My bogan Aussie boys on Australia Day

For only the second time since we moved to Perth, we braved the crowds and ventured to the Swan River Foreshore to celebrate Australia Day with Australia's biggest fireworks show (after Sydney on New Year's Eve). Surprisingly, it wasn't at all as crowded or rowdy as the news would have us believe. And we had a super time having a KFC picnic and watching the boys playing with all the other patriotically tattooed Australian children. We might just have to make this an annual thing!

Singapore Fling #3

Day #3 in Singapore saw us visiting the world famous Singapore Zoo, and it probably doesn't need to be said, but we were all really looking forward to it. First stop was a visit to Inuka, the very first polar bear born in the tropics. We watched his morning feed and swim in his icy cold pool and pardon the pun, but it was super cool!

Next it was time for the sea lion Splash Safari show. I didn't need much encouragement to put my hand up to volunteer throwing frisbees to the sea lion, but Ollie didn't like it one bit and started screaming as soon as I left my seat. And what else could I do, but go and get him so that he could help me out with the stunt. And look how perfect my throw was!

Next up was the elephant show which you could bet the boys and I wouldn't miss!

And then as a little treat, we surprised the boys with a ride on an elephant. It was short but definitely memorable.

After lunch, it was Elliot's highlight of the day: a visit to the white tigers to watch them be fed! Excited is an understatement.

And then it was time to board the tram for a guided tour around the zoo. (This place was huge!!) We disembarked at Kidzworld where the boys splashed in a massive water playground, ran an obstacle course complete with a pull-along barge to cross a pond, ran amok in a really awesome abstract playground, and took in the Animal Friends Show. And not to be shown up by his mom, Elliot enthusiastically volunteered to take part in the show, hula hooping and holding a hoop really still for a dog to jump through. He was gleeful!

By the end of the day, we were all exhausted, and the boys were more than just a little bit grumpy, but it was a fantastic day and the perfect end to a really full and fun couple of days in Singapore.

Singapore Fling #2

On day #2 in Singapore, we ventured to the tourist mecca of Sentosa Island. We decided to forego a visit to Universal Studios in favour of a couple of lower key activities. First up, we hit the Skyline Luge where the boys rode on their first chair lift and zoomed down the mountain with Paul and I on our speedy luges.

After lunch, we headed to the Port of Lost Wonder, a water park specifically designed for children under twelve. Paul and I were hopeful that with the slides and water playground and foam parties that we might get a chance to just lay in the sun and relax whilst sipping our Singapore slings. It didn't quite end up like that. 

When we'd had enough, we dried off and visited an animal show where the boys bravely made friends with a big snake. Then we checked out the southernmost point on continental Asia and had the tourist version of Singapore street food on the beach. 

At the end of the day, both boys fell asleep on the concrete waiting in line for a taxi. I wonder if that makes us really fun parents or really negligent ones.

Singapore Fling #1

Just because we left the States didn't mean our holiday was over. Uh-uh. Nope. We decided to have a holiday in our holiday by spending three fabulous days in Singapore on our way home. And as Elliot exclaimed after noticing the butterfly garden, two-story kids playground, and multi-level super slide in the airport, "Everyone in Singapore must be fun!"

After checking into our friendly Air BnB apartment the first thing on the agenda was a good long nap. And then we literally dragged the boys out of bed (determined to force them to readjust to the new time zone) and off to Clarke Quay on the Singapore River to grab a bit of dinner before boarding our bum boat for our river cruise down to the laser light show at Marina Bay Sands. We were all exhausted but it was such a great night relaxing on the boat and taking in all the beautiful lights and sights on the river.

Happy Snaps from our awesome Xmas in America

THANK YOU Grumpy, Ryan, Jen, Evan, Claire, and Kathryn for sharing your homes with us and showing us such a wonderful time. I know that the boys will remember this really special holiday for a long long time. 

We love Grumpy!!

Check out our beautiful tree!

I love this photo of Ollie boogeying down at the bowling alley.

We finally had family photos taken

and here are my 39 favourites!