Recently, Nathan told us that he really really really wants to go to: (in no particular order) New York, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, London, Rome, Bangkok.

We were curious how his geography seemingly improved or if it was some stock market news he heard cos many of these were all major markets! Well, they were all from Cars2! Thanks or no thanks, my boy now has dream holidays to these big cities!

Some have been asking me, what do we pack for a family holiday? We did a post once on Family Fun Vacation and it’s time for an update! So besides the clothes & shoes, here’s our list!

With our family—7 yo, 5 yo and 4 yo, this is what we pack for our trips:

1. Pull-up Diapers – In the hand carry bag, and in the bag you bring around everywhere. Emergencies are aplenty and they have a tendency to happen at the dirtiest mall, or on long road trips!

2. Notepads for each child with coloring pencils or just a pen – They love to draw, write notes, and scribble. This occupies them for many hours.

One of the tasks we get them to do is to write down all of our room numbers. (this includes all family members traveling with us, or friends) It also helps them remember their own room number!

3. Toy Cars (matchbox size) – Nathan’s current big love. He can play with 3 cars all alone for a entire afternoon, making strange noises. Best part—it works even in confined spaces like plane seats!

Do note that the cars trigger the metal detectors at the airport!

4. Books – One thin book for each child to read. For Nicole, we even brought her spelling list once! No choice, cos the spelling test would fall on the day after we reached home.

5. Basic kiddy travel pack – Tissues, Babywipes, Hand Sanitisers, Water Bottle, Long sleeve warm top.

At the end of the day, we got the kids to be part of the packing process. They know what’s packed and what’s left behind, so they do have some responsibilities too!

My adventures at Club Med Bali continue on…

Today was our 1st full day at Club Med and we were excited!

The very first thing we had to do at the resort, was to get our kids used to the child care services provided by Club Med.

 

Club Med Petit Club is a Full Day childcare service for kids between 2 to 4 years old, and a really essential service for families that want to maximize their holidays.

Parents need to make sure that the children have to take all necessary injections before they are allowed to enter the centre, and they have more than enough workers to take care of the kids. In fact, Club Med is so multi-national that they have special workers who can speak languages such as French, Mandarin and Japanese.

We dropped off the kids during “Water and Beach play” period, and the excitement of the event, did help erase some of their fears.

However, my youngest girl did cry when it was time to separate, and she took some time to adjust to the new environment. All part of growing pains!

Nicole who is 5 years old went to Mini Club Med instead. Located on the other side of the resort, this centre is meant for the older kids.

 

What’s great about these facilities in general, is that they are packed with activities. In Mini Club Med, Nicole went for tennis lessons, had beach play, and could even be sent for circus training (we woke up too late for that!) . Here, she can spend time doing somersaults and fly on the trapeze. In fact, Club Med Bali is one of the few Club Meds that has a “Circus” curriculum for children and for the adults.

To tell you the truth, the kids and myself have not tried it out yet…looks a bit scary to me!

After dropping the kids off,  Mummy and Daddy headed to the swimming pool for some aqua aerobics!

The GOs are really the life of the party at the resort. At every activity they are the ones who make things happen, and here they were leading a mass dance at the pool, after the aqua aerobics. They even had golf at the pool, where men and children “chipped” a tennis ball into a life buoy.

With the kids off our hands, we were also able to have some “couple” time together and we went snorkelling in the ocean. It was really cool, as we saw many colourful fishes, and they really swam very close to us! Bali is really a very nice island!

 

We went back to look for the kids in the late afternoon, and they were having a children’s soccer tournament. Nathan’s age group was too young to play, but they still managed to have a kick around…they even had mini goal posts for them

Check out the full article at Maybe Baby’s Blog…or just click on the link.

This is so exciting! We have landed, and we are now taking our half an hour taxi ride to Club Med Bali.

Situated on the part of the island called Nusa Dua, the Club Med experience provides an extensive list of services and activities in one single package. The best thing about Club Med is that the resort is ALL- INCLUSIVE!

With Buffet Meals all day, sports activities such as Archery, Tennis Golf, Windsurfing and even the circus– this is the place to be…Hey! even the Beer is Free Flow.

Check out the full article and pictures at the Maybe Baby Blog!

Wohoo….This week promises to be a really exciting time for the family!

In a few hours time, we will be flying off to Bali and staying in the really ‘happening’ resort called Club Med!

Thanks to the folks from Maybe Baby and I Love Children, the whole family will be staying at Club Med Bali for 4 Days and 3 Nights! It’s going to be exciting, as we have heard so much about the Resort and how it even has child minding facilities for the kids!

Sounds cool right! So stay tuned, as I will be Blogging “Live” from the resort, to give you a review about Club Med from a family perspective!

Watch out for my next post!

You are invited to a sneak peek at a upcoming blockbuster exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) … The Treasury of the World is THE exhibition of the year at the museum…

Wow! When I saw the email invite, I was curious! A blockbuster exhibition? Treasury of the WORLD?

When I read on, I realised this is no ordinary collection! It has been shown in the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Louvre in Paris… and now for the first time in Asia—in Singapore!

I’m no historian, but when I read about what would be shown at this collection, I really wanted to see the artefacts up close!

So along with Nicole, we went for this exclusive sneak peek! Ooohh it was a night of Indian Culture! We had a short introduction to the Mughal Empire – one of the wealthiest dynasties ever in the world.

Some interesting facts:

- the Mughal rulers lived lavishly. Everything they owned was jewelled with precious stones. Check out the dagger…

It’s adorned with rubies, diamonds, emeralds, ivory and agate! And that round ball-looking thing? That’s a mouthpiece for a smoking pipe. It’s just good ol’ rubies that they used!

- the Mughals loved life and lived it to the fullest! They smoked pipes, and collected art pieces.

- the Mughals were passionate people. The famous Taj Mahal was built by a Mughal emperor, out of his love for his beloved queen. One of the rulers who had a harem of 5,000!

After the presentation, we were treated to an Indian dance performance, and were even taught basic dance steps! (See how shy Nicole was!

Nicole had a blast as she bravely offered her leg to the Henna artist. We had to convince her one leg is enough! She wanted her hands and legs and face drawn!

Artist at work:

Near completion:

Check out Nathan—our little Mughal prince! (much thanks to ACM for the turban)

 

I can’t wait for the exhibition when it runs from 12 February-27 June! The whole family would be going down to see how the Mughals lived, try their clothes, taste their food, and have a hand at some jewellery designing. I know Mummy is definitely going to check out those precious stones!

FREE TICKETS TO THE MUSUEM

AND… I have 5 pairs of tickets to give away to my readers!

To qualify, simply leave a comment on this post by completing this sentence (less than 50 words):

“I have a bit of the Mughals in me because … …”

Please send in your entries by 5 Feb 2010, 2300hrs .

Winners will be announced on 7 Feb 2010.

Valentine’s Day Contest

Well, that’s not all! The museum is having a Valentine’s Day contest for visitors in February.

In celebration of the Mughals’ passion, ACM is giving one lucky visitor a chance to win a prize of a venue sponsorship of ACM’s River Terrace and River Room. The location is ideal for a wedding, anniversary party, or any special occasion! Look at the pictures!

To win, simply fill in a contest form stating your favourite artefact and why. You can drop in your form into a box at the end of the exhibition. More information is available at the museum. The contest closes on 28 Feb 2010.

So quickly send in your entries to win those tickets!

Below are additional details about the exhibition:

Date: 12 February to 27 June 2010

Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555

Website: www.acm.org.sg

Admission charges: $8 (adults) / $4 (concession); Family packages at $20 for up to 5 pax. Free admission for children aged 6 and below and seniors aged 60 and above.

Opening hours: Mon 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tues to Sun 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (to 9 p.m. on Fri)

Tips for Parents:

On the 27 & 28 March, ACM is organizing a weekend festival for the Treasury of the World.

It’s going to be carnival time as you get to try out the Mughals’ favourite past-time of archery, and get to watch live performances of song & dance!

Cool Yah!!! See you at the ACM!