My Wee Little Artists

Some of you may have noticed how talented my children are. Well, I just wanted to brag a little more: My Picasso and Michaelangelo at work. While I was working on some signs for a Primary Acitivity my ward was having, I let my children express themselves with some fingerpaints. It worked a little too well. After some amazing artwork on the cardboard sheet I gave them, they wondered: "Why stop there?" So, they starting doing some body work. Benson worked on his own legs and stomach. Packer worked on his own legs and stomach, then on Benson's back, and soon they were covered in symbols, color, and... well, PAINT!
I'd like to take the credit of my children's artistic abilities, but I have to admit, that Ben is more artistic than I am... so I'll let him have the credit this time.

Decorating via Child Style

During Naptime, I strung the lights on the tree so the kids could decorate it when the got up from their nap. When they woke up to really kick in the spirit Ben & I had them blow the lights on. Last year we bought a remote to turn on and off the lights. So when they blew hard, we pushed the button and on they came! WOW!
Benson & Packer were wonderful helpers in decorating the tree. Above is Packer with the christmas tree aglow in the background.
Packer handling some tiny ornaments.

Benson decorating his self-designated branch. Note how many ornaments on just that one branch. Good work Benson.

Hmmm... Where should I put this ornament? Oooo! Here's a spot! Right next to every other ornament I've hung! Good Work Bens!

After about a week of having the Christmas Tree up and decorated, and blowing the lights on daily, I babysat for my sister-in-law while whe went to get her hair done. Benson told his cousins that the lights came on when you blow on the tree. Unbelieving the cousins wanted him to prove it. Since I had turned off the lights during naptime, they had the opportunity to blow them on. Ben, on the couch at the time reading, had the remote in his pocket, so when all the kids blew together: POOF! Our tree lights twinkled on. "Whoa! How do they do that?!" asked nephew Caleb. Ben answered: "They're Air Powered Lights!" With wide eyes the kids were ecstatic about the amazing lights and started to blow some more with Ben secretly turning them off and on. Finally Ben told them it was enough and to leave the lights on. The kids were sure it was all them.

Here is a close up of Benson's masterpiece branch of christmas decorations. WOW!

O Christmas Tree

Every Day-After-Thanksgiving the Atkin-side of the family all gather and head out to the mountains to chop down a Christmas tree. You never know what you're going to find! Sometimes you end up with a Charlie Brown Tree, sometimes one MUCH bigger than you realize, sometimes skinny, sometimes fat... This year our Christmas tree was a full tree and just about perfect. And boy does it make our house smell good! Above is Ben & Andie hiking around in the cold, fresh, mountain air.


Above: Benson in pursuit of the perfect tree.
While Waiting for Everyone else to pick out their perfect Tree, Benson was waiting by the fire pit that we had built, eating some snacks that Grandma had provided.
"Can I have some Hot Cocoa?" Benson asked his Aunt Amanda.
"Okay, I'll just going to have to put some water on the fire ."
"What?!" cried Benson.
Amanda repeated herself.
"WHAT?!" Benson cried again.
"What?" Asked Amanda confused.
"The fire will go out if you put water on it!" He exclaimed!
Duh Amanda! Everyone knows that!
That Benson, you can't pull the wool over his eyes!

Below: Daddy (Ben) and Packer



My Little Andie bundled up in her Winnie the Pooh Snuggle Suit.
"Cuddley Little Cubby all Stuffed with Fluff, [She's] Winnie the Pooh!... Silly Willy Nilly Ol' Bear!"