Aquileo | Samantha's Own

Aquileo | No Longer A Girl, Not Yet A Lady

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 19:11:00 +0000

It has been a while since my last blog entry here. You must have all been wondering what I have been up to these days. Well, I am doing fine. I have grown tall in the last couple of years and have lots on my sleeve.

I moved to a new school, so it meant new school environment, new classmates and teachers. I was lucky enough that I have classmates who were from my old school, so I actually did not feel lonely on the first day of school, which by the way started in September last year. Wow, it felt like it was such a long time ago!

It is more challenging now that I have moved to a secondary school because there are more subjects taught but I still get to do some curricular activities at school in the afternoons. I stopped doing ballet though, but for that, I have tennis and self-defense instead. I enjoy it a lot despite the muscle cramps since I love sports. But I do miss dancing... maybe I will look for a dancing school if my schedule permits it.

My Mom and I still do some crafts every now and then, but she mostly lets me do the crafting myself. I miss doing it with her though but this tradition we shall keep. I can still remember when we did the DIY baptism favors for her godson or those soft felt owls we made together with my friend when she came over. I am into origami lately or anything that has to do with paper. In fact, I made a photo frame from waste cardboard material as a gift to my twin friends.

So much has changed in the last couple of years but I am still that little girl who loves to read, enjoys being with family and friends, and is always thankful for everything that I have right now. Oh, and did I mention that I got a dog for my 10th birthday? There really is so much catching up to do, I know. I shall tell you all about my dog and so much more in my upcoming posts so please stay tuned!

Thank you for dropping by. Till then!

Aquileo | Luxury Wear For Children

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 13:18:00 +0000

Following is just a smattering of the types of custom handmade shoes and children's fashions that are available in order to make your child stand out in the crowd in comfort and style:

The Elephantito Mocassin matches hand-made stitching, shirt style collar, full grain leather upper, breathable leather lining, a cushioned leather-covered footbed, and brogue leather tongue as just some of the details of this quality-made slip-on shoe.

The Brown Leather Bootie is ankle high, has elastics on the sides, and Brogue detail on the front. This is meant for either a boy or a girl.

The Suede Red Bootie is for stylish toddlers.

Mary Jane Shoes have always been loved by girls and their mothers. You can get them in Patent Red, Silver, White, Pink, Patent Black, Patent Navy, White With Piping, Ivory with Buckle, Silver for Baby, Baby Metallic Champagne, and more.

Baby Ballerina Shoes with a bow come in white, pink, or leopard.

Girls Dresses and Rompers come in a huge selection. Some of the unusual ones are these:

Spring Floral Tunic Dress

Floral Smocked Dress

Red Plaid Classic Dress with collar

Red Plaid A line Dress with bow

Blue Plaid A Line Dress w/Front Pleat

Blouses and Shorts

Classic Short Sleeves Pink Blouse

Peasant Floral Blouse Peasant Pink

Plaid or Turquoise Blouse and Shorts White Linen

Shorts or Skirt with White Linen

Sleeveless Blouse Pink Cotton Bodysuit

Girls Coats and Sweaters

Blush Pink or Scarlet Red Crossed Winter Coat

Tweed Guava Princess Coat

Strawberry Knitted Long Sweater

For the Baby

Spring Floral Romper with Bows

Mauve Feathers Smocked Shirt Dress

Mauve Feathers Fitted Dress with Short Sleeves

Silk Knitted Dress

Red Plaid Party Dress with Sash Pink or Light Blue

Pima Cotton Baby Pull-on pants

White Baby Boy Linen Set

White Baby Set with Bubbles

More Information

Elephantito.com is a fine example of a manufacturer of luxurious children’s wear including their very wearable and elegant clothing collections using top-quality natural fabrics and their signature all-leather shoes with a one-of-a-kind feeling.

In 2012, they opened a state-of-the-art shoe factory in Peru, MGF Peru, and equipped it with new Italian machinery and well-trained shoe artisans in order to take style and quality to new levels. That 5,500 square foot premises has a production capacity of more than 12,000 pairs of shoes on a monthly basis.. After having 12 years of success selling wholesale, Elephantito.com opened its first Lifestyle Store on March 1, 2016, in South Miami, Florida.

Aquileo | Crafting at the Kindergarten: Schultüte

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 10:59:00 +0000

Soon I will be going to the first grade in school. And I am quite excited about it. Why? I will tell you all in a short while. There has been a lot going on and so many things have happened since my last blog entry. But I need more time to write about them one by one so for now, I will talk to all of you about one of the things me and my mom did at the Kindergarten in preparation for my going to school in September. Wow, time does fly so fast....

But first, what is a Schultüte? It is an old school tradition here in Germany wherein the first grade children receive a school cone on the first day of school. "At first the practice of the school cone, which did not spread to other parts of Germany at this time, was to not give the bag to the kids directly. Marked with the students' names, they were taken to the school by parents or godparents and in a ritual, reminiscent of the Mexican piñata, hung on a metal "Schultüten-Baum" (School cone tree) from which each child had to pick their cone, without breaking them. The story told to the children goes, that there is a Schultütenbaum growing at the school, and if the fruits (the Schultüten) are ripe and big enough to pick, it's time to go to school for the first time." Originally, it is filled with sweets but as the years went by, it became filled with more practically gifts like crayons, CDs, small toys, and even clothing articles.

Some details of my school cone: the shiny pegasus horse,
the flower with the lady bug, the crepe paper cover.

Me and my Mommy. We are proud of our beautiful craft!

And what about my Schultüte? Well, It has a horse motif since I am at the moment crazy over horses, the magical ones in peculiar. I enjoy My Little Pony and Fillys a lot so that explains the horse motif. The main figure is a pegasus horse which mommy traced on a glitter paper from a drawing and then we cut it out and glued it on the cardboard cone. Since Mommy came in a bit late, we had to hurry up so to make it more interesting, we made different colors for the wings and for the mane of my pegasus horse. Then I put in small flower details with topped them with wooden lady bug figures. We added some more shaped glitter stones to make it more attractive. My teacher then helped to put in the pink crepe paper around the wide opening of the cone: this will serve to hide the contents of the Schultüte later on. And voila! My Schultüte is finished... I wonder what surprises my parents and other relatives will put inside as gifts for my going to school. Perhaps small, cute stuff for school and sweets too. That is what I am more excited about.

Or maybe I can make a list of the things that I wish my schultüte will contain? Hmmm... What do you think shall they be? Keep a look out for my next post to find out! :)

Aquileo | Finding Wholesale Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 09:56:00 +0000

If you don't like going to stores to purchase clothing that is expensive, then consider buying wholesale clothing online. There are various items that you can find online that are in almost the same condition as you would find in a retail store. Some of the items have slight deformities such as a button that is a little bit off of the center or a tag that was misplaced. You can still wear the clothes, but these reasons are why you can save money on them.

From new arrivals at the company to items that are from the previous season that you can get on clearance, you can complete your wardrobe at companies like Enewwholesale.com. Find children's clothes to go back to school as well as clothing that they can play in since it's not as expensive. Women can find sweaters, jeans and dresses. There are also items for men. Each season brings new specials and new pieces of clothing for the entire family. When you order several items at one time, you can usually get discounts on the shipping fees. Items are sent directly to your home instead of dealing with the crowds of people at stores and malls.

Aquileo | Self-Expression Through Dance

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 06:12:00 +0000

As a parent, it is important for us that our children are able to express themselves well in a confident manner. Helping them to build this trust in themselves and nurturing their ability to express it is essential in their growing up years. So how do you become instrumental in this one?

Allow your child to engage in dance activities or classes. You will find that their shyness will slowly go away as they try to move up to the beat and rhythm of the music. If you are afraid that your child is not comfortable in his or her street clothes, then by all means find appropriate dancing clothes for her. You can find good gymnastics leotards among others at DanceMania. These will help your child to move freely and actively.

It is also important to ask your child what kind of dance he or she is interested in. It would be a bad idea to enroll him or her in a jazz class if their interest is in hip hop or ballet. It's like throwing them in a pot of boiling water.

Look for good reputable dance schools. If you want your child to have a feel first of what the class would be like, find schools that offer 1-2 trial classes. You will know it would be all the effort and money if you see your child's smile on her face and making new friends. Show your child that you are willing to support their passions and interests. And they will love you more for it! :D

Aquileo | 10 Simple Bedroom Design Ideas for Your Little Girl

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 06:45:00 +0000

My little girl has been asking me when are we going to furnish her bedroom. She is now five and a half and will soon start with first grade next year so having a room for a herself is becoming more and more a necessity. If you are planning on decorating a room for your little girl, her are some simple decorating ideas to help you start with.

1. Focal point. Create a focal point in the room. It could be a solid color on one wall or a huge hand-painted piece that your little girl has made. From this focal point, work our the color scheme of the room. Popular color schemes for girls' bedrooms are brown-pink, green-pink, pastel.

2. Stylish shelving. Provide ample space for your girl to showcase her books, artworks and knickknacks by putting up wall shelves. It is also a good way to update her collections and help keep clutter on desks a minimum.

3. Workstation / Craft Area. Allow your little girl's creativity to develop and provide a workspace for her. As much as possible, put it near the window so she has ample natural light and she can look outside for inspiration. Her desk will also be a place for her to make her homework when she goes to school so a grown-up desk will do the trick. This allows the room to grow up with her.

4. Plenty of open floor space. This is important especially if the room is meant for growing up kids as it provides them plenty of room to play, giving them enough space to develop their motoric skills. Make it more appealing by putting a kids rug on the floor. If you are looking for good rugs for your little girl's room, there's a good selection of kids rugs over at InHouse Rugs.

5. Reading nook. My little girl loves to be read before bedtime and I know that she will enjoy reading all by herself when she is old enough to read alone. A reading nook composed of a comfortable settee or a funky, hanging bubble chair will just be the perfect reading spot. Just be sure that it reflects her personality.

6. Pretty jars or canisters. I mentioned a workstation for your child to work on and a grown-up desk. You can add pretty jars and canisters to hold her pens, pencils and brushes and other small crims crams. This will help keep clutter to the minimum. Be sure that she always has an empty desk so it will be more inviting to work or to study.

7. Design choice. Give your child options on the design and allow her to choose. This way, she will have a part in decorating her room and will be able to claim it as her own.

8. Artworks. If your child loves to draw and do crafts, you could use these as decor pieces. You could always update the artworks by replacing the old ones with her new works.

9. Wall Decals/Tattoos. Don't want the traditional wallpaper or the plain paint on the wall? Add a whimsical flair to the room by adding wall tattoos or decals. There's lots of wonderful designs available on the Internet today especially on Etsy.com. And what's more, it doesn't damage the paint and you can always replace it to suit your child's personality and interests.

10. Letter Frames. The classic letter frames that spell out her name will make any child's room more personalized. You can of course choose on the colors, the lettering, or it could also be a thing that interests your child and at the same time starts with the initials of her name.

So there, hope you are able to get some wonderful ideas. Happy decorating!

Aquileo | Threading The Fuxipfad in Mainhardt

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 17:22:00 +0000

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. :)

Aquileo | Creating A Magical Christmas for your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 16:45:00 +0000

Christmas is the most exciting time of the year for our little ones. I still look back fondly on many of the Christmases I experienced during my childhood, hoping that one day my daughter will do the same. Come December, I’m going all out to make sure that this year is the most magical Christmas yet. Here’s how I’ll be doing it…

Create your own grotto

Half of the magic of visiting Santa Claus is experiencing his glittering, Christmas grotto. This year, I’m going all out with decorations that are sure to make Santa jealous!

Every year I face the same struggle with my Christmas lights as I remember they aren’t quite as long as I’d like them to be. This year, I’ll be using one of those no fuss pre-lit Christmas trees to keep stress to a minimum. I really want my tree to be amazing this year, so I’ll probably buy some new tree ornaments to complement it. I’ll have the stuff my daughter has made at school on display too, to avoid making my living room too much like a show house.

Leave traces of Santa

Obviously… I will be leaving the standard bitten cookie and half glass of milk on Christmas Eve as proof of Santa’s arrival, but I’m thinking of going a little further this year.

One thing I’ll definitely be doing is leaving Santa’s footprints on the porch. Using a pair of boots and icing sugar, the discovery of snowy footprints are sure to heighten my daughter’s excitement. If we’re lucky enough to have a white Christmas, I’ll leave sleigh prints in the drive too.

I also read online about one mom who leaves a swatch of red felt for their children to find, as if Santa has had to leave in a hurry, which I may also try.

Christmas stories

Like most parents, I often read my daughter a bedtime story on an evening. It’s a great way to spend some quality time and soothe her off to sleep.

The 1st of December will see me swapping her everyday storybooks for Christmas themed ones. My local library is sure to have a range of books that will see us right through to Christmas Day, and I might even pick some up from Amazon. It’s a sure fire way to get her pumped for the big day.

Aquileo | Top Tips to Help Your Little Ones Have a Great Night Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 16:03:00 +0000

All parents will have had first-hand experience of a tired child, as my Mommy does with me. With grumpiness ruling, your child can be a handful, as they struggle to deal with the day’s events while running on empty. It is therefore imperative that you ensure they get the best night’s sleep possible. Here’s how you do it…

Ensure their safety

Making the transition from cot to bed can be a troublesome process. Used to the security of a cot, it is not unusual for parents to hear bumps in the night, as their child falls out of bed. This can cause injury so it is necessary to take precautions to prevent this. A bed rail will stop your child from rolling off the end of the bed, without taking away the maturity of a proper bed. There is a great selection available at Safetots, with wooden, mesh and tube designs.

Remember to take precautions when designing the layout of your little one’s room. Radiators can get piping hot, especially in winter months, so avoid pushing your child’s bed up against it, as your child could accidently burn themselves during the night.

Relax and unwind

Sending your toddler to bed after an exhilarating game of football is hardly going to encourage their sleep. They’ll have bags of energy and want to keep playing, so adopt a calming bedtime routine that will give your child their much needed rest.

Start off your bedtime routine with a bubble bath followed by wrapping them up in some cosy pyjamas. Tuck your child up in bed and spend some quality time with them by reading them a story. Use a soft, quiet reading voice as this is more likely to soothe your child off to sleep. As for me, a bedtime story and a good night prayer always works.

Relieve nervousness

Irrational fears are common with children, especially when it comes to sleeping. Whether it’s a fear of the dark, a dislike of being alone or the prospect of a monster under the bed, your child can do everything to avoid the nightmare of going to bed.

If your child is afraid of the dark, you can invest in a nightlight that will provide a dim light that will help relieve their nervousness and gently ease them off to sleep. Gradually, your child will learn that the dark is not frightening and they will be able to sleep without the nightlight. My Mommy always has a bedside lamp that she leaves on until I doze off to Lalaland.

Children are easily influenced, drinking in everything that is said to them. If siblings or friends try to scare your child with ghostly tales and spooky stories, make sure your child knows that they aren’t real and are only a joke. Such clarification will nip this fear in the bud, preventing it from becoming more serious and affecting their ability to sleep at night.

You can find more information about helping your child sleep, here.

How about you Mommy? How do you help your little one get a good night's sleep?

Aquileo | Scribble Cards For "On The Way"

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 10:46:00 +0000

Does your family like to go on roadtrips? What do you usually do to keep your little ones from getting bored along the way?

I may just have the answer to that! The scribble cards for "on the way". Actually, I just translated it in the best way I can. :-) It is actually called "Kritzelkarten für unterwegs" but its English original name is "Usborne Activity Cards Holiday Doodles".

This handy and small activity box is composed of 50 doodle cards that encourages children to add details to the pictures and even to answer some easy mazes. There is also a special pen with which to doodle on the card. So whether you are in the car, in the plane or in the train, or even at home when it is raining and too wet to play outside, you will never get bored. You could let your imagination run wild and these set of cards allows you to be more creative as you try to continue on with the drawings.

Like drawing the earrings on this woman's face:

To putting in the decors and creatures in the fish tank:

I guess it will be more interesting if the pen comes in different colors too!

Aquileo | Exploring the Animal Kingdom With Tiptoi

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 06:25:00 +0000

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!

Aquileo | Dressing Up For the Homecoming

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:23:00 +0000

Little as I am, I love going to parties. Whenever I am invited to one, I almost always ask my mom if I could wear a dress. Most of the time, I come wearing a dress since in most of these gatherings, we always get the chance to dance.

Perhaps when I am grown, I will never tire of wearing dresses, being the "princess" that I am. I would look forward to those school dances when I would dance the night away, wearing my best dress. Even when I am already away from school and starting my own career, there will always still be chances to dance especially during Homecoming. I may not be the homecoming queen but just being there at homecoming will be more than enough. It would be lovely to see old familiar faces again and reminisce on days past. But I know these are yet to happen many many years from now.

But for those of you who are going to the Homecoming this year, do you already have something to wear? I think the Homecoming is an important event in an alumnus' life and it doesn't happen very often. So if you still haven't got anything to wear, there are a lot of appropriate dresses to choose from. For this season's homecoming dresses 2013, there are many designs and colors to choose from.

I especially love this little black dress in A-line and chiffon. This will look good on anyone!

Or this princess cut A-line dress in champagne color is also very sweet and elegant and perfect for the younger ones:

Start looking now for your homecoming dress and look your best in this year's Homecoming! And oh, let me know how it went!

Aquileo | I Love Bonchon Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 19:43:00 +0000

One of the things I love about the Philippines is that I am able to eat rice whenever I want, wherever I want. All restaurants serve it and even fastfood chains like McDonald's, Shakey's Pizza, Pizza Hut, and KFC to name a few have rice in some of their combo meals. Great isn't it?

The very happy me! Mommy granted me my wish to eat at Bonchon Chicken!

Enjoying my crispy squid rice.. I love eating with my bare hands!

There's this one restaurant that serves really good chicken in soy garlic flavor. I really love going to this place almost everyday if my Mommy can help it. But ironically, what I love in this place is not the chicken but the crispy squid rice. I could most of the time eat the entire serving!

My favorite crispy squid rice in soy garlic flavor.
Photo: bonchon.com.ph

I guess you could say that I am always hungry as far as crispy squid rice is okay. I love the sweet garlic glaze on the squid rings. Now that I am back here in Germany, the closest thing I can have to crispy squid rice is the frozen calamari that my Mom deep fries for me. Perhaps she can look for a recipe for the soy garlic sauce that she can pour on top to make it the crispy squid rice that I so dearly love. Now that's one great idea! :)

Aquileo | Water Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 09:39:00 +0000

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.

Aquileo | The Photographer In Me

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 08:29:00 +0000

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? :)

Aquileo | Unique Gifts for Babies

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 08:13:00 +0000

Have you ever tried to find the perfect gift for a friend but everything you thought up was quite ordinary? Now you can find unusual baby gifts that any recipient is sure to love. After all, who doesn't want something unique and special when it comes to their baby?

Consider childrens rugs at AnnaBean.com as the perfect room accessory for any new baby. These rugs will brighten up any room. Whether your friend is having a boy, girl or twins, the perfect rug will make the bedroom shine and sparkle. Choose something soft and comfortable that is pleasant to stand on but that also matches the theme of the room.

Another unusual gift you could get would be a hand made quilt. These aren't given too often as gifts anymore, so if you have a traditional friend who enjoys classic, creative presents, a handmade quilt offers just that. It will be something she'll treasure for years to come and that her friends and family members will enjoy looking at.

Finally, consider making a scrapbook for your friend's gift. A scrapbook could showcase her pregnant, her adoption process, the early years of her marriage or even pictures of your friendship. Choose a book she'll be excited to show off to her baby and include pictures from all of your favorite memories.

Aquileo | Getting Ready For Summer

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:21:00 +0000

I am still vacationing here in the Philippines and it will always be summer in these tropical islands but from where I grew up, it is still Spring. It will be summer soon and it would really be nice to gear for the summer season so that when I come back in Germany, I am all trendy and chic. :)

So my Mommy has been window shopping, more of the online window shopping kind of thing and found really great kids clothing that are bright colored, have fun and girly designs, and really made for little girls like me! We've looked into collections for girls summer wear and we both fell in love with the Frugi Kids line.

Aren't they just cute? I could wear them on week days at the Kindergarten because they are made of cotton and will allow me to move around comfortably and freely. Short-sleeved shirts, dresses and leggings have always been a part of my wardrobe and I think will never go out of style. Of course, there also has to be matching shoes... And we found the Lelli Kelly shoes line. It seemed to be made just for me... glittery, pink, flowery and all!

Don't you just find them all really cute? I can't wait for summer to come!

Aquileo | Discovering Ballet and Loving It!

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:43:00 +0000

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!

Aquileo | Pearls Make A Bride Prettier

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 07:09:00 +0000

Freshwater pearls are the gems that everyone has been talking about the last generation or so. They are in fashion trends around the world and they can’t seem to escape the hearts or any women. These gems are way too desired without the high price that everyone seems to assume they are. These natural gems are worn by thousands throughout the nations and will continue to become more popular. Not only do they have powers to enhance your life, they also are very unique and diverse from each pearl, creating the statement of individuality.

Me (and Ate Audrey): flowergirls to her parent's wedding.

Bridal jewelry is the most wonderful gift to pass down to younger generations, so having pearls be a part of the new tradition will only add more love and importance to them. For a number of decades these gems have been a part of wedding selections and will continue to be a part of them. They are the quality and worth that everyone wants with the simplicity of making sure the crowd focuses on the bride. They are so special and using them for an occasion like that, makes them that much more memorable. So the newest update is that these pearls are the fashionista’s most wanted accessory.

Aquileo | Kikay Me

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:44:00 +0000

Hello everyone! It has been a while and I hope you are all doing well. Did you know that I have a grown a lot these past few months. My Mommy thinks so. Although I still cannot prepare my own clothes to wear for the day, I know how to choose. If my Mommy would choose something that I don't like, I wouldn't wear and ask for something else instead. I know it is a bit bothersome for my mommy, Sorry Mommy! but she lets me wear what I want as it saves her more energy and time.

I love to wear dresses and skirts and even match the color of my shoes with the color of my dress. I also like to accessorize when I feel like it. My mom and I dress so very differently... I guess I am the more kikay type. But I guess most little girls are. We love all the small, sparkly, tiny, pink, pastel, cute stuff.

How about you? Do you love wearing dresses and girly stuff too?

Aquileo | Going To The Dentist Is Fun

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 05:23:00 +0000

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.

Aquileo | Choose Your Webhost Well

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:59:00 +0000

I enjoy blogging every now and then. This blog started out some two years ago and everyday, I learn. I learned what webhosting is and how essential it is to find a very reliable webhosting service especially if you are managing a website that offers also a product or a service. I learned that wtih the many options available on the world wide web, it is wise to first read about hosting reviews before engaging in a service so that you are able to weigh your options, the pros and the cons. I also learned from blogging that you should only worry about the content and let your webhost do the rest.

Your blog is only as good if your webhost is dedicated to giving you the assurance that your blog will be live or online on the Internet round the clock and that the security they offer is very good so that no hackers are able to take down your website. I have heard of blogs whose webhost servers have been hacked and whose bloggers are unable to access their blogs because of it.

That is why it is important to read and ask other bloggers before getting your website hosted... It is your website after all and you have all the right to choose. Choose your webhost well.

Aquileo | Prinzessin Lilifee Musical

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:58:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Wow! It has been a while since I blogged in her. Sorry about that. Mommy was too busy to notice that I neede to blog too.

But anyway, so many things have happened in the last three months or so. And what do you know, in four months, I will turn four! I am growing up so fast, don't you all agree? I won't even allow my mommy and daddy to call me a baby anymore.

Proof that I have grown is the fact that I went with my Großtante Lolit and her husband to watch the musical, Prinzessin Lilifee last 20th November at the Liederhalle without my parents. Ain't it cool? And I really had a lot of fun. It wasn't boring at all since there were also other little girls like me sho went to see it. The theater hall was packed but I had lots of fun. I love ballet you see and the Prinzessin Lilifee characters as well. I just love it when they danced ballet and they also sang pop songs.

I don't mind watching this musical again... Perhaps next time, I'd get to watch other ballet musicals like the Swan Lake or the Holiday on Ice. With so many musical shows and performances just within our reach, I know another opportunity will come. I wonder who will treat me to one the next time around.... :)

Aquileo | Face Painting and Me

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:58:00 +0000

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...

Aquileo | What's A Good Online Business?

noreply@blogger.com (kamz) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:41:00 +0000

As you all know, this blog is on a blogger platform and I have been thinking whether to get my own domain name or not. If I want to change to my own domain name and convert this blog into something more, I would need dedicated servers so that my website will be running smoothly, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. What do you think? Should I be selling stuff? Should I be putting up my very own scrapbook pages since I have tons of photos just waiting to be dressed in fabulous scrap pages and featured in this blog? There are tons of possibilities actually...

I am no business guru, in fact I don't know much about business except for the fact that people do a lot of online shopping lately. How these websites are managed are beyond me but I do know that their web host providers must have managed hosting to ensure the database and electronic data of each of their costumers are protected.

And if you are intested in opening up your own webhosting business or if you already have a web-based business and it requires a great deal of network speed and data security, there is an option called colocation. Got your own server but have limited space for your hardware to be properly stored? How would you like your dedicated server to be housed in a facility where the temperature is controlled, the space is adequate enough and the bandwidht is less expensive? It's like a boarding school for your server!

If you are planning on opening up your own web based business, now is the time to consider all of these options. Maybe when I am a bit older and I have a very good idea of my own, I too, can start my own little web based business rolling.