the renovations at home are going on quite smoothly, the folks at 52 are still living at the punggol flat but should be back by the start of august, perhaps even earlier. the school bus still drops ariel here at jalan naung though, and he comes over to play until they come and fetch him after sarah has gone to school. he's discovered the magic cupboard of house 54, in which all equipment for scientific experiments and science-related toys and items are kept, and has already constructed a complicated toy gear system and put together a model brain. he's just got to the model heart, which none of the adults want to be involved in. there are tubings for arteries, to be filled with liquid - i think red food colouring is called for (i suspect the adults probably baulked at that part - nobody ever likes children getting the living room carpet wet. send them to the beach with a bucket and spade, or go to the town council swimming pool! i don't much mind water though - most things dry out eventually, but my children shall never play with playdough.