As families love to spend time together, the Sunday Brunch is becoming more popular everyday! With the need to entertain the kids and to cater for their diets, a family friendly restaurant is a MUST! This was why we loved “Atmosphere by the Sea” at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa.

This Sunday Garden Party that runs from Noon to 3pm is a feast for the family! With a sumptuous seafood spread and a kid’s menu for the children, the whole family was busy eating and enjoying all the food. With a multi-tiered seafood tower of fresh prawns, alongside a live carving station with succulent roasts, this is a buffet worth skipping breakfast for!

With a comprehensive array of appetisers, soups, pasta, meat carvings and seafood, this Buffet even has the cooks BBQing the meat for you, as you sit back and relax.  Being a seafood lover, I went for the lobster and deep sea oysters freshly flown in from the French coast.

There was also Peking Duck and very delicious Indian Food. Shangri-La hotels are always good for Indian food, as I found this same strength, when I went for the Sunday Buffet at “the Line” as well.

Is there something that you really really like at this Brunch?

This Sunday Brunch scores very high in terms of Ambience! And that is why it is called the Atmosphere by the sea. When we reached the Buffet after 1pm, the resident band was already moving around, and crooning out familiar Jazz Tunes, as we dined overlooking the South China Sea. With the Double Bass and their melodic voices, they brought a different feel to the whole afternoon. We were so glad to have them Singing to us, all the way to 230pm, which was just before the Buffet closes.

The Family Ambience goes up a notch with Rasa Sentosa’s own Resident Magician. He entertained the kids in his own Mini theatre, as he performed magic and balloon sculpting.  This was a much deserved break, as Parents will get to eat lunch peacefully, while the kids are entertained.

With the green open fields, the inviting ocean and relaxing music, the kids just loved to run around and soak in the whole atmosphere. We felt like we were on Holiday, even though we were within sight of Keppel Harbour!

As you can see, my girls were smiling all day! It was the beginning of a beautiful day!

After lunch, the fun does not stop there!

Families are given a Blue Wrist Tag which gives everyone access to the resort’s swimming pool. The hotel supplies towels and also life vests for the kids, so that they can splash around safely in the pool.

With the family in mind, the hotel is further equipped with children’s slides and a splash pad. Water is kept clean through a particle physics based water management system which keeps the water in a natural pristine condition. This makes the  facilities suitable for younger guests without incurring chlorine-related risks such as skin and eye irritations.

The pool at the water slides is built for the kids, and it is only about 1m deep. My youngest girl had no problem standing after the splash from the slide and this really helped to build up her confidence, as my kids can’t really swim yet. It did not them long, to get used to the surroundings, and keep running up the slides by themselves.

Besides the Pool, Patrons can visit the nearby Sentosa Beach and let the kids have some fun building sandcastles. Parents can maximize their benefits at Rasa Sentosa, by enjoying One-for-One drinks at the Siloso Beach Bar from 5 to 8 p.m., after their swim.

The Sunday Garden Party at Atmosphere by the sea is available at S$128++ per adult.  There is a Promotion at the Buffet, One child below 12 years dines free with every paying adult.  S$28++ applies for each additional child.  For reservations or enquiries, please call (65) 6371 1966 or e-mail fbreservation.sen@shangri-la.com.

And oh Yes! For our Readers once again, we are having a GIVEAWAY!

We are giving away a FREE Sunday buffet to One family (2 Adults and 2 kids under 12yo).

All you need to do is:

1. Comment on this blog post, and tell us why you like the Sunday Brunch?

2. Join and LIKE the Rasa Sentosa Facebook Page and ED Unloaded Facebook Page.

3. Share this blog post on your Facebook Wall with the Caption “FREE Buffet at Sentosa” (Do ensure that you TAG me or Ed Unloaded, so that I know that you have done it.)  Editors decision on Winners are final.

(Closing Date 19 March , 2359hrs)

Every Chinese New Year, all of us have a tradition of gathering with our family members for a meal! This marks a great tradition highlighting the importance of family ties! However, with Singaporeans becoming busier, there is a fear that family gatherings only happen once a year and that is during Chinese New Year!

To counter the cultural trend, 4 students from NTU, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information has started a social initiative. As part of their final year project, they have started a project to encourage families to Eat together. By redefining the term ‘reunion dinner’, they hope that families can have meals together much more often and not limiting reunion dinner to any culture or special festivities.

Supported by the National Youth Council, The Real Reunion aims to strengthen family bonds through meals. These guys have certainly been successful in their endeavours, as they even got a mention by PM Lee at the NTU Ministerial Forum.

The event at Bliss was also graced by Parliamentary Secretary, Ms Low Yen Ling. Together with an estimate of 50 families, we all gathered for some fun and food at The Real Reunion Dinner.

(Photos by (http://www.pinkbluephotography.com/)

As you can see, we enjoyed ourselves at the event, and the kids had a great time taking photos with Popo. We also managed to catch up with all the family bloggers who were at the event.

This is certainly a commendable effort by 4 students, and I was half wishing that my FYP was as fun!  

There are also some prizes out there to be Won!

From now till 12 March, Submit Photographs of “Your Favorite Dining Moment” via the Real Reunion Facebook Page or Post it on Instagram  #therealreunionsg and #OSIMSG along with a creative caption.  Prizes worth more than $5000 to be Won!

With the school holidays coming up, Parents are starting to think..What can I do with the kids these school holidays. Well, the Coolest event for this March is definitely iLight Marina Bay 2014.

Organized by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Marina Bay area is filled with 28 specially curated light installations. Themed “Light+HeART”, the line-up includes 13 installations created by local artists.

If you are looking for something to do this March Holidays, this is IT! iLight Marina Bay is a great family event which not only engages children, but more importantly it is FREE!   The whole event gives the whole family a great workout, as just to find the installations, you will need to walk all around the Marina Bay Waterfront. From the Esplanade all the way to OMB, expect to find the various light installations all around the walking route around the waterfront. The Bay is also full of nightlife, as there are bands playing on the weekend, which add immensely to the whole atmosphere.

And just when you are asking, where is the nearest food outlet, you will walk smack right into Pasar Bella. The iconic “atas” or upmarket market from Turf City.

Located right in the centre of the Marina Bay Sands Main Entrance, Pasar Bella is a cauldron of atmosphere! Expect to find cakes, sandwiches, roasted pigs, and lots of Beer, as you sit back and soak in the atmosphere. There was even a full Jazz Band with a Brass section, when we visited the market on the weekend. As the Crooner sang “Fly me to the Moon”, we felt like we were transported to Europe (Of course, we are not taking into account the cool weather that Singapore lacks…). But, the atmosphere was definitely really cool!

If you are wondering if iLight Marina Bay 2014 is worth the family visit, here are a list of attractions which my kids enjoyed:

Kid Friendly Installations which your kids might like:

Called “The Pool”, this installation is a group of giant concentric circles created from interactive circular pads. Kids step onto the pad, and with each tap, the colour of the pad changes. My children enjoyed running around, and so did every family, who had their kids with them. When you get to the Pool, head for the centre of the pool, and look for one of the pads, which is actually the “ MASTER RESET” button. With each tap, every other pad will follow this master switch, and the rest will just follow the colour of the Master switch. Have fun finding the Magic Reset Button!

Called “Jou-Jou-Ours, these Teddy Bears are made by a designer from Taiwan. Art is not just about technology, but it should remind one about his/her childhood memories of hugging your teddy bears. This is exactly what this exhibit set out to do. The kids had no problem with this open invitation, and they enjoyed hugging these big light balloons.

Located just outside the side entrance of the Marina Bay Sands, the Wishing Tree represents the hopes and dreams of visitors wishing for the best of the city. Built by Singapore sculptors, kid will enjoy writing their wishes and swinging their wishes up the tree. Wishes are anchored together by LED Lights, and parents will need to teach the kids, how to “lasso” their wishes up the tree. The Kids had great fun here!  

The kids seemed to love this installation! Called “The Cloud”, this installation located just at the grandstand, involves lots of switches and bulbs. The children will love pulling at the switches, as each pull will turn on and off the  light bulbs involved in this installation.

The Mimosa which is located in the Marina Bay City Gallery is built to mimic the Mimosa plant. Using mini light panels to represent the Mimosa plant, the “Petals” of each panel will open and close in response to the visitors’ hand movements. Using technology, it is quite intriguing to see the Mimosa plant responding to your heat and hand signatures. If the kids don’t like it, Daddies would love trying to find out how the “light plant” works!

For families who have that little bit of extra to spend, you can take a ride along the Marina Bay, and catch the lights from a different perspective. We were invited for a ride, and the cool breeze along the bay was truly relaxing. Singapore has come a long way from the dirty river banks of the Singapore River. In my opinion, I would have to say that we have a City skyline nicer than the ones in Hong Kong (But I am always naturally bias ).  Boat Tours are available at $12 per person, with tickets available for purchase at the Festival Information Kiosks.

i Light Marina Bay 2014 runs nightly from March 7 to March 30, 7.30pm to 11pm, around the Marina Bay waterfront promenade. Admission is free. For more information, visitwww.ilightmarinabay.sg.

There are FREE Guided Tours From Mar 7-30, 2014, from Every Friday-Sunday. Tours will run at 730pm, 830pm and 930pm. Registration closes a day before on the Festival website or 30 minutes before the tour begins.

Do click on FREE Guided Tours of iLight Marina Bay to register!

Babies and Teething are a natural part of the growth process. Starting at 6 months of age, teething causes babies to be fussy. To help themselves, babies bite on their fingers or toys to help relieve the pressure in their gums. I remember when my kids were teething, and we had to always wipe away their drool, as they went through the process.

To help your baby through this teething journey, we have something in mind just for you! Made of 100% natural rubber and painted with food-safe colours, the “Lela” is something SAFE for your baby to chew on. Small enough for their tiny hands, Lela by Lassig will stimulate the baby’s sense of touch and motor skills, making her the perfect companion for your baby.

Sold at retail stores in Singapore like Mothercare, Lassig has quality products that you can depend on. To find out more about Lassig, do check out Lassig for more product details.

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And the Good News is that, we have 2 of these Teething toys to Giveaway!

All the 2 winners need to do is:

1. Comment on this blog post, and tell us why you like a teething toy?

2. Join and LIKE the ED Unloaded Facebook Page and the MumseWord Facebook Page.

3. Share this blog post on your Facebook Wall with the Caption “FREE Toy for your Baby” (Do ensure that you TAG me or Ed Unloaded, so that I know that you have done it.)  Editors decision on Winners are final.

(Closing Date 14 March , 2359hrs)

Media Invite:

The march school holidays is coming, and if you are looking for an educational activity for your kids, look no further. The ArtScience Museum has a Dinosaur exhibition, that will not just excite your kids, but it will also enrich every Parent as well.

“Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction” takes visitors back in time more than 600 million years covering the era before dinosaurs walked the earth all the way until their extinction. Through interactive exhibits, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how these species evolved and adapted to changing environmental conditions.

Occupying over 3,700 sq metres of floor space, the exhibition features more than 400 fossils and models, as well as over 50 original artworks. This is the first exhibition which combines 4 exhibitions from the renowned , American Museum of Natural History, San Juan National Science Museum, SCI! Expo at Monash University and Artist Peter Trusler.

Curated by paleontologist, Dr. Patricia Vickers-Rich, “Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction” offers a refreshing and in-depth journey into the pre-existence, existence, rise and extinction of dinosaurs. Through a timeline thread, visitors will be transported more than 600 million years back in time to learn the unique story of what came before and after the dinosaurs, and gain a deeper understanding on how these species evolved and adapted to changing
environmental conditions

Personally, I am not too much of a “Dinosaur Fanatic”. In fact, the only dinosaur  I know “off the cuff” is the infamous “T-Rex”. Many thanks to Hollywood, this creature always brings me to the blockbuster “Jurassic Park” and it was good to see the bones of this monster there. My boy on the other hand, was rattling some names that I was not even sure of, and it was definitely “worth my while” to bring him to the museum.

To add to the experience, I would definitely opt for the guided tour. The guides know their stuff, and they gave interesting information, that you might not have picked up on your own. For example, I found out that the T-Rex runs slower than a middle-aged women walking at a leisurely pace , so you  can easily out-run a T-Rex if you wanted to. Seems like Hollywood has given us a wrong impression to deliberately push up their ratings!

A Great thing about the ArtScience Museum, is that they have curated interactive programs for the kids. Kids can take part in the “Life of a Palaeontologist” where the kids can handle tools, specimens, clean fossils, identifying bones and making a plaster.  The programs are definitely very well attended and the best time to visit the Museum would be on a weekday.

Other programmes are:

• ‘Stop Motion Dinosaur Wipe-out!’ – Film and dinosaur enthusiasts can create their own stop motion animation based on one of the main theories of mass dinosaur extinction: asteroid impact, climate change or volcanic eruptions.
• ‘Dinosaur Tale”- Presented by local puppet theatre company, Paper Monkey Theatre, visitors will be taken on a journey of how animal life adapted over 600 million years, presented through magical puppetry.
• ‘Sketch-a-fossil’- A drawing workshop conducted by Isabelle Desjeux, a scientist turned artist, who brings fossils to life by having visitors draw them in detail and placing the art piece in a pre-historic landscape.
• ‘Sculpture Fun’ – Visitors can try their hands at carving their own sculpted fossil, be it a shell or bone, out of soap to bring home.

As Part of the March School Holiday Program, you can get to have a sleep-over at the Museum too!

Entitled “A Sleepover with Dinos”, the program will be conducted on March 16 and March 21 (recommended for kids below 6 to 12yo). Priced at $120 per child (Free for accompanying adult), Parents get to bond with their child as they engage in the interactive activities at the Museum.  

For ticketing, you may head over to Sistic at: http://www.sistic.com/events/asm2011

Lastly, my family has no regrets about visiting the exhibition, and the experience was really enriching. The Museum does have cheaper prices for Singaporeans, so do ask for the Non-tourist prices when you pay them a visit.

To Find out more, head over to the ArtScience Museum.