the Christmas bus

Our friends rented a Christmas bus. An entire double decker bus just for us. We took it down Orchard Road to see the Christmas lights and huge trees.

The boys loved waving to people and shouting 'Merry Christmas'. It didn't rain, the breeze was lovely, and our friends hilarious. 

Thanks to Jonette for this picture!  

 

Not the best pictures taken from a moving bus at night, but they show Singapore's crowds and the crazy malls. Each one so decked out.

We ended with the light show at Marina Bay Sands.

Christmas Morning

Things I want to remember: 

Noah sweetly waking up Gage in the morning. In a whisper, "Gagey, Gagey! wake up! its Christmas!" It took a good 10 minutes until Gage said "I know!" and jumped out of bed.

Gage's rooster hair

Mismatched jammies

The gasps and wide eyes for toys they loved

Skyping with G and G

The smell of cinnamon and oranges

Cracking pistachios like my mom

Gage sang 'Santa Claus is coming to town' over and over and over. 'to town!'

Noah's 'Twas the night before Christmas'

The rice pudding was delicious

Gage loved Noah's present to him and wore it for the next 3 days. 

Gage's smile, squeals, and hugs when Noah opened his brother-present.

Dave's sneaky present to me. 

Noah reading 

and reading 

and reading.

 

Merry Christmas

Christmas season

We've gotten better at Christmas in Singapore. We've got our list of traditions that we love. We know where to buy the right things. There are events and lots of goodies. I think its just right. Just missing family.

 School Christmas carnival. Think fake snowball fights and bouncy castles in the pouring rain. 

A visit with Santa. Gage loved it up - giggling and poking Santa's bowl full of jelly. Noah kept his distance until he recognized that Santa was Mr. Hobbs, his French teacher!

Gingerbread house with buddies.   

Christmas parties.   

Homemade treats for neighbors 

 

Ward Christmas party.

Dave sang an awesome 'Let it snow' Singapore style. I am still giggling about it.

And a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner with friends

and crackers

 

and Nativity costumes.   

But can I tell you my absolute favorites? Snuggling up with the boys to read 'The Grinch' or 'The Nativity' or 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', the questions about Santa, the secret planning of presents, decorating the tree together, playing nativity, singing carols, eating creme brulee, listening to Noah's 'Jingle Bells' on the piano. 

And Christmas morning. 

That's the best. 

the Bubbles

The Bubbles has now become an absolute favorite Christmas tradition. Singapore's version of snow. We went twice this year, we couldn't help ourselves. Met up with fun friends the second time. 

 

Its magical.

Tanglin Mall shoots out bubbles with their machines, the kids dash around in their swim suits and for those 30 minutes it really does look like it could be snowing.

Thanks to Malia for this sweetie pic of Gage.

First the bubbles only come from the ground machines. 

 

And then it starts coming from above.

Gage never wanted it to end. So when it was over he curled up inside the machine for awhile. 

Gage at school

 Gage was a firefly for his preschool concert.

He didn't take off his costume for the rest of the day. Even wore it to his special McDonald's lunch after the concert. I have this picture frozen in my mind of him sitting on a stool with his knees tucked under him, antennae on his head, sipping his Milo. The happiest firefly. Ever.

He sang every word and did every action even when his friends were getting a little silly. And he got to hold a flashlight for one of the songs. Dream come true.

 

Gage with his buddies - Lucas, Toby and Grant.  At another school function. I can't remember why Noah was sad.

And a very cute Rudolf at the class Christmas party. He sang 'Jingle Bells', 'Santa Claus is coming to town' and something very excitedly in Chinese.

Noah at school

I love going in to Noah's class on Tuesdays. First graders have amazing minds. I love seeing Noah sitting in his desk, listening, raising his hand, laughing.

Or I like tagging along on the occasional field trip. 

Noah with his best buddies the day it was my turn to bring in Christmas ornaments to make.  Glitter was everywhere. e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

Little Gage got to come in for the class Christmas party.

Noah and his teacher, Ms. Savage.

The spread.