Celebrating Singapore's 50th

This year, Singapore celebrates her 50th birthday.

Flags line the street and most of the flats have been decorated with flags and banners. I even spotted one with twinkling lights.

It's a sight J sees everyday on the way to Grandma School. But she doesn't quite understand what National Day is about, yet. To her, it just involves loud planes and in her words, "sooooo many flags".

She won't remember the SG50 celebrations and how much we have progressed from a small fishing village, but I want her to have a piece of memory from this important year. 

Which is perfect when we stumble upon this: Red and white void deck@ Tampines

This installation caught our attention right after we got off the bus, because, see the aeroplane? J loves aeroplanes. I didn't think much of it until we saw another one when we walked to Grandma's. J stopped to take a closer look because she spotted what else, but Hello Kitty. I took a snapshot of that moment, and loved it very much.

After a quick google, I found out that there will be 250 of such installations in Tampines and I thought it will be fun to hunt for them. It  It will be great to make a photo collage out of these photos - J's little piece of SG50.

We found out the location of the Merlion and went for a mini photoshoot the next day.

Then my mum spotted the Samsui Women in the nearby blocks.

And the Butterfly Garden and City Hall after a "tip-off" from my uncle.

The uncle got roped in because my mum and I got too excited and I texted all friends and family staying in Tampines to help lookout for new designs.

To date, we have found and taken photos of: 

1. Changi Airport

2. Merlion

3. Samsui Women

4. The Arts House (formerly Old Parliment Building)

5. Vanda "Miss Joaqium"

6. Butterfly Garden

7. City Hall

I'm not posting the photos so as not to spoil the fun but if you are interested, they are on my Instagram feed (@pinkmint).

From friends and family, as well as keeping our eyes peeled while travelling on the buses, we also spotted 

8. Stamford Raffles

9. Singa, the courtesy lion

10. Sentosa Island

11. Dragon playground

12. Gardens by the Bay

13. Satay Club

We sure hope to pop by for a mini photoshoot soon!

I think there are more and I'm really curious to find out how many designs there are. If you are in Tampines, do try to spot them. It's really quite fun!

***

I've been hoping to do some National Day craft/activity with J, but as the day approaches, this is the only thing I managed to do (and it took a long long time).

Activity: Flag Puzzle

With some felt, I made a simple flag for J to 'stick' on the stars and crescent. The flag looks out of proportion due to my inability to cut straight lines. 

I had intended to sew the outlines on but it's too time consuming so Sharpie came to the rescue. 

The 'learning objectives' I hope to achieve.

1. Shape matching - fitting the shapes appropriately. J was okay with the stars but is still working hard on placing the crescent in the correct orientation.

2. Identification of shapes (stars and crescent, which J calls it "moon" as of now.)

3. Counting (count the stars) It starts off nicely then 1...2...3...4....5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10!

4. The colour "red" which I failed for now.

***

The nation's Golden Jubilee is in 5 days. And even though I do dream up a themed party, I know it will not materialise -because I'm too lazy-. I'm hoping that the Jubilee weekend will be well-spent with the family though. :)