What to do @ IKANO

JY was eager to complete her figurine.
So it was another day out in Ikano for me and the boys. After a quick snack of hot dogs, curry puffs and ice cream from the IKEA kiosk, Fai and Han signed in for an hour of play in Smaland.

After settling JY in her clay class, Ean and I went to Pet Safari - a large pet store. It is well stocked, well kept and a nice place to introduce little ones to animals.


Ean couldn't resist these hamsters.


White guinea pigs have red eyes.

A few small frozen mice as a meal for the snake.

Ean kept asking "What's that?" and "What sound?" as we walked through the store. He was very inquisitive and enjoyed saying out the names of the animals that he knew.

I spent an hour there, enjoying Ean's company.

After their hour at Smaland was up, the boys tried top spinning with a little assistance. It took a few tries but Fai mastered the technique eventually. Han couldn't quite get it and wandered off to the WWF figurines instead.

JY completed her figurine and started on her second one within 2 hours.

I think I will head over to eCurve the next time I am there.

Magical imagination inducing cardboard boxes

With time to spare and the boys wanting a ride in the big IKEA trolley, I whizzed them around the seating area and took them on a tour of the wrapping tables and customer service counters.
Fai was the navigator, telling me to turn this way and that and to avoid going too near the guards who might ask them to stop their fun ride.
The boys were concerned when a mother started reprimanding her child "Be patient! Keep quiet!" As the child wailed incessantly.
They knew better than to say a thing. They looked but kept their thoughts to themselves. They asked me to move on.
Wise move, my boys.

The real christmas trees must be a hot seller in IKEA. There were quite a number waiting to be delivered to their respective homes. The place smelled like a pine forest.

It was on our 3rd round that we noticed a bin for recycled boxes. Ooooh! I can't resist cardboard boxes and the boys were delighted as well. We took three.

Fai said he would make castles the moment he got home.

We piled them onto our trolley and went for another few more spins.

It was late by the time we got home. So Fai only had time to tape the sides with masking tape. I guess I would have to wait till tomorrow to see what those 3 boxes will transform into.

fun time @ IKEA

What I like about Ikea merchandise is that it encourages imaginative play.

When Fai first saw the blue chute, he got Han to sit inside and he dragged his brother around.

I think that takes a lot of trust, to sit inside, not knowing where you will be pulled to.
They took turns pulling and being pulled.

When Han lost interest and went to play camping with 2 bunnies, Fai turned into a caterpillar.

What a workout he got.