Extra fun at IKEA

Now that Ashley is tall enough I am happy to take Ashley to IKEA and leave her in the playground. This time her best friend Sakura came along so she was so excited! It is such a great system, leaving the kids happy running around while parents shop and spend more $$$.

Sunset

Some days I just cannot stop looking at the sky from our balcony. With no haze and clear sky, we get an amazing view of the city and the sunset.

Quick Halloween and the meaty BBQ

This year somehow I wasn't so keen on celebrating Halloween. Maybe because I used all my energy building up to my birthday week? Or just because we didn't host a big party like last year? Not sure.

Even I didn't show any interest whatsoever the kids still wanted to do something. We were invited to join a big Bayshore Park trick or treat crew but I thought our kids are still too young to join the scarily big group like that so instead I took them to the one organised by Japanese mums at the food court.
Here is Ashley the scary witch (before we left the house):

Of course she got changed when her little friend Sakura came to pick her up. The kids got some yummy Japanese snacks. It was nice they didn't end up with so so much like last year. Just enough to last for a week or so. All the Japanese kids stayed and had dinner together but we were invited to join a BBQ so I dragged the kids to the pit. 

The Bayshore gang were already cooking some meat. I think there were only 8 of us? 

I hadn't had so much meat in a long time. I just couldn't stop eating, it was all so good!

SCC rugby tournament

It has been a while since the boys played in a tournament. The last one was in KL in June when both boys had a fantastic time. Oliver and Luca were so excited and got up straight away even though it was quite early in the morning.

This time it was held at the Singapore Cricket Club, right in the city with amazing surroundings.

Since the KL tournament Luca has been playing in the under 6 team instead of under 5s. Maybe less opportunities for him as the other players are older and much faster etc but I think it was a good decision to move him up. Here is Luca's team warming up. 

Oliver was in the white dragon team hence he has the uniform inside out. Warming up for the next game. 

Miss crafty straight away got into her work while her brothers were running around on the field. 

It was hard for us to watch both Oliver and Luca due to the timing of the games but we made sure one of us was there for each of them. 

After a couple of games a big storm came. Because of the lightning all the games had to be suspended. The rain was so heavy the field became a huge water puddle in no time. As soon as the lighting eased some kids went onto the field to enjoy the rain and the water puddles at the same time. Can you see little Ashley in these pictures? 

The rain eventually stopped but this is how muddy we got in the end...

Oliver and Luca had a few more games each. Unfortunately neither of the teams went through to the final. 

I only got to see Luca's team getting their medals. He was so super happy! He needs so many more to catch up with his brother. 

Well done boys, it was a long long day. You both played very well. We are so proud of you!

Jennifer's art exhibition

Right after the Fiji rugby clinic, I went into the city and attended my Kiwi friend Jennifer's first solo art exhibition in Singapore. I became friends with Jennifer in a very strange way. She is my best friend Rachel's (who has been my friend since I was 18) sister in law. Her and her family used to live in Jakarta but moved to Singapore a year or so ago. Jennifer and Dave happen to live only 10 min down the road from our condo and their son ended up going to the same kindergarten as Luca and Ashley. Such a small world!

She is an absolutely amazing artist. You can see some of her works from the pictures I took at the exhibition.

Quite a few people were there to admire her art work. 

Out of all the art pieces she had at the exhibition, this was my absolute favourite. The colours and detail are just amazing. 

Here is Jennifer Chalklen - The Artist.

Rachel flew in from Jakarta for the night. Only a week after my birthday dinner, I got to see her again! 

Unfotuantely I had to rush home to my children but I thoroughly enjoyed the special night. 

Fiji Gold Medalists rugby clinic

We were very excited to get another opportunity to meet professional athletes. This time the boys got to attend a rugby clinic run by Fijian Gold medalists from the Rio Olympics.

Before the training started we had an opportunity to get some autographs and take pictures with some of the players.

Once the training started they were put into different age groups. I think Luca was once again the youngest of all. 

They rotated 4 different stations and being taught by different players. Luca loved this tackling bag exercise so much!

Oliver's turn.

It went for only an hour. I think my boys were keen for more! 

At the end the players performed the haka and sang a song which was amazing. 

Can you spot Luca?

A few boys from the Dragons Rugby Club were there:

Our boys are very lucky to have so many opportunities for such great experiences.