IMMACULATE CONCLUSION

During a sleepover, Savion and Nicolas were wondering about "the validity" of their cousin's existence. They had an animated discussion about the matter. Nicolas asked, "How can you be alive if your father is not married to your mother?" Savion added, "How can that be possible? Shouldn't your father and mother be married so that you will be born?" Nicolas wondered, "Yes. How can you be here?" The cousin replied, "Well, it's just that. I'm here. My mom and dad did not work out but I was born."

Savion and Nicolas still did not understand the situation. Their mother overheard the discussion and gave assistance and assured the cousin that, in due time, she will explain the matter to the boys. Savion excitedly concluded, "Wow! Your mom is one of the luckiest women in the world! She is like the Virgin Mary." And with a hint of disappointment he uttered, "I wish my mom were a Virgin too."

"The Annunciation"
by Fra Angelico

POOR POPE

On the way home from school, Savion informed me, "Dad, did you know that the Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world?" I told him that despite its size, the Vatican City is one of the wealthiest states in the world since every donation given to the Church by every Roman Catholic is a donation to the Pope, the leader of the church.

To stress my point, I reminded Savion and Nicolas that the money they give on Sunday service is a contribution for the Pope. Nicolas wondered, "But, isn't it for the poor?"

This Day In History
Pope John XXIII, born 1881
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/index.htm

CO-EDUCATION

Savion talked about the difference of the boys and girls in his school. He said, "For the boys, it's 'Everest Violent School'." And shaking his head in disbelief, "For the girls, it's 'Happy Princess Land'."

SOUL SOAP

At bedtime, Savion asked these questions:

1) "Who is your priority? God, Mom, Nicolas or me?"
2) "Why does God prefer being with sinners?"
3) "When we confess, is it like the soul taking a bath?"

Savion's soap advertisement:
"GRACE" "The Soap for the Soul...Turn Black To White"

LITTLE LEGO FOLKS

Nicolas had a discussion with his friend about the way they play with their LEGO toy sets. The two friends told each other the consequences of "destroying" their LEGO sets. Nicolas' friend told him that after he followed the instructions and finished building a LEGO set, he could not dismantle it anymore. If he did, it meant, he will not get a new LEGO toy. Nicolas proclaimed that whatever he and his brother did with their LEGO sets - whether they built it up, disassembled it, mixed it up with other sets, built it up again - he and his brother would still get a new LEGO toy - "My brother and I can build and destroy and mix up our LEGO's. And we will still get a new toy from Santa Claus and my Tita Marlyn."
Nicolas' friend emphatically expressed his disbelief at this difference. He asked for an explanation. Finding the words to explain the glaring difference, Nicolas remarked, "Different strokes from different folks."

"LET IT BE"

These days we can easily get lyrics of any song by searching the internet. Gone are the days when we played back, paused and rewound an audio tape to get the lyrics of our current fave song. Most often we got the lyrics wrong. But still we sang to our heart's content.

Savion has been listening to Beatles songs. He told me that he tried his best to get the lyrics of his favorite song by (1) writing fast and (2) listening to the song over and over. He could not pause the song since he used an inexpensive MP3 player.

At bedtime, we sometimes sing this song instead of the usual prayer - "Let it Be... Let it Be..."

"ALWAYS HIGHER"

Savion was elected class president.

He gave the following as his acceptance speech:

Good morning.
Thank you for making me Class President.
Let us all help make our school the best school in the Philippines.
We have to help each other and help our teachers.
If we work as a team, we will be successful.
Let us all put the best effort in everything we do,
When we study, and when we play.
If we want to succeed and reach the top,
Give all effort!
Give all that we can give!
Work hard! Study hard! Play hard!
Always remember, our school motto – “SEMPER ALTIUS”!
Thank you.

THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL

Nicolas' classmate asked, "Teacher, why do we have to go to school?" Nicolas raised his hand and volunteered an answer, "So that we will be civilized."

Image courtesy of Liora Grossman (www.lioragrossman.com)

THE PURPLE FLOWER BOY

Four years ago, Savion wore this purple flower costume for his school's Halloween costume event. This was his tribute to his grandmother, Lola Linda, who loved the color purple.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN

I love You my children
Cause You are so special.
For me I want to
Keep You forever.

Music & Lyrics: Nicolas Y. Garcia
(who turned 6 years old today)

CONSCIOUS

Savion and Nicolas narrated that they had much fun trying out their friends' scooters last weekend. Savion suggested that I get him a new scooter for their next scooter ride. I reminded him that he was given a scooter last Christmas and that it is still in good condition. Savion remarked, "But Dad, it's colored pink. I can't use that scooter with friends around." He concluded, "I am color conscious. I am grade conscious. I AM conscious."
I AM getting a can of spray paint tomorrow.

BATMAN

This is Nicolas' drawing of Batman and the Bat Signal. Take note of Batman's utililty belt - "Dad, look at Batman's belt." (pencil-drawn on scratch paper)

TIME TRAVEL

Nicolas talked about making a time machine. He stated, "I want to see the past but I also want to see the future. I want to see the future because I want to know who I will marry."

SUPER DREAMS

"I want to be a Songwriter, a Scientist and a Spy." - NicolaS

A SATURDAY MORNING STROLL

On this Saturday morning, Savion asked to be accompanied to a nearby playground where his brother was playing. Savion realized it was just a short walk to the playground thus he asked, "Dad, can we take a stroll instead? We hardly see you anymore because of work. Can we?." From the mouths of children comes confirmation.

SUPERHERO DRAWING for DAD

This is Nicolas' first superhero drawing. (pencil-drawn on scratch paper)

JUNIOR PICTIONARY

Savion, Nicolas and their mother Mimi played a game of "Pictionary" and this is Nicolas' first ever "Pictionary" drawing:

KINDA LIKE

Nicolas told his brother about a classmate having a crush on another classmate. Then he turned to me and said, "Daddy, do you know what 'crush' means?" I asked him what it meant. "Crush - is kinda like love..."

HEART DRAWING for MOMMY

 

"This is for you, mommy." - Nicolas

THE END OF CUTENESS

Savion remembered being told a year ago that when a child loses his first front tooth, it will signal the end of a child's cuteness. Well, this week he lost his first front tooth. And also this week, he had an eye examination. He now wears his first set of eyeglasses.

BEATING THE BULLY

The usually enthusiastic Nicolas was looking downtrodden. He explained that he was tired and was not looking forward to going to school because of the teasing he was getting from his classmates ("You're a scaredy cat" & "Patrice is your girlfriend"). We suggested not to mind the teasing. Nodding in agreement, his brother Savion said, "Nicolas, last school year I was bullied for half a year. But, I just did not mind them. I did not get affected." And brimming with pride, Savion added, "Now, I got their Respect."

GLOBAL TREE

"There are no strangers in the whole world.
Because the whole world is a family tree."
- Nicolas Garcia, 5 years old -

OLYMPIC TRIBUTE

This is Nicolas' drawing of the Great Wall of China after he watched the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (pencil-drawn on scratch paper)