a date with kate

We had a lovely Spring Break and I have posts about the rodeo and Go Texan Day and the beach to put up here.  But I had a really special (and unexpected) day with Kate today and I want to write about it while it is so fresh in my mind.

During Mass this morning, Kate was looking at a book about Angels and Saints that I bought her for Christmas.  She still gets a little bored during Mass and although she pays attention pretty well, she likes to have a spiritual book or two to glance through if things get long.  As she looked at the art in the Saint book, she whispered to me "Mama, can we go to the Art Museum today to see some of the religious paintings?"

Truthfully, it was kind of the last thing I wanted to do today.  Kate and I have been pretty inseparable for the last week.  We have spent loads of quality time together.  And while I thoroughly enjoyed every second, I had grocery shopping and laundry and ironing and other things to get caught up on.  I actually like getting caught up on Sunday afternoons.  It makes the week start off smoothly.

Anyway, I started thinking about my boys and how they really love museums (all kinds).  And so many people tell me that their kids do not.  We have spent a lot of time in museums as a family.  Our kids have gone since they were infants and so they have a real appreciation for art. And honestly, I think it is a learned appreciation.  The peanuts know how to behave in a museum and they actually get a lot out of them.

So, I decided that I needed to take Kate today.  She LOVES art and I want to continually expose her to culture.

I looked on the web and learned that the MFA had a family day today which means they have "family activities."  Today was a lesson on John Singer Sargent, Italian watercolorist.  They also had "pop-up" concerts by Rice University Shepherd School of Music students playing the violin and cello.  So, it seemed like a greta day to go...

The azaleas have all just bloomed here and so it was gorgeous all around. (all I-phone photos)

Yes, Kate wore her beret to the Museum.  She cracks me up!

When we were standing in line to get it, Kate could see something "sparkly" off to the side and she told me that she wanted to go look at it first.  So, that is what we did!


It was a really cool installation by a modern artist from India and made completely from stainless steel.

After that we stumbled onto Art of China and Art of Japan.  Kate was fascinated.  

Many of the pieces were B.C. and she loved reading the history.

Kate said the funniest thing in the Japan exhibit.  There was a Buddhist sculpture and she said, "he looks like he is medicating."  I know she meant meditating but I had a good giggle.  She says things like that all the time.

Next we went to the hands on part where Kate could learn about and paint like John Singer Sargent.



This docent was so fabulous.  She spent so much time teaching Kate all about the artist and his techniques and life.  Kate loved it and I loved watching her.





John Singer Sargent used to sit outside under a white umbrella and sketch and they had little areas set up for the kids to do so as well.

After that, we went over to the other building for the religious paintings and the "pop-up" concerts.

This is the underground tunnel to the other building.  It changes colors.



We found the musicians right away.  They were quite good but they were quite loud for Kate.  She really enjoyed the music but she actually covered her ears.  People looked at her and smiled sweetly.  I think they thought she did not like the music but she really did. Ever since she got tubes in her ears (years ago), her hearing is very sensitive and she does not like anything loud.  That was a shame because I could have listened to them all day.  And Kate plays violin so she would have liked to listen longer too.






Since it was too loud for Kate, we went and looked at some impressionist paintings and the religious art.



And finally, we went to another station to create some more John Singer Sargent art.
 At this station, the lesson was about vanishing points.








 Smartypants Kate already knew about vanishing points and got right to creating a Venice scene.
I however got quite lost and messed up my vanishing point badly.  I am not artisitcally inclined.
 But Kate is.



It was such a delightful afternoon (much better than laundry and ironing) and I got such joy out of just being with Kate.  She is the sweetest little being. I wish you all could get to know her scrumptious little personality.  I am so blessed that she is our daughter.


  Today reminded me of a Sunday date I had with Will 5 years ago at the museum.

Dave and I are off to the airport to pick up Harry now. I can't wait to see him!! It sounds like he had an amazing trip. Sadly, two girls in his travel group were injured in a car accident yesterday in Barcelona.  One girl broke her knee and the other girl is more seriously injured. Please keep them in your prayers.