Easter Weekend 2012

I knew that the calendar said that Easter was the weekend after we returned from Spring Break, but it was somewhat of a surprise to realize that it was suddenly here.  We didn't have the normal warming days, blooming daffodils, and fantastic chocolate selections to cue the changing seasons.  After all, it's been Summer for as long as we've been in Singapore.

The stores have had a meager stock of Easter candy, but $8 for a bag of our favorites was a little too much for the Easter Bunny.  I did notice these in one of our stores.  Perhaps it's not really an Easter item, but who wouldn't want a Chocolate Pope?

The weekend started on Friday since it was a holiday for both Ben and AK.  We decided to go to the zoo and have breakfast.  We've been planning to go for months and just never quite made it.  Also, B3 asked to go to the zoo all week, so a trip was inevitable. 

Breakfast at the zoo is your typical buffet.  That is, until the guests show up. 

Meet Mika, the milk snake.  As soon as she was introduced and folks were invited to come have a closer look, AK was in line.  I stood only close enough to take the picture and regretted not having a zoom lens(sadly, I forgot the 'real' camera; the phone is a pitiful substitute, but it's all I had).  Not only did she hold it, but the snake's handler had to gently prod AK to give the snake back.  AK later returned for more snake holding fun.  She couldn't get enough!

B3 has to do what his sister does, so he, too, was determined to hold Mika.  It didn't take long for him to have enough; he quickly declined a repeat visit with the snake. 

While AK certainly enjoyed the snake ("She tickled me with her tongue!", AK reported happily), it wasn't the star attraction at breakfast.  That distinction goes to the other invited guests - Orangutans!

It was fun to see these incredible animals up close.  The babies were so cute, and the adults were enjoying their breakfasts (not from our buffet) as we posed. 

Our next stop, at AK's request, was to the Splash Safari show which features a Sea Lion named Philip.  He swims and splashes, and both AK and B3 are big fans.  Of course, they insisted on going to the front after the show to see and feel the action up close.

I'm not sure what the appeal of being splashed by a sea lion is, but it may have been the highlight of their day.  I've learned not to ask; it's better if I don't know that the pool water soaking was more of a thrill than breakfast with orangutans. 

After the show, B3 requested a visit with the zebras.  We did the quickest possible tour of that side of the zoo as the sky turned grey and the thunder rolled.  Sure enough, the clouds opened just as we hit a covered restaurant area.  We found a dry place to sit, and we snacked while we waited on it to pass. 

Unfortunately, it didn't pass. Instead, Ben became one of those people wearing the $5 lime green orangutan poncho while the other three of us squished under our one umbrella as we dashed for the taxi queue.  It was a short day at the zoo, but it was certainly a fun one!

Friday evening, a friend came over and dyed eggs with us.  B3 was uncharacteristically uninterested in the entire egg dyeing procedure.  He dunked one into the "John Deere" bucket of dye, and he was done.  Oh well; the girls (and their moms) had a great time!

Although AK was excited about the dyeing of eggs, she was more thrilled that we would "make Grandmama's special Easter Eggs" with the dyed eggs.  It took me a moment to realize that she was looking forward to deviled eggs.  In her mind, it seems, those are a rare treat only had after dyeing eggs at Grandmama's house.  (Of course, her version is pickle free. I'm told she looks like me, but I'm not sure how any child who shares my DNA would eschew pickles!) 
Saturday morning, we took the bikes out for a spin.  Both AK and B3 are fairly new to their bikes; AK has mastered riding without training wheels;  B3's legs have grown just enough that he can use his balance bike that he got for his birthday.  They're both doing great!

In the afternoon, AK attended a classmate's birthday party.  She had a great time playing with her friends, and the moms enjoyed sitting by the pool (in the rain) chatting and snacking on party food.  She was thrilled with her face paint, yet she couldn't understand why I insisted that it come off before bedtime.  Obviously, from the chocolate around her mouth, she enjoyed the cake, too.

AK wondered if the Easter Bunny would find us, and indeed he did.  He even brought AK the "giant chocolate bunny" she had been hoping for. 

 

B3 wasn't sure what to do with his basket at first, but he soon discovered the goodness it held:  gummy bears, stamps and an ink pad, and match box cars. 

After church, we had a little impromptu photo shoot outside.  Here are some favorites. 



And yes, that's a huge green bruise on B3's forehead.  That's what happens when you're three and you pitch a fit in the kitchen and you head-butt the granite countertops.  As hard headed as he is, the granite is still harder.  Even if he is a really, really good fit pitcher.  

It was so nice to have a three day weekend! 

Travelling Light

Ben is travelling for two weeks, and it's been a challenge for us to stay busy and sane. So, on Saturday, we headed to the zoo after swimming lessons.  We've been to the zoo more than once already, but this time was different.  We took peanut butter sandwiches and water bottles, but we left the stroller and diapers at home. 

What? Did you miss that last sentence?  We left the stroller and diapers at home.

And it was intentional.  Operation Potty is complete!  Never mind that he seems to have a goal to visit every single restroom on this island.  Never mind that when he visits one he particularly likes, he makes sure he visits it several times in quick succession.  Maybe even three or four times during a single meal if he really likes it. Good times.

Anyway, the Zoo.  The Kids'  Area at the zoo has a really neat water play area.  There are all sorts of squirting features, slides, and a huge bucket that tumps and splashes every few minutes.

I secretly packed their swimsuits, knowing that they'd both want to play.  Truthfully, the very idea of that water area skeeves me absolutely, completely, 100% out.  And I knew they'd love it. 

After they played a while, we dried off and continued our tour of the zoo.  As we made our way towards the kangaroos, the skies promptly opened up and began to drench us.  Thankfully, a tram driver had mercy on us and made an unscheduled stop for us.  We took advantage of our free ride (regular price:  $11!) and rode the entire loop, eating crackers until the rain stopped.   Honestly, by then I was wishing we had brought the stroller;  if nothing else, it could have pushed around the sopping wet backpack full of wet swimsuits and towels. 

AK seemed to really enjoy her day, and she kept me laughing.  Examples:

• While eating a our picnic sandwiches:  "Mama, thank you for fixing this yummy home cooked meal!"
• After reading all of the informative signs at an exhibit:  "Mama, did you know that the Pygmy Hippo is the Underwater Ballerina of West Africa?"
• During our visit to the giraffes:  "Mama, I bet that the inside of a giraffe is really...is really....squishy!"

B3, too, must have had a great time; he's suggested at least a dozen times since Saturday that we go back.  Like, *right now*.  We're going back on Friday - just the two of us. 

We're managing okay on our own, but we'll all be ready for Ben when he comes home!

Zoo Time

Yesterday was a national holiday, so we decided to take advantage of the day off and go to the zoo. Unfortunately, it seems that everyone within driving distance shared those thoughts. It was extremely crowded, and it was hot.  And sticky.  I think I'm going to just change the name of the blog to, "It was hot.  And sticky."  Because two or five or fifteen years from now when someone asks, "So, how was Singapore?"  I'm going to say, "It was hot.  And sticky."  (Sidenote:  It's also wonderful; we're really enjoying being here.  I'm not exactly complaining about the heat.  I just want you to know that it's not like we're in some sort of 78 degree weather warp where we have cool breezes and low humidity.  We have 89 degree weather, which would be tolerable, if it weren't 97% humidity.  Ever been in a sauna?  Yeah.  Every Day).

Where was I?  Oh, yes. The zoo.   Despite the crowds (and the humidity), AK and B3 had a great day.  Each time we would leave one exhibit and head for another, B3 would sign and say, "More?  More!" as he ran after his sister down the path. 

The orangutans were favorites.  They're more or less free-ranging; they have ropes going from one side of the path to the other, cris-crossing a large area.  It wasn't unusual to look up and see one right overhead.

We happened to be in the right place for their feeding time, too.

We saw giraffes,

rhinos,

kangaroos,

gigantic tortoises,

and much, much more.

But of all the things we saw, B3's favorite might have been this one

the crane.  Also known in our house as Skinny, thanks to Mighty Machines.  Or Scary Snort, if you're a fan of Are You My Mother?  The boy loves construction equipment!

They both enjoyed the carousel (B3 insisted he wasn't finished riding, but, he certainly was).

B3 asked about elephants all morning, and we finally decided the only way to see them was to go to their show. He asked about them; he called them.  Finally, he saw them, and he was thrilled.  Until one trumpeted.  Into a microphone.  He was done.  He announced that they were "finished", even though they had yet to begin the show. He loudly told them , "bye bye"  over and over.  And he would not look at them at all.  Even a day later, he shakes his head no if I utter the word "elephant". 

Today we went early and stayed too late, which meant we felt (and perhaps looked) a little like these guys:

Since we bought season passes, we'll definitely be back to see the animals we didn't see yesterday and to see shows, including the elephants.