It wasn't that long ago when I would purposefully avoid the crowds during the NDP and choose instead to watch the parade from the comfort of home. But somehow having kids changes your mind about such things, so we traipsed our 3 Jos down to the Marina Barrage to enjoy a live screening of the parade over a picnic with good friends - Joce, Se & Jon, and family - Ji Chek, Jonah, and Amber. 

The kids were mighty excited of course, not just because of NDP, but because they were meeting up with good pals Asher & Ellery and Emma, Hannah & Becky. 

There were quite a lot of people by the time we arrived at about 4.45pm but thankfully the Nairs had arrived earlier and choped us a nice patch of green. 

We enjoyed the parade...the kids especially loved the planes and the helicopters, and we get a really good view of them from the Barrage. The performances were entertaining too, very impressed by the story-telling segment where the stories were illustrated by a large contingent of people changing the colours of their coats...impressive! Must have been rehearsal intensive and harkens back to the old times when LEDs and laser displays were not available. I also thought the merlion was pretty cute...cheesy but cute. 

And then the fireworks of course. We had a better view of them than we did last year, but still would be much clearer if MBS weren't there...hah:P 

As for the controversial national day song, Josiah & Emma were singing it non-stop post parade and Josiah kept singing the chorus the entire walk back from the Marina Barrage to Bay East...guess it's pretty sing-a-long and catchy for little kids after all :P 

We brought the kids to the beach for a play date with their schoolmates, JJ, Talia and Stefan and they had a fun time in the sun, sand and sea!

Josiah and JJ each caught a wave in their face and all were pretty sandy messes. Best part is we've tuckered them out sufficiently for them to take an afternoon nap to recharge before our next date with the NDP :)

No tix to the parade, so we're gonna soak in some Singapore spirit at the Marina Barrage! Whee! Can't wait :)

The Singapore flag proudly hanging in front of our living room window (bottom left) - view from the overhead bridge as we made our way home after the playdate.

I finally bought a flag from our CC over the weekend (a little late I know given that National Day is this Friday...) and on Sunday, I put it up! 

We hung our flag outside the living room window using the 2 hooks provided. Did you know that most, if not all, HDB flats have hooks outside their windows/parapets for us to hang our flags? I only noticed it at our current place but it certainly makes things simpler. 

Since we can't see the large flag from inside our home, I also used 2 of the smaller flags (the ones designed to clip onto car doors) and hung them up at home. The kids are so excited to see them, calling out 'Singapore!' and belting out national day songs every once in a while. 

Yes, we love Singapore...This is our home :)

Looking forward to celebrating national day at the Marina Barrage on Friday!

Joanie points in excitement as the wind blows the flag into view