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Our CNY 羊ear of the Goat Celebrations!

February 24, 2015, 5:34 am
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There is something I always do every year whenever it is Chinese New Year - I re-read some of the CNY posts that I had written over the past few years, like my very first CNY post when Ash was just slightly over a month old. 

The posts serve to remind me how fast the monkies are actually growing up, as well as how much my parents have aged all these years. But at least something has not changed a bit: all of us still make it a point to capture some goofy shots during the first day of the Lunar New Year!


Our house visiting routine has not deviated much, with the entire family being congregated first thing in the morning for our mandatory cheekiemonkie family photo-taking session.


Then we were off to my parents' place, where the monkies partake in another family tradition that I have grown up doing - serving tea to our elders.


Oh, and collecting those red packets of course!


This year, the monkies' cousin also clamoured to be part of the action too!


And you can be sure it will always be a rowdy affair when the four of them get together.


We then head off to my in-laws' place, where we continue our - what else - feasting and merry-making.


Like all previous years, we ended Day 1 of CNY with visits to both the wifey's and my grandmother's place.


After our Day 1 exertions, the next few days seemed pretty mild. Yes, there were the usual family photo-taking moments but overall, we had fewer places to visit. But no, the monkies could not escape from the usual family photo-taking!


Having fewer places to visit during Day 2 allowed us some time to whisk the monkies off to the National Museum's Open House where there are 2 current exhibitions that are well-worth bringing kids to. But more on that in a future post!


We even had time to drop by at the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, where it was also having its own Open House. And yes, you guessed it - I'll share more about what we did there in another post.


We then visited 2 of my uncles' and aunties' houses after that, and continued with a gathering with the wifey's relatives on Day 3 where the feasting inevitably continued.


Day 3 was also the day the monkies looked forward to the most, as they were reunited with their buddies. The adults even managed to get together for a lohei session.


I think come next year, we need a larger table. Heh.


When the kiddos finally played their fill, it was close to midnight so it was no surprise that Day 4 would see us spending most of the day at home. Save for a dim sum brekkie and a visit to the temple to pay our respects to our deceased grandparents, it was a day of recuperation... and wondering how on earth did the long weekend pass by so darn fast???

But overall, it had been a great 4 days worth of CNY fun for everyone. Now, we have the March School Holidays to look forward to!

Hope you enjoyed your Chinese New Year with your family and friends too!
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Tanjong Pagar Railway Station Open House

February 25, 2015, 6:59 pm
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It has been slightly more than three years and a half since the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station bade farewell to the last train.  Although gazetted as a National Monument in 2013, the now silent station is but an empty shell and remains out of bounds to the general public save for special events.

Well not anymore. The second day of the Chinese New Year saw the beginning of the station being made accessible to everyone on public holidays. And when there is a chance to allow my monkies to be exposed to a part of Singapore's history, you can be certain we will be there.


Very cooperative models I have got, no?

The distinctive architectural style of the building is an ornamented Art Deco one - an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. On its exterior are four pillars with large statues, each symbolising one of the then Malaya’s four economic pillars, Agriculture, Industry, Commerce and Transport.


Inside the main public hall, the lobby features batik-styled mosaic mural panels filled with Malayan scenes: rice planting, rubber tapping, shipping activities, bullock cart transport, crop-growing and tin mining.


But there was always only going to be one place that the monkies were going to zoom to.


The railway tracks, of course!


How often can one get to walk - or sit on - an actual railway SAFELY? Heh.

It turned out that there were quite a number of other families and people who took the opportunity to drop by the station and snap photos against the scenic backdrop. The wifey and I, included.


One of the last remaining bits of heritage left in the Tanjong Pagar area, the station is truly a place that offers a serene surrounding that can no longer be found in modern Singapore. Like a place forgotten by time, the silent beauty of the station took us back to a time when Singapore was much simpler as the monkies had a field day exploring the many now-empty control brick rooms.


Personally, I would have loved it more if there were fringe activities such as a guided tour and a photo exhibition depicting the grand contributions of the station, so that families with young kids can learn more and partake in its history. Perhaps for future Open Houses?

But either way, it is definitely a great place to visit the historical monument for a leisurely stroll along the track with the family and obviously, take photos and more photos.


It is always important to allow places of historical significance like the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to remain accessible to the general public, so that not only adults but kids too will be able to know more about its significance to Singapore during its 79 years of operation.


Well, the monkies sure had their fair share of fun.

And if you are thinking of bringing your kids down for a stroll, you do not have to wait until the next public holiday. The station will be open to public again TOMORROW (27 Feb 2015) for a flea market from 6pm to 11pm. Don't miss it!
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12 Great Child-Friendly Restaurants in Singapore (REVISED!)

February 26, 2015, 7:38 pm
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Fresh from revising my list of Singapore's Top Indoor Playgrounds, I figured another list which could do with some updating is the one which involves some of the most Kids-Friendly Restaurants in Singapore.

Because let's face it - parents are always on the constant lookout for restaurants that satisfy both their palates and their children's with extra activities to keep them occupied. So here is a listing of 12 kid-friendly restaurants that we have been to and hopefully, it will also give you some enjoyable and affordable dining options that will leave everyone in your family feeling full and happy.


1. Eatplaylove Cafe

Kids Like: Where else in Singapore can you find a quaint retro cafe that serves up reasonable food fare, coupled with an awesome crafting corner for kids? EatPlayLove Cafe is such a place - a stylish retro cafe with all things vintage, whimsical and full of nostalgia. An entire crafting corner for kids is THE main highlight for kids here, with loads of crafting materials and ideas abound.

Kids Eat: The eatery serves a mix of Thai-inspired cuisine, Western dishes and sandwiches, and the best thing is that the prices are rather reasonable with each dish averaging $10 to $15. Kids should adore the Pineapple rice and Macaroni & Cheese.


Price Range: $$ per pax | Crafting Corner Costs:  $5/child per 2 hrs on Weekdays & $5/child per for 1st hour on Weekends, Public Holidays and School Holidays. Subsequent charges are at $2.50 per 30-minute block. *Craft Prices correct at time of printing

Address: 28 Aliwal Street, Aliwal Arts Centre,#01-07, Singapore 199918
Opening Hours: 12pm - 10pm daily | Closed on Tues


2. Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe

Kids Like: If your kids have as a voracious appetite like mine, you can probably empathize how dining outside is getting tougher on the wallet. So thankfully, there is Saizeriya – a Japanese chain of casual, low-priced Italian Restaurant famed for its wallet-friendly jaw-dropping prices. There are no special playrooms or activities for kids here though, but the food prices are enough to turn us into repeat customers, especially with the Free Flow Kids Drink Bar ($1.40 per child)!

Kids Eat: Just how affordable is the food at Saizeriya? Try the half-dozen escargots for $5.90! Or how about the Pineapple & Bacon pizza at $6.40 and Chicken Bolognese Cheese-baked rice at $4.90? Overall, the food is above average and that alone will keep us going back for more.


Price Range: $ per pax (No service charge and GST)

Address:
Liang Court (177 River Valley Road, #02-22, Liang Court Shopping Centre Singapore 179030)
City Square (180 Kitchener Road, #B2-55/56, City Square Mall Singapore 208539)
Bukit Timah (1 Jalan Bukit Anak, #02-24C, Bukit Timah Plaza Singapore 588996)
Toa Payoh Central (HDB Toa Payoh #02-514, 190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, 310190)
Hougang 1 (1 Hougang Street 91, #01-38 Singapore 538692)
The Cathay (2 Handy Road #B1-25/26/27 Singapore 229233)
Orchard Gateway (277 Orchard Road #B2-11 Orchard Gateway Singapore 238858)
Bukit Batok NS Hometeam (2 Bukit Batok West Avenue 7 #01-07 A/B Hometeam NS Bukit Batok Clubhouse Singapore 659003)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm daily

3. Belly View Restaurant

Kids Like: Tucked away in a hidden corner of Changi is this gem of an alfresco dining place that whips up delicious tze-char food. Families can choose to dine on the boardwalk, right beside a kick-ass scenic coastal view and under the rustling palm trees. Kids will be preoccupied with the mini playground, wooden swing, hammock and the vast open space. Or if that isn't enough, there is always the common sightings of aeroplanes which whizz by as they are making their landing at nearby Changi Airport.

Kids Eat: Admittedly, the main draw here is the secluded location so while the food wouldn’t win any food awards, the tze-char fare is pretty decent. The dishes that particularly stood out were the Fish Head Curry (their signature dish), Home-made Tofu, Salted Yolk Prawns and Fried Mee Sua. 


Price Range: $$ per pax (No service charge and GST)

Address: 10 Changi Coast Walk, National Service Resort Country Club (beside Constant Wind Sailing Centre), Singapore 499739
Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm daily
Website: www.nsrcc.com.sg/dining/belly-view-cafe


4. Nook: D.I.Y. House of Pancakes

Kids Like: If you are looking for a dining place where kids (and the parents) can play with food to their hearts' content, then Nook is it. This is one cool place where you get to make, doodle, flip your own pancakes and eat your own creations! And the best part? The kids polished off every single morsel on their plates without me having to nag.

Kids Eat: Pancakes, pancakes and more pancakes! But in case you are craving for something saltier, the restaurant serves all-day breakfast meals too. But the one must-try item on the menu is Nook’s Awesome Cheese Burger soup – yes, I never knew that slurping the soup form of a cheeseburger could be so addictive!


Price Range: $$ per pax 

Address: Bukit Timah, 21 Lorong Kilat, #01-03, Singapore 598123
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 12pm-9pm | Sat & Sun 10am -10pm |Closed on Tue
Website: http://nook.sg/


5. Marché Mövenpick Suntec City 

Kids Like: At over 1,000 square metres, this newest Marché restaurant – and its third in Singapore - is one absolute winner for families. Of course there are the typical colouring sheets and craft sets to hold the kids’ attention, but what they will really dig is the Windmill-themed play area! Almost twice as large as its counterpart in Marché 313 Somerset, the kids’ double-storey play area comes with a mini-bridge and a stairway leading to a hideout on the second floor.

Kids Eat: Marché takes pride in serving healthy nutritional food. For $10.90+, kids get to choose from homemade pastas, pizzas, rosti and crepes with a drink. For parents with young toddlers, a microwave at the Baby Service Station beside the kids’ corner is available.


Price Range: $$ per pax

Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard #01-612
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm daily
Website:www.marche-restaurants.com/en/marche-moevenpick-suntec


6. The Bank Bar + Bistro

Kids Like: Located in the redeveloped part of the Central Business District (CBD), The Bank Bar + Bistro exudes an old world charm with its dark wood furnishings and leather seats, complete with motifs of Straits Settlement money. But what really endeared me to the place was a separate playroom specially devoted to the kids while the adults tucked into saliva-inducing Weekend Roast and All-Day Breakfast offerings (9am – 6pm on weekends).

Kids Eat: The kids’ menu consists of the usual suspects – ham & cheese sandwich, pancakes, fish & chips and pasta while the adults can take great delight in choosing between Roasted Striploin, Roasted Half-spring Chicken and other All-Day Breakfast items. And here’s something even sweeter - Kids eat FREE all weekend (information correct at press time)! For every main course ordered, your kid will get to enjoy his/her entree FREE-OF-CHARGE.


Price Range: $$$ per pax (No service charge)

Address: #01-01 One Shenton, 1 Shenton Way, Singapore 068803
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 12am | Sat & Sun 9am – 12am
Website: www.thebankbar.com


7. Cafe Melba

Kids Love: Located in the grounds of the Goodman Arts Centre (near Mountbatten MRT), Cafe Melba exudes a laid-back charm, with a rather spacious interior and exterior to match. The café faces an expansive green field,  where footballs and rugby balls are freely available for kids to play with. Come every weekend (or public holidays), two bouncy castles will be set up on the lawns which will no doubt bring joy to every single kid.

Kids Eat: Cafe Melba serves up food inspired from Melbourne and Asia (MELB + A = MELBA). A must-try is the Pancakes, which are fluffy, rather cake-like and non-greasy.


Price Range: $$ -$$$ per pax

Address: 90 Goodman Road, Block N #01-56, Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore 439053
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10am - 10pm | Weekends & PHs 8:30am - 10pm


8. Timbre @ Gillman

Kids Love: Tucked away in a sleepy corner of Gillman Barracks, Timbre @ Gillman is exactly the sort of place where one can afford to kick back and chill the weekend away. Especially if you head down on the first Saturday of every month, where the Saturday Social BBQ will offer lots of craft activities to keep your young ones duly occupied. Or how about the huge open green field to let them just run amok as you sip on your pint of ice cold beer?

Kids Eat: Adults can their their pick from Baby Back Ribs, Pork Sausage, Sirloin Steak, Lamb Leg, Chicken or Squid (between S$12++ to S$18++) and complement with one of Timbre's excellent beer selection. Kids will be able to place their own orders from the Kids Menu via an iPad, which offers the usual suspects like Fish & Chips and Spaghetti Bolognese.


Price Range: $$$ per pax

Address: Block 9A Lock Road, Singapore 108926
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu 4pm - 11.30pm | Fri, Sat & eve of PHs 5pm to 12.30am | Closed on Sun | Saturday Social BBQ Hours - 4pm til late
Website: www.timbregroup.asia/timbresg/main.asp


9. District 10 at UE Square

Kids Like: Who can say no to a hearty brunch on a lazy Sunday morning with the entire family? Especially when a huge bouncy castle is thrown into the mix! That’s right - a Bouncy Castle is specially inflated for the kids every Sunday (11am to 3pm) and it is strategically placed right beside the outdoor dining area, so that parents are able to sneak a peek at what their young-lings are up to via a see-through netting at the side of the bouncy castle.

Kids Eat: We had the Hoegaarden Battered Fish & Chips while the kids tucked into the Eggs Florentine and Pandan-Coconut Pancakes with Gula Melaka Syrup.


Price Range: $$$ per pax

Address: 81 Clemenceau Avenue #01-15/16/17, UE Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 239917
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 11.30am - 12am | Fri & PH Eve 11.30am - 1am | Sat 9am - 12am | Sun & PHs 9am – 11pm
Weekend Brunch Hours: 11am to 3pm *Bouncy Castle on Sundays only.
Website: www.district10.com.sg/uesquare/


10. Slappy Cakes

Kids Like: Another DIY pancakes eatery where kids need no invitation to play with their food, kids can have their say in choosing the pancake batter and toppings. Squirt, slap and paint the griddle with whatever batter you fancy and then splatter it with your choice of fixings and toppings, before eating it all up like a messed up kid. Who says food can't be fun? And the best part - kids can never complain about the food because they made it themselves!

Kids Eat: Purely pancakes with five batter mixes to choose from – Buttermilk, Wholegrain, Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Zucchini. Yes, the latter is a rather refreshing and interesting flavor I have to say.


Price Range: $$ per pax

Address: 
200 Turf Club Road, #01-20/21, The Grandstand, Singapore 287994
26 Sentosa Gateway (next to Universal Studios), #01-29, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore 098269
Opening Hours: 
The Grandstand: Tue - Fri 10am - 9.30pm | Sat, Sun & PHs 8am - 9.30pm | Closed on Mon
Resorts World Sentosa: 8am – 9.30pm daily
Website: www.slappycakes.com.sg


11. Rochester House

Kids Love: Just reopened after an extensive renovation, Rochester House has an outdoor café with a children’s play area that offers both indoor and outdoor fun. No indoor tall spiralling slides here, but The Playhouse is peppered with loads of toys in every corner - a make-believe cooking kitchen play area, an area where dress-up play is encouraged, and even a mini slide with a ball pit. The outdoor area boasts a water play area, garden, trampoline and small cars that kids can drive around the astro turf ‘road’.

Kids Eat: There is plenty of entertainment to keep the little ones occupied while you relax in the adjoining Rochester Cafe, which offers healthy options such as steamed fish and veggies or meat loaf.


Price Range: $$ - $$$ per pax

Address: 7 Rochester Park, Singapore 139218
Opening Hours: Tues - Fri 11am - 8pm | Sat & Sun 10am - 8pm
*The Playhouse: 1 hour Play-pass $8 | 2 hours Play-pass  @ $10 | Unlimited Play-pass @ $15
Website: www.rochesterhouse.com.sg


12. Treehouse Café

Kids Love: Treehouse Café offers indoor treehouse and play area as well as a dedicated programme of activities for children, ensuring that the little ones are well-entertained in a fun and educational environment. Regular activities are held every Sunday and are a hit with children and adults alike. These activities are free for dine-in customers. Art & craft activities are held on first, third and fifth (if any) Sunday of the month from 11.30am - 2.30pm. Face and hand painting and balloon sculpting take place on every second and fourth Sunday of the month from 12.30pm - 2.30pm.

Kids Eat: Established for families who enjoy its child-friendly facilities as well a variety of European and Asian dishes that cater to three generations of diners, the cafe also serves up a Children's Menu which features Pizza, Pasta and Pancakes.


Price Range: $$ - $$$ per pax

Address: 200 Turf Club Road #01-17 The Grandstand, Singapore 287994
Opening Hours: Mon – Thur 11:30am - 9pm | Fri & Eve of PHs 11:30am - 10pm | Sat 10am - 10pm | Sun & PHs 10am - 9pm
Website:www.treehousecafe.com.sg


Do you have any other child-friendly eateries in Singapore to share? 

Do let us know in the comments below! 
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What We Parents Say to our Kids & What They Really Mean

March 1, 2015, 11:57 pm
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As children growing up, we have heard them all.

Now as parents, it is our turn to say them - the things we parents say when we actually mean something else. Because quite frankly, we are a terrible bunch at saying what we mean.

Interestingly, there are so many more layers to the common phrases that many of us say to our kids. On the surface, they’re pretty clear and self-explanatory. But surprisingly, the truth is that they are anything but.

Don't believe? How about these examples... which I am guilty of saying every now and then.


What We Say: Not now, see how.
What We Mean: NEVER.

What We Say: Maybe later.
What We Mean: It's a NO, but I can't deal with your emotions now.

What We Say: After you wake up from your nap.
What We Mean: I hope you forget.

What We Say: Go Ask Mum/Dad.
What We Mean: Go away and go irritate Mum/Dad instead!

What We Say: Because I said so.
What We Mean: Look, there is no way I'm going to lose this battle and this is my last resort.

What We Say: I'm not going to say it again.
What We Mean: I'm resigned to repeating it for the next 100 times.

What We Say: You are going to grow so strong and tall by finishing your vegetables.
What We Mean: I paid for that, and you are going to eat it whether you like it or not.

What We Say: No more toys, you already have so many!
What We Mean: Please motivate me with your tears.

What We Say: Goodnight, sweetie.
What We Mean: I AM FREE!

What We Say: You want to play with my smartphone?
What We Mean: You promise to allow me enjoy some peace right?

All we can now hope is our kids will never learn the true meanings behind our words!
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Grow Greatness with F&N MAGNOLIA Fresh Milk & Win a Staycation!

March 2, 2015, 5:14 pm
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Advertorial

Have you ever wondered how many forests are destroyed due to illegal logging? 

A LOT. 

So in a bid to save the forests and be more ecologically responsible, F&N MAGNOLIA Fresh Milk is switching its packaging to Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™) certified cartons.

Hang on, what's FSC™-certified cartons you ask? 

Simply put, it is a certification that ensures the packaging used in F&N MAGNOLIA Fresh Milk cartons come from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources where new trees replace the ones that are harvested, either planted or naturally regenerated. What this also means is that choosing FSC™–certified cartons supports the conservation of forests and wildlife and help people lead better lives.


But that is not all - we can also do our part to conserve the Earth by recycling the F&N MAGNOLIA FSC™ Fresh Milk cartons as planters for growing our very own urban greeneries at home! Getting started is so ridiculously easy that the monkies wanted to grow their tiny garden all by themselves.


Thanks to F&N MAGNOLIA, we were sent some Starter Kits which came complete with a jiffy pellet (soil) and plant seeds to start the Grow Greatness movement.


After cutting the milk carton in half, we placed the jiffy pellet into the planter box, added 50ml of water and within 10 minutes, it expanded to a height of 50mm! I think the monkies were pretty amazed by its transformation!


Ale then had the honour of placing the seeds onto the surface of the soil.


And that was about it, really. All that was needed was regular watering and a dose of patience.


Over the next few days, the monkies paid the seeds so much attention that I was starting to get jealous. They never once forgot to check on them, water when necessary and Ale even cajoled them into speeding up the growing process.

Well, they must have did something right because, this pretty sight greeted them as the days progressed.


In fact, they had grown so much that we had to transfer the young plants into a bigger pot!


Every kid should know where his/her food comes from, and have at least a basic knowledge of how to plant and nurture a seed to its tasty fruition. PLUS the fact that all of us have a role to play in caring for Mother Nature and cultivating the habit of being ecologically responsible in our future generations.

So not only does the Growing Greatness movement invites families to care for the environment in a fun and interactive manner and support FSC™-certified products at the same time, parents can recycle the new F&N MAGNOLIA FSC Fresh Milk cartons as plant pots for their kids to start an urban garden at home - and bond over a meaningful project in the process.


As an added treat, how about winning a 3D2N stay at Siloso Beach Resort for the family?

Simply take photos of your Grow Greatness plant grown in F&N MAGNOLIA Fresh Milk cartons and upload them on Instagram with hashtags #fnnmagnolia, #magnoliafsc and #growgreatnessSG. THREE lucky winners will each win a 3D2N stay at eco-friendly Siloso Beach Resort! For more information, please visit F&N MAGNOLIA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MagnoliaSG. 

So... how's this for a superb FOUR-in-ONE: Pledge to protect the environment, create your very own urban garden, get a chance to win a staycation at Sentosa AND enjoy that delicious, smooth and creamy taste of F&N MAGNOLIA fresh milk - simply by choosing F&N MAGNOLIA FSC™-certified Fresh Milk cartons!



F&N MAGNOLIA retails at all supermarkets, hypermarkets and participating retail outlets. Visit www.magnolia.com.sg for more details on the full range of wholesome dairy goodness from F&N MAGNOLIA. 
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Saturday Super Chef: Cooking Classes for Children

March 4, 2015, 1:31 pm
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Children love to ask questions and there are lots of ways to feed their curiosity – starting in the kitchen. Because the kitchen can be a fascinating place for children, cooking is a fantastic activity for them to learn and practice a whole range of skills. Plus it gives them an understanding of food and where it all comes from. 

But I know what you are thinking - inviting them into the kitchen to cook is like a recipe for disaster waiting to happen, no?


Well, not if it is a kitchen other than ours!

Camp Asia - the leading Holiday Camps provider in Singapore - is launching its new Saturday Super Chef program where children 6 to 16 years get hands-on cooking and learn the importance of eating healthy food. Run over an 8-week session on Saturdays at Stamford American International School, children in different age groups will learn everything from everyday recipes as well as basic kitchen hygiene and safty which are integral to becoming confident cooks.


After teaching over 1,000 children to whip up recipe after recipe during Camp Asia's Super Chef holiday programs, Head Chef Tim Ong has joined Camp Asia as its resident culinary consultant, so that kids will not have to wait until the next school holiday to enjoy a great cooking experience.


And I was not being patronising when I said great cooking experience. Because having to manage the curiosity - and a barrage of endless questions - of the kids is never easy, I have to say Chef Tim performed admirably when it came to keeping the cooking class well under control as well as keeping the kids' interest piqued at the same time.


The monkies already love helping out in the kitchen at home so you can probably imagine the joy when they found out they were going to whip up four dishes: French Toast, Egg-in-a-hole, Chocolate Fondant and Chocolate Freckles.


Seeing the smiles and joy on the faces of the kids, I guess it isn't difficult to conclude that they all thoroughly enjoyed the cooking experiences.


Especially when it involved the use of a blow-torch!


And the best part of it all? They get to taste whatever they create right after the dishes are done.


I suppose it is nothing less than a 5-star rating then?

But the Saturday Super Chef classes are not all about fun. Not only does cooking teach essential math skills such as measuring and weighing and comprehension skills, letting the kids peel, chop, stir and serve also helps children develop their hand-eye coordination - like separating the yolk from the egg white.


Following a recipe also means focusing on the job in hand and allowing children to develop their concentration skills.


Depending on the age of your child, there are three different age-appropriate 8-week courses: Little Chefs (Ages 6 - 8), Homemade Fast Food (Ages 9 - 11) and Dishes To Save Your Life (Ages 12 - 16). But the same end result holds true for every course - they will be clamouring to try their own creations after the class!


Letting kids learn how to cook gives them an important lifelong skill and one which gives them the opportunity to learn about food and create good eating habits as part of a balanced lifestyle through the growing years. After all, we parents would not want them to solely survive on fast food and instant noodles in future right?


The monkies, along with their friends from EdUnloaded, definitely enjoyed their one-off cooking class with Chef Tim Ong.

But the greatest takeaway from the class was not the chocolate lava cakes they brought home, it was learning a few easy-to-prepare recipes and more importantly, some of the basic rules in the kitchen regarding safety and hygiene.


Besides the weekly Saturday Super Chef classes, check out the Easter Holiday Camps that Camp Asia is running too. In addition to cooking classes, there are science and sports camps to keep kids occupied. View the full schedule HERE.

For more information on the Saturday Super Chef classes, visit www.campasia.asia/saturday-super-chef.

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Delightful Dozen

March 7, 2015, 3:28 pm
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Today is my 12-year wedding anniversary. 

If you include our dating years, we have been irritating each other for close to 16 years. 


Wowsers, TWELVE and SIXTEEN. To be honest though, it sure did not feel that long.

During all these years, we have shared many experiences – some good, some bad – but through it all, we have persevered. Of course we get on each other’s nerves sometimes but somehow, it always gets diffused with doses of laughter and well, just being goofy.


Yes, if there is one thing I have learnt after 12 years of marriage, it has got to be not taking life in general too seriously. That, and looking beyond the faults of our other half.

Because a good marriage is about looking for the small gifts that we do not always see.

She is the kind of wife who counts the good I do more than the bad.

I don't think that I could ever love anyone the way I love Sharon. No one knows me better than she does. All the secrets of my heart are hers to keep and to top everything off, we are blessed with three wonderful children.


But yet, she is my greatest blessing, the one who makes my life full of beautiful things each day.

She is the twinkle in my eye, the ice to my cream, sweet to my dreams and spring in my step.


Most important of all, she is the love of my life.


P.S. The last photo above is taken by Ale by the way. I may be biased, but it's pretty awesome isn't it? :D
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More than 40 March School Holidays 2015 Activities for Kids

March 8, 2015, 2:46 pm
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So... you have survived the first term of a brand new school year. Congrats! Indulge the kiddos in some school holidays fun this March and take your pick from the more than 40 activities  from the list below. I know I know, the school holidays are only 9 days short but you know what that means, don't you? It's never too early to start making those plans now!


Easter Eggstravaganza at Universal Studios Singapore
Now until 5 April 2015
Admission Fees apply


Easter Eggstravaganza at Universal Studios Singapore will see the theme park adorned with flowers and spring hues as well as an all new Easter-exclusive stage show. The new show promises a grand entrance unlike no other, with the Egg Lord flying through New York before inviting guests to his royal luncheon at ‘Eggingham Gardens’. The Royal Lunch at Eggingham Gardens will be an interactive stage show with ‘live’ singing and dancing featuring an original storyline. The friends from Sesame Street will be decked out in Easter outfits, joined by Puss In Boots and Kitty Softpaws who will also give out Easter treats from their golden eggs during Meet and Greet sessions. For more information, visit HERE.

Eggs-tra Special Easter Celebration at S.E.A. Aquarium
Now until 5 April 2015
Admission Fees apply

At the S.E.A. Aquarium, participate in its brand-new Easter breakfast programme where the traditional egg hunt takes a dive below the oceans with guests hunting for eggs across the Aquarium’s habitats while learning about the wonders of marine life, before settling in for a breakfast buffet. The Aquarium’s award-winning Ocean Dreams sleepover programme will also be given an “egg-citing” twist with special Easter activities as well as educating participants on marine life and fun facts about the ocean and marine conservation. For fans of S.E.A. Aquarium’s unique seasonal dive appearances, the Underwater Easter Bunny will be back with daily appearances at the Shipwreck habitat and Open Ocean habitat. For more information, visit HERE.

March Monster Mash
13 - 22 March 2015; 9am - 9pm
Various locations at Gardens by the Bay


This March, head down to Gardens by the Bay for heaps of ‘monstrous’ fun! Have a roaring good time with puppet shows, craft activities, monster installations, workshops, a movie screening, a monster parade, and lots more! Come by in your best monstrous self and be part of this festival. What's more - For local families visiting the conservatories, it’s FREE Admission for every child with every full paying adult! Offer lasts from Friday, 13 March till Sunday, 22 March. For more information, visit HERE.

Movie Screening: Where The Wild Things Are
13 Mar 2015; Supertree Grove
Pre-show Activities 7pm - 7.45pm | Movie Screening | 8pm - 9.45pm
Lay out your picnic mat and enjoy a movie screening of “Where the Wild Things Are”, an adaptation of the classic children’s story from Maurice Sendak.

Monster Installations
14 - 22 Mar 2015: Monster Installations 9am - 9pm | Canvas Decoration | 10am - 6pm
Check out monstrous installations at various locations in Gardens by the Bay! Decorate a blank canvas at The Canopy, or take a self-guided trail through the various monster installations around the Gardens.

Monster Craft
14 - 15 Mar 2015, 21 - 22 Mar 2015; The Canopy | 10am - 6pm
Googly eyes? A pair of large feet in your favourite colour? Get all these at the monster craft booths!

Face Painting & Balloon Sculpting
14 - 15 Mar 2015, 21 - 22 Mar 2015; Various locations | 10am - 6pm
Transform into a funny, scary, quirky or cute monster at our face painting booths, or get a balloon animal to take home with you after your adventures in the Gardens!

Game Booths
14 - 15 Mar 2015, 17 - 22 Mar 2015; Children’s Garden | 10am - 6pm
Try our free game booths at the Far East Organization Children’s Garden.

Puppet Show: Monster Mates
14 - 15 Mar 2015; Children's Garden | 11am & 5pm
Monsters of all shapes and sizes are coming to delight you from every corner whichever way you turn! Come along to the Children’s Garden Amphitheatre and you’ll be surprised by colourful monsters, delightful performers, as well as catchy songs woven into a terrific Monster Tale. An entertaining and enchanting performance for the little ones and all in the family!

Interactive Storytelling: I'm A Fine Storyteller And So Are You!
14 - 15 Mar 2015, 21 - 22 Mar 2015; Flower Dome (Admission fees apply) | 2pm & 4pm
This storytelling session will bring out the storyteller in you! Spin a monster tale or two, why don’t you! How this story develops and how it ends is entirely dependent on you and your brilliant imagination. You’ll jump in and learn to improvise – moving the story in unexpected turns.

Monster, The Epic Play
14 - 15 Mar 2015; Supertree Grove | 7.15pm - 7.40pm
Are you ready for an epic show? If you have a wicked sense of adventure, a terribly brave heart, get ready to have fun!

Monster Tour & Workshop With Celebrities
15 Mar & 21 Mar 2015; Various locations | 3pm - 4.30pm
On the first Sunday, join a local celebrity on a tour of the monster installations and partake in our interactive storytelling session! On the second Saturday, sign up for our Make A Monster Workshop, co-hosted by a celebrity mom.

Interactive Storytelling by National Library Board
16 - 20 Mar 2015 | 2pm & 3.15pm
Organised by the National Library Board, join our interactive storytelling sessions and create new stories each time with our storytellers.

Bouncy Castle
18 - 22 Mar 2015; Supertree Grove | 3pm - 7.30pm
Bounce to your heart’s content in a giant inflatable playground at the Supertree Grove.

Water Play Performance: Splash!
21 - 22 Mar 2015; Children's Garden | 11am & 5pm
A baby fish is born – but he’s terribly monstrous-looking! The ‘little monster’ makes its way, at first all by his lonesome self, and then encountering the monstrous elements in the water. Watch how the little ‘monster’ turns into quite a little hero and shows everyone how life has a way of turning things around. Take in an empowering tale and meet creatures of all kinds splashing about in the water! And hey, you can join in too!

Monster Family Parade
Various locations: 21 Mar 2015 5.30pm - 6.30pm | 22 Mar 2015 4.45pm - 5.45pm
Want to join in a Monster Parade? We bet you would! Come dressed up as a Monster Family and join in the mass songs and dances! And if you survive the crazy fun, you might just win an award for being the best-dressed Monster Family! For some instant Monster accessories, come on down to our Monster Craft booth, or if you are up to the challenge, sign up for the “Make Me a Monster Workshop”. Our friendly folks will help you whip up DIY costumes for you and your family.

SSO @ Gardens by the Bay
22 Mar 2015 | 6.30pm - 7.30pm | The Meadow
Pack your picnic baskets and relax with us at The Meadow for an evening with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. As part of SPH’s Gift of Music series, join Associate Conductor Jason Lai and the SSO as they present a selection of music rooted in love and fantasy at Gardens by the Bay. Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is instantly recognisable while the composer’s Sleeping Beauty Suite will appeal to younger audiences. Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite remains one of the best-known musical interpretations of Shakespeare’s tragic love story, while Stravinsky’s The Firebird marked the composer’s breakthrough to become one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.

Brain Awareness Week
12 - 15 March 2015; 10am - 6pm
Science Centre Singapore
Admission fees to Science Centre apply


What can be more mind boggling than the brain itself? Come join us as we celebrate the Brain Awareness Week at the Science Centre Singapore! Visit HERE for more details on the programmes.

Kids Fiesta 2015: Funtasy Adventure
13 - 15 March 2015; 11am - 9pm
Suntec Convention Halls 401 and 402
FREE Admission, but Amusement rides & Themed activities are chargeable at $25 per Fun Pass


Kids get to eat, play, shop and have fun with the Arts and be exposed to different art mediums. There will be carnival rides, stage performances and Meet & Greet sessions with Batman and Dora. Visit www.kidsfiesta.sg for more details.

The Ultimate Escape Room Challenge
13 - 22 March 2015
Causeway Point, Northpoint and YewTee Point

The Ultimate Escape Room Challenge, modelled after the popular escape game room concept, will take the form of a unique maze setting 9m by 8m situated at the atrium of each mall. Players, in a race against time, must solve a series of puzzles hidden within each maze as they navigate and attempt to escape. Themed ‘Past, Present and Future’, the Challenge will give participants a chance to ‘travel back in time’. Players at YewTee Point will find themselves tasked with ‘retrieving a stolen diamond’ from a baron’s home set in the 19th century. In another game scenario, players at Northpoint will take on the mission of ‘defusing a bomb located at a subway station’ in present day, whilst those at Causeway Point will face ‘an impending alien attack’ in the year 2084.

Shoppers can participate from 13 to 22 March 2015 at Northpoint and YewTee Point and 16 to 22 March 2015 at Causeway Point in teams of no less than two and with a minimum of $20 in no more than three same-mall receipts. Participants in the non-competitive challenges must be 7 years old and above. Those between ages 7 to 12, will have to be accompanied by an adult.


My Little Pony Party Surprise ‘Live’ On Stage
14 - 22 March 2015
Mon – Fri: 2pm & 7pm | Sat & Sun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
City Square Mall, L1 Atrium


Get ready for a magical March School Holidays with a series of song and dance with the characters from My Little Pony ‘live’ on stage! From 14 - 22 March 2015, catch familiar characters like Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack, on their fun-filled pony adventures as they organize a magical birthday celebration for Princess Celestial. With a minimum spending of $50*, shoppers can redeem an exclusive pass for the Meet & Greet session to take a snapshot with them.

The pony extravaganza continues, with opportunities for the entire family to take part in a myriad of
activities featuring live ponies. City Square Mall, in a partnership with Gallop Stable, will be setting upthree stations for families to interact with the ponies. For a package price of $15, saunter around the City Green park on a pony, feed a pony by hand and top the experience off by taking a photo to
capture the moment, complete with a photo printout and frame!

Naturally New Zealand @ Changi Airport
14 March - 5 April 2015; 12pm - 11pm
T3 Departure Check-in Row 11, Changi Airport



Kia Ora! The magic of Middle-earth descends upon Changi Airport this March School Holidays as a part of the Departure Hall at Terminal 3 is transformed into the beloved Hobbiton. Fans of the The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, as well as airport visitors can step foot into the Hobbit Hole, meet Gandalf the Grey as he stands guard over the One Ring and learn about the various scenic terrain such as Matamata Isle and Canterbury Isle. This set up is also the ONLY second authentic Hobbit Hole recreated by the same people who created the Hobbiton Village in the actual Lord of the Rings movie set.

PLUS, step into the Waitomo Cave attraction and take an exhilarating ride on a 5D simulator that promises to thrill both children and adults. This holiday special is available during March school holidays, subsequent weekends and public holiday during the event period.
Dates: 14 to 22 , 28, 29 March, 3, 4 & 5 April 2015
*Present a single same-day receipt with a minimum spend of S$40 (S$80 for supermarkets) from any Changi Airport Shop or Dine outlet to redeem 1 activity pass. Participants of the 5D simulator ride must be above 1.05m in height and at least 4 years old.

March Holidays Carnival 2015 @ United Square
14 March - 5 April 2015
United Square, B1 Atrium

Toonfest Singapore
14 - 15 March 2015; 12pm - 8pm


Usher in the holidays with Cartoon Network’s Toonfest, where kids can shake it up with their favourite Cartoon Network stars from Adventure Time, Regular Show, Amazing World of Gumball, Ben 10: Omniverse, Steven Universe and many more. Experience a different kind of buzz with some exciting games and fun activity booths.

Meet & Greet Timings:
3pm: Gumball & Darwin | 5pm: Finn & Jake |7pm: Gumball & Darwin

Peppa Pig’s First ‘LIVE’ Meet & Greet in Singapore
17 - 25 March 2015; 17 – 22 March: 1pm, 3pm & 7pm | 23 – 25 March: 7pm


Get closeup with Peppa, a loveable, cheeky little piggy, and her little brother George at their first
appearance in Singapore. Kids can also take part in fun activities between 17 to 25 March. Be the first 100 families per session to Meet and Greet Peppa Pig and George. Spend $30 in a single same-day receipt to qualify. Limited passes will be issued 1 hour before each show.

Sentosa KidZ Flea!
14 - 22 March 2015; 2pm – 7pm
Beach Plaza (Beach Station), Sentosa
FREE Admission


The kids may be in charge, but everyone can enjoy Sentosa Kidz Flea, an international award-winning event for enriching family fun! Uncover treasures amongst new or pre-loved toys, books, accessories and handicrafts at great bargains. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Rare Disorder Society, Singapore. Check out some of the other fringe activities in the poster above too! For more information, visit HERE.

iCreate Workshop 2
14 - 22 March 2015
10.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm daily
Infocomm Experience Centre (iExperience)
Free Admission

iExperience is conducting a series of fun and exciting iCreate Workshops for children aged 7 - 12 years old from 14 to 22 March 2015. The workshops are specially designed to allow children to explore, innovate and create animated content.

There will be 2 sessions daily from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm. In these 2-hours, children will develop creative thinking skills in character creation and story development during the process of creating animated content. This workshop will provided children with hands-on experience to think creatively and independently. Children will participate in activities that reflect their ability and creativity.

Each workshop is limited to 12 participants. Availability is subjected to a first-come-serve basis. Registration for the iCreate Workshop is FREE. To sign up now, please email iExperience at iexperience@ida.gov.sg or call 6820 6880 with your child's name, age, contact number, preferred date and session. Visit HERE for more information.

Ollie & Friends LIVE Show
14, 15, 21 & 22 March 2015; 1pm & 6.30pm
West Coast Plaza


Sing and dance along with Ollie, Cherry and friends in a delightful tale about time travel, at the Ollie & Friends ‘Live’ Show at West Coast Plaza this school holiday! Meet and Greet your favourite characters, and have a photo opportunity with Ollie and Cherry too! Let your child’s creativity be unleashed at the Art & Craft Workshop as they learn to craft common household items into useful works of art.

The Pillow Police Pyjama Party
14 March 2015; 12pm - 7pm
Lot 1 Garden Roof
Free Admission


Held in conjunction with World Sleep Day 2015, The Pillow Police Pyjama Party! is a fun carnival for families. With performances, games and a lucky draw, all parents and children are sure to have an enjoyable time. Many goodie bags and prizes to be given away, and admission is free! For more information, visit www.thepillowpolice.com.

SG50 Concert Series in the Park
14 March 2015; 4pm onwards
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Grand Lawns I & II
Free Admission


In celebration of Singapore's 50th birthday, a series of free outdoor concerts will be held in our parks, featuring a mix of performances by well-known local talents and community groups. Look out for exciting fringe activities too!

St. Patrick's Day Festival
14 - 15 March 2015
Circular Road at Boat Quay
FREE Admission

Celebrate the rich culture, arts, commuity and all things fun and Irish on St. Patrick's Day Street Festival in Singapore! The St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival in Singapore is an exciting event not to be missed – a time of the year when people around the world dress up in green, and celebrate the rich culture, arts, community and all things fun and Irish! The highlight of the Festival is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which will be held on Sunday 15 March 2015 at 3.30pm. The annual street party will begin around 5pm, with entertainment and refreshment galore. Visit HERE for the calendar of events.

Chingay 2015 @ Heartlands
14, 15, 21 & 28 March 2015
Various locations


Marine Parade GRC, Mountbatten & Potong Pasir
Start Point: Serangoon Avenue 3 (right in front of Braddell Heights CC)
End Point: Bedok North Ave 1, S(461035)
Date: Saturday, 14 March 2015
Time: 6.30pm-10pm

Bukit Panjang Town
Start Point: Blk 140 – 141 Petir Road S670141
End Point: Blk 140 – 141 Petir Road S670141 (return to starting point)
Date: Sunday, 15 March 2015
Time: 7pm-10.30pm

West Coast GRC & Pioneer
Start Point: Blk 664C Jurong West Street 64, S(643664)
End Point: Blk 78B, Telok Blangah Drive, S(100078)
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2015
Time: 6pm-10.30pm

Nee Soon GRC
Start Point: Hard court outside Blk 320 Sembawang Drive
End Point: Multi-purpose court in front of Block 838, Yishun Street 81
Date: Saturday, 28 March 2015
Time: 6.30pm-10pm

The Great Egg-Venture
14 March - 5 April 2015
Sentosa Harbour Front
Normal island admission applies


Hop on down to Sentosa HarbourFront and join in Singapore’s biggest egg hunt! Gather your family and friends to search for 100 giant eggs and you could win attractive prizes! For more information, visit thegreateggventure.com.

Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas
14 March – 19 July 2015
Mon - Sun 10am - 7pm | Fri 10am - 9pm
Free Admission for Singaporeans & PRs
SAM at 8Q


Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas, an exhibition for everyone and anyone with a head for ideas and a heart for adventure, is the new edition of SAM’s much-loved annual contemporary art exhibition for children, begun in 2010 and now in its fifth year. In the spirit of SG50, this year's exhibition is inspired by the crescent moon on the Singapore flag, a symbol of a young nation on the rise and with it, the capacity to dream big and think large. What might we be able to envision and aspire to? What worlds could we imagine for ourselves and create for others? Particularly targeted at children, Imaginarium is both immersive and interactive with interactive and immersive artworks and hands-on activities at every turn.

LEGO Friends LIVE @ LEGOLAND Malaysia
14 March - 28 June 2015


Discover the magic of friendship and enjoy the original LEGO Friends song and amazing dance performances. The LEGO Friends Show is a brand new production, exclusively written for LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. Showtime are Tuesday through Sunday with 3 performances per day at LEGO City Stage.

ZOUKIDISCO!
15 march 2015; 1.30pm - 3.30pm or 4pm - 6pm
Phuture, Zouk
$10 per pax


Wanna boogie with your babies to some bouncy beats? Come shimmy the afternoon away at ZOUKIDISCO!, a day-time dance party for you and your kids! Expect a whole lot more than just dancing; with loads of family-friendly surprises and activities in store for you! Only kids from 1-9 years of age and their friends and families are allowed entry. Purchase tickets HERE.

Tranium MegaChamps Holiday Workshops
16 - 20 March 2015
Details in the brochure below
Visit HERE to sign up


Let's Play Pretend!
Junction 8: 16 - 22 March 2015, 12pm - 8pm at Level 2 Atrium
Sembwang Shopping Centre: 16 - 22 March 2015, 12pm - 8pm at Level 1 Atrium


At Junction 8, learn more about being a Doctor, Policeman, Pilot, Chef, Cashier and Horticulturist through fun and enriching role-play activities simply by spending $30. Earn 2,400 star coins and a funtastic premium when you successfully complete all 6 careers!

Head down now to Sembawang Shopping Centre and learn more about being a Musician, Ballerina, Scientist, Artist, News Broadcaster and Teacher simply by spending $30. Earn 2,400 star coins and a funtastic premium when you successfully complete all 6 careers too!

ActiveSG SGT Ken Boot Camp Series
19 & 20 March 2015
Details in the brochure below
Visit HERE to sign up


The Right Choice Family Festival
18 March 2015; 12pm - 9pm
Westgate, L1 (Outside Samsung)
Free


The Right Choice wants to shape the eating habits of primary school children, as they can go a long way in affecting one’s health all the way to adulthood. The Right Choice Family Festival is a fun-filled event for families held during the March school holidays. Children can show their artistic side where they can decorate postcards using different fruits and vegetables. Themed around the topic of healthy eating, attendants will be able to indulge in fun games and activities, and pick up tips on food and nutrition along the way. Visit http://therightchoice.sg/ for more information.

Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf – 3 Wishes
20 – 22 March 2015
20 March (7pm), 21 March 2015 (3pm & 7pm), 22 March (11am & 3pm)
Esplanade Theatre
$108, $88, $78, $68, $58, $38


Five goats discover a bottle with a magician, Kalala, in it. Kalala boasts to grant his master three wishes with his limited magical power. This is overheard by the cunning Wolffy who steals the magic bottle. However, the three wishes of Wolffy do not come true, and he turns into a big pig head instead. Through the musical, the adorable Pleasant Goat and family will be sharing more on going green, friendship and also the love for Mother Earth. For more information and to buy tickets, visit HERE.

Balloon Paradise
20 - 22 March 2015; 10am - 10pm
Marina Square, Central Atrium

From the team who brought you the World's Largest 3D Balloon Sculpture in 2012 and Singapore's Largest Balloon Landscape in 2013, Marina Square brings to you a new thematic balloon display at the Central Atrium from 20 to 22 March 2015!

SmartKids Asia 2015
20 -22 March 2015; 11am - 9pm
Singapore Expo, Hall 5
FREE Admission


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. Visit www.smartkidsasia.com for more information.

Meet & Greet SpongeBob SquarePants
20 March 2015: 1.30pm - 2pm; 7pm - 7.30pm
21 March 2015: 12pm - 12.30pm; 7.30pm - 8pm
22 March 2015: 12pm - 12.30pm; 6pm - 6.30pm

Meet & Greet Kai-Lan
20 March 2015: 5pm - 5.30pm
21 March 2015: 4.30pm - 5pm
22 March 2015: 4.30pm - 5pm

Fairly OddParents Playzone
Spend a day at Fairly OddParents Playzone and have a go at the Lifesize Puzzle, Lifesize Twister, Giant Inflatable Castle, TV Screening and more!

Beauty and the Beast
21 March - 19 April 2015
Tue - Fri: 8pm | Sat: 2pm & 8pm| Sun: 1pm & 6pm
Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands
$65, $85, $115, $145, $170 & $190


From the producers of The Lion King, the award-winning production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST comes to Singapore in March 2015. This new touring production has been put together by the original creators of the Broadway production, including the Tony Award winning costumes from Ann Hould-Ward. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features the animated film's Academy Award®-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. For more information and tickets, visit HERE.

Movies GALORE!


The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water - Now showing
Disney's Cinderella - Opening 12 March 2015
Asterix: The Mansion of Gods - Opening 12 March 2015
Barbie In Princess Power Dress Up Party - Opening 12 March 2015
The Last: Naruto the Movie - Opening 12 March 2015

Bird watching Along the Southern Ridges
21 March 2015; 7.30am - 9.30am
Telok Blangah Hill Park, Multipurpose Plaza
FREE

Join us for a bird watching tour at the Southern Ridges, where up to 43 species of birds have been spotted so far. Volunteer guides from STMicroelectronics will take you through the Forest Walk and the Singing Forest in search of these beautiful birds. Do bring along a pair of binoculars or a camera with a zoom function for a better experience. Register HERE.

What's in my sky?
21 March 2015; 9.30am - 11am
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre
FREE

Join us in this free guided walk and learn to identify many amazing birds of different species that passes through or make Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve their home. Register HERE.

Big Hero 6 Movie Screening
21 March 2015; 7.30pm
myVillage @ Serangoon Garden - Rooftop (L3)
FREE Admission


I guess this movie needs no introduction at all. Fringe activities start at 5.30pm, while the movie screening is at 7.30pm. For more information, visit myvillage.sg/event/filmhousefest2015.

Singapore World Water Day
21 March 2015; 8am - 12pm
Various locations
For more information, visit HERE

Every drop counts this Singapore World Water Day, on 21 March 2015. Learn about how you can do your part to conserve, value and enjoy water in the month of March. Everyone is welcomed to celebrate Singapore World Water day in their own way.

Walk for Water
8am - 9.30am; Garden by the Bay (East) to Sports Hub
Walkers can expect to take in the scenic morning view of the Marina Reservoir as they join in the community to walk towards Sports Hub. Organized by Dunman High School, the 2km walk is suitable for people of all ages, so bring your family and friends to come join in the fun for World Water Day! Registration is free. To register, please fill in your details at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/PUBworldwaterday and you will be contacted shortly.

Zumba
8am – 9am; OCBC Square, Singapore Sports Hub
A session of Zumba is like a night out dancing with your pals. You will be wiggling your hips and dancing the fast footwork for a mix of Latin dance styles such as Cumbia, Salsa, Mambo, Flamenco, Chachacha, Reggaeton, Samba, Belly Dancing, and more. This session is open to the public, no registration is required.

Water Activities Try-outs
Dragonboat: 9.45am – 10.30am
Kayaking: 9.45 am – 12pm
Venue: Water Sports Centre, Singapore Sports Hub
Slap on those sunscreen and have your shot at trying out fun water activities like kayaking and dragonboating at the Water Sports Centre on World Water Day! Registration is free, and will be done onsite on 21 March at the Water Sports Centre.

Carnival Run @ Bedok Reservoir
6pm - 10pm; Bedok Reservoir Park
Held in conjunction with Singapore World Water Day, the inaugural Carnival Run @ Bedok Resrvoir aims to bring running enthusiasts across the island along with the residents of the Aljunied Cluster for an evening of exercise and fun along Bedok Reservoir. For more information, click here.

Ecolife by the Riverplains
21 March 2015; 9am - 11am
Bishan Park-Ang Mo Kio Park, Promenade
FREE

Ecolife is a two-hour tour which introduces the biodiversity found in Riverplains through the use of interactive exploration and activities. The tour aims to encourage family bonding as parents learn about nature together with their children. Worksheets are provided, and there would be plenty of opportunities for hands-on activities, such as making your very own underwater viewing scope! Register HERE.

Trees of the Fort
21 March 2015; 4pm - 5.30pm
Fort Canning Park, Roundabout between Fort Canning Centre and Hotel Fort Canning
FREE

Did you know that a Kapok tree can grow up to 40 metres high? Let nature-loving guides bring you on a journey to find out more about our heritage trees and other beautiful trees like the towering Kapok, flaky Gelam and magnificent Madras Thorn! Register HERE.

The Metta Charity Walk cum Family Carnival 2015
22 March 2015; 9am - 4pm
Metta Building/Metta School
FREE Admission


Metta Welfare Association annual charity event, Metta Charity Walk and Family Carnival 2015 aims to raise funds for its beneficiaries including those with intellectual disabilities, the elderly and terminally ill, while promoting healthy living and family bonding. For more information, visit www.metta.org.sg/mettacarnival2015/.

Aesop's Fables
Now until 21 March 2015
Tue - Fri: 10am & 2.30pm | Sat - Sun: 10.30am, 2.30pm & 5pm
Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel
Standard $32 & $30


Watch a selection of Aesop's most famous, and most interesting stories, using marvellous mask, puppetry, live action and song. With a mixture of fun, excitement and silliness, witness the lives, lunches and misadventures of a band of scruffy, silly and sometimes stubborn creatures, as they learn life's little wisdoms, and bigger secrets. For more details and tickets, visit HERE.

National Orchid Garden School Holidays Special
Now until 22 March 2015; 8.30am - 7pm daily
National Orchid Garden
FREE admission for students and accompanying adults


From 7 to 22 March 2015, students and accompanying adults can visit the National Orchid Garden for free.

Free admission terms and conditions
1. Children 12 years old and below. 
2. Students are required to present valid student cards.
3. Adults accompanying children and/or students for the visit.
4. Not applicable to tour groups and tickets purchased in advance.

National Gallery Singapore’s Portraits of the People
Now until 27 March 2015
Various locations

To celebrate Singapore’s big 5-0, The National Gallery is rallying the public to submit their self-portraits through Portraits of the People.  These art works are collected via travelling events island-wide and via the newly launched website www.portraitsofthepeople.sg. The collected art works will be curated to form the centrepiece of a unique and permanent commemorative walkway – the Art Connector – which will stretch from City Hall MRT station to the entrance of the new Gallery along Coleman Street.

The process of self-sketching is easy – it will take about 15 minutes and facilitators will be on hand to guide you as you sketch your portrait. You can try it out at the following locations:

Hougang Mall: 6 – 12 Mar | 11am – 9pm | Atrium A, Level 1
Central Public Library: 13 - 22 Mar | 11am – 8pm | My Treehouse Exhibition Area
Bishan Public Librar: 13 - 22 Mar | 11am – 8pm | Exhibition Area, Basement 1
Bedok Public Library: 13 - 22 Mar | 11am – 8pm | Spaceman Zone, Level 3
UOB Plaz: 23 - 27 Mar | 11am - 6pm | UOB Plaza Atrium

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Mandarin) 
金发姑娘和三只熊
Now until 29 March 2015 
Mon - Fri : 10am | Sat & Sun: 11am, 2pm
DBS Arts Centre
Weekdays (Mon - Fri): $25, $22, Family Package of 4: $85 for Cat 1 tickets
Weekends (Sat & Sun): $35, $32, Family Package of 4: S$119 for Cat 1 tickets


 Following the hugely successful English production in 2013, SRT's The Little Company presents the Mandarin version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the second instalment of TLC's Trio-series featuring music and lyrics by the Laurence Olivier award-winning West-End musical theatre songwriting duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. For more information and tickets, visit HERE.

Da Vinci: Shaping the Future
Now til Mid-May 2015; 10am - 7pm daily
ArtScience Museum
Standard: Adult $22 | Senior Citizens (>65) $22 | Child (2-12) $14
Local Residents: Adult $18 | Senior Citizens (>65) $16.50 | Child (2-12) $9.50 


Da Vinci: Shaping the Future is a journey through the work and legacy of the most celebrated artist and scientist of all time, Leonardo da Vinci. Presenting original masterpieces by da Vinci for the first time in Southeast Asia, the exhibition focuses on the Codex Atlanticus, da Vinci’s largest notebook. There is a great range of child-friendly activities in Da Vinci: Shaping the Future which can keep children and their parents occupied for hours! From interactive exhibits throughout the route through the exhibition, to take-home activities and creative, hands-on workshops, there is something to suit all ages and learning styles.

*Family Fridays: Starting from 23 January, children under 12 years old enter for free with every adult ticket purchased. Visit HERE for more information.

Counting Sheep, Dreaming Goats
Now until 27 September 2015
Monday 1pm - 7pm | Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am - 7pm
Singapore Philatelic Museum, Level 2
Free admission for Singapore Citizens & PRs

The exhibition aims to bring children into the fluffy, cheeky world of goats and sheep. Here, children get to learn about the small ruminants, one of the first animals to be domesticated. They will meet four-legged friends from different stories and cultures, and get up-close and personal with beautiful goat themed stamps from around the world. For more information, visit HERE.
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A Gastronomical Adventure at Far East Square + Giveaway!

March 9, 2015, 8:38 pm
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The next time you are looking for a non-crowded place to bring the family for a good meal during weekends, Far East Square may be your best bet. Located in the very heart of Singapore’s central business district, it is a heritage conservation project with a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, and pubs, as well as shops, pushcarts and kiosks.

Although brimming with the lunch time crowd on weekdays, it is an ideal place for families come weekends as parking and restaurant vacancies are relatively a breeze! Did you know that Far East Square is home to almost 30 food and dining outlets? Ranging from authentic Min cuisine from Fuzhou, Cantonese delights as well as specialities from Thailand, Japan, Korea, India, local Singapore flavours to coffee and tea cafes, as well as sandwich, cake and pastry shops, it took a Food Trail for me to realise that Far East Square truly is the place of a delightful palate of exquisite flavours!

First up on our Food Trail was Ju Chun Yuan, a century-old Chinese restaurant that serves up an extensive Min cuisine from Fuzhou. All the dishes are freshly made and come piping hot, featuring different types of Fuzhou dishes. 


The stand-alone restaurant is situated in what was once the Chui Eng Free School, established in 1854, and one of the first Chinese free schools to provide free education to the poor.


Since it was close to Chinese New Year when we visited the restaurant, there was no way we - or the monkies - were going to pass up the chance for a good lohei session.


The Ju Chun Yuan Salmon Yu Sheng Platter was not only pretty to look at, it was one of the best yusheng I have ever tasted. Not overly sweet, it was a delightful mix of freshness and crunchiness -all rolled into one.


After an appetizing start, we delved right into the main dishes and the Wok-fried Prawns with Chef Recipe Sauce did not disappoint.


Huge, juicy and succulent, the prawns were well complemented by the recipe sauce. But if there was one dish that earned the right as the best dish in the eyes of my monkies, it would have to be this.


Okay, so food blogger I am not but the Fuzhou Style Steamed Soon Hock Fish definitely tasted way much better than the photo depicts. Extremely fresh, this fish had the monkies begging for second, third and fourth helpings!

A personal favourite of mine was the Golden Crispy Chicken with Deep-fried Garlic & ‘Hua Yan’ Salt. At first bite, I was hit by the aroma of the little crackly bits of garlic amongst the crunchy skin of the chicken. Let's just say I did not stop at one.


For something a little lighter, the Wok-fried Vegetables with Black Fungus & Gingko Nuts was a refreshing change.


And since Ju Chun Yuan is famed for its Fuzhou dishes, it would be criminal if we did not sample some of its Fuzhou Street Food, such as Pan Fried Pork Bun, Yam & Pork Cake, Red Glutinous Cake, White Glutinous Cake and Pork Skin Dumpling Soup.


As if our bellies were not already bursting from all the fantastic food, we still had another stop - this time at JIN Fine Dining which turned out to be quite the culinary dining experience for all of us!


Housed within AMOY Hotel, JIN Fine Dining is helmed by one of Singapore’s pioneers of Japanese food, Thomas Kok who prides his food on the use of fresh quality ingredients along with skillful technique and creativity. And my, it clearly showed in the dishes we sampled.

The Hokkaido Snow Beef with Hokkaido Rice was simply put, delicious! The marbled beef slices were very well-marinated, and the rice - which was specially flown in from Hokkaido I was told - was spectacular. After so many years of eating rice, I frankly did not expect rice to be capable of tasting so good.


It was a tough fight though, when the Signature Bara Chirashi with Hokkaido Rice found its way onto our table. The fish were undoubtedly fresh, which came in generous portions of huge chunks and hid the rice! Again, the rice was delicious and flavourful, and had bits of pickles which gave it an interesting texture.


The Ikura Chawamushi was unlike the usual run-of-the-mill chawamushi that the monkies are familiar with. For one, the ikura (or salmon roe) is specially imported from Hokkaido as they are not too salty. Well, it turned out that the ikura provided the perfect complement to the comforting taste of the steamed egg.


Just when I thought that nothing could absolutely top our meal, this came along.


The Saga Beef Amiyaki ihad all of us fighting over every single piece. Beef from Saga - located on northwest part of Kyushu island - comes from cattle that are free from stress and fed on special compound feed of corn, wheat and barley. To ensure the best beef, they are slaughtered only when they are generally 30 months old. And the quality of the beef clearly showed, which melted effortlessly when placed into our mouths. A definite must-try if you are dining there!


With only two restaurants conquered during the Food Trail, this means that we will certainly be back to try out other dining options at Far East Square in the next few months. So do stay tuned for more of the monkies' gorging adventures!

And should you fancy some gorging of your own, how about winning a $50 Far East Square Dining Voucher? I have TWO to give away and all you have to do is to complete the following steps:

1. Name 3 F&B outlets located at Far East Square.
*HINT: Visit www.fareastsquare.com.sg/home/index.aspx?key=dining for answers!
2. Leave your answer in the comments of this blog posr OR on our Cheekiemonkies' Facebook corresponding post HERE.

*Giveaway will end on 17 March 2015, 2359 hours.


Useful Information

Ju Chun Yuan
130/132 Amoy Street, #01-01
Opening Hours 11.30am to 3.00pm & 6.30pm to 9.30pm (Mon to Fri), 10.00am to 3.00pm & 6.30pm to 9.30pm (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)

JIN Fine Dining
01-02 Far East Square, 74 Telok Ayer St, Amoy Hotel, Singapore 048464
Opening hours: 7am to 10am; 10.30am to 2.30pm; 6pm to 10pm
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My New Book

March 11, 2015, 6:57 pm
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I'm absolutely chuffed to reveal the title and cover of my upcoming book - coming soon to a bookstore near you!


Got Kids, Go Where? will reveal 50 chapters of stuff to do with kids in Singapore, each chapter listing 10 activities bursting with fun. Yes, that is a whopping 500 family-friendly activities for you to take your pick from, from play, heritage, nature, eating places to even short trips out of Singapore. 

Penning this book took me more than 4 months of research. And honestly, if I had ever mentioned that authoring a book is easy, I take that back right now. It IS hard work! Especially since there were the distractions of hosting my blog's month-long 10th Anniversary Giveaway and the wifey's mysterious bout of illness along the way.

All that is left now is the editing portion of the book, as well as choosing appropriate images for the various chapers. If everything goes well - fingers crossed! - the book will launch just in time for the June School Holidays. 

And yes, rest assured that there will be more updates coming your way in the coming months.

Must support, ok?

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Letting Kids be the Stars of their own Books and Videos

March 12, 2015, 9:00 pm
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When it comes to learning for young kiddos, nothing beats personalization. Especially when the child sees himself or herself the star in a storybook or music video, the engagement tends to be much more,


Newly launched by Kloneworld, the free-to-download app features Toozo Town, a virtual world where kids can see their avatars come to life in a wide range of music videos and e-books.


Somehow, the idea of customization never fails to appeal to kids or in my case, Ale who wasted no time in hogging my smartphone to create her own avatar (or Klone).


Putting oneself into the storybooks or videos is easy and all it takes is to upload a photograph of your child through the app. Set-up is relatively fuss-free but there is an important criteria of the uploaded mugshot: Keep the mouth closed, and face neutral to avoid without any prominent expressions. Yes, no pouting, smiling or any other monkie faces your child is capable of.


There is a very good reason for that. You see, Kloneworld's unique face capture technology is able to create several expressions from just one simple mugshot!

And even though it was conceived as an offering for kids, Kloneworld is not just for them. Parents are also welcome to upload their facial photos, and join in the fun together as well.


Once the photos are done and dusted, the real fun begins. There are quite a number of e-books to choose from and creating a personalised one is a breeze. All the monkies had to do was to select the book and photo, and wait for the e-book to be ready.


Ta-dah! Just like that, Ayd had become the star of his own story!


The great thing about making your children a character in a particular story is they will be less likely to forget the story if they see themselves in the e-books.


The same goes for the music videos, which is so easy to create that I suspect that Ale will be able to do it with her eyes closed.



Remember what I said about parents joining in the fun as well? There are some e-books and music videos that allow for photos of both parent and child to be uploaded, and star in the same story or video together!


It turned out that my participation was short-lived, as Ayd was clamouring to create his own customised story (and video) with his sister.


I had the opportunity to meet the creators of Kloneworld, and they told me that everything is based on the premise that children should have access to a safe and fun platform for learning and entertainment, especially in today’s world when violent and unsuitable content is just a few clicks away. Hence, cue the birth of Toozo Town and its cute inhabitants.

And judging from the monkies' response, I would say it is a hit with them!


And for kids who wish to have something more physical to interact with, the e-books that have been created in the app can be ordered, printed and delivered to them with a click of a button! 


Okay, maybe not in such a huge way but you get the idea.

I would have to say the monkies enjoy the app greatly. Ale especially, loved seeing her photo in the books and videos, and has asked me and the wifey to sit with her to read and watch several times. I think it is because she thinks she looks so darn cute in the app!


On a more serious note, I like that there is an educational aspect to the app – educational is always good! And having books and videos that can be personalised can play a big part in this education. Best of all, the app is FREE* to download! Download it HERE.

PLUS, Kloneworld will be setting up a booth (No. E22) at SmartKids Asia 2015  from 20 to 22 Mar 2015 (11am - 9pm) at Singapore Expo, Hall 5. Visit the booth to receive an animated movie starring your child COMPLETELY FREE!

*The app is free to download, but has some paid content. However, products can also be redeemed by koins. Everyone starts off with 1,000 koins, and you can invite friends to the app and get koins for free.

For more information, visit www.kloneworld.com.
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Hobbits Have All the Fun this March School Holidays at Changi Airport

March 14, 2015, 9:45 am
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If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, then you might just want to pay Changi Airport T3 a visit this March School Holidays! 


Yes, the magic of Middle-earth has descended upon Changi Airport as a part of the Departure Hall at Terminal 3 is transformed into the beloved Hobbiton. Not only can kids and adults step foot into the Hobbit Hole, visitors can meet Gandalf the Grey as he stands guard over the One Ring.


Seize the chance to learn more about the various scenic terrains that make up The Shire, Erebor and Hobbiton Woods through hands-on exhibits and puzzles.


Since Lord of the Rings is closely associated with New Zealand, the Naturally New Zealand exhibition also incorporates a modern facet of New Zealand, where popular sports such as rugby, golf and cycling are featured. New Zealand has gained much notable success in rugby, and the exhibition features the world-renowned All Blacks rugby team, including their autographed rugby ball. There is also a mini golf area which visitors can try their hands at the sport.


Admittedly though, the highlight has got to be the recreation of the Hobbit Hole right in the heart of the exhibition.


This set up is also the ONLY second authentic Hobbit Hole recreated by the same people who created the Hobbiton Village in the actual Lord of the Rings movie set. The first was created in London, which was for the world première of the final film in The Hobbit Trilogy.

And it really is as authentic as it can get - the monkies were amazed to see REAL cherry tomatoes and strawberries growing in the front yard of the Hobbit Hole!


Want more of an adrenaline rush, you say? Then head right to the 5D simulator ride located right beside Hobbiton.


Gear up for a thrilling 5D motion ride experience through the Waitomo Caves as one speeds along the Canyon Coaster! In case you are wondering, the 5D refers to the 3D experience, wind effects and lighting effects, as well as motion seats that simulates the experience of climbing and plunging down a coaster track.


Naturally, the kiddos loved the ride - even Ale who was initially apprehensive in going on the ride.

So you do know where to bring the little ones this school holidays, don't you?


Especially since hobbits and children are around the same height!


Naturally New Zealand @ Changi Airport
14 March - 5 April 2015
12pm - 11pm
T3 Departure Check-in Row 11, Changi Airport

5D Simulator Ride
The ride is available during March school holidays, subsequent weekends and public holiday during the event period. Dates: 14 to 22 , 28, 29 March, 3, 4 & 5 April 2015.
*Present a single same-day receipt with a minimum spend of S$40 (S$80 for supermarkets) from any Changi Airport Shop or Dine outlet to redeem 1 activity pass. Each 5D simulator ride pass admits up to 2 persons for a single ride session. Participants of the 5D simulator ride must be above 1.05m in height and at least 4 years old.

For other deals and information, visit www.changiairport.com/visitnz.
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Smelling Like Flowers

March 14, 2015, 5:43 pm
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Remember the stubborn stains inside the collar of school uniforms? Well, after doing laundry ever since my monkies came along, I can assure you the stains are not exclusive to the collars anymore - they are throughout every piece of clothing.  Even after washing, some detergents are still unable to remove the sebum and sweat stains especially those trapped deep within the fabric fibre of your clothes, and build up over time.

Can you imagine how much of that builds up for a family of five in one week's worth of laundry? I shudder at the thought of that because to be honest, I moan at the thought of doing the laundry especially when kids are in the picture.

When the monkies were much younger, they regurgitated their food and milk pretty much whenever they wanted and pooped, well, pretty much all the time too. Laundry time meant grabbing bundles of clothes, dumping them into the washing machine and popping detergent in for a spin. It was then followed by MORE washing cycles of the washed laundry simply because one washing cycle is never enough - which on its own is rather bearable. 

My only bugbear? The wifey and I usually have to do our laundry at night due to work and having to dry our clothes indoors meant a perpetual musty smell lingering on our clothes all the time. And don't even get me started on doing our laundry on rainy days. Definitely not cool at all.

So when Attack, the laundry detergent brand from Japan, sent me their latest Concentrated Liquid Detergent range which promised a lingering aromatic fresh scent on the clothes from wash to wear, I was definitely game to test it out.


The new range now comes in bigger volume with a vibrant new look and boasts three types of benefits for every family's different needs: Superb Clean, Long Lasting Fragrance and Plus Softener.

The Long Lasting Fragrance range comes with a choice of either refreshing floral or fruity scent and as its name implies, the first thing that struck us when we opened those bottles was its fragrance!

Well, it turned out that I was not the only one who was all excited to try out the new detergent range.


Ale was so smitten with both the refreshing floral and fruity scent ones that she insisted on helping out with the laundry immediately.

It was an offer I could not refuse.


The great thing about Attack Concentrated Liquid Detergent is its formula penetrates quickly and deeply into fabric fibres even on areas like collars and cuffs to get rid of sebum stains. As an added bonus - and this to me, was simply what nailed it for me - its deodorizing anti-bacterial formula kills all germs and removes unpleasant odours such as food smells and musty smells even for indoor dried clothes!


Yes, Ale was so proud in helping out with the laundry washing that she had no qualms smelling my previously-smelly-now-turned-fragrant army uniform during my reservist period.

And I have to agree - not only were the clothes clean and stain free after one wash, they really smelled heavenly, especially with the Refreshing Floral variant. Even Ayd could not resist taking a whiff of his newly-laundered sock!


You know how kids absolutely stink after one full day in school? I see lots of parents nodding their heads in unison. Somehow, that irritating perspiration smell on their school uniforms never seem to go away completely after one wash.

But after a week of using Attack's Refreshing Floral detergent, those nasty smells are a thing of the past. Apart from going to school or playing outdoors smelling like flowers, the anti-bacterial properties exterminate all germs too - which made the monkies dub the detergent as the miracle liquid.


Besides the Long Lasting Fragrance range, take your pick from either the Superb Clean or Plus Softener variants. The former is a basic detergent with impressive cleaning power and is specially formulated for all dimensional cleaning, eliminating all dirt and stains for a complete clean wash. If you hate the hassle of having to add additional softener to your laundry load, then the Attack Plus Softener, a 2-in-1 detergent is your solution. Innovatively formulated with fabric softener to keep your clothes clean, soft and smooth in just one step, it also contains Fibre Smoothing Essence which reduces wrinkles on clothes after drying to facilitate easy ironing. 

For us, we are going to stick with the Long Lasting Fragrance range, thanks to its long lasting scent of Attack Perfume from opening of the bottle, to washing, drying and wearing the clothes. To put it in the words of Ale, all of us "now smell SOOOO nice!!!"


With the advanced 3D Clean Action of the Attack Concentrated Liquid Detergent range, having fresh and clean clothes are no longer tedious affairs. And the bonus of it all? The washing is so effortless and fuss-free that the  kids are fighting over to do the laundry!

I can definitely get used to this.


Want to enjoy lingering aromatic scents on your family's clothes? 

Grab the bottles at a promotional price offer of $9.95 (U.P. $12.80) each from now until 31 March 2015! Better yet, spend $12 on Attack Laundry Detergent products and stand a chance to win Attack Hampers worth $50. There are 50 hampers to be won! Terms and Conditions apply and do visit HERE to take part and for more information.

Attack Concentrated Liquid Detergent range is available in 3.6/4kg bottles ($12.80) and 1.4kg refill packs ($4.85), and retailing at leading hypermarkets and supermarkets.
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With Koobits, Your Child Will Never Need A Math Assessment Book Again!

March 16, 2015, 5:00 pm
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I admit one of the perks of being a parenting blogger all these years is getting nifty stuffs to review. What's even better is when it is something that the monkies genuinely end up liking - even if it is related to school work!


Yes, I find it incredulous to believe my eyes at first but it is true. The boys have been genuinely motivated to tackle Math Problem Sums ever since they were exposed to this particular local online Math portal. Every single night, without me having to nag!

The 'magic' Math portal in question? ProblemSums by Koobits.


ProblemSums by KooBits is an online maths learning system for primary students and boasts the largest collection of challenging Math word problems and video lessons, featuring more than 700 mathematical skills for a child to master in the form of daily learning activities. On top of that, it personalises Math learning for each child through a set of customised daily challenges designed based on the child’s learning profile over time.

Already more than 30 primary schools in Singapore have adopted this online Math learning portal as a platform for their pupils to engage in self-directed learning. And after navigating through its website, I only have one question - why are not ALL primary schools using this brilliant portal???


Signing up is a breeze, which the boys accomplished on their own. Each child has his or her own dashboard and comes with an overview of outstanding homework and/or challenges.


The great thing about Koobits' ProblemSums is it breaks down the usual tedious Math problem-solving homework into several bite-sized challenges and enables students to tackle Math challenges as and when they are free and willing. And to top everything off, the challenges are incentive-based which allows students to earn Challenge Points (CP) in order to exchange for wonderful prizes!


And in case you are thinking that kids will be obsessed with completing challenge after challenge so as to redeem more prizes, the number of questions that they can attempt is capped on a daily basis - with the entire system locked after 10pm. Also, students will not be able to access the questions on Sundays, which is in line with the founders' philosophy of having ample play time with the family come weekends! Instead, there is only one mini challenge (10 questions) that kids can practice on Sundays.

Designed to cultivate the potential of children in the subject, ProblemSums features word problems that are organised by topics aligned to the MOE syllabus as well as a differentiated skills map to maximize the kid's level of proficiency.


As the child completes more and more challenges over time, badges and prizes are earned as a form of recognition. In this way, students can progress from a learner to a master of problem sum skills on their own.


The KooBits Math portal goes beyond the traditional MCQ and fill-in-the-blank questions as individual problem-solving process is documented, with the questions requiring students to enter workings for reflective review.


A typical question goes something like this.


There are more than 10,000 problem sums in each primary level which have been set and curated by a team of former teachers so you can be rest assured of the quality of questions. But what has got me clapping my hands in approval is the Pictorial Model function.

If you have a child in Primary School, you will know that there can be no avoiding of drawing bar model diagrams when it comes to solving problem sums.


The ProblemSums portal has an in-built model function which allows a child to draw model diagrams effortlessly!


Needless to say, the wifey and I were left thoroughly impressed. Even more so when the boys ignored our enticement of an ice cream break!


In keeping line with the rapid proliferation of technology, the portal supports login from PC, Mac, iPad, Android or other tablets, and can be accessed from anywhere with Internet connection. A good thing too, since the boys never fail to remind me that they still have uncompleted challenges for the week!

And if you are worried about having to do the marking, fret not as the portal comes with auto-marking features. Step-by-step solutions for all questions are provided using problem solving strategies, heuristics, models and diagrams.


And the underlying motivation to complete the challenges? This.


We parents know that positive reinforcement is very important in keeping a child motivated, confident and ready to achieve even better results. So much like a leaderboard in an online game, Koobits allows every child to compete for top honours by either being the Hero of the Day, Top Brain or even the Champion Primary School Class in Singapore.

How's that for motivation to not only do one's homework, but also to do well?


Friends can also form 'Best Friends Forever' cliques and challenge other buddy groups to earn Challenge Points too!


But perhaps the most important bit for parents is the ability to access their children's homework alerts and progress performance reports.


Parents will be able to keep tabs on their children's progress, weaker Math concepts and number of questions attempted on a weekly basis.


Frankly, I cannot wax lyrical enough about the online Math portal. And I am not saying this because this is an advertorial. Hand to heart, I genuinely believe that this is one portal that benefited my monkies and will continue to do so in the long term.

Already Ash who is allergic to assessment books and would rather play games - like most kids - clamours to complete the challenges daily. All because he wants to compete for top honours and see his name on the Scoreboard!


Okay, so you need another reason to be swayed. How about a FREE 6-month trial for your child to sign up and try it out for himself or herself? There are absolutely no strings attached, and no questions asked after the end of the trial period. Heck, there is even no credit card information needed to register! And should you wish to continue after the trial period, I am told that the subscription fee will cost no more than $30 per year - definitely less than the amount I spend on Math assessment books.

So one question remains: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

With Koobit's ProblemSums portal, you will never need to hunt for boring paper-based Math assessment books again!


To sign up for the FREE 6-month trial, click HERE.
For more information on Koobits, visit http://products.koobits.com/problemsums/   . 
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Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Musical Tickets GIVEAWAY!

March 18, 2015, 6:17 pm
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A tale as old as time, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning smash hit Broadway musical spectacular, comes to Singapore on 21 March 2015 for the first time as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations with a first-ever international tour!


Based on the 1991 Academy-Award winning much-loved animated feature film - which coincidentally is the wifey's favourite of all time - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

The musical boasts Tony Award-winning costumes and music by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Tangled) and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), with additional songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice (The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar).

Definitely one for the entire family to enjoy, as the show has played to over 35 million people in 13 countries AND is the 8th longest running musical in Broadway history.


And now, you have the chance to win FOUR tickets* to the Beauty and the Beast musical! The tickets are worth close to $600 in total and you can have them just by following these simple steps:

1. LIKE BASE Entertainment Asia's Facebook page HERE.
2. Share this blog post on your Facebook page. Be sure to set the post setting to PUBLIC so that I will be able to verify it.
3. Leave a comment on our Cheekiemonkies' Facebook corresponding post HERE to let me know once you have completed the 2 steps above.

Important: You have to complete all three steps in order to be eligible for the draw. 

*Tickets are for 31 March 2015, 8pm show and are in the Cat B Reserve ($145) category.

WANT TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING?
Follow us on Instagram AND re-post the image I posted on Instagram to double your chances! Remember to tag us (@cheekiemonkies) and set your profile to public so that I can see the image. Thanks!

*Giveaway will end on 24 March 2015, 2359 hours.



Useful Details

Beauty and the Beast
21 March - 19 April 2015
Tue - Fri: 8pm | Sat: 2pm & 8pm| Sun: 1pm & 6pm
Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands
Tickets: $65, $85, $115, $145, $170 & $190
To book, visit HERE.
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Art in your HeARTland

March 20, 2015, 7:01 am
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When people mention art performances, what comes to mind? 

If you think posh, arty-farty or even chichi shows, then think again. Enjoying an enriching arts experience with the family need not be confined to theatres and most importantly, they can be readily accessible for everyone right at their heartland doorstep - and FREE at that!


Arts for all is an initiative by National Arts Council to promote self-expression, creativity and bonding through the arts by bringing it where people live, work and play. Under this initiative, the Arts in Your Neighbourhood programme features a series of free and enjoyable arts activities by established artists and arts groups, at various parts of the island right at where you stay.

Precisely because the performances are held free in open areas, with curious onlookers wandering in and out of the performing area, all of the curated performances comprise of interactive elements to pique the interests of passer-bys.

One such performance was 'A Prince’s Journey' which I brought the monkies to watch at Nee Soon East Courtyard last weekend.


Presented by Ding Yi Music Company, 'A Prince's Journey' is inspired by the Song Dynasty painting of a river during the Qing Ming Festival and narrates the exciting adventure of a young prince who escapes from the palace in search of freedom, only to be led back to the palace with a new passion for the things he has taken for granted all his life.


The unique thing about the performance was it was not just a theatre show. Instead, it was a multi-faceted one which combines the live elements of animation and theatre, coupled with stirring Chinese music.


I loved how the performance incorporated a short segment where the various Chinese Orchestra music instruments were introduced to the audience. Most kids, if not all, will not have heard of a pipa, yangqin or ruan - let alone know how they sound like. But thanks to the performance, I think the kids (even me!) have a better understanding of chinese chamber music.

Undoubtedly, the most fun part of the show was when the imperial troops were hunting for the prince which saw them running through the audience and asking the children for directions.


But like all stories, everyone lived happily ever after of course.


Before the show, I suspected that the arts element of the performances could have been dumbed down as they are made accessible to the masses but I was happy to be proven wrong.

Playing Chinese orchestral music in the heartlands may not be mainstream but the way everything was blended together was definitely refreshing. Hey, if the kids at the performance did not find it boring, I think it is testament enough.


As an added bonus, kids were allowed upstage for a brief moment to catch a glimpse of the music instruments used in the performance.


Oh and if you are down for any of the Arts In Your Neighbourhood shows, be sure to pick up your free badges and this free activity card!


Complete the activity card and submit it to any of the National Arts Council staff on-site to redeem an exclusive Arts in Your Neighbourhood collectible!

'A Prince's Journey' may have ended its run but there are plenty of other free shows to catch over the next 2 weekends. Join award-winning storyteller, Roger Jenkins as he take you and your children on a journey through a forest to a village to an ocean (with a lil' help from the magic of craft and storytelling, of course) at Siglap South Community Centre tomorrow at 4pm!

Below are some of the more family-friendly performances during the 22/23 and 28/29 March weekends:


For the full Arts In Your Neighbourhood programme line-up, visit https://artsforall.sg.

Better yet, follow Arts For All's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/artsforall.sg and instagram account (@artsforallsg) to stay updated on the latest happenings of upcoming events and shows!

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Thank you, Lee Kuan Yew

March 22, 2015, 7:35 pm
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Becoming a parent has opened my eyes to the enormous challenges when it comes to nurturing my kids and bringing them up the correct way. 

Nurturing a young nation? 

I can never ever imagine the sacrifices involved. 


Thank you, Sir for everything that you have given up for Singapore. 

Farewell, and may you Rest In Peace.


Visit the Remembering Lee Kuan Yew Tribute Website to leave your condolence messages. Information on Mr Lee's state funeral will also be available on the website.
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Top 18 Kids Activities this Easter 2015

March 29, 2015, 9:01 am
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I don't know about you, but it has been a roller-coaster of emotions for me this past one week. Luckily, there is the prospect of an upcoming long weekend which probably gives us a great excuse to do something fun with the family. So here are some suggestions to enjoy with your kids this Easter long weekend!

Tulipmania 2015
20 March - 10 May 2015; 9am - 9pm
Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Admission fees apply


The highly anticipated, annual Tulipmania display returns to Gardens by the Bay - this time amidst a colourful setting of magical fairy tales. In this third edition, visitors can look forward to an even wider selection of tulips at Tulipmania - over 40 varieties in a myriad of hues and forms! Look out for captivating blooms like the scarlet "Red Riding Hood", the “Purple Prince”, and the “Orange Princess” as they grace familiar fairy tale settings like Cinderella‘s carriage, Rapunzel’s tower, and the ginger bread house of Hansel and Gretel. There’s even a tulip named “Singapore”! Fore more details, visit HERE.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Universal Studios Singapore
Now until 5 April 2015
Admission Fees apply


Easter Eggstravaganza at Universal Studios Singapore will see the theme park adorned with flowers and spring hues as well as an all new Easter-exclusive stage show. The new show promises a grand entrance unlike no other, with the Egg Lord flying through New York before inviting guests to his royal luncheon at ‘Eggingham Gardens’. The Royal Lunch at Eggingham Gardens will be an interactive stage show with ‘live’ singing and dancing featuring an original storyline. The friends from Sesame Street will be decked out in Easter outfits, joined by Puss In Boots and Kitty Softpaws who will also give out Easter treats from their golden eggs during Meet and Greet sessions. For more information, visit HERE.

Saturdays@ACM - Eggs-traordinary Easter
4 April 2015; 1pm - 5pm
Asian Civilisations Museum
Free Admission


Supersize your Saturday! Enjoy a day of egg-citing programmes that explore Easter at the Asian Civilisations Museum. Take part in an egg hunt at the museum or make something super to take home. A full day of activities awaits the kiddos!

Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas
14 March – 19 July 2015
Mon - Sun 10am - 7pm | Fri 10am - 9pm
Free Admission for Singaporeans & PRs
SAM at 8Q


Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas, an exhibition for everyone and anyone with a head for ideas and a heart for adventure, is the new edition of SAM’s much-loved annual contemporary art exhibition for children, begun in 2010 and now in its fifth year. In the spirit of SG50, this year's exhibition is inspired by the crescent moon on the Singapore flag, a symbol of a young nation on the rise and with it, the capacity to dream big and think large. What might we be able to envision and aspire to? What worlds could we imagine for ourselves and create for others? Particularly targeted at children, Imaginarium is both immersive and interactive with hands-on activities at every turn.

Gardeners' Day Out @ HortPark
4 April 2015; 9am - 5pm
HortPark
Free Admission


Join in for a day of gardening fun at HortPark with kids-friendly activities, garden tours and workshops! Click on the poster above for more information or visit HERE for more details.

D’Easter Wonderland
5 April 2015; 10am - 6pm
Downtown East, D'Marquee
FREE Admission


Eggs-tra Special Easter Celebration at S.E.A. Aquarium
Now until 5 April 2015
Admission Fees apply

At the S.E.A. Aquarium, participate in its brand-new Easter breakfast programme where the traditional egg hunt takes a dive below the oceans with guests hunting for eggs across the Aquarium’s habitats while learning about the wonders of marine life, before settling in for a breakfast buffet. The Aquarium’s award-winning Ocean Dreams sleepover programme will also be given an “egg-citing” twist with special Easter activities as well as educating participants on marine life and fun facts about the ocean and marine conservation. For fans of S.E.A. Aquarium’s unique seasonal dive appearances, the Underwater Easter Bunny will be back with daily appearances at the Shipwreck habitat and Open Ocean habitat. For more information, visit HERE.

Eggs-plore Easter @ Faber Peak
5 April 2015; 11am - 3pm
Faber Peak Singapore


With a repertoire of Eastern and Western cuisine and a panoramic view of the Sentosa-HarbourFront precinct, be sure to make a trip to Singapore’s only happy hilltop destination this Easter Sunday as a line-up of eggs-citing activities await you and your loved ones.

Spuds & Aprons on 5 April, Sunday
1. Easter Egg Hunt (12.45pm - 1.30pm)
It’s eggs-hunting time while indulging in a leisurely Easter brunch with your loved ones. Grab your baskets and hunt for the colourful Easter eggs at Spuds & Aprons - The Garden, where you can exchange them for lovely prizes including Easter chocolate eggs, Haagen Dazs chocolate
ice-cream and more! If you are adventurous enough, try hunting for the exclusive SG50 egg and win yourself a plate of Al Fungi (worth $22) on your next visit and Super Hero merchandise.

2. BunnyWonderland Programme (11.30am - 3pm)
Easter is not complete without our four-legged furry friends. Get the opportunity to meet the rabbits and learn how to love and care for them the right way at the following programmes:
- Rabbit Playground: Find out more about rabbits’ play habits and suitable toys for them.
- Rabbit Photography Corner: Guests will be able to pat and cuddle the rabbits and take
photos with them as a little memento for this Easter season.

3. Roving Bunny Mascot (12.15pm & 1.15pm)
Not only will Spuds & Aprons be decked out in Easter decorations, a human-size mascot dressed up in a bunny outfit will be joining in the fun to spread the festive cheer atop Faber Peak.

Eggs-Hunting onboard the cable car ‘joyride’
(2 Sessions: 11.00am to 12.00pm, 1.00pm to 2.00pm)

Held over an hour session each, a total of 20 Easter eggs and 5 special SG50 eggs will be planted in our iconic cable car joyrides on 5 April, Sunday. Hunt for these eggs in selected cabins to stand a chance to win 2 FREE Return Cable Car tickets (worth $58) with every Easter Egg found. For guests who are lucky to have found any one of the SG50 eggs, the entire cable car cabin of up to 8 pax are entitled to Complimentary Unlimited Cable Car Rides within the day (worth $80).

For more details, visit HERE.

Naturally New Zealand @ Changi Airport
14 March - 5 April 2015; 12pm - 11pm
T3 Departure Check-in Row 11, Changi Airport



Kia Ora! The magic of Middle-earth descends upon Changi Airport this March School Holidays as a part of the Departure Hall at Terminal 3 is transformed into the beloved Hobbiton. Fans of the The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, as well as airport visitors can step foot into the Hobbit Hole, meet Gandalf the Grey as he stands guard over the One Ring and learn about the various scenic terrain such as Matamata Isle and Canterbury Isle. This set up is also the ONLY second authentic Hobbit Hole recreated by the same people who created the Hobbiton Village in the actual Lord of the Rings movie set.

PLUS, step into the Waitomo Cave attraction and take an exhilarating ride on a 5D simulator that promises to thrill both children and adults. This holiday special is available during March school holidays, subsequent weekends and public holiday during the event period.
Dates: 3, 4 & 5 April 2015
*Present a single same-day receipt with a minimum spend of S$40 (S$80 for supermarkets) from any Changi Airport Shop or Dine outlet to redeem 1 activity pass. Participants of the 5D simulator ride must be above 1.05m in height and at least 4 years old.

The Great Egg-Venture
14 March - 5 April 2015
Sentosa Harbour Front
Normal island admission applies


Hop on down to Sentosa HarbourFront and join in Singapore’s biggest egg hunt! Gather your family and friends to search for 100 giant eggs and you could win attractive prizes! For more information, visit thegreateggventure.com.

Beauty and the Beast
21 March - 3 May 2015
Tue - Fri: 8pm | Sat: 2pm & 8pm| Sun: 1pm & 6pm
Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands
$65, $85, $115, $145, $170 & $190


From the producers of The Lion King, the award-winning production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST comes to Singapore in March 2015. This new touring production has been put together by the original creators of the Broadway production, including the Tony Award winning costumes from Ann Hould-Ward. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features the animated film's Academy Award®-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. For more information and tickets, visit HERE.

LEGO Friends LIVE @ LEGOLAND Malaysia
14 March - 28 June 2015


Discover the magic of friendship and enjoy the original LEGO Friends song and amazing dance performances. The LEGO Friends Show is a brand new production, exclusively written for LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. Showtime are Tuesday through Sunday with 3 performances per day at LEGO City Stage.

A Night of Magic at Raffles - Joe Labero
1 April - 3 May 2015
Sat & Sun: 3pm | Wed - Sat: 7.30pm
Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel
Adult: $75, $125, $230 | Child (5-12) $50, $60, $215


Returning to Singapore after the spectacular success of INCANTO and A NIGHT OF MAGIC AT RAFFLES, Joe Labero is back with a brand new fiery show in 2015, assisted by the hottest guest performers and fire artistes – Burnt Out Punks. With illusions so awe-inspiring as they are mind-blowing and spectacular, watch this four-time Merlin Award Winner's exclusive brand of magic, which includes illusions that are altogether unbelievable, outrageous, impossible, death-defying as they are stunning in their slick and beautiful execution. For tickets, visit HERE.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff
2 April - 10 May 2015
Mon - Fri 10am | Sat & Sun 11am & 2pm
DBS Arts Centre
Weekdays: $25, $22 | Weekends: $35, $32


The Three Billy Goats Gruff (affectionately known as "Baby", "Middle" and "Big") graze happily together with their caretaker, Little Bo-Frilly. But one day, it dawns on them that they are in the middle of a horrible drought. As the grounds turn a dreadful shade of brown, they are slowly but surely running out food. Together, the gang makes the decision to cross a bridge to the other side of the valley, where lush green grass awaits. Unfortunately, below the bridge lives a frightening troll that – gulp – loves to feast on goats! Can they outsmart the monstrous, greedy troll in this fight for survival? Come on this adventure with catchy tunes and laugh-out-loud moments! For tickets, visit HERE.

Ride, Feed & Pose with Real Ponies!
4, 5, 11 & 12 April 2015; 1pm - 8pm
City Square Mall, City Green (Park)

Giddy Up! Come down for this rare chance to ride a live pony, feed it, and snap a photo of the special moment! *Charges apply for riding, feeding and photo-taking with live ponies.

Da Vinci: Shaping the Future
Now til Mid-May 2015; 10am - 7pm daily
ArtScience Museum
Standard: Adult $22 | Senior Citizens (>65) $22 | Child (2-12) $14
Local Residents: Adult $18 | Senior Citizens (>65) $16.50 | Child (2-12) $9.50 


Da Vinci: Shaping the Future is a journey through the work and legacy of the most celebrated artist and scientist of all time, Leonardo da Vinci. Presenting original masterpieces by da Vinci for the first time in Southeast Asia, the exhibition focuses on the Codex Atlanticus, da Vinci’s largest notebook. There is a great range of child-friendly activities in Da Vinci: Shaping the Future which can keep children and their parents occupied for hours! From interactive exhibits throughout the route through the exhibition, to take-home activities and creative, hands-on workshops, there is something to suit all ages and learning styles.

*Family Fridays: Starting from 23 January, children under 12 years old enter for free with every adult ticket purchased. Visit HERE for more information.

Counting Sheep, Dreaming Goats
Now until 27 September 2015
Monday 1pm - 7pm | Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am - 7pm
Singapore Philatelic Museum, Level 2
Free admission for Singapore Citizens & PRs

The exhibition aims to bring children into the fluffy, cheeky world of goats and sheep. Here, children get to learn about the small ruminants, one of the first animals to be domesticated. They will meet four-legged friends from different stories and cultures, and get up-close and personal with beautiful goat themed stamps from around the world. For more information, visit HERE.


OR, if you prefer to stay at home, here's an oldie but still a goldie - DIY Easter Eggs!

We have made our very own colourful Easter Eggs in the past and the monkies loved them! For a step-by-step guide on DIY Easter Eggs, visit www.cheekiemonkie.net/2012/04/easter-eggs-diy.html.


Have FUN!
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A Puppet Show with a Difference

March 30, 2015, 3:30 am
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Following the monkies'first free arts performance in the heartlands 3 Sundays ago, we were at Hougang Central on yet another Sunday for a rather unique arts performance.


The performance was part of an initiative of National Arts Council under its Arts for All umbrella. Under this initiative, the Arts in Your Neighbourhood programme features a series of free and enjoyable arts activities to promote self-expression, creativity and bonding through the arts by bringing it where people live, work and play.

And from the looks of the crowd that gathered, it clearly worked.


The A.I.D. (Angels in Disguise) was presented by The Finger Players and was essentially a puppet show that involved three puppet characters - a young girl, a conceited man and an Ah Ma.


The audience was taken along a journey of these three characters who looked beyond their physical and mental disadvantages to help those around them, building up values of self-confidence, compassion and teamwork.


Meaningful messages, you say? I certainly thought so too. In fact, the boys were expecting the show to be a boring one but it turned out they thoroughly enjoyed it.

To make the show even more unique, it was performed in English, Mandarin and Hokkien!


But I guess the best moments were those when the audience had a chance to interact and hug the puppet after the show.


It is amazing to see how one simple puppet can evoke such happiness among the audience, young and old.


I believe the above photos should suffice, no?

But if we thought the show was over, we were wrong.


The second half of the show presented certain members of the audience the opportunity to learn some puppeteer work and as you can see, Ayd was more than eager to be up on stage!


Judging from the looks of the kids on and off stage, it was a performance that struck a chord with everyone. The bad news is though, the Arts In Your Neighbourhood performances have officially come to an end.


But the GOOD NEWS is, it will be back at the end of this year with new performances - right at your heartland doorstep! So do look out for a myriad of Dance, Music, Visual Arts and Theatre performances, in addition to many other exciting arts programmes in your neighbourhood this November!



Follow Arts For All's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/artsforall.sg and instagram account (@artsforallsg) to stay updated on the latest happenings of upcoming events and shows!

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3 Frustrations Parents Face When It Comes to their Kids' Math Problem Sums

March 31, 2015, 5:30 pm
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Hands up, parents. All those who feel like puking blood or pulling out your hair when it comes to teaching or asking your primary school-going kids to practice Math problem sums. I feel your pain and sorrow... simply because these frustrations are nothing new.

1. Too boring and repetitive to sit them down and do tons of problem sums over and over again.

I will be the first to admit - those boring paper-based Math assessment books are not exactly the kind of exciting stuff that I will want to be doing day in, day out. So how can I expect my kids to feel otherwise? 

2. Too many choices of Math assessment books in the market.

Even if my kids are a die-hard fan of Math assessment books, choosing the appropriate one, or the one that gives the most bang for my buck, is not a walk in the park given the wide array of choices available in the bookstore. How can I be sure the one, or two, or three assessment books that I buy will give my kids the right Math practice?

3. The need to mark the assessment books.

Even though detailed working answers are provided at the back of most Math assessment books, marking the kids' completed work can still be a chore. And don't get me started on trying to explain the correct solutions to the kids - that itself can an extremely brain-draining exercise.


One purpose of problem sums is to develop kids' logical and abstract thinking and mental discipline so it really is an unavoidable challenge in school. But if you had been following my blog, you would have known that all these frustrations are all but a thing of the past.

All thanks to ProblemSums by Koobits.


ProblemSums by KooBits is an online maths learning portal for primary students and boasts the largest collection of challenging Math word problems and video lessons, featuring more than 700 mathematical skills for a child to master in the form of daily learning activities.

On top of that, it personalises Math learning for each child through a set of customised daily challenges designed based on the child’s learning profile over time. Already, more than 30 primary schools in Singapore have adopted this online Math learning portal as a platform for their pupils to engage in self-directed learning.


You can read in detail about the various advantages that come with the learning portal in my previous post HERE but the one aspect that has been a clear winner with both Ash and Ayd since Day 1 is the portal breaks down the usual tedious Math problem-solving homework into several bite-sized challenges and enables them to tackle Math challenges as and when they are free and willing.

We are nearing a month since they signed up for the portal and they never fail to remind me about their uncompleted Math challenges every day. Because unlike the boring paper-based Math assessment books, the portal makes it fun and motivating for them to WANT to do the problem sums on their own accord!


Remember what I mentioned about having too many choices of Math assessment books in the market? With Koobits, there are more than 10,000 problem sums in each primary level which have been set and curated by a team of former teachers and aligned to the MOE syllabus. On top of that, the questions that a child will attempt will be based on his/her level of proficiency which will not dampen a child's learning enthusiasm if he/she is weaker in Math.

And fret not if you are still worried about having to do the marking. The portal comes with auto-marking features with step-by-step solutions for all questions are provided using problem solving strategies, heuristics, models and diagrams.

Better yet, the portal can be accessed from anywhere on a PC, Mac, iPad, Android or other tablets, as long as there is an internet connection. 


Yes, even Ale was piqued by the immense interest shown to the portal by her 2 older brothers. Actually I am not surpised - especially when the challenges are incentive-based which allows them to earn Challenge Points in order to exchange for wonderful prizes, like movie tickets!


If you want your child to get a slice of the (fun) action, how does a FREE 6-month trial sound?

I have said it in my previous post and I will say it again - there are absolutely NO strings attached, and NO questions asked after the end of the trial period. There is even NO credit card information needed to register!

So as you can see, those days of puking blood and pulling hair are no more. Not when I have Koobit's ProblemSums portal to keep the boys (and myself) happy.


To sign up for the FREE 6-month trial, click HERE.
For more information on Koobits, visit http://products.koobits.com/problemsums/ . 
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