The Foong Family Adventures
Monday 2 July 2018
“Can we reset, please?”
Friday 4 May 2018
We published a book!
Why is Good Friday Good?
Monday 20 November 2017
Dad's day out with the FeebZ!
Daddy Foong is finally posting something on the blog. (Can go buy TOTO liao. Win already don't forget to share with me.)
The FeebZ had a fieldtrip last week, and I got to go and hang with her, so I thought I'd share some thoughts on that with everyone, and hopefully this will also be a reminder to myself one day (or many days) of why we do what we do on this parenting journey.
On the bus! |
Waiting for the Birds of Prey show to start! (She was terrified of the fake dead cow in the field lol) |
RAWR I'M A LION (eh wait wrong place leh) |
Photo op with her centre's principal, Ms May (who is AWESOME, btw... I mean, if you can make a living out of being with seventy preschoolers everyday, you've got to be a saint of some sort. Or deaf.) |
I owe Ms May $2 for this photo cos she helped me pay first. I better remember to return her the money. |
Friday 6 October 2017
Hooked on books? Visit Hook On Books!
From top left: books for sale, starioneries and traditional games, surprise bags and recommended reads.
Tuesday 22 August 2017
Let's pop some corn!
POP POP POP!
When I was young, my mum used to pop corn kernels once in a Long while. We didn't have a pot with a transparent glass lid so each time, I would just stay near to hear the sound of the kernels popping and hitting the lid. The sound tickled me and it was always a very happy moment for me. ππ
Last night, I decided to make some popcorn with the kids and I found this confirm-won't-fail method that would make sure your popcorn comes out not burned and will be crispy!
And I'm gonna share it with you!!!!!
You need:
(1) corn kernels (cheap cheap from Sheng siong)
(2) canola oil (don't use olive oil, it burns too fast!)
(3) butter (I used salted butter to give some balance to the sweetness)
(4) icing sugar
Making the sweet but light coating
I used a microwave-safe container with lid that would be used to store the popcorn later because I don't want to wash so many things.
Melt some butter in the microwave and stir in the icing sugar until totally dissolved. I added a little bit of water to aide the dissolving process.
Before
After
Now we are going to pop pop pop the kernels!
Step 1: Pour some canola oil in the deep pan on medium high heat
Step 2: Put in 3 kernels and wait for them to pop.
The reason for this step is to Ensure the heat is just right for the actual popping.
Step 3: *important* Pour in the amount of kernels you wish to pop AND remove from heat and count 30 secs!
The kids and I counted together loudly and as we counted, the popping started! The kids went crazy, going into this all giggly mode!
Step 4: Return pot to medium heat and shake the pot here and there to trigger more popping. You could tilt the lid a little to let the air out so the popcorn will be even crispier and drier.
Step 5: when the intervals between the popping drags out to a few seconds, remove from heat.
Step 6: Pour the popcorn into the coating mixture we prepared in the beginning and keep tossing until evenly coated!
You are done!
Look at these happy faces!
I had to stop the kids before they polished off the entire box!
You could make the session more meaningful by teaching about:
(1) POPCORN (when corn pops, it become pop-corn!)
(2) ηη±³θ±
The popcorn indeed looks like a flower (although I was told there are the mushroom species and butterfly species and the kernel we used belong to the butterfly shaped popcorn, I cannot be confusing them by saying ηη±³θΆ!).
So ηη±³π½ ➡️ηηΈπ₯➡️ηη±³ ➡️εθ±πΈπΌ➡️ηη±³θ±πΏ!
Alright, now it's your turn to try! Have fun!
Tuesday 18 July 2017
[Singapore Zoo] The Feeding Trail!
How do you usually plan your visit to the zoo?
Do you just go in then just walk and look see and maybe try to go for 1-2 shows then have KFC and then go?
We figured we have been doing just that over the past few years when we visited the zoo. Earlier days, we were more concerned for a rest area and the timing that kids have to sit down to have their meals. (Now, we are much chillllllllllllaxxx)
Back to the main point.
Today the Foong Family decided to visit the Singapore Zoo with a different itinerary!
We went with a theme in mind: lunch time for the animals!
(We had previously visited the zoo at another timing hoping to try out another trail but it started raining so heavily, we could not complete what we planned. π)
The rain stopped about 9+ this morning and the weather looked very promising π€and we headed out at 11.30am after just bumming a bit a home.
We reached the zoo about 12pm. The kids wanted to watch a show so we thought we could accommodate that before we begin our quest. We reached the Amphitheater at 12.15pm. It was a fast walk, we stayed focused and we did not really stop to look at any animals along the way.
The thing about themed visit is you have to keep to what you have planned. Else, the trip would end up with you missing one planned activity, then snow ball to missing subsequent ones and end up becoming a usual roam around visit.
I think one disclaimer is there is NOTHING WRONG about casual walk about. We just wanted to make things a little different since we frequent zoo quite a bit. :)
After the Rainforest Fight Back show, it was about 12.45pm. We took a casual walk to the circled area in the map below.
Along the way, we were well entertained by our Orang Utans! We were watching a mama orang Utan hugging and cleaning a baby orang utan.
We read a book about Meerkats previously and we observed them for quite a while! The posture and behaviour is exactly like the book! Amazing!
Alright! It is time! This is the trail we embarked on and I'm going to give you the ultimate tip!
We reached the white rhino enclosure at 1.15pm sharp and there was already a big crowd. For token feeding (indicated on the website with an asterix *), you have to reach early to either queue or get the queue number. For example, the giant tortoise feeding (which is Super fun!!!!) there are only seven cards for grab. You get to enter the enclosure and walk side by side with the tortoise. U can even touch the tortoise! You will be brought around by the zookeepers and briefed on how to feed Cherry tomatoes to the tortoise.
WHITE RHINOCEROS
For the white rhinos, the zookeepers will issue you with a basket of melon slices after you put a minimum $5 donation into the sealed box. I say minimum because you could give more to the conservation funds if you want to. :) you will stand on an elevated platform and feed the rhinos!
(Taken from http://cdn.secretearth.com/production/12475/banner_12475.jpg)
AFRICAN LION
**this is where the trail really begins!**
The lions were all in front of the glass viewing chamber and we were waiting to see the viewing there since 1.20pm! After waiting for 10min, there were no sight of the zookeepers but we saw the lion looking at a certain direction. Our very alert papa Elvin immediately went out and saw the zookeepers standing at the other side of the enclosure where the main pavement is. We rushed out and stood next to the two zookeepers. One was with the portable microphone telling the audience about the habits of the lions while the other was calling out to the lions and throwing big pieces of raw meat to them.
(Love the viewing chamber, esp when the lions are so up close)
After feeding the lions with one full pail of raw meat, the zookeepers asked the interested ones to follow them on the trail! So we just walked with them as though it was a private guided tour! As we walk, the zookeepers shared about the zoo and the animals eating habits and behaviour. Very interesting!
Together we reached the next site!
MEERKATS!
The zookeepers told us about the habitat, explained about the small sand dune and how the meerkats could stand upright for a good 1 hr to mark its territory! The meerkats were fed with palates and meal worms.
WARTHOGS
Here, the zookeepers were throwing big chunks of sweet potatoes to the warthogs. You can ask phoebe what she knows about warthog! She would tell you that they like to roll in the mud because it is their insect repellent. Who did she hear it from? Our "personal" guides! The zookeepers!
AFRICAN PAINTED DOGS
Long legs, rounded ears and three coloured patches were one of the information we learnt. The zookeepers not just fed the dogs but also did simple precision training with them. Very interesting to watch. One funny moment was Phoebe acting to "spit/vomit" food into Nathan's mouth because she was imitating the board about how the Mother painted dogs would store food in her mouth to warm it up before giving to the puppies.
(Phoebe didn't want to act it out properly for me when I requested for her to do it again for a photo, so papa Elvin had to take over!)
That was the end of the trail with the accompanying zookeepers. We didn't go for giraffe token feeding because the queue was mad Long and we have seen it before.
We took a cooling break at the polar bear enclosure. And when it is 2.10pm, we started making out way to the OTTERS. we love otters!
OTTERS
The feeding time for otters is 2.15pm. When we arrived, the feeding has started with the zookeepers talking about the habitat and scent. Otters are fast swimmers! Love how they glide around! After the feeding session, the zookeeper stayed around for visitors to ask questions too!
(We changed our position to beside the zookeepers and this is how close we were!)
We ended our visit at the zoo with a posey photo by the kiddos, before heading to the River Safari for part 2 of the feeding trail!
But apparently when we were near the exit, about 2.30pm, these beautiful lemurs were being fed too! We are so in theme!
(This is a blur screen shot of a video.)