Central Fire Station

We visited the Central Fire Station on Saturday morning, the red and white building has been around since 1908. There is a watch tower and living quarters for the firemen. On Saturdays, the place is open to the public for visits from 9 am to 11 am, you get check out the interior of the fire truck, ride the platform ladder and try your hands on the water hose, no fire to put out though.

2 very excited people taking a peek in the fire truck. Look at all the tubes dangling from the seats, oxygen for the firemen in case of fume inhalation.

I can't remember what is thing called but it is driven like a bike, look at the steering, and into the water, it becomes a boat.

On a normal day, no one would take a picture with a fire engine but we are tourist so everything goes.

While taking this picture, the alarm went off and the firemen started running in with their suits and gear. For a moment, I thought it was an act put up for the visitors, how cool. I checked with one of the fireman and found out it was for real. Somewhere, someone needed help.

What a powerful water gun! Trying one of the fire fighting equipment.

The kids squeezing into the truck. Hello! 3's a crowd.

The firemen sliding down the pole

The 2 hot and thirsty visitors

We met our friend, Patrick, who is working at the station.

Antique fire trucks and fire fighting equipment in the Heritage Gallery. There are also interactive station for close-up experience of what the rescuers go through during a mission.

Chloe trying her to turn the crank on one of the truck, going 'Turn, turn, turn!'

Animals! Animals!

The Rainforest Kidzworld in the Zoo is SUPER FUN! I love it! The water playground and all the different playground that caters for different age group. There's even a carousel, too bad, we did not have time to go on that.

We will be back again!

All ready to go!

There! The new area in the zoo... the fun begins.

This is the big water play area, I soooo wanted to have a go in it. Trust me, I have all my gears ready. But unfortunately, Chloe did not take to it on that day. She was a little terrified by all the screams made by the kids when the giant bucket of water came pouring down over the structure when it filled, happens every 4 minutes. Imagine the screams of excitement, 'AHHHH...!'

That's the giant bucket with 2 monkeys filling it up. There's also a different play area for younger children. Sera, if you are reading this, come back soon! We look forward to a blasting good time with you and Yasmin.

Chloe with Kaitlyn and Zan Zan

This one is obviously not for her but the girl just want to have a go. I'm on the other side to grab her.

'So fun that even Dad wants to have a go. Don't worry, I'm holding on.'

Riding a leopard. Nay, she just climb onto it to pose for a picture.

Waiting for the animal show to start

Chloe was going round the family of seals, labeling them 'Dad, Mummy and Baby Raphael'. She is hugging 'Baby Raphael'. When I asked her where is Chloe? She went for the biggest one. Ha ha!

Just the 2 of them

On a day like this, when they are both in their super duper good mood. No one is crying for milk, diaper change or more of something, we get these. Our 2 lovables!

'Roarrrr! Hisssss! We are snakes capable of roaring?'

'Hi mummy!'

'I love Baby Raphael!'

So loving... I did not notice how intently Raphael was looking at Chloe till I was writing this.

New school

Come 2009, Chloe will be attending Nursery school for 3.5 hours everyday. Going to school in uniform without either of us accompanying her, my little girl is growing up.

We went for a short interview for to find out more about the school and for the teachers to know more about Chloe, medical history, food allergies etc. While we are waiting for our turn, she was playing with the toys in the classroom with some other kids. That did not keep her occupied for very long, she was going around checking out the shelves for other more interesting things, chatting up other parents. In the end, we succumbed to her pleads to go out to the playground.

The school with the playground in front. This is what makes going to school more fun!

And Chloe joined the big kids for playtime. Going for the cars as usual.

'Hmm... twisty twirly slide. I like!'

'Wheeeee....!'

#2 date with Dad

The 2 of them went to catch the musical 'Disney Enchanted Tales'. Fairy tales of Cinderella, Snow White and the Sleeping Beauty, all the princesses. Chloe does not know the 3 ladies and the only reason she is there is for her Mickey Mouse and Friends who are on stage to open and close the show.

Simon was over zealous and and went trigger happy this time round after my 'ONLY 4 PICTURES!?' explosion on the last show. We had almost 50 of these midget characters pictures. Gosh! This woman is so difficult to please.

You definitely know them.

Chloe's buddies! She was shrieking with joy and almost jumped out of her seat when they came out. I think she never knew that they are so huge in size since she only saw them on screen. She cried and begged them to come out when they went in. Yes! She actually cried and asked her dear Dad to bring them out again. Drama Mama!

Fly like a butterfly

Off we go, field trip to the butterfly park in Sentosa! I have never visited the butterfly park before cos I deem it as boring, just butterflies flitting about, not staying long enough for me to have a good look. Nay, not for me but I was totally wrong! These creatures with paper thin wings are not just beautiful but so interesting, I learned so much about them and had so much fun 'catching' them.

The early birds waiting for the group from school.

Killing time by posing with giant dung beetles statues.

Surprise! You not only find butterflies but birds in the park too. Toucans, lories, iguana and snakes as well.

See what I meant? I caught and pinned this guy on my shirt. I was so worried that I'll tear their beautiful wings when the guide handed me this beautiful butterfly. But no, rest assured, he flew off in one piece.

Do you know butterflies comes out from a chrysalis not a cocoon. Eric Carle, you have to do something to 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'.

Hundreds of butterflies are hatched and released in the park everyday for visitors to touch and feel.

Do you know that the butterfly's wings are made up of tiny scales and they feel like suede.

Hold them by both wings and clipped them to wherever you want.

This is not a rubber snake. It's real! My second time having one coiled around me, a smaller one this time. The first one was a python in the zoo when I was 10 years old. Chloe touching it and is about to pull it for closer examination. I handed it back to the guide before she has any chance of giving it a good tug. Gulp!

Music session after the visit. Chloe dancing with her friend, Chloe.

Not a single butterfly or any other creatures are hurt or died in our hands during our visit.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Father and daughter went on a date to watch 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. And before they leave, I handed Simon the camera and reminded him 101 times to take some pictures. Maybe Chloe with the giant caterpillar that maybe parading before show or even the standee would be nice. Sigh! I got 2 pictures out of her standing outside Victoria Theatre and 2 of her along Singapore River.

'What's that? Caterpillar?'

Where's Sir Stamford Raffles?

School's Out

The year end school holidays are here, no I'm not very excited about it cos it means I have a ball of energy ready to bounce off the walls any time and this one talks non stop. I'm waving the white flag.

And to mark the start of holidays (I'm hyperventilating), we had a big party in school. What a blast!

She's supposed to be dressed as a kitten, with her face painted with whiskers and a black nose. You can see I wasn't very successful with it. Protest #1, no grey dress for her. 'Not pretty!' Protest #2, 'I draw! I draw!' She will be the coolest kitten if I ever hand her the black eyeliner.

With her teachers and classmate.

This is the Kangaroo and joey in the pouch. Oh, I forgot to mention that the theme for the party is 'Animals!'.

Whatever the reason is, the kitten's ears ended up around Simon's neck. Meow!

A very happy papa and a nonchalant little girl

With her teachers again. Wait! See that little chocolate cupcake? Aww...oooo... I'm drooling again. I can eat that thing everyday for the next 6 months. Chocolate raspberries with creamy chocolate cream toppings.

One last ride on this coupe, the one she fights tooth and nail for every time. Ahem... I'm not proud but this is my 'sam seng' girl. Never say die! Go! Go! Go!

Gift exchange, getting her Christmas present from Santarina. The paparazzi is here!

Thumbsucker

'Zuk, zuk, zuk....zuk, zuk, zuk.'

Simon: What's that sound? An insect in the room?

Me: Insect?! Raphael!

Simon: You mean he's the one making that sound?

Me: Yes. He's sucking his fingers or fist.

Simon: Oh my god! So loud?!

That's my little thumb sucker. And I always know when he's hungry with the finger sucking sound he made.