Getting down to business

Yesterday we went to check out a furniture showroom so that we can start picking out our rental furniture and make arrangements for our temporary furniture to be delivered.  Finding the place was interesting.  It was basically a huge parking garage that has businesses built in around the outsides.  Most of the places were auto shops but the showroom was also there.  It was weird to be walking in a parking garage to find a shop.  I will try to remember to take a pic the next time we go so you can see it better.  Anyway, I am looking forward to furnishing our new place especially since I have discovered teak furniture.  It is gorgeous and very reasonable priced here versus in St. Louis.  I think we need a nice dining table and chairs to come home with us.  Maybe a coffee table, chest......

Next we took the kids to see our apartment.  We had a pre-inspection to go through before we actually take possession during the "handover" on Monday.  Things here are different than what we went through when we last rented an apartment when we graduated from college.  During the pre-inspection we walk through and check everything out to make sure it works.  Keep in mind we are their with the property owner's agent, our agent and our relocation agent.  A little serious for me.  Whatever we find will be fixed by the time we move in on Monday or within 30 days if it is something big.  Our relocation agent pretty much did all the work so that was nice and made it a little less stressful for us.  There were a couple minor things to be done but the apartment looks great.  The kids enjoyed finding their rooms and were in awe of the pool.  I think we are ready to stop living out of suitcases.  We have been away from "home" since December 17th.  The housekeeping is nice though!  ;)  On Monday we will have another walk through where our agent will take pictures showing the current state of the apartment for when we move out.  We will also get to find out how everything works and finally hit that gorgeous pool!!!

Today we had fun going to the one department store that carries the kids uniforms.  It is located in Holland Village which is pretty close to us and has a lot of great shops and restaurants.  I think their open air food court might be a new favorite.  It was definitely cheaper and the chicken rice was really good.  Of course we found chicken nuggets for Mason.  When we walked in I about cracked up when he said "Do we really have to always eat at a chinese place?"  I think he is starting to miss home a little.  Poor guy was also tired from the shopping.

I was not sure how this experience would go but we were pleasantly surprised.  I thought we would walk in and have to hunt for everything.  Nope, we were immediately asked what we needed by a wonderful sales lady.  She pulled out everything we needed and the kids tried everything on before we left.  She even helped us find outfits for the kids to wear for Chinese New Year.  Apparently it is a big thing at school that they dress up for.  One less thing to worry about!  The kids were excited to get all their uniforms.  They even modeled them for me tonight.  So cute!

Aren't the hats adorable?  They have to wear them whenever they go outside.

 

Of course they have to have backpacks too.

 

Their PE uniforms.  Stamford's mascot is the Lion.

 

Their swimsuits.  Yep, they have a nice pool and swimming is part of their curriculum.  They both can also do swim team if they want.  Mason wasn't too fond of the tighter shorts.  He'll get over it!

 

  They are ready for Chinese New Year!  I really love Haley's dress and of course Mason's hat totally finishes off his outfit.  They even have matching stuff for Chris and I.  Aren't we lucky? ;)  We figure we should also get outfits.  Why not?

 

 

After all the shopping we decided to go on one of the Duck boat tours that took us mainly back down to Marina Bay.  I will post pics soon.  Until then, here is our cheesy family pic from the Singapore Flyer.