The Pate Family Chronicles: Dear Addison:

Hello, son. On this day, six years ago, we entered into a new phase of life because of you: parenthood. Your entry into this world was a rough one, and we immediately knew you were special because the enemy had already tried to count you out of the game. And now you are six. I don't really know how that happened so fast, but it did. Here's a quick snapshot of you at this fun age:

You...
are so smart. I have a feeling I will have a hard time keeping up with you! Homeschool is already proving to be challenging at times (for me), but you are doing so great. I'm trying not to push you too hard (although you would enjoy it) because you will already be ahead of your years, and I don't want you to grow up too fast!
love playing video games. You are the only kid we know that gets a workout playing a regular video game because your whole body gets involved. The front desk at the gym likes to watch you through the glass, and they get a kick out of you kicking your legs and shaking your arms while you play.
had one of the worst weeks of your little six year old life a couple of weeks back. You went into the dentist with a toothache and found out there's so many problems in your mouth you'll have to go in for dental surgery in Oct (much to the shock and dismay of your parents). The day after that you started running fever and got the flu. I hope we don't have another week like that for a long, long time. Poor guy.
are such an awesome big brother. You LOVE your sister, and she loves you. You also LOVE being ornery to her. I don't fault you for that because you come by that honestly :) When I was baking cupcakes for your birthday yesterday and was telling you guys to stay away from the oven, you said to me "I don't care about me if I get hurt. I only care about my sister, because she's smaller than me." That about sums it up. You put up with a lot, and she's lucky to have such a loving and patient big brother.
are NOT a morning person. I think you will take to coffee drinking at a young age. We are on most days dragging you out of bed for the day's festivities.
currently like watching SpongeBob, Electric Company (and most other PBS shows for that matter), ICarly, Scooby Doo, any cartoon with video characters, and enjoy the High School Musical movies. And Barney (we don't tell many people about that one :)
are really enjoying your Musical Theater class. We love to hear you sing and perform.
can sometimes have an attitude like a teenager. And suffer the consequences :)
also theologize better than most adults. The spiritual matters we speak of (and just plain life stuff) blow me away sometimes. You are asking me questions all day long, and the random things you bring up make me wonder what goes on in that little head.
love to have Daddy give you Bible trivia at bedtime. He makes up questions for you to answer.
almost always beat us at the game Trouble. What's up with that.
just enjoy being with family. Whether it's Carter or all the way in Arkansas or Oklahoma, you would choose to be with family 24/7 if you could.
really like popcorn. And root beer.
also fortunately eat good things like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and love salmon and green beans.
would prefer to stay clean. You're not really into getting your hands dirty very much.
are very witty. You are always making us laugh, although you don't really like it when we laugh if you aren't trying to be funny :)
You are just a joy. That's what you are. We have our challenging days, but this age is very fun. You are so inquisitive and have such a thirst for life that we appreciate life so much more for it. Your heart is bigger than Dallas, and your sweet, tender spirit is always encouraging someone or something around you. I look forward to the years ahead of us when we will continue to discover, along with you, who it is that God made you to be. It's going to be amazing. We love you so much, my precious son.