Car Seat

******************Updated with new information************************

A big Thank You!  To TheCarSeatLady who left an informative comment to my blog post.  Here is the comment:

  "It is fantastic to see parents who are diligent about keeping their kids safe in taxis (I live in NYC, so taxis are a way of life for me also). However, as a pediatrician and certified child passenger safety expert I am very concerned by the fit of the seat belt on your son's body when using the Easycarseat booster. The lap belt is positioned directly across his soft, vulnerable abdomen - which is exactly where the belt should never be as it can cause serious injuries to the abdominal organs and lower spinal cord if it is there. You can see here, on the Insurance institute for Highway Safety's booster seat rankings what good and poor belt fit is - and unfortunately your son's picture is a textbook case of poor belt fit. http://iihs.org/research/topics/boosters/default.html

There are other options that give excellent belt fit - and are in fact Best Bets from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as they provide the best seat belt fit - and are even more portable than the Easycarseat (and as a bonus, also pass the US and European crash tests) - namely the Bubble Bum. 

Please see this post regarding significant concerns abou the safety of the Easycarseat booster that you are using for your son. http://thecarseatlady.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/easycarseatfailscrashtests/ ."

Needless to say, my goal is to keep my kids safe while we occasionally ride in taxis.  The Easy Car Seat was not achieving that goal.  I have 3 Bubble Bums on order.  I am happy because they are smaller and lighter (so easier to carry around!) and I can fit 3 across, so Lily can have one too.  There is a distributor in Singapore, so I should have all 3 in hand soon.  I will write another car seat post once I have them in hand.  

I'm so sorry to have shared poor information.  It was not my intention...

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So this is a post that I'm not sure my American friends will be able to relate to...  in fact, I think you might be appalled!  I was.  In Asia, there are no car seat laws or requirements.  None.  We are living here without a car.  Mostly, I love it.  There's a freedom that comes with having a fabulous public transit system.  I can get most anywhere just by walking out the front door.  The subway and the buses are clean and reliable and safe.  It's cheap too.  So, mostly, we are riding the MRT or a bus to get to where we need to be.  For the bus and the subway, there is no need for a car seat.  I'm happy when my kids get to sit down, but sometimes we are all standing.  It's okay.  We're fine and it seems pretty safe.

However, occasionally, we need to take a Taxi.  On Tuesday's after school, all 3 of my kids have gymnastics.  There is just barely enough time between when school gets out and when gymnastics start to get them changed and have a snack and then hop in a taxi for the 5 to 7 minute ride.  Gymnastics is very close, but it's too far to walk and there isn't a great bus route.  So this is one example of when a taxi is needed.  Taxi's are easy to get.  I have a couple of different apps on my iphone that use GPS and order up a taxi.  They give me a 2 minute window of when to expect the taxi and they are usually on time.  Awesome.

It's not awesome to have my sweet little children in a car using only the provided seat belts.  When we first arrived, I would just hold my breath the whole time we were driving in a taxi.  In the US, I was the mom who followed the car seat recommendations precisely.  I got out my ruler and made sure there wasn't too much slack in the 5 point harness.  Scott took our car to the fire station to have the firemen check that we installed the car seats correctly.  I was very cautious about who could drive my kids and I preferred they be in their own seats in my car if possible.  This was one area where I would not compromise.

So, who am I now...?  This crazy mom living is Asia allowing my kids to ride in a taxi with any random driver without a car seat?!

It felt like too big of a departure from who I am and what's important to me.  I have to make compromises here.  I have to let go of some things but it's also important that I hold on to some things too.

Imagine my relief when I found the Easy Car Seat!  It's an inflatable booster seat that complies with US and UK car seat laws.  It's rated for children 15kg and larger.  Wyatt is exactly 15kg!  If we were still living in the states, he would still be in his Britax 5 point harness seat.  This is basically a high back booster, so it's not as good, but it's WAY better than nothing.  It lifts him up high enough and pulls the seat belt down just enough so that it's not on his neck.  It is made from a durable vinyl.  It's pretty light.  It inflates in about 12 breaths and deflates in less than 1 minute.  

I got one for Madeline too.

I can fit the two seats in my backpack.  I book my cab and then inflate them.  We are ready to go!  And I can relax a little bit more.

Lily is still riding with only the seat belts provided in the car.  I think she is technically tall enough to do so.  She's nearly 7 and tall for her age.  I know she'd still be riding in a booster at home, but I can't quite manage having 3 of these things in my bag or 3 across the backseat of a car.  The seat belts seem to fit her comfortably.   The best I can do is to stay out of taxis as much as I can.  It's a big change!

Anyway...  I think these seats are great.  I think they'd be good to use when traveling or for the grandparents to keep.  They'd be a great extra booster to keep in the car for friends or if you are using a city "Go Car" program.  They are a good option for those of us that are not regularly using cars and cannot lug around big boosters all of the time.

   

Marketing

Scott and I had a date!  It's great  to get out without the kids.  This was the first time we've gone out together since we've arrived in Singapore, without a party or some other social gathering to attend.  Just me and him and our own agenda.  Beautiful.  

We decided to head down to Little India for some casual strolling and some delicious Indian food.  We stopped at a little restaurant that was next to us when we felt hungry.  It was amazing.  I really love Indian food.  I'm getting spoiled living here and having an endless supply of Indian restaurants available pretty much everywhere we go.  Everything is delicious.  I'm starting to understand the names and menus a little more.  When I first arrived, I just ordered something, not knowing what it was, and loved it.  Now, I order something, I have a general idea what to expect and I have never been disappointed.  

We then jumped back on the MRT and headed to Clark Quay (pronounced Clark Key).  It's a fun river side area with tons of bars and night clubs.  We found a riverside bar and sat down and enjoyed each other's company.  I ordered a Singapore Sling.  It's a great drink in this hot climate.  Refreshing and tasty too.  Love it.

On our way home, I found these advertisements in the Subway.  I snapped a picture on my phone because it struck me as really amusing.  What do you think?

This ad campaign would never work in the states.  I read the fine print...  It's a face wash product.  It's supposed to clear pores and remove impurities from the skin.  It's not a skin bleach.  I think products like this one in the states would advertise that they bring out your radiance or give you a natural glow, but definitely NOT that you will become whiter.  

By the way...  I've decided we're not going to send out Christmas cards this year.  I really love sending out Christmas cards, so it was a tough decision.  However, our friends list is fairly long and I don't want to go through and decide who gets a card and who doesn't....  Postage from Singapore is quite a bit.  Not to mention all of the environmental impacts of printing cards and sending them 1/2 way around the world.  This year, we are going to make a special email with pictures and notes from the kids.  Maybe a short video.  I'll post it to the blog too.  I don't want to hurt any one's feelings.  Please feel free to send us a Christmas email too, or leave us off your list, my feelings will not be hurt. I know we are really far away.  If you are going to stick with tradition and you would like our mailing address, message me and I'll give it to you.  I don't want to post it here for all the world to see.

Danish Christmas Bazaar

Our neighbors are Danish.  I think I've mentioned it before.  They are wonderful and I've really enjoyed getting to know them.  Their teenage daughter has babysat for us a few times and she's wonderful with the kids.  I'm lucky to have somebody living right next to us that can babysit for me!  Whoo hoo.

Anyway, the other day when we were visiting, my neighbor mentioned that the Danish Seaman's Church was holding a Christmas Bazaar!  I immediately asked her if I could come.  How cool! 

This weekend, Scott and I and the kids ventured over to the Danish Christmas Bazaar.  The Danish Seaman's Church is housed in one of Singapore's old Black and White Bungalows.  Here's a Wikipedia page with more information about the Black and White's:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_white_bungalow.  They are homes that were built to house the expat families and the British Armed Forces between the 18th century and World War II.  Some of them are still used as homes today.  Others have been converted to business and in this example, a church.

The weather was great.  The food was delicious (very Danish).  The crafts were fun.  We bought some ornaments for our tree and some Danish candy.  There was a bouncy house for the kids and some crafts to do.  Some of our other neighbors from The Chuan were there as well.  It was really crowded, but we had a great time!

Danish flag on the flag pole!

Beautiful entrance.

Some of the lovely decor items.

A little Christmas tree with Danish Flags all over it!

Craft table!

Another view of the Church with a Carlsberg umbrella!

A side note...  So far Scott's favorite beer here in Singapore is Carlsberg!  Alcohol in general is very expensive.  Carlsberg is one of the more affordable beers and 1 case costs about $50 (Singapore dollars, which is about $38 dollars.  Sheesh.  It's fun for me to have these little Danish things in our life here in Singapore.  It makes the world feel a little smaller.

Run For Hope

Scott's office coordinated a group to participate in the Singapore Run For Hope.  Scott and I and the kids all signed up.  We had a great time.  It was a beautiful day with a blue sky and gentle breeze.  It was lovely.

The race had 2 options, either a 10K Race or a 2K Fun Run.  We all did the 2K Fun Run.  Scott tried to run with a grumpy Wyatt on his shoulders, but it was pretty challenging.  I ran the whole way chasing after a very fast Madeline and Lily.  Some of Lily's classmates were at the race too.  She was excited to see some people she knew there.

I love this picture!  Both of the girls were really sweaty and muddy after the race, but you can't tell.  Beautiful!

The post-race food tables.

We ran along the beach.  Just past the grass/trees/people is the ocean!

Singapore Thanksgiving

If you know me well, you know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I absolutely love it.  I love the whole Autumn season.  I love cooking the Thanksgiving dinner.  I love wearing my adorable Thanksgiving apron that my mom made for me.  I spend a week in the kitchen preparing for the meal.  I love to decorate my table and I love having a ton of guests.  Scott and I have been together for 11 Thanksgivings now, and I think I've cooked for 8 of them.

This year was completely different.  First, it's hot.  Singapore doesn't have a change in temperature during the year because we are nearly on the equator.  It's the same temperature every day, warm.  It's not as hot as summer in Austin or Phoenix, but it's definitely summer weather.  Most days between 80 and 85 degrees.  Some days hotter.

Second, we don't have family here.  I know that's obvious, but a big part of Thanksgiving is celebrating with family.  Now, there have been years when we haven't celebrated Thanksgiving with family, but not many.

Third, Americans are the only ones that celebrate Thanksgiving.  Here in Singapore, the kids have school and Scott has to work and it's just not the same.  I think something about the routine of Thanksgiving makes it feel like the holiday too.  Picking out the turkey and setting it to brine on Wednesday night.  Heading out to the Turkey Trot (in Austin) and then coming home to cook all day.  Thinking of friends and family that are traveling.  Watching football and sitting down to read all the ads for black Friday.  Knowing that we're probably going to get the Christmas lights out in the next couple of days.  I think of Thanksgiving as the beginning of the holiday season.  

But, here, that routine doesn't exist.  I decided that I'm not going to make huge efforts to duplicate the Thanksgiving holiday here, because I just don't think it can be done.  

For our celebration, we met up with the American Woman's Association (I joined after we arrived) for a Thanksgiving potluck.  Several other American families from our condo headed over to a big park on the beach and celebrated Thanksgiving with us.  We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon.  We got to eat turkey and all of the fixing.  The flavors were perfect.  Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and candied yams and stuffing.  It was all there. 

Scott and Wyatt played ball.

Here's the tent with the tables set up.

It rained a little and the kids all got wet!

The kids all got balloon animals!  So fun!

We had a lovely afternoon with our sweet friends from the Chuan.  I'm glad we got to taste the flavors of Thanksgiving without me having to cook everything.

To everybody reading this and celebrating today...  Happy Thanksgiving!  We are so grateful to count you as our friend.  Thanks for sharing this experience with us!

Rescue Mission!

Uh Oh!  A rocket balloon that we brought home from the birthday party escaped out of our kitchen window!  Luckily, there is a cage out of the window, so the balloon can't fly away.  Now, we need somebody to climb out the window and get the balloon! 

Dad to the rescue!

Get a chair...

Climb out the window...

Catch the escaped balloon!

Back through the bars...

Returned to Wyatt.  Daddy is the hero!

Party Of The Year!

I just have to share some photos from a birthday party we just went to!  It was amazing.  It was a space themed party for a 6 year old boy in Lily's Prep class.  The planning and the attention to detail that the mom went to was incredible!  My kids will remember this party for a long time!

All the children were given a space helmet and a badge with their picture on arrival.

Madeline and Lily sat right down at the craft table to make sand art of space pictures.

Decorations!

Snacks!

The cake!  OMG The CAKE!  The birthday boy's mom makes cakes and this is her creation.  She made an alien planet with tons of little aliens all over it.  Then there is a light up and spinning disk where the actual cake rested.

When it was time to sing Happy Birthday, they put dry ice and water under the chocolate rocks on the cake, so there was mist coming up out of the rocks.  Amazing!

Face painting!  A Magic Show!

Happy Kids!

Buzz Lightyear played games with the kids.  Wyatt was in awe.

FUN FUN Party!  We were so happy to have been invited :)

Excursion

Can you find Madeline in that picture? 

Last week I got to go with Madeline on her first school excursion (field trip).  We had a ball!  We went to the theater and we saw a musical version of Jack and the Beanstalk.  Madeline was so excited and I was really happy to be able to join her as well. 

Jack and the Beanstalk was fantastic.  It was made to be all about friendships and dreams.  The music was wonderful and the giant was a bit scary!  Madeline LOVED it!  

Also last week, was the preschool to prep information meeting.  A bit like the Kindergarten Round Up that I attended at Baranoff before Lily started Kindergarten.  Our school year here starts in January and ends in December with the calendar year.  Madeline will start Prep (Kindergarten) next year.  There wasn't a lot of new information for me, but it was excited to spend some time thinking about how big my little girl is getting.  It's exciting!

No Aircon - Dr.'s orders!

Hi friends and family!  As an update...  we're doing better.  Thank you to everybody for their kind words and encouragement.  Life has ups and downs and our adventure here is no different.  Lately we are feeling sad about missing the ups and downs of our loved ones.  Thankfully, we have the latest technology (facetime and skype) to help bridge the distance.  But, still, it's not the same as a hug.  

Last week, I took Lily to the doctor.  She's had a cough that has lingered for a long time and I wanted the doctor to listen to it and help me figure out what she needed.  After examining Lily, he said that she was having an allergic reaction and that the mucus had gone to her lungs.  He said it was quite loose and it wasn't infected, but we needed to get it out of there.  He gave us some medicine and then said that we needed to turn off our aircon (Singlish for air conditioner) for a week!

Wait...  what?!  Doesn't he know that I am a western woman and I am not accustomed to living without my aircon!!

Honestly, we've had the aircon on 24/7 since we moved it.  Last month I made a slight change after our outrageous electric bill.  I only used the bedroom units at night and the living space units during the day.  We switched off the guest room unit, because we don't spend a lot of time in there.  

The doctor thought that maybe there was a fungus in the aircon that was making Lily sick.  His comment made me think...  I've been kinda sick, and Madeline and Wyatt have too.  So, I called to have our units serviced.  They were disgusting.  Big black spongy fungus was cleaned off of the filters.  So gross!  Ok, yes, that was probably making us sick.  Maybe there is something to not having the aircon on all of the time.

So, we gave it a try.  Windows open all day, aircon off.  We bought two little fans to help move the air.  It's been lovely!  I find that we are out on our balcony a lot more if the doors are always open.  I have screens on 1 window per room, so that is the window that I have open.  It just makes me nervous that one of the kids will accidentally fall out.  We close up at nightfall and we are turning the aircons on for about an hour or so before bedtime.  It just cools down the rooms so it's comfortable to sleep.

I feel good because I think the fresh air is better for us.  We're saving money on our electric bill and we are using our space more.  Lily's cough has cleared up some too.  It's all good!

Does your kids' craft table look like this!  I swear, I can never keep it clean!  My girls (and Wyatt some) are cutting, taping, coloring and writing constantly!  Lily has filled up all of the little note pads that we have with little notes.  I think a diary might be a good Christmas gift for her this year.  She writes little notes detailing every time one of her siblings gets into trouble or any little random detail from her day.  It's cute.  

Lily and I had a "date" this weekend.  It was so nice to have some one on one time with my sweet girl.  We went shopping for a birthday present for one of Lily's classmates.  While we were shopping, we found this awesome kids craft toy!  It's an embossing tool!  It reminds me of my Big Shot, which sadly, is not with me.  I think we can only use the embossing folders that came with this toy, but that's okay.  Mostly, I was excited because we can make our own birthday cards to give to friends.  Yippee!

I think the last time I showed you our balcony, we hadn't yet received the chairs.  So, here they are!  They are very comfortable and they recline!  They also dry quick, which is important in this wet weather.  Scott and I are enjoying our morning coffee here and also an evening drink.  It's peaceful.