Smart Cube

We went to the mall yesterday to pick GI up. He and his friends had gone malling for the afternoon. While waiting for GI, the rest of us passed by Toy Kingdom. Outside the main store, there was a lady demonstrating the Edmark Smart Cube. We watched for a while then asked RD if he wanted to try. After a while, MyGirl tried her luck. It seemed like a good toy. I whispered to MacGyver that the Smart Cube seemed like something the kids would enjoy. Maybe we should get one for each of them. Having two sets would enable them to share and make the designs which could be built with two sets. He agreed and the kids were overjoyed.

When we got home, the kids sat on the floor and played away until we told them it was time to sleep.

This morning, since the magic of the new toy has not yet worn off, the children were at the Smart Cube again. This time, it was a race to see who could build the chosen design first. I was the judge.

On their first round, RD finished first, followed closely by MyGirl. I gave my verdict, "Two kisses for RD, one kiss for MyGirl ... three kisses for Dad.

"What? That's not fair, Dad is not even playing."

On the second round, both of them made a mistake. So I declared, "One kiss for RD, one kiss for MyGirl, two kisses for Dad."

They shouted their objections.

Next, MyGirl completed hers but RD had misplaced one of the green pieces.

Two kisses for MyGirl.

After a while, they moved on to building their own creations.


When I wanted to tease them, I'd announce, "It's a tie. Five kisses for Dad."

This went on for a while.

In the end, as you can imagine, MacGyver won the tally. But in truth, the kids got all the kisses.

By Special Request

I love this boy! He is so sweet. He plays for family and friends upon SPECIAL request.

What can I do? I most certainly can't hide him from the world, can I?

I shouldn't! When someone has talent like he does, it is good to show him off once in a while.


A relative from New York came to visit and I asked him to play for her. (I actually had to plead and bargain with him to do so.) He played Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach. It was captivating.

Father, who had come over to listen to his grandson play, whispered in MyGirl's ear, "Chick magnet."

Another Visit to the Doctor

This time it was MyGirl's turn to go. Unfortunately, it was not a "well visit" like her brothers ahead of her. MyGirl had elevated temperature and started coughing last Thursday. We let her stay home on Friday. When it got worse, we brought her to the doctor on Saturday.

The Sky

I do love looking at the sky.

The clouds never cease to amaze me.

Some days the clouds are more stunning than other days.

I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago. The pictures are taken a few seconds apart with the camera aimed at different parts of the sky. I was fascinated at how the clouds seem like cotton scattered in the sky and how the sky can go from light blue to dark blue to almost gray so effortlessly.

View from the Top -- 2

Still at Medical City, but this time inside the office of the ophthalmologist.

I must say that his clinic is on prime location on prime location. It is a corner office at the Penthouse.

As you can see, there is a lot of construction going on beside the main Medical City buildings. They are really on expansion mode.

I found the view wonderful.

Thank goodness I don't have acrophobia (fear of heights). It sure is a long way down.

Birds have probably gotten used to seeing everything in this perspective but I doubt that I will ever tire of seeing things with a bird's eye view.

View from the Top -- 1

I had my (2008) Executive Check Up last Saturday at Medical City. They gave me a form to fill up which asked if was allergic to anything, if I had history of this or that, if I smoked or drank, if I'd undergone an operation, etc. I answered NO to most of the questions, the only one which I'd answered YES to was the question on my eyesight. (Yes, I've been having a hard time reading things in small font. Things just aren't as clear as they used to be.)

So they sent me off to an ophthalmologist at the 19th floor of the Medical Arts Building.

Anyway, while waiting for my turn, I went to the Ladies Room. I knew I was at the top floor but it wasn't until I got near a window that I realized how high I really was.

Medical City is right beside the Meralco complex, so I saw a lot of orange trucks parked at ground level. It was nice to see that there is still a lot of trees in the surrounding area.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind living in a high up place with a breathtaking view, preferably with lots of trees and the cool breeze. (I can dream, can't I?)

The MOON

Z and I walked to National Bookstore from Cebu Avenue last night. I saw the moon and just had to take the picture. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my camera at home.

Not to worry, I pulled out my trusty cellphone and took this shot. (See the moon?)

The next day, the morning papers had the moon on the front page. Apparently, the moon that evening was really extraordinary.

Visit to the Doctor

We're trying to get the kids updated with their immunization and all. These pictures were taken last December using my Sony Ericsson.

GI went to see the doctor first.

Then the next week was RD's turn.

There was no screaming, there were no tears ... only brave boys.

A Star is Born

New Year's Eve was spent at Laguna at the place of MacGyver's sister. We were hoping that by staying away from Manila, we would be far from the fireworks and the smoke. It was nice and cool there. There were still a lot of fireworks but tolerable smoke.

MacGyver's sister hooked up her recently purchased karaoke and out of nowhere, GI picked up the mic and began to sing. He consistently got a score of 100. (What can I say? He's lucky that he got the musical genes from his father.)