About SengkangBabies

I am a Blogging Daddy of four. Our kids are roaming Singapore to bring you FUN, This blog is use to capture our kids' growing up phases, and we want you to leave our blog with a smile :)

Navy Open house photos

Posted on May 20, 2013 by SengkangBabies

Last sat, Daddy brought two boys to Navy Open House. Although we arrive at Expo 0800, there was already a long queue infront of us !

The boys have insisted ask Daddy to bring them to catch some Archer and Chinook after the earlier media preview for bloggers.

Daddy knew it would be tough to ballot for a cruise on one of the battleships, so we headed for the the Navy’s Endurance class platform. Imagine swimming three laps of 50m and you get an idea of the Singapore Navy’s largest vessel. A Chinook can even land on the 141m vessel’s helipad!

Endurance weighs 6500 ton, but needs only a crew of 65, this is only possible with a hugh amount of automation.

Nice view from the cabin!

Did you know that Endurance (207) was the first LST (Landing Ship Tank) to reach Meulaboh after the 2004 earthquake Tsunami? SengkangBabies are extremely proud of 207′s dedication !

On every vessel which we inspected, we always found loving “family” photos. From weddings to newborns, to holidays port-calls, we see how Navy family celebrate everything together.

More importantly, the Navy family donated money, blood and provided moral support when their comrade Mr Jason Chee was seriously hurt. Kudos to the Navy !

Back to serious business. We simulated a intruder-alert in the war room, and very soon, Boon Wee dispatch a Seahawk to dip the sonar. (the 0930 Dynamic display audience did not know about SengkangBabies’ involvement :p )

R&R time, how do Navy personal spend their free time on board? Watch TV, surf internet, or sleep? Kids ask where is the buffet counter, hello this is Endurance, not Star Cruise :p

Daddy show the boys something which Star Cruise does not have. FCU (Fast Craft utility) rides !

Must watch Video : This FCU ride is our best experience !

This is our 2nd FCU experience, the 1st one was during 2012′s Army Open House

After we disembark from the LST, we head to the Family tent for more Fun.

More cute standees for Boon Kang.

From all the ships, you will not miss the steep and narrow stairways ! In rough weather, non-seaman would struggle to stand still without swaying, imagine how our Navy friends descend the flight of stairway !

Another observation, fire extinguishers and suppression system are everywhere. When a fire breakout on a vessel, it must be contained, period. On land, people can run from a building, but how do you ditch a vessel? The passageway is narrow, stairs are steep. In an emergency, everyone is a fireman.

There are six submarines in 171 Squadron. One of the challengers decided to get a suntan. From the modeling kits, we realised the Archer family is longer than the Challenger.

We say Ahoy to Intrepid again, we met her at Vivocity earlier in Apr. This time round, we got to board the Frigate.

Seeing the pots of aster in-front of us, Boon Kang got an itch to arm and discharge a few salvos ! Daddy told him to sign on Navy in 10 years.

Click for more details about Frigate’s armament.

(credit image Aster launch)

On land, queues have formed at every exhibit

Note to Open house coordinators, please do not let Mao Shan Wang be the exclusive ice cream again. Kids want the normal cornetto ice cream, and besides, not all foreigners appreciate the pungent fruit haha.

At 1430, we got ready for the Dynamic Show.

We witness how Navy and other operatives integrate to hammer the pirates.

Daddy hopes the next Navy Open House will feature an Archer surfacing infront of the spectators (something like this Dutch Sub blowing). If budget permits, maybe add some fireworks or pyrotechnics for the effects :p

Daddy show us the difference between Missile corvette and Frigate. Daddy say Missile corvette has a remote aeroplane at the rear (bow).

Lastly, we boarded Navy’s minesweeper. The Bedok family (Bedok, Katong, Punggol and Katong) are tasked with keeping Singapore’s sea-lanes free of mines.

Boon Wee ask whether there is a vessel christened Sengkang?

Kids try to engage their Typhoon on another target. Fortunately, there are “Do Not Touch” reminders for the kids.

We found out that “Head” refers to toilet in Navy lingo on board the Bedok. There is a warning on the toilet door indicating “All Heads out-of-bound during Mine Hunting !”

Video : Other NOH activities

Navy Open House is only possible with the dedication and sacrifices of our Navy folks. While we enjoy the rides, exhibits and experience, Navy family have to sacrifice their own family time. We can only imagine the planners’ logistics and security nightmares.

Thank you Singapore Navy, for another exiting weekend ! Boon Wee and Boon Kang are seriously consider signing on.

Have you seen our FCU video already, you should bring your kids for a fun ride at the next open house. As usual, more Navy Open Housephotos are uploaded on our Fanpage.

- SAF efforts in 2004′s Tsunami hit areas
- SengkangBabies was invited to preview NOH 2013 earlier
- Visit to Sembawang camp, the elite FrogMan (NDU)

Thinkersbox Cognitive learning

Posted on May 20, 2013 by SengkangBabies

[ Review ]

Boon Yee is a year-end baby, and his slower learning progress is always on our mind.
Since childcare, we always notice the difference between a Q1 and a Q4 baby, especially when it involves learning skills, independence and most importantly, understanding of instructions.

Year end babies’ thought-processes are not as advanced as those born earlier.
This is perfectly fine, but as parents, our anxiety trait kick in again.
When will Yee catch up, will he feel the pressure in Primary 1?

Both Mummy and Daddy wants Boon Yee to have a memorable childhood, and we do not want to force him to do anything he does not want.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
We have blog about how ThinkersBox evaluate and coach kids to “Learn-to-think and think-to-learn“. Thanks to ThinkersBox’s sponsorship, Boon Yee (6 years old) has been attending their class since Jan.

Have we seen any improvement since Jan?

Mummy is our primary care giver, and she can see the difference in Yee’s attitute.
She used to repeat a sentence or instruction so many times before Yee absorbs, but Yee is more responsive now.

Yi now takes less effort to memorise his spellings.
More remarkably, he is even showing an interest to complete his task !

We are pleasantly surprised by Yee’s new zest for Learning .
He looks forward to his class every week.

Let Daddy show you what goes on in Yee’s classroom

Each child receives a personalised workbook with modules to help improve their cognitive skills.

To build vocabulary, pictures are provided to help children link the words to the concepts they represent

Shapes and Games to encourage the kids to ask quesions.

Kids get to exercise their visual analysis and try to piece the “jigsaw” together. This is not as straightforward for kids.

Kids learn how to draw straight lines first. As the lines get finer, it is now difficult to maintain a straight line. This will help kids to trace their alphabets characters and control their pencil grip.

Computer game time, except there is a timer. Kids need to scan, analyse and determine which objects or shapes appear in the earlier slide.

Concept of position “Up, Below, Over, Between” etc. The concept will change when we select a new object (perspective). This helps the child to build connection and relational abilities.

ThinkersBox offer modules for kids from 5 to 12 years old, do click for their training modules. Through a series of questions, ThinkersBox’s Cognitive Profile Test will tell us more about our kids’ underlying skill sets. Click for more assessment details.

If you are curious about how ThinkersBox can help your child to build a stronger foundation, do contact them for more details :

- phone 6773 4886
- email
- webpage
- fanpage

School holiday children activities

Posted on May 17, 2013 by SengkangBabies

Friday is the last day for Boon Wee (P4) and his exams. Boon Kang (P2) does not have exams, but they have something call mastery tests. Anyway, it has been a stressful week for him, and more so for Mummy.

We are looking forward to the weekends, and the coming holidays. Let us share some school holiday children activities, and our holiday itinerary

1. 20th May dateline – Have you balloted for 2013 NDP Parade?
We have never been lucky for the last 4 NDPs, but we heard 2012′s winners will not be allow to vote. Maybe we will get to watch NDP 2013 together as a family.
—> http://ndp.org.sg

(image credit)

2. 20th May dateline – Gardens by the Bay (GBTB) is celebrating Father’s day with a photography workshop. Registration ends 20th May, click to register. ( A $15 fees applies)
—> GBTB website.

Tulips will be on display till 20th May. Read our own planting experience.

3. Movies anyone? Our boys are insisting that we go watch Epic, Iron Man 3, Fast And Furious 6 and maybe Monster Inc 2. Too many shows !

4. Navy Open house (NOH) sails on 18.19May from 0900 to 1900.
Expect Gunboats, missiles and cruises, be prepared for HOT weather.
Click for FAQ about NOH 2013. The only way to access Changi Naval Base is via shuttle buses from Expo Hall 3 ( Taxi and walk-in will not be entertained)
—> SengkangBabies preview.

5. For those curious about our heritage, culture, and history, some museums will be FREE from 18th May onwards. Yeah !
—> I love Museums fanpage.

6. Birdpark has a “1 for 1″ ticket promotion from 24May to 30Jun. We heard Dr Squawk and Dora will be waiting for kids too. More details here.

(image credit)

7. Zoo is 40 years old ! Those born in 1973 can bring four friends and all will get 40% discount !! (double WOW) Details here.

Fancy being a rescue ranger? Zoolympix challenges the kids with games and memory activities.

(image credit)

8. Join Naked Hermit Crab as they bring you closer to nature at Pasir Ris and we love Chek Jawa.
—> http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.sg

9. Still on nature, are you curious about how wildlife strives in Sungei Buloh? Before you head North, there are online cameras to monitor the wildlife at Sungei Buloh now ! Click for more Earth Day photos.
—> https://www.sbwr.org.sg

10. Anyone into Playmobil? Sentosa got some giant models waiting for the kids. More events and promotions await on the southern island. Playmobil old photos last Dec.
—> Upcoming Sentosa Events

(image credit)

11. We did a comparison of Singapore’s 3 latest attractions (River Safari, SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark). Maybe your kid/s might be interested to rub shoulders with Panda, Stingray, Dolphins or Manatees?