigure, he/she will be rewarded with a special prize and the custom Minifigure will be passed to a new Model Citizen ready to be spotted again. Prizes include LEGO toys and meal vouchers.

So what are you waiting for? Time to head down to LEGOLAND Malaysia and spot the Minifig today!


For more information on LEGO Minifigure Swap, kindly visit http://www.legoland.com.my/Plan/Minifigure-Swap/

---

*Read our LEGOLAND Malaysia Reviews here: PART 1and PART 2

X-ploring Science in the Malls

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Media Invite
(Daddy blogs)

The two boys have been increasingly fascinated with the world of science lately, to the extent of nagging the wifey and I to bring them down to the Science Centre during this March School Holidays. Of course, we were more than happy to cave in to their request but that's a blog post for another day.

Because if you are pressed for time, Science Centre Singapore will be bringing a snippet of its many exhibits, science performances, demonstrations and hands-on activities to a shopping mall near you! In conjunction with Earth Hour and the March School Holidays, Parkway Parade has partnered Science Centre to share the joys of science through its ever-popular biannual event - Science in the Mall.


This year’s theme, X-ploring The World of Energy, promises an entertaining and informative science carnival that will highlight the many interesting aspects of science connected to energy.

Unsurprisingly, the boys were visibly excited when told we would be making a trip down to the exhibition.


The most effective form of learning is always hands-on based and the science exhibition doesn't disappoint. Through various interactive exhibits, both Ash & Ayd were able to learn more about the different forms of energy, ranging from the likes of kinetic, potential, chemical, sound and heat energies.


Exhibits include a merry-go-round, basketball challenge, using sound energy to make a straw move, and a giant pendulum swing!


The boys also had the chance to flex their arm muscles and crank up three dynamos which were each connected to a different light source - LED light strips, compact fluorescent bulbs and incandescent bulbs. Through this activity, they learnt how much energy is required to power up the various light sources.


And if the kids are still in want of more hands-on activities, they can take part in the 30-minute workshop session where they will get choose to make a customized toy - Paper Catapult, Magnetic Pendulum or Shaking Gorilla - based on three different themes. (Details of the workshop are at the end of this post.)


Still need more time to do your shopping? Then keep the kids entertained with the Science Shows and Stage Games while you head off to use up some energy of your own.


So go ahead , convert the kids' potential energy to kinetic energy this school holidays at Science Centre's Science in the Mall - X-ploring the World of Energy exhibition. But be sure to hurry - the event ends this Sunday, 24th March 2013!

Useful Details:

Science in the Mall – X-ploring the World of Energy!
Date: 16 – 24 March 2013
Venue: Parkway Parade, Basement Atrium
Time: 11am – 9pm daily

The Amazing World of Energy Exhibits: 11am – 9pm daily

Stage Games: 1.00pm, 4.00pm and 7.00pm (daily)
Science Show: 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm (only on 22, 23 & 24 March 2013)

Hands-on Workshops: 11.00am – 9.00pm (daily)
Shopper(s) with a minimum spend of $80 (max3 same day receipts) are eligible to register one child for any one of the three workshops available. Each workshop is guided by a facilitator and children will learn how to build thematic science toys from the workshop. Each child will also receive an activity booklet that explains the science behind each exhibit and retailers vouchers.

Parkway Parade Junior Club members get to attend one workshop FREE of charge! Limited to 5 members per session, one child is only eligible to register for one FREE workshop.

Each session is about 30 minutes and registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Going Places: Uncommon Playgrounds

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(Daddy blogs)

Thanks to URA and Andy of SengkangBabies, we had the opportunity to be featured on the latest edition of Going Places, URA's online magazine about appreciating our Singapore city anew. 


Tired of bringing the kids to the usual outdoor playgrounds, shopping malls and makan places? Seeking inspiration for more unique ideas on how to spend those precious weekends with your brood?

That's the premise of the article on Going Places, where 4 local Parent Bloggers (including us) share their uncommon fave haunts. And for us, I decided to showcase a certain off-the-beaten-track part on Singapore - Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk:

Do you know that a Mangrove Boardwalk exists in Pasir Ris Park? Neither did I. The moment I discovered the existence of such a hidden gem, I knew I had to bring my three kids down for a good trek. The good thing about the Boardwalk is that it is suitable for people of all ages — it’s even stroller-friendly! This is a definite thrill for the families who are up for some crab or mudskipper-spotting.


Along the way, we spotted peculiar 'humps' in the ground made by mud lobsters, as well as the scampering tree-climbing crabs. Mudskippers, though, were a little more elusive. The kids (and even adults) needed some time before we came across one because of its camouflaging ability. But once we caught sight of one, it wasn’t too difficult to spot its friends lurking in the vicinity.

The end of the Boardwalk holds yet another gem — a jetty overlooking Sungei Tampines.


We spotted the most number of animals here! In the short span of 15 minutes, we saw herons, kingfishers, a water monitor-lizard, a gliding lizard (otherwise known as a 'flying dragon'), fishes like halfbeaks and archer fishes, and even a dog-faced water snake.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed trying to ‘out-spot’ one another, and it was all for good fun. And for that, it ranks as my family’s number one favourite place in Singapore!

If you are in need for more ideas, check out what places the other 3 Parent Bloggers had recommended here:  http://www.goingplacessingapore.sg/more/ThingsToDo/2013/FamilyFunPart2.aspx

A big thank you to URA for giving us the chance to share our uncommon 'playgrounds'. For more insights as to what makes our city tick, subscribe to the Going Places e-newsletter or visit their Facebook page.

*To read our original guided tour of Pasir Rise Mangrove Boardwalk, click HERE.
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