Top Secret

I found Addison sitting on the couch writing in a pad this afternoon. When I walked up to him, he put his hand up to shield what it was he was writing. He says to me, "I'm writing in a journal. You know, like you're supposed to write how you feel and stuff. It's top secret." I can only gather that he's acquired this knowledge from some show on TV or something, but nonetheless I thought it was cute. A couple of thoughts went through my mind. #1 I was wondering just what it was he would be writing about. #2 I was wondering how well he would be able to write what he wanted to say. He hasn't really done a lot of writing on his own in school yet. It's mostly spelling words or sentences he copies. So of course (because he's too young to worry about the whole parental boundaries of privacy thing) I picked it up later on. And this is what I found:

In case you can't tell because he ran out of room and it's all smushed that says "Mommy". Oh yes it does. You can imagine that my heart melted a little upon this discovery.

I will definitely encourage him to continue to write about things he feels. Being a journaler myself (that began at an early age) and a writer, of course I will encourage this. Chris and I both know about our son that at the age of six, he is already a deep soul. We would be so lucky to be able to know what goes on in that mind of his sometimes.

And hopefully, prayerfully, I will be the only female that he writes about who has his heart for a long, long time.

What?

I know. You don't know what to do with two days in a row. Although the date on the last post doesn't say that- it's deceiving because that's when I actually started on that post, and for whatever reason didn't get around to finishing it till last night. For those of you that subscribe by e-mail, your little inboxes were probably confused to see me two days straight! I told you I'm trying!

So it's hot. After practically a whole week of rain, it's really hot. But we braved it anyway. I've really been wanting to go to the Miller Outdoor Theater and back to Hermann park (this is the same park that has the zoo in it), and this week there was a children's play series at 11:00 every day. What would have been super lovely is to have been in enough time to grab a seat, in the shade, under the big dome. I keep thinking surely in the middle of the day on a weekday it's not going to be that bad. I'm just going to quit saying that/thinking that. When you live in a city you share with six million people, not a big crowd just takes on a whole new meaning. And I still am just thinking once school starts back up that it will slow down. Perhaps more wishful thinking, but oh well.

So we got front row seats. On the grass section behind the seats. In the sun. I know our children are for the most part clueless how much we put ourselves through just so they don't have to sit around all day, but I have every intention of reminding them often when they are older and letting them know how amazing their parents are. Because it was SO hot (have I said that yet?). Luckily they obviously built that theater for large crowds so even though it was farther away, we could still hear pretty well and see okay. It was a cute play- a version of Jack and the Beanstalk. It was fun to hear all the kids interacting with the characters and reacting to the play. And how cool is the Miller Outdoor Theater? It's free- every single performance- and they have some awesome productions there. Can't wait to go to a grown up one or catch the symphony or something. Once it was over, we took our beet red faces over to some shade for a picnic lunch and then rode the train around the park. It really is a great park. Houston has some bomb-diggity parks, that's for sure. When it's not 100 degrees anymore, like probably Christmas, they will be even more fabulous! Just a little sampling of our outing:

A view of the stage. The play had songs in it, too, which always makes the kids enjoy it more!

Annnnnnd the view from where we were! It's not as bad as it looks, actually- we could see fine. And there's this whole huge grass hill made just for seating. But again, probably much better when it's not the dead heat of summer...Good thing I brought the quilt!!

So cool!

All aboard! We were glad the train was shaded. I don't think this picture depicts (and I'm glad) the sweat and red faces that were there a little closer!

We will do this next time. You rent these little paddleboats for like half an hour.

We didn't even come close to seeing all of the really photographic spots. I'll have to come just for a photo shoot one day-lots of cool fountains, statues, etc. I'm telling you, this is a massive park!

Enjoying the ride

Addison kept waving to...um...all the people? It was funny.

Of course we had to do a silly pose

And we have been totally zapped the rest of the day! Chris is still doing a little work, but being out in the heat like that really takes it out of you! Our phrase we seem to keep repeating is "We're learning, we're learning..." The first time to visit all these places has probably been a little more stressful just because we don't know what to expect and haven't been as well equipped as we could be. But now we know. And we're learning. We're learning the crowds. Learning the parking. Learning the driving. Surviving the heat (although it's not much better anywhere in the country for that part right now). We're slowly becoming less tourist and more Houstonian. Guess it's like finding a really great pair of shoes. They're the perfect fit and fantastic, but it takes a little bit of breaking in and wearing before they're super comfortable. Yeah it's kinda like that.

Peace out from the Pate house.

Part 2

Something's going awry with my plans for the blog...I'm going to be very backed up with media and great stories if I don't start doing better! The tragedy in me not keeping up better is that the funny little quotes like what I posted last time get lost and overshadowed with the big events that are happening, and I really want both. (Hangs head in shame and big sigh) I will try harder.

This past Friday we went to visit the Children's Museum. It was actually a free admission weekend, so you can imagine it was packed- even in the middle of the day on Friday. So we didn't even get to the whole thing after being there four hours, if that gives you an idea of how big this place is! It was really neat, though, and I'm sure we will be back more than once. Here's some pics from our outing: (Warning- this is a good handful of pictures. And if you know me, you know it's not even close to all that I took :)

Even the outside of the building is colorful and fun! Very iconic and set in the middle of the famed museum district.

Cyberchase is a cute PBS show about math that Addison likes to watch, so he thought it was cool that there was a whole section with that theme.

This was like a life sized Tetris!

A statue made of phones. Funny that we actually had to explain landline, with a cord, phones to Addison like it was some kind of dinosaur. As he likes to say, so old school-ha!

They really loved this outdoor water exhibit. Us, on one of the hottest days yet, not so much.

You filled this big bucket with water then it spilled over, making everything else work so it was all connected. Chris got a sermon illustration out of it :)

There was a section called "Kidtropolis" which was a miniature city where the kids could do everything. You could get a "job" and work it to get money (like the girl pictured below checking out Cadence in the grocery store). Lots of little stores and places. It was super cute. And Cadence was super cute grocery shopping.

Her basket mostly consisted of fruit, ice cream, and cakes.

Anyone that knows my little obsession with the weather would not be surprised that I had to jump in and pretend that I was doing the weather. I couldn't even figure out which camera to look into, so I don't think I missed my calling or anything.

And this is me saying, "And here, well, it's just going to be really hot. For a long time." And Addison's up in Oklahoma somewhere. Maybe he wanted to give the weather to Granna and Poppy!

Weather permitting we are having another outing in the morning. I love the fact that we can do something every week and we will not run out of things to do for a long, long time. We are trying to pace ourselves, because we want to do all of the cool things now! But we actually live here. And don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. So I guess it's all still going to be there. The adventure continues! Peace out from the Pate house.

Pate Children Musings

So, does anybody still read this thing anymore?? Not that I would blame you, considering I've all but abandoned the blog this whole month. I've certainly killed any momentum I had created, which in the bloggy world is not that great. But I guess that's only bad when you have a lot of followers to begin with...

Well I got on to do an entirely different post, but after some funny moments this evening (updated to read last night) with the kids, I decided just to do a random quote post, then tomorrow I'll give the update.

Chris: Addison, if I had a penny for everytime you didn't hear me when I talk to you I'd be a millionaire.

Addison: Why Daddy?

Chris: Cause I have to tell you something like a hundred times before you finally hear and do it.

Addison: Actually, that means you would only have a dollar. (of course)

Cadence: If I have bad dreams tonight, I'm going to come to your (talking to us) room. Cause that's where the good dreams are.

And this is how Cadence decided to do her hair today:

Our quirky little Cadence. So fashion forward.

Truly, if I wrote down everything that the kids said/did everyday that was amusing/funny/strange/thought provoking/sweet/silly/entertaining, I would have very lengthy blogs daily! I actually would like to incorporate more since I haven't done much of that lately. They are definitely spreading their infectious joy and awesomeness to everyone here, and they are already loved by many. One of the advantages (probably the only one!) of not having lots of other kids around is being the center of attention. Pastor's kids get that anyway, but it's heightened being almost the only kids in the church. And you know they don't mind that too much. :) We certainly have two small people that know how to take advantage of opportunities to shine, entertain, and win people over!

Well I will get part two of the update out tomorrow with some pics. Until then, and you know it's coming,

peace out from the Pate house.

So What Else Do You Do...

When it's raining and raining. Not going to go swimming. Can't go anywhere cool. Guess we'll just play in it!

*And just so you know, there was no thunder or lightening present at the time of these pics. So you know I'm a responsible mother. Who got wet, too :)

The lonely rubber duckie floating in the rain

Dancing and being silly!

P.S. Since these pics have transpired the rain is no longer fun! We are looking at our pool and praying it doesn't decide to get too full and spill over! Probably draining it some tomorrow!

Peace out from the wet Pate house.