Survival Tips: Clocking a 10-Hour Outing With Kids Who Need Naps

Well, it's not just about clocking a 10-hour outing with the kids who needs nap but also clocking a 10-hour outing single-handedly. 

My first order of the day was,

"Promise you have to carry your own backpacks and I will not be able to carry either of you throughout the day if you want to have an amazingly fun time at Tennis."

And they did. They promised I meant. But, Faye broke hers. It was promising for almost seven hours. Kudos to that little girl.

My kids need their naps. It isn't something I dictated but they tell me so. Or rather, show me so. Many times after driving from destination to destination, they will nod off in their car seats by noon. The daddy and I decided not to be mean and let them get the rest they so need. It had been a routine ever since - bringing them home for a rested afternoon [2 to 3 hours] after our morning activities. Even when we travel, we do the same. It doesn't seem like a hassle at all because there are a lot more benefits than cons. [1] We get to take it slow on a holiday, [2] The kids get their downtime for growth and rejuvenation and [3] Parents get a brief oasis during the day to unwind. If we are stuck on the road, too far away from home, Ewan and Faye take their naps in the car. 

When I received the invitation to WTA Finals, I thought long and hard about it. Activities start from 1100 hours and we could technically leave by 1400 hours for their nap. But when we received the Tennis Adventure Pack, there was a red Ninja Turtle eye band that came with it! Ewan found out that the Ninja Turtles will be there and was jumping like a mad boy! I shall not disappoint him and planned it hard, crossing all toes and fingers that the day will go as planned. Well, all because the  Turtles appearance will be right smack in the middle of their nap times.

THE PLAN

[1] They wake without fail at 0700 hours every day so I shall let it be

[2] Head straight out for a full morning of activities to exhaust them at 0800 hours

[3] Nap in the car while driving to Indoor Stadium 

[4] Lunch at Kallang Wave Mall

[5] Join in the Family Day At The Tennis activities with the children

[6] Enter the Indoor Stadium for the Opening Ceremony where Ninja Turtles will be on Centre Court!

[7] Dinner at Kallang Wave Mall

[8] Shower them at Sports Hub 

[9] Drive home and hope they sleep all the way till Monday morning

[10] Mommy gets an early night!

THE REALITY

[1] They woke at 0700 hours sharp!

[2] We left home at 0800 hours, had breakfast, went on a mini photoshoot of the kids for the clothes and shoes they are currently endorsing and hung out with their friends at Nylon until 1100 hours.

[3] Only Faye napped on the drive to Indoor Stadium. I must have drove the whole Sports Hub 10 times to get Ewan to doze off but just when he was about to, the little sister woke. ARGH! So, he missed his nap.

[4] We had Pezzo Pizza for lunch and watched the rock-climbers do their thing in Kallang Wave Mall.

[5] The activities at Fan Village was really fun. [more on it later into the post]

[6] Ninja Turtles was the 4th segment of the Opening Ceremony and we waited and waited and waited.... but Wooohooo! It was worth the wait! The BIG SMILES on both kids' faces. Glad I made this happen for them. 

[7] We had a very quick dinner at Sudoku in Kallang Wave Mall.

[8] I DID find a shower room at Sports Hub and had them cleaned from top to toe. Not forgetting changing them into Pyjamas too in case they fell asleep on the way home.

[9] We left Sports Hub at 1745 hours and my two little critters knocked out on the way home! Weeee!

[10] Mommy really had an early night from 1800 hours.

Not far off from plan actually! In fact, I saw to plan! See you tomorrow at 0700 hours again my children! I do have a neck and shoulder ache now from carrying both your bags and my own at the end of the day. *haha* not forgetting plus one more Faye Faye in my arms besides the bags.

To answer a few burning questions, 

How did you shower Ewan and Faye outside?

Together. Them two together I meant. Not the three of us! *haha* There are shower cubicles at the Water Sports Centre, a black spiral-like stand-alone building next to the Visitor's Centre. I brought one towel to share, their pyjamas and two diapers for the night. I had been showering them day in and out for the past four years. I consider myself an expert. 

Did the kids wake when you transferred them from car to bed?

Oh no they didn't! Faye never does but most of the time Ewan wakes when I transfer him. If daddy transfers him, he will usually be ok continue sleeping. So, I repeatedly told him that he should not wake later when I move him from car to bed because he needs to sleep. He promised and kept it. 

How do you move the kids? You only have a pair of hands!

One after the another. I had to leave Faye in the car while I quickly brought Ewan up. It takes me about two minutes to complete the task for one kiddo. I will always remove their shoes when I buckle them in their seats if I know they will fall asleep on the way back. One less chore to handle while fumbling with the house keys to open the door.

How do you manage taking care of two kids and taking photos at the same time?
I must admit I take a lot lesser photos without daddy around. It's definitely more challenging. However, if you really had set your mind to it, you can do it. Parents are all the same everywhere - we just want to make the best out of the day for every one especially our children don't we?

Aren't you exhausted?

I think I am but the adrenaline from getting the night all to myself from 1800 hours is too exhilarating! Like what parenting experts say about children who play too much, they get over-stimulated. I sure am over-stimulated right now. 

I cannot believe I still have energy to have this post churned for reads, edit and watermark all pictures for the day. *GASPS*

FAN VILLAGE ACTIVITIES 

AT OCBC SQUARE

Date: 22 to 30 October 2016

Time: 1100 to 2000 hours daily

Situated: Outside Sports Hub Library

Fan Village is the one-stop gathering point for fans to immerse themselves in all things tennis! Expect plenty of family-friendly fun as well as tennis-themed activities, such as capturing your tennis moves in a bullet-time 360-degree video, immerse in an exciting world of virtual tennis, free mini-tennis clinics for children over the weekends and more.

We had a lot of fun at Family Day At The Tennis this afternoon. For more information about their programmes, click here!

Especially for the Ninja Turtles and Spongebob Fans, here's the time schedule for meet and greet! Work your timing around your visit if you have a CRAZY FANATIC FAN for these Nickelodeon characters:

Saturday, 29 Oct - 1230 to 1315 hours Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Saturday, 29 Oct - 1445 to 1530 hours Spongebob Square Pants

Sunday, 30 Oct - 1145 to 1230 hours Spongebob Square Pants

Saturday, 29 Oct - 1445 to 1530 hours Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

TIP ON PARKING
I spent a considerable amount of time checking out on all the parking rates at Sports Hub. Kallang Theatre, Kallang Wave Mall, Kallang Leisure Park and the outdoor parkings. I decided that parking at Kallang Wave Mall is the most ideal. It is the closest underground carpark to Indoor Stadium.

Outdoor Parking - S$0.50 per half and hour
Kallang Wave Mall - S$2.04 per hour

The difference is $0.04 and it was the best decision to spend that extra because it was drizzling when we wanted to leave. There was no way I could bring both kids to the outdoor carparks without getting wet.

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