A Winter Wonderland in Singapore

Changi Airport brings us a touch of Disney Magic with Mickey Mouse & Friends this Christmas right here in Singapore! Together with Aiden and Ava, we had an enjoyable morning of snow, slides and laughter.

First Stop: Lights, Snow, Action!

Gather around the main event area at T3 departure check in hall and enjoy an 8 minute showtime with Santa and experience snow right here. Watch the giant Neuschwanstein Castle come alive during this showtime.

 
For kids under 2 year old, it's advisable to stay further away to avoid the falling snow on baby's face. It was quite overwhelming for Ava so I moved aside while Aiden indulged himself in snow play.

Event area operating hours: 10am - 10pm
Duration: 8 minutes
Weekdays: 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
Weekend PH & eve of PH: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Bouncy Playground

Bounce your way to fun times at this bouncy playground. Slide down a 3 metres high slide, jump onto a velcro wall and get lost in the ball pit!

Opening house: 12pm - 10pm
Entry requirements: Spend a minimum of $30 in a same day single receipt for a single entry. Allowed height range is between 1 - 1.5m, and maximum weight of 55kg.

Meet & Greet: Mickey & Minnie Mouse

A chance to take pictures with Mickey and Minnie Mouse during these 3 days - 19 to 21 December 2014 at T3 Departure Check-in Row 11.

Timings: 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm

Snap & Win: Disney plushies

Stand a chance to win a full set of Disney plushies! Simply snap a picture of your Mickey or Minnie Mouse plush toys around Changi Airport then #CHANGIXMAS14 on Instagram. Five full sets of plush toys to be won. Valid till 4 January 2015. 

Head down from now till 5 January 2015 to have some fun with the family.

New Shoes For The New Year!

With the festive season fast approaching, and the kids growing at an alarming rate, it is time to shop for new apparel and shoes for Christmas and the new year.

Before being parents, we were not aware of the many qualities we need to look out for when shopping for shoes. After discovering Pediped range of shoes, we realized that soft, comfortable and good support for shoes are important features, especially for babies taking their first steps. 

With a brand new range of shoes launching with the Pediped Fall Winter 2014 collection, who can resist picking out a new pair for the kids for the new year?

Award winning Pediped offers 40 new styles of American Podiatric Medical Associate accepted footwear across its three signature lines: Originals, Grip 'n' Go and Flex for their Fall Winter 2014 collection. It also debuts more big kid sizes for the new range in 10 new machine washable styles, up to size EU36 (US Youth 4.5).

We love the new range of Mary Janes in the prettiest shades of silver, pink and lavender and so sparkly.

Delaney Silver

Delaney Lavander

Delaney Light Pink

This Originals line of soft-soled, flexible infant shoes are highly recommended by pediatricians as the shoe's design closely mimics barefoot walking. Each shoe is leather lined with a slip resistant leather sole. Here are the designs for boys - in casual sneakers for the little one who is taking his first steps.

Channing Chocolate

Teddy Navy

Inspired by a child's eagerness for adventure, the collection features designs covering every occasion from school to holiday, and formal dinners. With a wider selection of machine washable shoes containing Ultra Light Technology, it solves our frustrations over stinky shoes! The Originals Collection retails for $63.90 and available in sizes newborn to 24 months.

For toddlers, the Grip 'n' Go range with special feature G2 Technology, makes it the perfect shoe for the active ones transitioning from early walking to a more confident stride.

The Flex range is the ultimate shoe for an established walker featuring maximum flexibility and comfort for the kid while not compromising on quality and are light as air.

Frank Black

Isabella Red May Jane

Sahara Fuchsia Lavander

Come discover the new range of footwear from Pediped and have your kid try them on to get the ideal fit!

Pediped Fall Winter 2014 collection is now available in store at PriviKids, Changi City Point #02-04. 

Disclaimer: This blog post is in collaboration with Pediped. All opinions are our own.

An Indulgent Day Away - Sunday Garden Party

As parents of younger kids, we would often dream about going away on a vacation, being away from the usual shopping malls we visit and just chilling on the beach. And having to plan the vacation with a 3 year old and 1 year old in mind, putting together the endless packing list of diapers, milk powder, first aid kit, just in case medication, meal plans, clothes for the little ones for outdoor play, for indoor play, for the beach – it seemed like mission impossible. In fact, it stresses me out too much before even making the trip.

How does a garden party by the sea with a sumptuous spread of fresh seafood, grilled meats and decadent dessert sound to you? Top that with entertainment for the kids and water play after, all on our sunny island! Here’s our day away at Sunday Garden Party at Atmosphere By The Sea in Shangri La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa. It’s almost like a day trip for us.

Driving into Sentosa, and arriving at Shangri La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, we headed directly towards Atmosphere by The Sea. There were both indoor and outdoor seating and with two kids who are bound to perspire in the afternoon sun (and us as well, from fussing over them), we went for indoor seating. It was truly a relaxing and nice view from our dining area as most tables were facing the sea view. 

Walking through the line of food, all meticulously prepared and displayed, I was in awe. I went for the fresh seafood first as I was attracted by the seafood tower overflowing with king crab legs, lobsters, prawns and oysters. This was my favourite and I went back for more. The king crab legs were so succulent and sweet, and the prawns and lobsters all tempted me go for more servings. Just look at this spread. 

There was a live carving station, with succulent roasts, in the outdoors by the waterfront. 

 

And a comprehensive array of appetisers, soups, pastas.

Here's the selection of over 12 types of gourmet cheese imported from France.

Especially for the kids, there was a special buffet corner including hotdog buns, nuggets and fries, waffles and pancakes as well as spaghetti bolognaise. How thoughtful. Although these weren’t the most healthy options but they sure kept the kids happy. I love the fries and nuggets too and stole some from their plates. 

Always leaving room for dessert, I could not decide which not to go for. Just look at their presentation. We ended up trying a little of everything and I especially like their macarons and cheese cake.

There was also an ice cream station for the kids to personalize their own ice cream flavors and toppings. I was impressed by the very attentive and caring service staff throughout, how they greeted us at the door, arranging for the utensils and drinks for the kids and helping them at the buffet line. 

There was a live music performance, and for the kids, a magic show and balloon sculpting by the sea. This gave us a breather when the kids participated in the activities. 

We went to chill by the sea before making our way to water play in the resort. 

The Sunday Garden Party includes complimentary access to the resort’s natural water swimming pool, children’s slides and splash pad so do remember to pack your swim suits. Simply check with the restaurant staff for your wrist tag to access the water area. What a great idea, to burn off the calories and for the kids to enjoy water play. 

 

It was a truly indulgent day away for us and we would recommend this for families with young kids as it was very family friendly, almost 80% of the diners were with kids. The restaurant staff were all really good with kids and they came by frequently to check if we needed anything. Parking was also just by the water play area so it was convenient for us to bring our strollers and still be able to access the car if we forgot anything. Free parking is available on a first come first served basis, ask for your parking coupon before you leave the restaurant. 

Totally exhausted after a fun-filled day

The Sunday Garden Party at Atmosphere by the sea is available at S$138++ per adult. One child below 12 years dines free with every paying adult, and S$28++ applies for each additional child (including free-flowing soft drinks and juices). It is available from 12pm – 3pm so do call early for reservations to avoid disappointments.

For reservations or enquiries, please call (65) 6371 1966 or e-mail fbreservation.sen@shangri-la.com.

Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Shangri La’s Rasa Sentosa. All opinions are ours.

What are you scared of Mummy?

I am scared of cats. When there's a cat standing in the way of my path, I will make a big detour just so we will not cross paths. When a cat comes to our table at dinner, I will lose my appetite worrying about it brushing against my legs. My hair will stand and even typing about it now. I do not dislike cats and I can't explain why but I fear them and I know they can sense it as they often give me a stare and a hostile meow, like they are asking me to back off or they will come to me.

After having kids, I feel that I have to put on a brave front so as not to influence them to be scared of the things I have fear for. And very often, cats are the first animals kids learn to identify so they get all excited, calling out to the cats and attempting to touch them. When they start walking, the kids also try to be friendly and get real close to the cats and asking me to snap photos with my jelly hands.

Good luck to me now that Ava's first words are 'cat cat' and she enjoys going on a cat hunt in the evenings.