May Fun

We have been having a fun time around here.  Here are some pictures from a few recent activities:  

May Day at Boo's Preschool 

Viva Vienna Fair--On the Slide--we tried to have the kids go on themselves. Little Man chickened out at the top and S. had to save him. He still has a red face from crying.


He was much happier on the train.

Cotton candy anyone? I can not eat it without getting my hands sticky, but not THIS sticky.

Nay is 3 months old!  She scoots like crazy on her back--she will be in a completely different position when I come back in the room.  She has a cute belly laugh and she loves to watch her crazy siblings.  The outfit she is wearing was mine when I was a baby. I'll find a picture of me in it and post later.

Mother's Day Wishes

I wish:

I had no other responsibilities around the house so I could play with my children all day without worrying about the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, bathrooms...

Nay would sleep through the night.

Little man would potty-train himself--now (I am sick of man poop).  

The kids could keep their room clean. 

I could be on vacation with my family now.  

We were rich so S didn't have to work.  

None came true.  Maybe next year?  

It was a fabulous day full of cards, breakfast in bed, family, singing, and lots and lots of hugs and kisses (and the promise of Wii Fit).   

Here are three important mothers in my life right now. Each has helped shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you for your sacrifices, love and examples (Each is holding one of my children--can you guess which child is which?).

2 months and counting

Time is flying.  Nay is already 2 months old.  She really reminds me of her big sis.  

All of our kids have had freakishly strong necks from the time they were born.  Nay rolled over (front to back) a couple weeks ago.  Maybe it's just their big heads that help them tip over.  Here is a picture of her just before she rolled.  And then a pic of the ladies.  

I'm loving the smiles, coos and squeals of delight. Now just give me some sleep!

Tagged again!

I have been putting this off. My long-time friend, Lisa tagged me a couple weeks ago, and I am just getting around to it. Lisa is one of those people who never went through an awkward stage. I always looked up to her for her amazing voice and beauty (and we met when we were around 11). She lived with us for a year when we were in 8th and 9th grade. She's pretty dang funny, too (scrunchies for sale?). So, here you go, Lis:

I had to take the letters of my middle name and use words to describe me.

A--AFFABLE: Here's dictionary.com's definition:
1. pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to; friendly; cordial; warmly polite: an affable and courteous gentleman
(woman for me).
2. showing warmth and friendliness; benign; pleasant: an affable smile.

When I am out and about people are not shy to talk to me. I like to think that is is because I'm affable. Usually they are just commenting on my beautiful children, especially Little man's eyelashes. However, I like to think they feel they can approach me because I walk around town with a smile on my face (unless my kids are being super crazy).

N--NOT NAUGHTY: I hate breaking the rules. I can't even handle it when S. pays the money on a toll road, but still makes the buzzer go off because he went too fast through it. I try to do all in my power so the lifeguards don't blow their whistle at me even though I am twice their age--why would I even care? I hate when I get chastised for doing something I shouldn't. Oh, and on a side note: I can't take criticism very well.

N--NOISY: It has been said that I am the noisiest of the Atk girls. S. likes to especially shush me when I'm on the telephone. And I apparently laugh loud.

We finally got a new camera. Ours died and that's why I haven't posted here or on my flog. Look forward to some pics of the growing (but not sleeping well) baby and some grub.

Cherry Blossoms

One of the top 10 reasons for living in D.C.
(Check out Boo's cherry blossom jeans, too!)



I recently read an article in Newsweek, "Liar, Liar Parents on Fire" that talks about how we lie to our kids (the article was written after the author's 7-year-old asked why it was "embarrassing that former New York governor Eliot Spitzer was involved with a cowgirl ring"). Basically according to the pros it is okay to lie to our children (Santa, Easter Bunny, etc) and to teach them to lie to spare someone's feelings. It is a "developmental milestone" because they have empathy. Well, here is our little white lie about this statue of Einstein--he is the Little Einstein's great-grandfather. Hopefully our children won't be in therapy in 20 years after that one.

Blessing Day and Easter

Our camera has been sporadic in functioning, so I relied on my sister for some pictures of Flaca's blessing.  She was blessed during our 9:00am church, and EVERYONE (three of my siblings + spouses+kids, 1 of Sam's siblings + spouse + friend, both sets of g-parents, Great G-ma, Uncle P., Cousin K.) made it on time (Well, family was.  A friend+daughter were a little late).   It was a beautiful blessing and she didn't even cry.  We pulled a "Utah" (no offense, Utah friends) and skipped out after Sacrament meeting (hey, Ben and Amanda had to drive back up to NY) and everyone came to our house for brunch. After naps we headed to my parents' house for Easter Dinner (the third picture is the same day there).

We don't have pictures of the kids finding their Easter baskets because they found them just before we headed to church early to save seats for everyone.   S. started a great tradition where he hid the baskets and left a note for the kids about where the basket was with a hint incorporating Jesus.  

P.S. Thank you Easter Bunny for my Dance Dance Revolution for the Wii.  

Ode to the Wrap Dress

Oh, wrap dress. How I love you.
You treat me so well...
You fit when I am skinny,
You fit when I have a baby in my belly,
You are the ONLY dress I can wear when I am nursing.

Thank you for being so good to me.
I will pay lots of moolah for you to help me disguise my post-baby body.
And thank you to sisters-in-law with discounts.

(Thank you Banana Republic for making this fabulous one I wore for Easter--I didn't have the cute clutch, but I did have my yellow shoes!)