Fall Break week for the kids

We've had this WHOLE week off from school as the kids have "Fall Break" from SAS (Singapore American School). Since Brian is traveling in the USA right now, going on a mini-vacation is out of the question (i'm not brave enough to go to some of these countries all by myself with the kids)...so we are doing cool Singapore things each day.

We went with friends to the Singapore Zoo yesterday and then stayed for the amazing Night Safari. It was a LONG night, didn't get the kids home and in bed until 10:30 or so..but we had so much fun. The Night Safari is an amazing concept-for the kids to see animals in their normal habitat at night is truly cool. We spent a long time in the Bat area-so much time that I received a "gift" on my shirt! EEEWWW, gross! That's bat love. :)

Today we went to WILD WILD WET, a great water park here in Singapore. Maddie and Grant are at a good age to let them run wild and then can ride all the slides without height restrictions anymore! HIP HIP HOORAY! We went with the Erhardt family, our favorite family to hang out with. Fun day for all!

More fun events planned for the kids over the next few days.

Maddie having fun in the wave pool area and Maddie and sweet Emily!





Grant being...well...Grant!


Who doesn't LOVE McDonalds icecream?

UN Day Celebration and "Where the H*** is Matt?" off of Youtube

The Singapore American School Primary Division (Grades K-3) celebrated United Nations Day (UN Day) today.

The children were asked to come dressed in attire that reflected where they were born, lived, or nationality of their family. The entire division had an assembly where they had a Parade of Nations Flag Presentation depicting the 50 countries and flags represented amongst The Singapore American School. We then listened to children speak about the UN and how it was formed. Then we saw amazing dancers and performers in amazing costumes. Lastly, we watched the following video about a man named Matt who traveled around the world to DANCE with everyone. Amazing stories Matt has about his adventures. The kids read outloud each country and cheered on their "home" country. They cheered really loudy when Singapore came up! :)

As M. Scott Peck once said "Share our similarities, celebrate our differences."


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Formula 1 Weekend in Singapore!

What an amazing and exciting weekend we had with the Formula 1 in town!!

I have to be honest, racing isn't MY thing-but it is Brian's, so when I agreed to go on Saturday all day to the F1 events I was not sure how much fun it would be. I was SO pleasantly surprised at what a great time we had! The people, the cars, the excitement-it was contagious. Brian and I had so much fun!

After hearing about how much fun Grant had on Friday, and then my day on Saturday-sweet Madeline was a little sad that she didn't agree to go when we bought the tickets 6 months ago. :) She wishes now that she would have.

Singapore put so much into the weekend, and the year long preparations were evident. Hosting the FIRST night Formula 1 race is a big deal, but to also have it look so effortless and go off without a hitch is amazing. The city was lit up and it made for a beautiful backdrop to the event. Looking forward to (maybe?) going again next year?!?!? ....not sure if we will be here for it, but crossing fingers and toes that we will be. :)

Here are a few more photos of our fun F1 weekend.

First night Formula 1 race in Singapore

Brian took Grant to the Formula 1 Practice session today. They went in the afternoon and watched support races by BMW, Porsche, and Aston Martin. When it got dark, the Formula 1 cars came out. Grant LOVED it! He didn't love how LOUD the engines were even with ear plugs in. Brian's fav part?? Listening to the different engines of the cars. Crazy boy who loves cars!! It's like Christmas for him right now-he is ALL ABOUT this weekend of Formula 1 here. I am going all day tomorrow with him for the Qualifying Races. Maddie and Grant will be with friends all day/night. And then Brian is taking his friend Matt to the actual race on Sunday.

Here are some highlight photos from their day at Formula 1.

Chinese Lantern Festival in Singapore

Chinese Lantern Festival in Singapore

For the Chinese community, this is a very important time. The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, is an auspicious time to gather together and reunite families and friends, many whom come together to enjoy mooncakes, Chinese tea and appreciate the moon at it fullest. Chinatown is lit up with hundreds of lanterns and lights. You can also view the lanterns along the river at Clarke Quay where we went last night.

We joined the Erhardt family, minus hubby Tom who is in the USA for business trip. We ate dinner outside along the river at Cafe Iguana (great margaritas!). After a yummy dinner we walked along the river to view the beautiful, giant, amazing lanterns. The kids were in awe, all the lights and the people. A full moon was shining overhead, perfect for the night. We found a vendor selling lanterns (with battery powered lights, not the typical candles-a lot safer for the kiddos) and they walked along with their own lanterns. We had such a fun time!

Above you will see highlight photos.

Party for WHO???

I called my sister yesterday to see how they are doing with that hurricane going on in her area. Lucky for them, it had changed direction and was headed more west of their location in the panhandle of Florida. I was so happy and relieved, but she then told me she had even more exciting news to tell me. More exciting than a Hurricane??

Kick butt sister, with her fab parties has snagged another celeb client in the LA area. Yes, Miss Mix Mingle Glow is planning a party for......can't write the name.....but here are the initials. B.S. No, not my hubby Brian Sibley. But another POPTART with the same initials. Hmmmmmmm....got you thinking???? Talk amongst yourself and see if you can figure it out!

This party will be one to tell the grandkids about one day!!!!! check her out at MIXMINGLEGLOW

Dr. Pepper?? or did you say Tissues?

I had what my friends and I call a "Singapore moment" the other day while out to lunch with my friend Lori.

We went to a Hawker Center (like an outdoor food court with local food for really great price-filled with locals usually). We were craving some good Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and other Asian specialty food. The English spoken at this Hawker center is ok, but not as good as most stores/restaurants-but the food is AMAZING and yummy.

We sat down to eat and I decided to go to the Drink stall and get us beverages. Lori's drink of choice? Diet Coke. My drink of choice...Dr. Pepper. LOVE IT! :)

So I head to the Drink man, and ask for a Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper. He hands me the Diet Coke, then looks confused as to what I am asking for next. They sell Dr. Pepper in Singapore, I buy it all the time--but at the Hawker Center? I can't remember. So I say it slower, sounding ridiculous as I say it. "Doooocccttttooorrrr Peeeepppppppppppeeeerrrrrr". The man is not hard of hearing, so I am not sure why i am saying it in a louder voice. He was probably thinking "You silly American lady-i can hear you". He hands me another can of some other soda. I say "No, Dr. Pepper-it's a brand of soda. Red can" He hands me a Coke. I just decide to try the next Drink stall. So I say "no no. Nevermind".

A few doors down I go to the next nice little man, and say sweetly "Dr. Pepper please". He cocks his head...thinks for a moment...and picks up a bottle of water and tries to hand it to me. I say it again, stupidly, and describe it. No luck. He then smiles and his eyes light up...I think to myself YIPPEEE, he has it. He instead hands me a little packet of tissues. Tissues?? Dr. Pepper? WHAT??? Do the two words sound alike?? Am I speaking not clearly?? Am I on candid camera?? I then realize he must think I am sick (the word Doctor) and is offering Kleenex to help me??? I giggle, hand them back and tell him I'll have that bottle of water after all.

No Dr. Pepper today for me. :)

First day of school at The Singapore American School!

Maddie and Grant on their way to the bus stop at 7:00am-a much later pick up time than last year (they used to be picked up at 6:45!)

Here they are with our neighbors Lilly and Maisy-they attend a different private school here in Singapore.

Grant was not happy that he had to wear a badge for the first few days around his neck-he thought he was too big for that. :)



Maddie and Grant started school last week-Maddie started 5th grade on Monday and Grant started 1rst grade on Wednesday!!

They were both so excited to start school this year. Grant did NOT like the fact that Maddie started a few days before him, but it was nice to get some more 1 on 1 with him for a few days while she was at school.

They love their teachers and had a great first week. Grant was surprised that 1rst grade is so different from kindergarten. He came home one day and told me that "1rst grade is a lot of work and not as much playtime!!".

Madeline loves the fact that she is switching classes for science and social studies, preparing for middle school next year (YIKES!). She also is playing the violin again this year in the 5th grade orchestra and we spent the day yesterday shopping and purchasing a new violin for her.

We are sooo looking forward to another amazing year at The Singapore American School!!

Our 1 yr anniversary of living as an Expat

This past year as an Expat has flown by. As we arrived into Singapore a few days ago after our home trip to the USA, I was recalling how I felt this exact time one year ago.

We were nervous, excited, and a little scared all at the same time. We didn't know a soul here, we didn't know where to shop or eat, and most importantly I didn't know if everyone would understand us. We were told that everyone spoke English, but until you live and explore an area...you just never know. We knew that the American population was large on this tiny island, but we didn't know who our neighbors were and if we would be around any. I won't lie, the first 3 months were tough. The kids were sick constantly because they needed to get used to new "germs" in this part of the world. I was also without children for the first time in 9 years during the day. Grant started kindergarten and they were both gone all day (6:45am-4pm). It was a huge adjustment for myself as well. No longer did I have the kids as an ice breaker to meet new people. We've moved around the USA a bunch over the last 12 years of our marriage, and I have learned that it's super easy to make friends in a new area when you've got little ones in playgroups, etc. But I have made such wonderful priceless friendships since moving here to Singapore. Joining the American Womans Association and being a member of the American Club was so very helpful in meeting other women with similiar intersts. For Brian.. he had to deal with the family adjustment as well as work ones. He was starting with huge projects both in China and here, and needed to adjust to traveling to China M-F every other week. But we made it...and NOW....

One year later:
I am amazed at how well we adjusted and have grown to love it here. We have met such amazing people from all over the world, have made wonderful friends, and feel very much at home here. When we were in the USA for our visit over the summer I ran into a friend and she asked "Was it a HUGE culture shock to move to Singapore?" I didn't have to think long before I told her that it was a bigger culture shock to come back to our small New England town then to move 1/2 way around the world. We can buy/find all the same American products here but we also have cultural experiences right around each corner. It is like the best of both worlds. The kids look at people and experiences much differently now, and that is an amazing lesson I am glad that Brian and I have given them. Now we are celebrating and breathing a sigh of relief as we begin our fun second year as an Expat here in Singapore. We are looking forward to more fun traveling, a great excellent school year, and adventures that the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. :)

Headed back "home" to Singapore

I can't believe that we are headed back already, the 7 weeks we were home just flew by. For those of you that we didn't get to see this trip, I do apologize and PROMISE to see you guys at Christmas. There weren't enough hours in the day and days here for us to do all that we wanted to. Here I thought it would be a relaxing visit home. Silly me! :) The kids have mixed feelings right now, they are sooo excited to go back and see their friends in Singapore and start the new school year, but they are so very sad to leave all of our good friends here in the USA and the comforts of home. They had to say all their good-byes today to friends and it was hard for them. Once we get to the airport tomorrow, they will be excited to get back to the warm tropical Singapore island.

As I look into the other room I am seeing a TON of stuff to pack into our few suitcases and bags...yikes...getting very stressed. So instead I will post a few photos of things we did over the past few days. (nothing like procrastination)

A trip to The Childrens Museum in Boston -great fun afternoon

Maddie and Grant training to be future members of The Blue Man Group

Grant, don't run over your sister! She'll be nicer to you, I promise!

Madeline decided she should learn to fly a plane...just in case she needs to take over for the pilot tomorrow on our 21 hour flight!


Maddie and her best friend Kaitlin had many sleepovers while we were home. Maddie took her camera everywhere with her this summer, including the sleepovers. These 2 girls came up with cute/creative pictures using the timer and setting the camera on things.


And sweet Grant got glasses to help him see the board at school. He was sooo excited to get them, not really sure why, but it made it a lot easier. He was even more excited to find out the they had POWER RANGER glasses! He wants to wear them 24/7, but the dr. told him only during class time. He will find any excuse to put them on now. So cute.

Hot Shot Sista! :)

As most of you already know, and for those of you who don't, my sister Robyn has taken her god given talent of throwing AMAZING fabulous parties and events and started her own business a few years ago. She rocks...and I'm not just saying this because she is related to me...seriously. For years she would throw parties for her friends, her kids, and family and you could hear people saying "OH MY GOSH, this is AMAZING! You should do this for a living!!" So she tucked away her Masters Degree in Education and created "Mix Mingle Glow". She's worked with some celebrity clients.....

Here is a cutie little photo of my sis (and possible new BFF??)


If you live in/around the Florida area and are in need of an amazing event planner for ANY event (I've seen spectacular weddings she's done, amazing birthday bashes, anniversary parties, baby showers, or any special event) please check her out. She is in North Florida but travels ALL over.

So proud of her. I knew she would be fab...just glad that the rest of the world will see it too. Click here to visit her site.

MFA in Boston

We went to the MFA last week. Haven't taken the kids there for years...seriously....the last time we went Grant was less than a year old. It's been way to long so we decided to make a day of it.

What an incredible museum and the kids loved it!!! Madeline is a very "artsy" girl, but she told me clearly that she didn't enjoy paintings as much as the statues and sculptures. She took her camera and captured some fantastic images of the ones that she loved, and I was amazed at her photography skills. Her viewpoint of the sculptures in her photos put them in a whole different perspective. The MFA was very entertaining for Mr. Grant also. His kindergarten class in Singapore went to the Singapore Art Museum last year as a field trip, and he loved staring at the paintings and asking questions about them. He also loves any paintings by Van Gogh, all thanks to those Baby Einstein videos from years ago-his fav was the Baby Van Gogh one. He was able to recognize the Van Goghs in the MFA this time, and rushed over to look at them up close and was impressed that they had the real ones! He took my camera from me and took a few pictures of his favorite ones.

What was the highlight of their trip to the MFA? The MFA houses one of the world’s finest collections of mummies, sculpture, ceramics, and dazzling gold from ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire. With over 70,000 works of art, they were totally amazed and thrilled to get a glimpse at the world of pharaohs and emperors.

Here are some photos from our day out.
View inside the MFA

Grant found the Van Gogh's...so happy!!

He took this photo with my camera of his favorite Van Gogh

Maddie and Grant doing their best Egyptian poses

Look at little Maddie next to that GIANT painting-amazing!

She said "This is how I feel when I do MATH!!" So here is her Math face copying the painting above.

The boys thought this statue was funny. They said this is Daddy's morning face! HA HA HA!

They were amazed to see a mummy up close. Grant was afraid it was going to come out of the box!!! Maddie scared him a few times by knocking on the glass and saying "Do you hear that?? It's coming out!" Funny girl! Poor Grant!

Here is Grant observing the drawings. Love this photo.

Maddie took this of ancient hieroglyphics.

She took this photo too-love the viewpoint of the sphinx.


If you are ever in Boston, or live near it...you must make a trip to the MFA. Such a fabulous museum.

We are here for another week and then we head back to Singapore. More adventures to come.....

Another fun Vermont weekend!

Fun with Sparklers

While in Vermont Grant was able to hang out with his friend Andrew. There was a neighborhood bbq held a few days after 4th of July and the boys ran around all afternoon/evening having a blast! Once it got dark Andrew was thrilled to share his sparklers with Grant and they ran around them. Here are a few fun photos of the boys....