Papy and Mamie come to town (April 17-28)

In mid-April, Papy and Mamie came to Singapore for a visit. 

Maya, smiling in anticipation... (or just dream smiling)

little feet

During the visit, we tried many new restaurants, visited Singapore and had some relaxing time at home and by the pool.

Walking across Henderson waves bridge

Noah bouncing Maya to help soothe her

Maya sleeping on Daddy

with Noah

Papy and Mamie got Noah an early 4th birthday present... a two wheel bike

Noah at the bike shop with his two wheel bike

The next day he wanted to try out his new bike - Papy helping him out

My turn to help him

almost there...

and there he goes (see video above)!

It took him about 30 minutes - we were all very surprised that his practice on the balance bike was so helpful in learning to ride a normal two wheel bike. We all had memories of falling and trying again and falling and trying again... this was entirely painless and almost effortless. Balance bikes rock! 

He's biking!

A few tries later - he is really getting his biking legs (see above video) - thank you Papy and Mamie - see you soon somewhere!

GG, Grandpa and Suza come to town (March 31 to April 6)

In early April, GG, Grandpa and Suza came to visit for a fun packed week. We all had a great time exploring new activities and places in Singapore as well as testing out and playing with all the new toys and gizmos GG, Grandpa and Suza brought from the US (thank you :) ). GG and Grandpa gave Noah a "car" that runs on diet coke and mentos. 

Essentially you strap the diet cook bottle on wheels and then add the mentos and...

Off it goes... (see the above video of the first launch of the car - the second was less successful because we tried to reuse the diet coke left in the bottle...)

We also discovered the new aquarium in Sentosa - very impressive.  They even had white sharks! Noah enjoyed it and Maya liked it so much she peed in her pants which then leaked all over Suza!

April 2 was GG's birthday. Below, getting ready to head out to dinner.

Maya got all decked up for the occasion... (thank you Tania for the dress!)

That's something worth smiling about

GG, Grandpa and Suza took Noah to Legoland in Malaysia...

Noah and Grandpa with the lego tourist

Driving a lego car - a highlight of legoland

Driving a lego boat with Grandpa's help

Noah in front of "little Singapore" made out of lego

In front of the lego Singapore flyer

Lego Taj Mahal - love the little lego people

Noah's first real roller coaster... he was a bit scared but enjoyed it nevertheless

Fire, Fire - Noah putting out the fire

Riding an airplane with Suza - the cool part was being able to steer the airplane up and down

Riding a horse

Coming 'round the mountain

Close up

Hanging out with Lego man

Back home - Four on couch

So much fun :)

Maya holding in the lolette

On April 4th,  Noah gave Maya her first bottle (expressed breastmilk)

He had requested to be the one to give her her first bottle and was so excited about it

Maya took it well

The kids

After some pleading, Noah agreed to share the task with Suza 

... and Daddy

We also discovered the new zoo - the river safari with its pandas - below the red panda.

and the traditional black and white panda 

GG, Suza and Noah after the show at the river safari

Overall, a very fun week. Noah loved having his grandparents and aunt here and enjoyed all the extra attention and gifts (thanks again) and we are not quite sure what Maya thought of the visit though my guess is she enjoyed on some level the cuddles and extra shoulders to nap on and additional people to soothe her when she got cranky!

A New Cousin For Noah and Mango

We recently learned that Noah's Aunt (aka grasshopper) Abby and Uncle Ron are expecting a little baby for this summer. So exciting. We cannot wait to meet you little Thunder. Noah is looking forward to playing with his baby cousin and Mango is still a bit too young to understand (!) but I am sure she will be thrilled to have a cousin so close in age. Big big hugs to you 2.5 out in Maine. 

GG and Grandpa in Singapore (12-13.10.12)

Back from Vietnam, we went for a yummy Thai dinner in Singapore with GG and Grandpa and then headed to the highest bar in Singapore for a drink and a view - unfortunately, we could not go with Noah but they had a smaller indoor bar the floor below - from there we watched the water and light show on the bay. 

Next morning, we headed to Coastes, a brunch place on the beach on Sentosa island. Noah played in the sand and water (after eating his own meal of course) while we had a nice leisurely breakfast. 

We then walked around Sentosa. Noah insisted on holding the birds (it is free - photographers take pictures and if you like the pics you can buy them). He was completely unafraid.

Even of the biggest of the birds... In fact the biggest was his favorite and now whenever we go to Sentosa he asks whether he can hold the big bird. 

This little one was on his back - very cute.

And one last one...

After some bird holding, GG, Noah and Seth we luging. Below, Noah climbing on to the luge with GG.

And they are off.

Coming back up in style.

Almost there!

They made it with a smile.

Then Noah and Grandpa rode the "elevator tour" up up up and around.

View from the top.

Noah looking down.

That afternoon, we went to the gardens by the bay. Below, Noah, GG and Grandpa on the skywalk with the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the background. 

So cute together.

Short break at the new bar/restaurant at the top of one of the "trees" in the Gardens by the Bay. Noah was getting a bit impatient by that point so we played taking pictures - here he is taking a picture with his "camera".

Our little Noah.

The flower dome, it turns out, changes based on the season in Europe/US - so they had their fall/halloween flowers out. Noah playing in the closest thing he will get to a pumpkin patch this year.

After a good dim sum dinner, we walked along the bay - the view there in the evening is just stunning - this photo does not quite capture it.

Late that night, GG and Grandpa headed back home. Goodbye GG and Grandpa - we miss you and look forward to seeing you out here soon.