Top 12 Blog Posts in 2012

(Daddy looks back)

So here we are now - the final day of 2012.

I don't know about you, but somehow every year seems to pass faster than the previous one.And come 2013, there will be new experiences awaiting for all of us with the most notable being Ayd embarking on his Primary School education journey while Ale will be looking to stay cry-free in her nursery class. Exciting times indeed.

There have been pretty exciting times for us in 2012 as well, and I have chosen 12 blog posts I have written in 2012 that have stood out and remained dear to my heart. These include awesome experiences that my entire family have gone through together, as well as certain parenting episodes that are deeply etched in my mind.

12. Singapore Blog Awards Finalist - that's us!

We were nominated as one of the Top 10 Finalists for the Best Family Blog category in the Singapore Blog Awards 2012 and I was chuffed to be in such great company.

11. The Great Singapore Old Playgrounds Seek-out

The boys stumbled onto the majestic-looking Dragon Playground in Toa Payoh and from there, began an expedition to suss out the remaining old playgrounds in Singapore - the Dove Playground in Dakota Crsecent, Elephant Playground in Pasir Ris and even Watermelons in Tampines.

10. What Do You Fear?

We got a huge scare back in April when Ash complained of a slight nagging pain in his left chest. It turned out to be an innocent heart murmur, but the pain of waiting for the test results to be out was excruciating.

9. Guest Blogger for MaybeBaby.sg

Since August 2012, I am honoured to be blogging on a monthly basis for www.maybebaby.sg , a parenthood website managed by I Love Children, a Voluntary Welfare Organisation which seeks to celebrate children and the joy they bring. Thanks to them, I was also invited to share my parenting thoughts on Radio 938Live's Parenting Made Easy segment. 

8. My monkie. My brother.

The 2 boys had one of their occasional squabbles but instead of running to the wifey or me for mediation, they settled this particular difference on their own. Better yet, the entire negotiation process was captured on video!

7. Singapore's Top 10 Indoor Playgrounds

My first writing gig - and a paid one at that! - for the Preschooler Survival Kit, a publication that is distributed to parents of preschool kids. I contributed 2 articles, the first being Singapore's Top 10 Indoor Playgrounds while the second touches on short family vacation destinations.

6. Loving Marina Bay AmBYssadors

I was one of the 20 AmBAYssadors selected for the Loving Marina Bay Photo Exhibition where it showcased the different facets of the Marina Bay precinct through over 100 photos taken by these AmBAYssadors. And I was deeply honoured and humbled to have been given the opportunity to showcase my photos to the public.

5. 36 Things I learned since becoming a Dad

I turned 36 this year. But 36 years of life could never have prepared me what Fatherhood had taught me in the soon-to-be 8 years. And these are just some of the things I have learned along my amazing parenthood journey.

4. Tie-up with Tourism Queensland

What a swell time we had in Gold Coast during the September School holidays! We got linked up with Tourism Queensland and they were extremely helpful in providing such amazing support for our trip. They connected us to the various accommodation owners in Queensland and in turn, they gladly put us up at their lodging for the duration of our stay in Queensland. 

3. Amsterdam Adventure with Friso Singapore

Thanks to Friso Singapore, we were flown to visit the Friso-owned farms in Amsterdam, The Netherlands back in July. And it was truly the experience of a lifetime!

2. Lost in LEGOLAND Malaysia

Yes, we lost Ayd in LEGOLAND Malaysia - for a full 15 minutes. And I would never want to go through such an agonizing experience ever again, with the need to formulate a plan henceforth.

1. A Timely Reminder

A personal favourite entry of mine, where I talked about the perils of neglecting your kid's childhood as reflected by the song, Harry Chapin's 'Cat's In The Cradle'. And so, I compiled a list of activities to remind myself that I, as a Dad, should do with my kids through their growing years.


So all that is left to say is...

Happy New Year, everyone!

Play by Chocolate

Media Invite

(Daddy munches)

Sweet treats at an Indoor Playground. How can a monkie say no to such a tantalising proposition? And so we found ourselves at Playful Elves - an Indoor Playground at West Coast Plaza - at the kind invitation of Party Parlour who had organised a chocolate-making workshop just in time for the festive season.

My 2 boys were overjoyed to have the SengkangBabies at the workshop as well. Ever since their last wild encounter together at the Loving Marina Bay exhibition, they were itching to meet up with them again.

The kids were first shown the steps required to make their own chocolate, and it was terribly easy. Just pop a slab of chocolate into the microwave oven to melt it down, and pour the liquid chocolate into the moulds.

Well, it sounded easy enough... if only the kids could resist the temptation and stop devouring the chocolate as they went about their chocolate-making business!

There were many moulds to choose from; Ayd went for the Gingerbread and Candy Cane designs while Ash opted for something much larger - a Chocolate Lollipop.

After a few wobbly and messy pours, the chocolate moulds were done!

Since we needed to wait while the chocolate hardened, the kids were taught how to make their very own Balloon Snowman!

Pretty neat huh? Equally neat was when the chocolate finally became solid again and the boys had the creations in their possessions.

And they did what every kid would do - conduct a quality control tasting session there and then.

Luckily for the wifey and Ale, there were ample samples for us to bring home.

With all the choco in their tummies, there was only a small matter yet to be completed - unleashing the entire gang of kiddos on the unsuspecting premises of the Indoor Playground at Playful Elves.

As you can probably tell, their playground antics truly deserve a separate blog post on its own.

Thanks once again to Party Parlour for hosting us. Party Parlour offers total event planning and management for kids parties, wedding planning, conferences and even private celebrations. For a hassle free and unforgettable good time, do drop by their webpage or Facebook page for more details.

NYE Countdown Parties 2013

Want to usher in the brand new year at a Countdown Party, but don't know where to go? We have a compiled a list of all the New Year's Eve Countdown Parties happening in Singapore. So grab your family members and revel in the festivities!

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Already an iconic event for many years running, this is the countdown event to head down to for the sheer amount of fringe activities, brilliant light-up of the wishing spheres against the Marina Bay backdrop and of course, its 8-minute long Fireworks display.

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: Nightfall onwards
Venue: Esplanade Waterfront & Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade
Price: Free
More details: http://www.marinabaycountdown.sg/index.php

Celebrate 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Enjoy live performances by K-Pop group M.I.B (Most Incredible Busters), SKarf and more at The Float as they usher in the new year! At the stroke of midnight, the dance floor will be opened for party-goers to sashay the night away.

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay
Price: $25 per person | $12.50 (children aged 2-12) | Free for children below 2 years
For tickets, click HERE.

Supernova Countdown 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Welcome 2013 with Hollywood and New York style street parties featuring the greatest hits from Lady Gaga, Adele and Michael Buble performed live by international tribute artistes. Dance to chart-topping numbers or Ride The Movies with rides and attractions open ALL NIGHT at Universal Studios Singapore. To top it off, bid 2012 farewell with spectacular display of fireworks!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 5pm - 1am
Venue: Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa
Price: Party Pass (entry after 5pm): $68 (one price for all)
Even more value for money - Day-pass holders are able to enter the Park at 10am, and stay for the Countdown Party. Adults $74 | Child $54 | Senior Citizen $36
More details and tickets: http://www.rwsentosa.com/

N.Y.E  Countdown Party 2012/2013 @ Marina Barrage

Certified Family-friendly!

Carnival Activities last from 29-31 Dec, and include all-time faves like inflatable castles, fringe activities, fun educational programmes, food and beverages, flea-market and many more! New Year's Eve will see a concert from 7pm while the grand finale of the night will end on a high note with fabulous fireworks set against city skyline.

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 1pm
Venue: Marina Barrage
Price: Free
More details: http://www.pub.gov.sg/marina/news/Pages/NYECountdown.aspx
*Carnival on 29 & 30 Dec is from 12pm to 6pm


If you are too lazy to join the crowd in town or are just simply adverse to atrocious traffic jams, do check your nearby GRC or Community Club for Countdown Parties in your neighbourhood. Here are some of the larger neighbourhood parties in terms of scale.

Jurong Central Countdown 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 9pm onwards
Venue: Jurong Green Community Club
Price: $2 per person
More Details: http://www.jurongcentral.sg/index.php/7-general/202-jurong-central-countdown-2013
Tickets from Jurong Green Community Club

Countdown@Boon Lay 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 6.30pm onwards
Venue: Jurong Central Park
Price: Free
More Details: https://www.facebook.com/BoonLayCountdown

Hypesteria 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 7pm - 1am
Venue: Open field beside Woodlands Civic Centre
Price: $3 per person
More Details: http://www.woodlandsyec.org.sg/?p=2815
Tickets from all community centres in the Sembawang GRC, as well as Woodlands Community Centre

Shine On 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 7.30pm - 12.45am
Venue: Opposite Khatib MRT
Price: Free
More Details: https://www.facebook.com/NeeSoonGRCShineOn2013

Sengkang West 'SHOUT' Countdown Party
Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 7.30pm - 1am
Venue: Anchorvale Community Club
Price: Free
More Details: http://www.facebook.com/events/182736198531711/

Punggol East Year End Party

Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 8pm - 1am
Venue: Harmony Square, Rivervale Crescent
Price: Free
More Details: http://www.punggoleast.org.sg/files/pe%20countdown2012.pdf

Tanjong Pagar GRC Radin Mas SMC Countdown Party
Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 9pm - 1am
Venue: Open Field opposite Commonwealth MRT station
Price: Free

Tampines GRC Countdown Party 2013

Certified Family-friendly!

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 8pm - 1am
Venue: Tampines Stadium
Price: $3 per person
More Details: http://www.facebook.com/tampinestownhub
Tickets from all community centres in the Tampines GRC


Or if you are lucky enough to be able to ditch the kiddos at home, you may want to consider these parties instead.

The Year End Countdown Party @ *SCAPE

Head on down to *SCAPE for the hottest youth party of the year. There will be 2 party arenas in one party this year around - the HOT Playhouse and ICE Playground. Local youth performers such as Stellastory and The Summer State will be entertaining partygoers in the HOT Playhouse. The ICE Playground features ice slides and sculptures in the *SCAPE Warehouse, where you can pen your new year's resolutions with neon markers while dancing the night away.

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 8pm - 3am
Venue: *SCAPE
Price: Early Bird Special (until Dec 30) $20 per person (HOT Playhouse & ICE Playground) | $5 per person (HOT Playhouse only)
On Dec 31 $25 per person (HOT Playhouse & Ice Playground) | $5 (HOT Playhouse only)
More details: http://www.scape.com.sg/blog/countdown-smash-down-2012/
For tickets, purchase them at *SCAPE Customer Service Level 2

Siloso Beach Party

This is Asia's largest beach countdown party, and also the longest party (12 hours long!) in Singapore! Do note though, that the minimum age for entry is 18 years old.

Date: 31 Dec 2012
Time: 6pm - 6am
Venue: Siloso Beach, Sentosa
Price: $52
More details and tickets: http://www.silosobeachparty.com/


Whichever party you fancy, just do not drink and drive. Have fun everyone!

The Balance is strong

(Daddy punches the air in joy)

If you remember, the 2 boys underwent bicycle riding lessons during the beginning of the school holidays, courtesy of Singapore Bike School. Ash managed to ride a bicycle within 1 hour of the lesson, while Ayd pretty much mastered the art of balance by the end of the second lesson.

Ayd still needed to work on his starting-off-to-pedal routine though, so all of us found ourselves back at East Coast Park for more practice. And this time, Ale was all gung-ho about joining them.

I rented a bicycle each for Ash and Ayd, and set them off to pedal. Ayd was determined to cycle as steadily as his older brother, and all it took for him to master it proper was a cool 5 minutes.

So yes, now I can proudly say both my boys can finally cycle - 11 years earlier than when I first learnt to cycle! Naturally, Ayd was at all smiles. :)

One is never too young to attempt to master his/her balance. So for Ale, we brought along the Strider so that she wouldn't feel left out.

The Strider is a no-pedal prebike that will allow a child to acquire and master the skill of balance before moving on to a bicycle. It was kindly sponsored last year by The Little Bike Shop, who is the authorized country distributor for Strider Bikes in Singapore. And judging from their joyous faces at riding a bicycle now, I would say both Ash and Ayd had benefited hugely from the Strider bike.

All that is left now is for Ale to master her balance on the Strider. And looking at how fast she had learnt to skate on her micro-scooter, I would think the days of joining her 2 older brothers on a cycling outing will not be too far away.

So.... Anyone wants to sponsor their bicycles? :D

Marina Bay Countdown 2013: BEST Fireworks Viewing Spots

(Daddy blogs)

We were one of the 5 Official Bloggers for the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown last year, and the boys & I had a first-hand experience of soaking in the festive atmosphere of this iconic event. Needless to say, all of us had a blast!

If you are thinking of heading down to the Marina Bay for the Countdown this New Year's Eve, you may like to check out our last year's experience HERE so that you can know what to expect.

And without a doubt, Fireworks is what makes a Countdown so very special. Everyone - from the old to the young - always remain transfixed whenever Fireworks light up the sky in their full glory.

This year, the Fireworks display is themed Dari Tanah ini which literally means "From This Earth" and will illuminate the Marina Bay backdrop with a specially commissioned music score written by Cultural Medallion winner, musician and composer Mr Iskandar Ismail. Together with vocals contributed by Gani Abdul Karim (vocal chants) and Moira Loh (soprano), the music hopes to evoke a sense of belonging and warmth as we are reminded of our origins and ancestry.

The fireworks choreography, designed in tandem with the music, has three high level firing sites to represent the northern and southern hemispheres, separated by the equator. Watch as 200-metre low level fireworks weave together with water to form a visually stunning "Giant Wave". And the duration of the Fireworks? EIGHT minutes long! Truly a spectacle not to be missed. Just ask Ayd - he was deeply enthralled with the 2012 version.

If you are planning to head down for the sole purpose of catching the Fireworks, there are lots of Vantage points around the Marina Bay area to catch them.

Do click on the above map to see the recommended Fireworks-viewing sites, which are highlighted in dark slate blue.

The areas are Clifford Square, One Fullerton, Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Padang, War Memorial Park, Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Esplanade Waterfront, Steps of Marina Square, F1 Track next to Singapore Flyer, Youth Olympic Park, The Helix, Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, Art Science Museum, Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, The Promontory @Marina Bay and The Lawn @ Marina Bay.

If you are thinking of snagging a prime viewing spot - I'd said it last year and I will say it again - be sure to head down early. Make that very very early!

For more information about the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2013, visit http://www.marinabaycountdown.sg/index.php or Marina Bay's  Facebook Fanpage at https://www.facebook.com/marinabaysg. Check out the Official Bloggers first-hand accounts too!

Christmas Party Rock Anthem

Today is the day! Christmas has finally arrived, and it's time to rip those wrappers off our presents.

Well, the only thing is... we already did that to the bulk of our presents one weekend ago when we had an early Christmas party with our best buddies.

Di-di, mei-mei & I headed down to Benji's and Sarah's home for a Christmas potluck, where the adults had the convenient excuse of overeating once more.

We, the children, are tiny eaters on the other hand. Who has time for eating when we got so many toys and buddies to play together with... right?

Erm, obviously Sarah & di-di were really into the festive spirit! But that was a good thing, because it must have been so infectious that the adults finally fulfilled our long-standing wish.

Presents time!!!

This was the year that mei-mei starting to realize the meaning (and importance) of presents, which probably explained why she had fiercely guarded her precious loot.

Even the adults were not spared either - in terms of presents, that is. :)

And so, everybody lived happily ever after.

But wait, there was just one extra bonus.

It was Aunty Sharon's birthday as well, so we all had a surprise celebration for her!

Di-di gave Aunty Sharon a birthday kiss, and received something special back in return too.

From all of us at cheekiemonkies,

Have a blessed Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Losing a child in a public area: Safety Rules & Tips

(Daddy blogs)

As you would most probably have read, I have suffered the anguish of losing a child in a public place. No thanks to Ayd while we were at LEGOLAND Malaysia (Read all about it HERE). And for the time that we remained separated, those 15 minutes were the longest minutes of my life and I swore then that it was never to be repeated.

That said, shit really do happen sometimes. More so when we least expect it. So here are a few safety rules to follow when travelling with kids.

1. Discuss crowd safety early and often
As soon as a child is old enough to walk around on his/her own, he/she is old enough to start learning about how to stay safe. Have a talk with your child about safety and the possibility of getting lost. Make a rule that you and your child stay together at all times while at the park.

2. Teach your child important information
Make sure your little ones know their full name, their mom and dad’s names, and phone numbers. Practice fun ways to remember this information and rehearse when you are traveling.

Also, make it clear that your child should not follow or ask a stranger for help. Even though that elderly woman or man may look friendly, this is not always the case. Instead, tell them to look for someone in a "security uniform" for help always. Else, they could ask an adult who is accompanied by children too.

3. Formulate a plan if someone should get lost
The usual plan would be to find a place to designate as your 'meeting spot' if someone from the group is separated. But while that may work for older kids, younger kids (aged 8 and below) might find it a challenge to find their bearings. Alternatively, you can instruct your kids to stop and stay still if they get separated. If they are not reunited with their family after several minutes, they should find a staff member and tell them they are lost.

4. Dress your child in bright-colored clothes
If you have more than one child, have all of your kids wear identical bright coloured tees. You will be amazed how other people will help you herd your village because of the identical tops.

5. Take a picture of your children before entering a crowded place
That way you will have a current photo of them and be able to show it to the staff member in case one of them gets lost. To be honest, I used to think that this is utterly redundant. But after having gone through the act of losing Ayd, I can tell you that in the panic of the moment, I can barely even tell the staff member my own name.

6. Write your mobile phone number on a sticker and fix it to your children's clothes
Use a masking tape to write the appropriate information and tape it to the insides of their pockets, or just simply slip a piece of paper with the information into the pockets.

7. Designate roles
One of the reason why Ayd was lost at LEGOLAND Malaysia was because the wifey and I thought the other was watching out for him. And in the end, he didn't manage to catch up when the whole entourage proceeded to a new area.

8. Have a buddy system
If there is a huge group of kids, ask the older kids to keep an eye on the younger ones. The more eyes and hands you have on the job, the safer everyone will be.

And if your child do get lost, here are some tips.

1. Don't panic
I know, it is easier said than done but panicking will make it worse. Staying calm and collected will help you to think clearly. So repeat after me - DO NOT PANIC.

2. Stay in the same area for a few minutes
Often your child is not far from you at all and will see you and hear you calling and come right back to you.

3. Find the nearest employee or security officer
Ask for help, even the people around you as well. Officials, staff members and police officers are trained and ready to help you find your missing child. Cooperate and follow their instructions.

4. Give a complete description of your child
Give the security staff a detailed description of your child - age, height, weight, clothing, shoes, etc. Show them a current photo, if available. Tell them where you were before she got lost.

5. Check the Lost & Found center
Lost children are usually taken by the staff to a designated 'lost child' area. That’s where your child will most likely be taken if found.

According to a statistic I found online, nearly 30% of all families that visit theme parks each year lose their child. I don't have the stats for those lost at a shopping mall or event but I am sure the figures would be similar, if not higher.

Most children are almost certainly found after some time, but the trauma of getting lost may stay with your child - or the parents - for a long time. That’s why it is imperative to prepare yourself and your family for the scenario.

Stay safe, everyone!

Naughty or Nice?

Sponsored Post

(Daddy blogs)

The BIG day is fast approaching.  

You know what I am talking about… CHRISTMAS!  And if you are like me, threats of 'NO presents' are being uttered almost on a daily basis. But I have to admit it works.

The 2 boys are a little older so Santa is being increasingly viewed as a mythical character.  But that doesn't stop me from being in the Christmas spirit.  This time of the year, I always love the twinkling lights, presents, and yes... candy galore!

Thanks to the kind people at Candylicious, they surprised the monkies with a special Christmas goodie bag filled with lots of sweet surprises!

And because sometimes the season brings out the Grinch in us all, here's a little Naughty or Nice Checklist I had for the monkies before they are allowed to sample the candies.

Cheekiemonkies' Naughty or Nice Checklist

• Clean Room 
• Do Homework
• Help Others
• Be Kind
• Obey Parents
• Don't Get Lost (Applicable to Ayd only)

Well, they did get their wish in the end. Okay so I was feeling a little generous... but I really wanted to savour the Hershey chocolates too! Heh.

So fret not if you have been naughty this year, just head on down to Candylicious to stock up all the Christmas candy that you can possibly hoard. There are the delicious stocking fillers: Hershey's Assorted Holiday Shapes Pack ($19); Adams & Brooks Christmas Unicorn Pop and Twirl Canes ($2.50); and Love Confectionery Christmas Tree ($5), HoHoHo Bar ($5) and Snowflake Lollipop ($3.50). Looking for Christmas Family Packs? Grab the Long Grove Nonpareils Gift Bag ($9.50) or the Belfine Santa Claus and Bear Gift Bag ($6.50)!

Candylicious Stores

Resorts World Sentosa
26 Sentosa Gateway 01-225-230 Singapore 098138
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Daily

Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City
391B Orchard Road, B2-25/27 Singapore 238873
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 11:00 am to 09:30 pm | Sat/Sun/Public Holiday - 11:00 am to 10:00 pm

Lost in LEGOLAND

(Daddy reflects)

After nearly 8 years since becoming a Daddy, I would naturally expect a bad thing or two to happen to my monkies. You know, a bad fall here or a bloody gash there. It is just the law of averages. But all these while, I have never lost a child in a public place.

Then along came LEGOLAND Malaysia.

LEGOLAND Malaysia was where my perfect record was tarnished.

Now that I have the luxury of hindsight, I reckon if you are going to lose a child, a Theme Park is the place to do it. The place may be huge but it is contained with a designated exit point, unlike in a shopping mall.

And the culprit in question? Ayd.

We were just done with our lunch at Pizza Mania in Imagination Zone, and I got all the kids to congregate for a group photo. With dark clouds lurking above us, the entire entourage quickly shuffled into the DUPLO sheltered Playtown following that. Well, all except one of course.

Less than 10 seconds after we entered the playground, I spun around and realised that Ayd didn't tag along. My hear skipped a beat and I raced back out to look for him but he was nowhere to be seen.

Almost instantaneously, one of the adults rounded up the rest of the kids, while the rest of us fanned out to look for Ayd. We searched the Pizza restaurant, the nearby toilets and around the area where he was last seen.

Nothing.

Inevitably, panic started to seep in. I ran to the nearby Land of Adventure hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Still nothing. I re-traced my steps and scoured the entire Imagination zone again. Nothing yet again. And as I was whizzing past bewildered strangers, a flood of thoughts and questions rushed through my mind.

It's all my fault! Why didn't I hold his hand? What am I going to tell my parents, my in-laws? Is he okay? What kind of a parent am I? Did anyone kidnap him? Will I ever see him again?

I was on my way to search LEGO Kingdom when I chanced upon a LEGOLAND staff. She was extremely helpful and immediately brought me to the Baby Care room beside Pizza Mania Restaurant to lodge a report. I furnished them with my details, as well as Ayd's description.

Just when the staff member was relaying the information via a walkie-talkie to her colleagues at the Entrance, my phone rang. 15 minutes later after we first realised Ayd was missing.

I fumbled to take it out from my pocket and answered it. It was a LEGOLAND Malaysia staff member from the Guest Services area at the Entrance. She asked if I was Kelvin Ang, to which I replied with a resounding yes. What followed was music to my ears.

Ayd was at the Guest Services room, with them!

I swore I would have taken off my tee and performed Gangnam Style in celebration if anyone had asked. Luckily nobody did. So I did the next best thing - zoomed down to Guest Services to reclaim my lost child.

I half-expected a tear-stained Ayd to be greeting me when I arrived. Instead, this monkie flashed a wry smile and went, 'Hi Papa!' I couldn't resist hugging him and making it an extra squeezy one. As I held onto his tiny hand to make our way back to our group, I asked him to narrate his lost encounter.

It turned out that he was looking at some LEGO sculpture at the Imagination Zone and didn't follow us into the DUPLO Playtown. When he turned around, he couldn't find anyone familiar. He realised that he was lost, and somehow he had the calm mind to remember that there was a Guest Services counter near the Entrance.

So he immediately walked towards LEGO Kingdom, made a turn into LEGO Miniland and cut through it to make his way to The Beginning where the entrance was. Then he approached a staff member at the entrance and told him that he was lost. The kind uncle then brought him into Guest Services, where he gave my mobile number to them so that they can contact me.

AMAZING!!! I was dumbfounded when I heard how he had managed to find his way around. LEGOLAND Malaysia isn't exactly the smallest theme park on this planet, and for him to navigate through the different zones and crowds... best of all, he knew how to take a short-cut!

Ayd's walking trail

I have to admit; I felt a tinge of pride when I heard his narration. I really never knew he had it in him. And the best part? He didn't shed a single tear throughout the ordeal. I asked him what were his thoughts as he was walking towards the entrance. He replied, "I was feeling a little scared. Scared because I thought I would never get to go back to Singapore again. But I remember that I must look for help."

Good on you, son! Now I know behind that nonchalantly blur look of yours, you were actually in full control of the situation.

On the other hand, the adults were attracting attention by running around like headless chickens and shouting 'Ayden!' So in a way, a bawling near-hysterical kid would have attracted the same amount of attention - those with either good or bad intentions. And Ayd probably averted any unwanted attention as he strolled through the park in the most normal way that one possibly can. If that isn't the epitome of coolness, I don't know what is.

At the end of the day, he was safe and sound. Losing a child in a public place is one of those things that will strike fear in any parent's heart but you don't really know the extent of the devastation and sense of loss until you have truly experienced it. And I can affirm it is a scary business indeed. So in my next post, I will share some of the lessons I have learnt from this episode, as well as a few safety rules to prevent losing a child when in foreign places. Read the post HERE.