Monday, November 5th, 2012

For my birthday, Mommy and Daddy got me tickets to see the Fresh Beat Band.  They have a show on TV I love to watch because it is all about singing and dancing.  We ended up right near the front and there was a large section in front of us that didn't have any seats so I had plenty of room to dance and apparently I was pretty noticeable because Shout (in blue above) came down and danced with me!  During the intermission, one of the back up dancers named Frances came up to say hi.  She asked if I wanted to be the Rock Star for the night.  During the Rock Star song they bring up a child from the audience, put a Rock Star jacket on them and then dance with them on stage.  Even though I love the Fresh Beats I said not this year - maybe when I am six - so they picked another girl.  On the very last song Twist (in orange) came down into the audience and gave me a great big hug!  It was such a great night - thanks Fresh Beat Band!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Wedesday, October 31st, 2012

Happy Halloween!  As part of the Olympic coverage this summer, Nick Jr had a special Dora the Explorer episode called Fantastic Gymnastics in which Dora is a rythmic gymnast.  Ever since then I have wanted to be a rhythmic gymnast for Halloween.  Mommy went on to Ebay and ordered a ribbon from Australia (apparently rhythmic gymnastics is big there?) and found someone on Etsy who would make me a leotard.  She also ordered some gold medals from Oriental Trading Company.  I was over the moon and a pretty great costume if I do say so myself!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

With Aunt Kristin and Uncle Lonnie out of town for a wedding, Mommy and I spent the weekend with Jackson.  It gave us an opportunity to go to Wheeler Farm to pick out some pumpkins and get them carved with Halloween just a few weeks away.

Peyton Nicole Smith

Saturday, October 6th, 2012

Cornbelly's here we come!  It was such a nice day to spend at Cornbelly's - the weather was perfect.  I think Daddy and Uncle Jeff enjoyed it as much as Jackson and I did!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012

When Hope Kids alerted Mommy to a night out at the pool, she thought it was one of the best times to try to see how I did in the pool.  The Lehi pool was going to open after hours for Hope Kids so there would be a limited number of people in the pool and since all have medical issues as well, they would be careful around the other children.

When we arrived, there were several people there to greet us including a man with a trach - how's that for coincidence?
Daddy decided to stay on the sidelines in case he needed to jump in and also to record the moment.  Mommy and I hopped in the water and I quickly learned that keeping my mouth closed was a requirement!  We spent time going down the kiddie slide and Mommy put me in a life jacket as we went out into the larger pool.  Since Mommy can't actually swim she never went much more than waist high in the water.

Although my parents were very nervous they were happy I finally had a chance to get in a real pool but there were lots of serious discussions about how important it is that Mommy or Daddy is with me before I ever get in another pool in the future.

Thanks to Hope Kids for giving us another opportunity to be a regular kid!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Saturday, September 8th, 2012

It was my very first soccer game and what could be better than being the pink team - my favorite color!  I may not be a soccer star but I give it my all and had so much fun running around with the other girls.  And for once there is actually someone smaller than me on the team! 

Peyton Nicole Smith

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

First day of school!  I was so excited and couldn't wait to hop on the bus with my nurse for the 3 block ride to school (yes, you read that correctly 3 blocks).  It seems like a lot of build up for a few short hours but I had a lot of fun.  Mommy came in just a little while after school started to talk to my class about the things about me that are different.  I got to sit at the front of the class with her as she did a show and tell with my bear so kids could see my g-tube, my trach and even try out my hearing aids!  But Mommy made sure to point out that although there are some things about me that are different that there are lots of things I have in common with them - like soccer and t ball.  Before I even had time to get comfortable it was time to go.  But Mommy let me know this is day 1 of 13 years of going to school so there will be lots more school days in my future!

Peyton Nicole Smith