Carnival Fun - Family Bonding

I think carnivals are the best way to promote family bonding. What better ways than food, games and prizes?

How not to get a “NOooooo” when painting your hands?

Do it when everyone else is doing it too.

Organized by Touch Community, this simple act of hand prints on wall will serve to remind people of equality and unity.

The J Babies’ handprints.

We have been to many carnivals before, and the girls will always pester us to play at the game stalls.

 

  

If not for charity, I seriously believe that we are (the girls are) throwing money towards something that was designed for fun but not for winning.

 

But no matter what, I am learning that family outings are not so much on how much we spend or not spend. It’s the time when we build memories that will last. And I want to create memories with my family that carnivals are fun because we are able to enjoy fun and do charity at the same time.

Isn’t it enough to see this face of contentment? =)

To add on to the great day, this is the first time both girls won something from the games.

 

PS. my mom won’t be too happy with the additions of soft toys at home.. hahaha..

Families that Grow Up Together

Families that stay together grows stronger. I think that means we spend time experiencing life together, exchanging thoughts and skills. And in a typical Singaporean way, the best thing to build relationships is through food!

So last Sunday we planned a family gathering with some of the families that had known each other for a long time. Some of us are friends for more than 10 years, some are 20 years or more.

Have to say, picnic is so “old school”, right? As we settled down along the pier at Woodlands Waterfront, most of the passer-bys were quite impressed with what we have prepared for dinner. Some families were so excited I kid you not, they almost wanted to join us too.

As a father of 2, I truly want my girls to grow up with the kids of families I know. Not saying that the children in school are bad, but I do not know those kids’ parents, neither do I know what type of values or beliefs the family subscribe to. So for me, the safest is for my girls to grow up with a group of children whose parents are close to us as well. At least we have the same faith and value the same things.

 

A father & daughter pose.

 

Jayne is especially close to Chernise as they are only 1 month apart in age. In fact, our families have been friends for as long as this 2 cuties have been born, 8 years and counting.

Bethany is 6 and our families have known each other even before she was born.

Poor Joey’s friends were not able to make it that day.. so she was acting emo on her own, watching out into the sea.. No worries gal, Papa is looking out for you.

And the conversations and laughter continued well into the night. And we got to enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

 

Till the next gathering!

Gardens by the Bay - Autumn Harvest

Took an early train ride to Gardens (Bayfront MRT Station). And recently this is what I will see on the train when traveling with the family. Heads down, totally engrossed in their private world of mobile games/ shows. I guess that is the world we live in today. Singapore has been voted as one of the top smartphone market per capita. We contributed our fair share.

Happening from Sep 1 – Oct 29, Gardens by the Bay has set up The Season of Abundance Autumn Harvest. A lavish flower field saturated in rich hues of orange, red, gold and green.

 

At first sight, you won’t be alone if you are wondering did Halloween arrived early. I was pleasantly shocked by the numerous pumpkins all around the place. Will the place be transformed into a big Halloween Night surprise on the very last night of Oct 29? I would certainly hope so.

 

Got to know that one of our friend’s company actually did all the pumpkins and vegetable props. Should I ask for some to keep in the new house? Maybe a Halloween corner? Idea? Nice?

 

 

 

Look at all these colorful Halloween themed pumpkins!

  

  

  

  

The farmer.

And the visitors.

We have been to the Flower Dome for many times (thanks to various blessings), but strangely this is the first time I paid more attention to some of the sculptures in the Dome than before. And some of them are really nice.

First we have the Alice in Wonderland series.

 

Can you figure out what is in the second pic?

 

 

 

Then we have these weird stone figurines.

 

The dragon sculpture is by far my favorite!

 

Family and Friends.

 

The lost boy.

 

No Flower Dome visit is complete without some flower photos, right? =)