The Grass Is Greener

After completing their work on the trees, the gardeners proceeded to returf the grass around the front and sides of the building. They also helped us to prepare the planting strip that will be our flower and vegetable garden.

Returfing actually involves quite some work. The top layer of soil that is full of weeds has to be removed, and then the new grass is laid over.

Once that is done, the workers install the fibre edging to separate the turfed area from the planting strip. So now the strip is ready for planting.

Our seedlings experienced a growth spurt over the past few days, and they now seem to be chomping at the bit to be transferred to the planting strip where they can continue with their growth. Sorry guys, you have a wait till our child planters come next week.

These grew pretty well and orderly.

While this bunch appear a little unruly.

The yellow hibiscus that we saw a while back as a flower bud. Look how you've blossomed!

Farewell to Noni

Our first encounter with our Noni tree was at the early stages of the renovation work. At that time, it seemed like a real novelty with its grotesque-looking fruit.

Since then, the tree has been giving us lots of grief with the constant dropping of its fruit, which seems to have particular appeal to some species of flies that quickly swarm over the fallen fruit. Furthermore, the fruit has the amazing propensity of dropping just nicely under the path of a reversing vehicle, thereby ensuring it leaves a gooey mess around the carpark area.

It is thus with a hint of remorse (just a tiny hint) that we decided that the tree had to go. The guys from the landscapers were here this afternoon, and in a few moments, took down the offending item.

But in case there are those amongst you who are outraged over this wanton destruction of our natural habitat, we hope you will be appeased when you learn that there is still a gigantic mango tree just adjacent to the noni tree, to continue providing greenery and shade to this little corner of our world. The mango tree will more than compensate for the loss of the noni tree by copiously shedding its thick foliage on a daily basis over our compound, and dropping its fair shair of fruits for the flies and the birds to continue swarming over.

A pile of sawdust scattered over where the noni tree used to stand. We're starting to miss you already.

The workers appeared to have gathered the fruit with the intention of collecting them later. Surely they're not thinking of having noni salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner...for the next one week?

A fond farewell to the noni fruit. You look exactly like when we first met (which is not much of a compliment really).

Green shoots of growth

Our pink hibiscus bloomed beautifully today to welcome our very first enrolment to Orion Preschool. It starts to feel like school again when we hear the voices of teachers singing nursery songs and the sounds of children's laughter (and occasional crying).

Like us, our little nursery (pun alert) is also exhibiting some green shoots of growth. Or at least for the kai lan and sunflower seeds. We would obviously like to take credit for it, but it's really just how nature intended seeds to function.

So hopefully the weekend of neglect will not do too much damage to the seedlings, and they will be just about ready when the children visit the week after to help us transfer them into the vegetable patch.

The pink hibiscus bloomed gloriously today. The photo doesn't do justice to the brilliance of the hue, but we'll enjoy it while it lasts. Alas, the impermanence of beauty! 

Fret not. The flower buds of the yellow hibiscus appear to be bursting out of its sepal ring.

Even the Lemon Balm which was admitted to plant ICU showed some green shoots of recovery, after the teachers and aunty trimmed off the dried-up parts. If it is able to pull through this weekend, the prognosis could be positive.

Congratulations, you have a kai lan! Okay, it's not quite as momentous as giving birth, and you have to strain your eyes a little to make out the little shoots, but the kai lan appears to be quite prolific, while only a handful of sunflower seedlings have wriggled their way up to the surface. All is quiet on the chilli front. And the okra (ladies' finger) too. Perhaps Ms Beth covered them too deep in the soil, but they should eventually find their way out.

Green Fingers or Plant Killers?

You can tell that there are probably fewer than 10 green fingers shared amongst the five of us at Orion Preschool, by looking at the condition of our plants. Our initial plan was to keep the plants alive until we can organise a pre-Open House mini-event for our ex-Mothergoose children to help us transfer them into our vegetable garden. This will then symbolise the part that the children have played in helping to set up the new preschool. Oh well, it's on to Plan B then.

Okay, we're really not as incompetent as it looks. Actually the plant was unable to withstand the long weekend without watering, especially during this hot and dry period.

The herbs, like this sweet basil, and another rosemary plant survived the weekend ordeal well.

To hedge our bets, we decided to also grow a few vegetables and flowers from seeds. By the time of the children's mini-event in mid-June, the seeds should have germinated sufficiently so that the children can transfer the seedlings into the ground.

Mrs Poh, who is not known for her interest in gardening, punches holes at the base of the styrofoam box for excess water to drain out.

We got some soil which the nursery claimed was great for fruits and vegetables.

Aunty Chai Fong's husband is an avid gardener, so by association she is acknowledged as our resident expert. Advising the teachers on the intricacies of seed growth.

Ms Wong (henceforth to be called Ms Beth) laying the seeds in tidy rows. When the seedlings appear from the soil, it will be very obvious which box was planted by Mrs Poh.

Our compulsion for labelling everything knows no bounds.

Keep away from our precious plants, you snails!

So children, make a date with us on 15th or 16th June morning (2 dates to choose from). Come and help us to create our vegetable and flower garden at Orion Preschool!

A Detour Down Memory Lane

On Thursday morning, Casey came to visit Mrs Poh and Ms Wong, who were both form teachers of her graduating class of 2013. Unfortunately, she didn't get to see them because the teachers were given that day off. Never mind, Casey. You can meet them during the Open House.

A little disappointed, but don't worry, you will get to meet the teachers soon!

Digging through our archives, here's a little trip back in time to 2009, the year Casey joined us as a toddler. Enjoying a trip to the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden.

Siblings Tricia and Titusz had more luck on Friday, managing to catch the teachers before they left for the afternoon.

But they had earlier in the month came searching for the school's location somewhat late in the evening. Target located, recce successfully completed!

Tricia, like Casey, is now in Primary 2. But it's always therapeutic to relive the happy and carefree days of preschool.

When you're this little, like Tricia in 2009, you have other priorities on your mind, like what/who should I play with next at the playground.

Titusz, one year younger than his sister, pores over previous years' photos with mum Stella.

We have to go some way back to 2010 when you still had those baby cheeks.

And so a photo to capture the happy memories of reunion.