The Lessons We Teach And The Lessons We Learn

We try to teach Gabi the value of money. We remind him when he asks for toys that he cannot always get what he wants, that money doesn't grow on trees and that he should try to save the money he receives as gifts.

One day when we were in a mall to run some errands, Gabi noticed the big toy store and started to bug Patty and me about buying him a Bakugan. He kept nagging and nagging and nagging. And after a few minutes, to Patty's obvious disapproval, I gave in.

But as if to make up for my weakness, I told Gabi that he only had a 300 pesos budget.

"Choose carefully, son, because that's all we can afford," was my wise advice.

So off he ran to the Bakugan section. One by one he examined the choices. And for each and every package that he looked at, he made sure to ask the attendant, "excuse me, how much is this?"

When he was told that it was more than 300 pesos, which was the case for most of his choices, he would quickly reply, "No, I can't get that. My papa doesn't have enough money."

He asked that all that he could afford be put on the floor so that he could choose properly. And he went through each one, again and again. But his eyes were always on the "forbidden" ones left on the shelves, the ones papa could not afford.

 "Are you sure those are more than 300 pesos?" he kept asking the attendant. "Because those are the ones I like. Hmmm, but papa only has 300 pesos."

In the end, mainly to save face, I sheepishly whispered to Gabi that he could pick one from the more expensive packages.

"But Papa," he said out loud. "You have more than 300 pesos?"

In the end, Gabi got his Bakugan. I was embarrassed no end. And Patty could not stop herself from laughing the whole time.

Sibling Revelry

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.

This Vietnamese proverb rings so true for Gabi and Bela.

Three years older, Gabi has always been a loving and protective brother to Bela. He always wants to read her his books. He always wants to be the one to teach her how to walk. He always wants to be at her side.

Sure, there are times Gabi becomes too rough with Bela.There are times naughty Gabi plays practical jokes on her. There are times he doesn't share with Bela and makes her cry.

It's a good thing Bela can dish it too. She's no push over. She too can play rough. And she can also end up making Kuya cry.

But through it all, the highs and the lows, the laughter and the laments, the two remain the best of friends.

And this is what I cherish the most: the noise, the play, the giggles, the cry. The siblings' revelry is truly sweet music.