Threading The Fuxipfad in Mainhardt

One sunny autumn day, we went on a short hiking trip at the Fuxipfad in Mainhardt. It was a very interesting hiking trail, with different stations at various locations that is perfect for educating children about nature. It highlighted the animals and plants that can be observed in the area. 

Off for some adventure at the Fuxipfad. Thank you for the hearty welcome Fuxi!

I learned a lot of things on that day like how dead things, like dead tree trunks, are a source of life of other organisms like mushrooms. And how ants also help in decay process of dead leaves and trees. I also learned how important trees are in keeping water in the ground.

Mushrooms growing on the stump of a dead tree trunk.

I also got a chance to learn the organisms living in the creek, like the different fish and crawling insects, and birds too. There was a very interesting photo board that looks dark but they become clear when you insert and move the "flashlight", which is a metal plate. 

There was also a picture puzzle that shows what kind of tree grows in the area and some facts about them.

Daddy explaining to me the names of the trees and other facts and how their trunks look like. 

After completing the trail, we stopped for a bit at the children's playground which was already empty since it was already dark and then we went to a restaurant to fill our hungry bellies. We got the "Fuxi Meal" but that will be another story. :) 

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Exploring the Animal Kingdom With Tiptoi

I enjoy going to the city library. The new one along Mailänder Platz is a very modern one and it has got an entire floor for the children's section on the 2nd floor! What I love about this section is that we are allowed to make some noise... but not the annoying kind of noise. We can ask questions, ask our parents to read a book aloud to us or play some educational board games.

On my latest visit to the library, I was in the mood for some animal adventure and so I took the educational gameboard Adventure Animal Kingdom (Abenteuer Tierwelt) from the shelf and my Mommy got the Tiptoi pen from the librarian.

It is a game with four levels of difficulty: green, red, blue and yellow. It was easy to play the game. I choose the green and red levels. For the green level, I just had to tip the pen onto the animal cards that look like puzzle pieces and listened to the general information about the animal. There are cards that have paw prints logo on them and/or sound logo on them. The paw prints are for the red level I think and you will try to match the paw print from the round cards to the type of animal. You can use the pen to help you find the right animal with the corresponding print as it will tell you what animal it is and then some more additional information. As for the sound logo, it allows you to learn what kind of sounds animals make. It helps you identify (if you are in the zoo, for example) what kind of animal it is just by listening to the sound it makes.

It really is an interesting game. This is a great gift for children who are in the early stages of school as a supplementary learning material. Just a good way of confirming that indeed learning can be FUN! 

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Water Fun!

Hello everyone! I am back from my summer vacation and baked at that! I had a wonderful time with my family. We went on a five-day vacation in Lake Garda in Italy, about six and a half hours drive from where we live. The long drive was worth it though! You'll find out why from the photos.

As you may all well know, I love water. We go swimming at the swimming hall near our place at least twice a week. Maybe because I was born in the month of the water sign? Or maybe because of the summer heat... who wouldn't want to dip in the pool in these warm days right? Whatever the reason, I just love having fun in the water. I feel so free whenever I am in, near or surrounded by water.

With my Mommy... :)

He will always catch me when I fall... The slide was great!

"Mommy let me steer the boat this time. You pedal... "

The water is really good! Not so warm and not so cold either!

Swimming with daddy while mommy steers the pedal boat in our direction. 

Swimming in the lake... it was so much fun!

"Can I go for another round in the slide?"

Going up and ready to slide again!

Pretending I were a pirate! Ahoy pirates!

Trying to build a sand castle to no avail... Hehe! :)

So there, I hope you enjoyed my photos as much as I enjoyed being in the water.

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The Photographer In Me

One fine sunny Sunday, my mommy and daddy and I decided to stay for a while at Schlossplatz after hearing mass. We first had lunch at our favorite Bistro Terrazza and then when it was not so hot anymore, settled ourselves comfortably at the castle grounds. There was a jazz concert going on and although we couldn't hear much of it, we tried to listen and relax to the music anyway.

I was getting bored because I did not understand what jazz music was and so my mommy asked me to take some pictures using her smartphone and then after every shot I made, I showed to her the result. She initially wanted me to take photos of things that had the color of the rainbow but since it was difficult because the flowers in the garden only had purple, white and pink, she asked me to take photos of specific stuff.

Here are some of my shots:

A bike

Purple flowers

Dark pink flowers in bloom

So what do you think of my photos? Do I pass? :)

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Discovering Ballet and Loving It!

It'e been four months since we arrived in my parent's home country and I can say that I'm really enjoying my stay here so far. Ballet is what's keeping me busy now that school is over (school here officially ends in March). 

I am now having my summer ballet workshop three times a week, and acting and voice classes twice a week at LCB Performing Arts Center Foundation Inc. Their dance studios are located at 48 Villamor Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City. We are now practicing our ballet recital piece for the upcoming show in May 19, which is entitled Broadway Musical Montage. I am also learning some songs from the musical Annie which we will sing during the show in May. Although my english is not yet so good, I am able to memorize the words since my mommy also made it a point to learn the song so we can practice at home. She is very supportive of me and I am thankful for that. I just wish my papa can see me performing on stage in May but since he is in Germany, he will have to wait for the video that mommy will be making.

I am just so excited... I can't wait for May to come so I can perform on stage and also come to my daddy in Germany!

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Going To The Dentist Is Fun

My first visit to the dentist wasn't a very nice one. It was at my Mommy's dentist and I really got scared at the lady dentist so that I always dread the thought of having to go back there. Then one Saturday, I had one of those terrible toothaches and so Mommy and Daddy had to bring me to the dentist who is on emergency service. Mommy also told me that I need to see the dentist so that she can make the pain go away otherwise, I will be crying in pain the whole weekend. Since it was a different dentist, I wasn't very scared. Plus, the lady dentist was so nice and explained to me what will happen. And I was also given a small toy after the filling was done.

The ball pool at the waiting area. I just love it!

Just goofing around while waiting for my turn.

Then I got an appointment with a new dentist who specializes in children dentistry. The clinic is called Der Milchzahn, which means "the milk teeth". I loved how the clinic looked like. Everything was awash in white and green.. very calming colors. I like the waiting area which has a large aquarium, and a ball pool at the corner where the children can play. There were also books and small board games for kids to play while waiting for their names to be called.

At the examination room. I love the chair! It also serves as a slide when you're done!

This photo was from my second appointment. I was all smiles for my Mommy.

They had to fill and fix the right part of my teeth. Open wide! 

My lady dentist was very nice... She explained to me every step of the way what she will do and showed me how the different devices that she will use work. I had a total of three appointments so all of my teeth will be fixed. And I didn't even cry once even though it was kind of painful.

A short break before we continued. It was also tiring for me to keep opening my mouth. :)

Just a little bit more and I am done!

I am allowed to choose one small toy from the treasure chest after each session. Ain's that great?

My dentist told me that I am a very brave little girl that she even gave me a certificate for being exceptionally brave at the end of the three sessions with her. Now I have healthy teeth and I look forward to seeing my dentist in four months!

Yes, going to the dentist is very fun indeed! I look forward to my next visit. Until then!

By the way, if you are in Stuttgart and your mom is also looking for a children's denstist, I would recommend my dentist. The clinic is located at Hirschstrasse 26, 70173 Stuttgart in the same building as Jako-o. You can find more information on their website at dermilchzahn.com.

 

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Face Painting and Me

According to Wikipedia: Face painting is the artistic application of cosmetic "paint" to a person's face. There are special water-based cosmetic "paints" made for face painting...

I really enjoy getting my face painted.. On various occasions, I would excitedly line up to have my face painted. The first time I had my face painted was on my 3rd birthday celebration at the Kindergarten. I remember I had a two pink hearts painted, one on each cheek. I was so happy with the results.

The second time I had my face painted was when I was sick. Mommy wanted to cheer me up so she painted a butterfly on my face.

The latest one was done by a professional make-up artist and it was for free! I had it during the Kinder Festival in Stuttgart last July. The kind lady painted a beautiful butterfly on my face. The best part was that I had glitters too! I never wanted to wear it off.

But of course, face paints only last a day... they are not really meant to be worn every day. After all, another occasion will surely come when I can get another face paint again. I look forward to that day...

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Strawberry Picking

Last July, during our camping trip in Südsee Camp, I was able to experience another FIRST: Strawberry picking. It was my first time to go and I really enjoyed it, even though I was accompanied by a friend of Mommy's and the camp caretaker. And that's when I really enjoyed eating strawberries so much.

Mommy asked her friend to take some photos of me while picking strawberries. It was my first time after all, something that is worth documenting, at least according to my Mommy. We went to this strawberry farm just near the camping resort. And the strawberries were really sweet and you can eat as many as you want, FREE. You will need to pay for what's in your basket though. Hihi!

Here are some of the photos that Auntie Nora took:

At the strawberry field. Reminds me of the cartoon series Emily Erdbeer.

You see some of the strawberries are not yet ripe. 

You are only allowed to harvest the red ones and I guess I was doing pretty good at it!

Picking up strawberries can be very tiring. Time to take a break and taste the strawberries for myself! I was more busy eating than filling the basket. Hihi!

Finally filled the basket with strawberries! Of course, Auntie Nora helped me fill it!

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