My Girls

I realized today that I haven't taken pictures of Elyse and Anastasia with their Little Sister, Big Big Sister shirts on together, so this morning we had a photo shoot.

On another note, Singapore's National Day is coming up next week. Singapore with be 45 this year. They were selling National Day shirts in a toy store, so I got one for Elyse. It's not the best picture of the shirt but it has a helicopter holding the flag on the top (we see these helicopters out our window quite often) and then it says "Let's Celebrate Together." Under that it has a picture of a Chinese girl, a Eurasian Boy, an Indian girl, and a Malay boy.

On yet another note, Anastasia is beginning to be able to lift her head higher and higher. I know this isn't the best pictures, but you get the idea.

Jurong Fire Station

Today we loaded up the double stroller and headed to the Jurong Fire Station. After about a 15 minute walk, we were welcomed by our local fire fighters. They were very excited to meet Elyse and Anastasia.

After we arrived, there was a call so we got to see the main fire truck leave. We then joined a group of Polytech students for a tour.

Toby stepped up (ha, ha) and tried out this ladder when no one else volunteered.

We then learned about the motorcycles the firefighters used and watched a demonstration of how they used foam to put out fires. It made a loud popping sound, but Elyse didn't seemed to be scared by it which was good.

Next we went to the water hose. Elyse was the first to volunteer after the Polytech students didn't step forward. Unfortunately Elyse tripped over the hose on the ground her first attempt, but after she calmed down she went back to try again. (After Elyse volunteered, the other students then stepped forward to try it out.)

Next was a ride on this:

Elyse didn't want to go up, but I did. Here are some pictures from my "joy ride" as the firefighters called it.

We then got to take a "joy ride" in this vehicle- a small fire truck:

As we drove around the station, Elyse asked "Are we not going home?" and pointed out "There are no doors."

We had a great time at the fire station and I think they enjoyed having us a well. We left with a couple stuffed animals, water bottles and desk sets. They also had us sign a guest book and will be sending us pictures they took of our visit.

Dentist

We went to the dentist today for Elyse's first official visit. Just a check-up no chipped teeth this time. She did great! She was concerned that she might get a shot or a band-aid (like going to the doctor), but once she learned she was safe, she hopped right into the chair. (of course the TV above the chair helped a lot.)

Here she is holding the little mirror to count her teeth.

The dentist checking everything out.

He of course commented on Elyse's thumb-sucking and told her that her teeth will stick out if she continues to suck her thumb. He said to aim for no thumb sucking by age 4. He also said that dentists in the States will probably make a bigger deal about it (he was pretty laid back). We do have this on our agenda, but it's not an immediate concern right now. If anyone does have any suggestions on how to stop the thumb sucking I would love to hear them.

Overall, it was a pleasant experience and we were in and out of there in less than 20 minutes :)

Bye- Bye Gymbo

Elyse has been going to Gymboree on and off since she was 10 months old. Yesterday was her last class. She is going to be starting school soon, so we won't be signing up for another session. When we began, Elyse wasn't even walking and now she is running around, using her imagination and dancing.

First session:


When we started in Singapore she was a little over 2.

Now she is almost 3!

Everyone at Gymboree loved Elyse and was sad to see her go. As a parting gift, the manager gave Elyse a beach ball and a special Gymboree bell.

Rochester Park

Today Elyse and I met up with some friends at Rochester Park. It has a cafe outside for the adults and a playroom for the kids.


The playroom reminded me a big playroom in the basement of someones house, stocked with tons of toys. They had some great stuff to dress up in. Elyse picked out high heels, wings, a purse and a helmet- very fashion forward.

A Thomas the Train track:

Slide withe a ball pit:

While Elyse played, Anastasia slept. I was very happy about this. Too bad this was going to be her only good nap of the day.

Cute Pix

The girls got a package yesterday from Aunt Lisel. Among other things Elyse got this shirt. It says Major Cutie :) Thanks Aunt Lisel!!!! You can also see Elyse's new haircut.


Tummy Time

Twins ?

Elyse helping Anastasia dance to the music.

To Cate and Ashton

Here are a couple books Elyse wanted to read for Cate and Ashton. She has made up these characters Shorney and Doorney- I'm not sure where she got the names- but they are in most books she "reads." She was making up all kinds of stories until the camera got going, so the stories are a little slow, but I thought I would post them anyway.



With this book, there actually is this song in the back of the book.

School

We have decided to put Elyse in school beginning in August. She will be going 3 days a weeks for about 3 1/2 hours each day. We thought it would be good for her to get out of the house and interact with other kids.

The school is right across the street so it's easy to get to. This also means that it is a "local" school and all but 2 kids are Singaporean. While at school she will be having time to play outside, have free play (learn through play) inside, story time, craft time, and she will also be learning some Chinese. The school will give her lunch each day as well.

Today we went for orientation and while I was talking to the principal, Elyse got to hang out with her classmates. She seemed to enjoy her time and she loves her uniform. She is growing up!

July 4th

Yesterday we went to a July 4th Celebration put on by the American Association here in Singapore. It had food, games, balloons, face painting, music, jump houses and a fireworks display... too bad it was raining.

We got there soon after it began to rain, but early enough that Elyse was able to jump around a bit before the closed the jump houses.

Then we decided to eat. All of the covered seating was taken so we just sat on the ground by the food vendors and ate our BBQ.

Elyse is catching the rain coming off of the tent.

After food, I had to feed Anastasia so Toby went with Elyse to check the other things out. They got a balloon (Elyse's 2nd, since she let the first one go) and checked out the face painting. Elyse apparently did not like that idea so they headed to the stage to listen to music until I could meet up with them.

At this point it was still raining and muggy and we decided to go home. There was a chance the fireworks would still go on, but we really didn't want to wait another hour. Elyse was enjoying the music, but didn't want to be put down (I think because of the mud) and there wasn't really anywhere comfortable to be with Anastasia, so like I said, we left.

This is a picture of Elyse in the taxi on the way home. Just a little wet.

We found out the fireworks show did go on, but we were ok with missing it. Although it would have been fun, we were just happy that we made it to the celebration at all (in the rain, with a 5 week old). Happy Birthday America!

(On a side note, the shirt Elyse is wearing in the pictures is my shirt from when I became a big sister just about 30 years ago.)