Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays!! I've always loved it. From childhood to present I love all of the fun memories. I remember the younger years. I was always a witch. My mom would paint my face with this horrible green paint. I hated it!! I still shy away from green paint. The funny thing is I still find I'll pull out the witch hat whenever I need a costume. I recall trick or treating until I was way too old to be doing it anymore. Then major Halloween parties and dances in my late teens and early twenties. Then the teaching years with fun visits from my students and barely moving off of my couch to answer the door because I was too tired from long teaching days. Now I love watching my kids enjoy the holiday. Dressing up is a daily activity in our house so it is fun to have others join in. Treats are pretty much a staple here too. We love them. (A little too much!) I always wanted to be one of the amazing mom's who sews elaborate costumes for their kids. Seeing how I have very minimal sewing skills, I did my best attempt this year. Fortunately in these pictures you can't see the crooked hems, uncut loose strings and all of the other mistakes. Luckily the girls are so cute you don't really even notice the outfit.
Is she a natural or what? I did not teach or show her this. She just does it!
Bzzzzzzzz!
I know very few signs, but bird happens to be one of them. I showed it to Tyli. Now whenever she sees a bird, she makes the sign and says "uh". It is so cute I almost hope she never learns the real word.
Ty adores her big sister. I knew she would want to be whatever Madi was so that was part of my inspiration for the bug costumes.
Flying around the yard.
Madi was so excited because she got this ladybug necklace to wear with her costume. It wouldn't be complete without some fashionable jewelry. (She learned this from her aunt Amy who designs her own jewelry.)
Well I'm totally happy with the way the costumes turned out. Jon wasn't very excited at first. (He thinks Halloween is for scarry costumes.) How can you resist two cute little bugs like these? We are so excited. We especially can't wait to go trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood. We just love Halloween!!
Every year snowbird has a "customer appreciation days" in the fall. During this time you get to go and ride the tram to the top of the mountain for free. (With the donation of a can of food.) We love to do this. It is so beautiful looking at the world from a different perspective. It's during these experiences that I know that God lives, that he created me and the beauties of the world that I enjoy. I love these moments when everything makes sense and I'm filled with a greater purpose than I was the moment before.
The girls love riding the "sky train".
Seriously, I live by this. Isn't it amazing?
I'll let the rest of these pictures speak for themselves and for lack of a better adjective, it was BEAUTIFUL....
Last Friday we went to the Pumpkin Patch with the Meagan, Sarah, Lizzy and Ben. We had so much fun! First we took a trip through the corn maze. This took us awhile. I guess we get lost easy, even with a great guide like Meagan. The kids were great though. (Well, Sarah complained a little. Surprised anyone?:)) It was all worth it when we got our treat. Yeah! Then we got to pick the perfect pumpkins. We are excited to test Jon's pumpkin carving skills next week. We had a great time. We always love hangin' with our Brownies!!
And we're off! The whole group excited to go.
Ty loves Sarah! But then again, who doesn't?
A little snack for the trip. Yummmm.
Madi adores Lizzy! I couldn't think of a better person for her to look up to.
This is the spooky flock of birds that were following us in the corn maze. I've never seen or heard birds like that.
Yipee!! We made it!!
Supermodel Meg picking out her pumpkin.
Ty found her perfect pumpkin and she'll pick it up just as soon as she finishes her treat.
Each month Jon's family tries to send a family email about the things going on in our lives. Because I am such a diligent blogger, Jon has taken on this responsibility. It isn't too difficult though, he says...everything is great, look at Jodi's blog. I finally read the email he sent out this month and it was so funny! I thought some of my friends and other family member might appreciate it. Some people who I have pressured into commenting on my blog might appreciate it more than others. I do have to add one disclaimer. The part where he said I was blogging for 5 hours is only partly true, it only took 5 hours because I was taking care of two children in between. Actual computer time was definitely not that long. :)
Here it is:
Hola Famdamily,
I guess it’s time to do the letter again. In case anyone hasn’t bookmarked this yet, our (Jodi’s) blog can be found at: http://fulksfamily.blogspot.com. It generally has the best updates about or goings on, with much more detailed information than I’ll spill here, but you do have to put up with all the cuteness. (By the way, if you really want to get on Jodi’s good side, just comment on her blog. She is nuts for comments. Gotten out of a few pickles myself that way!) By the way, if you haven’t got some kind of new feed for keeping updated on people’s blogs, you really ought to. iGoogle is great for it. This way you can see all your fav blogs, and what’s been updated without having to trudge around to everyone’s blog individually, just to see if it’s updated.
Well Madi started preschool, and she loves it. This is actually her second year, as she went to 3 year old preschool last year. She goes with her cousin, and two of her best friends, so really, it’s like playtime for her. It’s fun to come home and have her tell me what color, or letter she’s learned that day. She’s definitely growing up too fast. Oh, if you’re in the SLC area, and you get the D-News, there was an article in it a few days ago about her preschool. I can’t remember what section. Utah Life, or one of the other boring ones that you never read unless there’s an interesting picture on it. But it was really good. There were a few shots that had Madi in them. Also, you can read the story online here: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700262816,00.html and there’s also an audio slideshow that features Jodi gushing over how much she loves Heather’s (the owner) school. Yeah, no bias there ;) Here’s a link to the slideshow: http://deseretnews.com/photo/slideshow/1,5587,5191,00.html. I told her it was definitely blog worthy, and she is furiously trying to figure out how to get on there. She is totally famous now. An interview with Brendan Fraser’s got nothin on a DNews audio slideshow!
Anyway…. Tyli is 2 now. Not really, but she thinks she is. She’s talking more and more each day, and is really developing a little…… attitude. She’s now graduated from the school of “Uhh!”, to the school of “No!” and “Mine!”. Needless to say, we aren’t thrilled with the education she’s receiving there. But she definitely makes life interesting. Now we just have to get her to stay in nursery, and we’ll be all set.
Ok, so, Jodi….. We’ll I already talked about Jodi, so… no more there.
Me, well, I’m still doing the same old thing. Work, life, etc… Read the blog, and it will probably sound like my life is much more interesting than it is. Oh, that’s one thing I didn’t mention about Jodi. She really likes to blog (man does she like it), and now she’s gotten onto Facebook too, and I’m telling you, it’s like a career. She spent like 5 hours doing a blog post one night. Now if we could only figure out how to get paid for that. It would be awesome.
Well, anyway, that’s about it. We’re doing fine. There’s always something going on with us, and so we just keep on going with it.
Madi wanted to surprise me this morning by dressing herself. Who wouldn't want to mix their two favorite holidays? The fourth of July and Halloween make a great combination. Luckily I talked her out of the purple and pink striped skirt, but we made up for it with a purple butterfly ribbon as a belt. What a sense of style this girl has. Yes, we did go out in public. Gotta love a four year old!
On Sunday October 12, we woke up to SNOW! Crazy! I love winter and I love playing in the snow, but I also love fall and only two weeks of perfect cool crisp weather is not enough. Fortunately it was melted by the next day. I guess mother nature just wanted us to have a sneak peak of what is coming.
Madi LOVES the snow. Even though she was sick the night before, we couldn't stop her from throwing on her snow stuff and heading out to play at ten O' clock in the morning. (Jon, aren't you glad I bought her snow suit early?:))
Our first snow angel.
Snow is like play dough to Madi. She loves building stuff!
Our pink snow man! Tyli might have to get use to trying to move in this outfit!
Macie, Madi, Payden and Ty with the first snowman of the season!
We are famous! This is an audio slideshow that was published on the Deseret News website. They did an article in the paper about the preschool that Madison goes to. Heather is so amazing that out of all of the preschools in Utah, they chose her's to write about. It is a wonderful tribute to Heather and all of her hard work.Here is the slideshow and article.
Here are the Photos and captions from the paper.:
Tate Garff, left, and Matthew Iverson listen to a story. In back are Isabel Coleman, Mikelle Bagley and Kate Snow. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
Children kick around a ball with their bare feet. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
Isabel Coleman races her mother to the first day of preschool at Heather Peel's Kaysville home Sept. 3. The school has become very popular in just three years. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
Students soar through the air as they jump on the trampoline during activity time in the backyard. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
Heather Peel greets her students on their first day Sept. 3. Peel had been a student teacher at another preschool before starting her own. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
he Peels' dog relaxes on a chair as 4-year-old preschoolers race from the basement playroom to the backyard for an activity. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)-Madi is the blurry girl running past and her cousin Bryson is the little boy.
Heather Peel gives Bethany Nosler a goodbye hug after Nosler enjoyed her first day at the preschool. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
Heather Peel and her students sit on the floor in a circle and join hands to sing during the first day of preschool. Peel's preschool has a waiting list until 2013. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)- Madi is the second from the right of Miss Heather.
Here is the article: Nestled in a quiet Kaysville neighborhood there is a little red brick house with a white picket fence where children go for reading, writing and 'rithmetic.
"It really isn't a June Cleaver thing," said Heather Peel, who laughed after describing her house.
In her basement, Peel has a room full of school supplies, toys, dress-ups, children's drawings framed on the wall, a miniature table with chairs and, of course, the alphabet border across the top of the wall.
"It was crazy how it all came together," Peel said while looking at the picturesque room.
During the summer months, the room is very serene. Come fall, however, it is overrun with 4-year-old students in Peel's preschool, which is held during the school year.
"They hang their school bags," Peel said while describing the beginning of a typical preschool day. "We'll have an activity, and we have discover time at the carpet."
She pointed out the big, round, blue rug in the center of the room.
"We have a routine," Peel said. "But I don't want to be rigid."
When Peel and her husband, Darren, started thinking about having an in-home preschool, they initially planned for a pretty small outcome.
Story continues below "I just thought it would be fun for people to walk their kids here," she said.
June Cleaver would approve. But Peel's preschool is no Mayfield business.
Soon, people were signing up from Layton, Farmington, West Kaysville and Syracuse. Now, starting her third year this fall, Peel's preschool has a waiting list.
Katrina Egan from West Layton took her daughter, Mia, to Peel's preschool last year. Egan has taken her children to five different preschools. She said it is pretty common in her area for any preschool to have a waiting list.
"If they get popular, they get waiting lists," Egan said. "Two-year waiting lists are most common. Three years is most I've heard."
With a waiting list until 2013, Peel said she has been overwhelmed by the response.
"Sometimes parents are embarrassed to call me to get a spot when their kid is still a baby," Peel said. "But I'm glad because I hate turning them away. That's the worst part."
Peel said the earliest that she will let parents put a child on the waiting list is when they are pregnant with the child.
Laura Elggren from East Layton said she signed her son, William, up for Peel's preschool three years in advance.
"She has an extremely long waiting list," Elggren said. "I took the last spot in the class."
Considering recent census reports on Utah's youthful population, it does not come as a surprise that preschools are in high demand. The report showed that one in 10 Utah residents is younger than the age of 5 — a number 40 percent higher than the national average."There's such a need for preschool," Peel said. "It's not just a 'go play so mom can shop' deal."
Courtney Jensen from east Layton was definitely not shopping when her son, Tage, was in Peel's preschool. In fact, she stayed at the Peels' home during class for the first couple weeks of preschool.
"He just had a really hard time," Jensen said about her son. "He'd just cry and cry wanting mom."
Jensen would sit outside on the stairs during class and Tage would periodically check to see if his mom was still around. Eventually, he was fine with the idea of her leaving.
"He still remembers things 'Miss Heather' taught him," Jensen said. "She is super creative."
Peel said she never thought she had a gift with children.
"I just really needed a change from nursing," Peel said. She was a part-time nurse for 15 years. "As great a career as that is, I wanted to be with children."
Despite the fact she and her husband are raising five of their own, Peel decided to finish the room in their basement for the preschool.
"I was really worried I wouldn't like teaching," Peel said. "If it didn't work, then I would have the greatest playroom for my kids."
Story continues below Peel had been a student teacher at another preschool in Farmington with a lady who retired not long after Peel started her preschool. While she was a student teacher, she decided to take child development courses.
"I always loved doing the student teaching," Peel said. "It was so joyful experiencing things through kids' eyes."
Peel adopted the teaching program developed by the Farmington teacher and was hoping that the 3-year-old students from the Farmington class would come to her class after the teacher retired. But, Peel said, many of them did not want to travel that far.
"I just had a few come over," Peel said, "and I thought, how am I ever going to fill up?"
Little did she know. Peel is now turning away 30 to 40 students each year.
Aside from her neighborhood fliers, Peel said she has not advertised her preschool since the beginning.
"It was just word of mouth," Peel said. "And I was grateful because it was just people who knew me and trusted that it would be good experience."
Julie Pew supervises the teachers at the Family Enrichment Center in Kaysville. She said she has also seen an increase in students.
"People are getting busier," Pew said. "So they need somewhere to take their children."
And, she said, parents are realizing that preschool-age children are very impressionable, and it's an important time of life for learning.
Egan said she noticed the attention span of her daughter, Mia, has improved since going to preschool. But academics is not the main reason she took Mia to preschool."It's about the social aspect, and honestly, it's a break for me," Egan said.
No matter the reason, there are common things that parents look for in a preschool:
• Creativity makes a preschool unique. Courtney Jensen said
"It's exhausting," Jensen said. "Most teachers would say, OK, I taught them well enough."
Peel said she gets a lot of help from her family. "Mr. Darren," as the students call her husband, makes special visits to the class. Plus there is a music specialist who comes weekly.
• Creativity and patience should be two positive aspects of a preschool teacher.
"You don't want to feel like you are dropping your kid off at a day care," Egan said.
Peel said she sees her preschool as much more than baby-sitting.
"I have a lot of children who come who are really unsure of themselves, shy and timid," Peel said. "It's really rewarding to watch them be able to socialize and learn skills."
If every child had an opportunity to attend preschool, Peel thinks it would eliminate a lot of problems later in public school. "They go to school feeling confident," Peel said. "It's a loving, safe environment to work through fears or acting out. Not that we can curb them, but it helps."
Story continues below It is uncertain how long Peel will keep up the preschool. She said she didn't expect how "darn attached" she would get to the kids.
"It's been so rewarding that I will probably do it for a long time," Peel said. "Or at least until 2013."
My sister Jill and I have been talking about going to the zoo forever. We finally made it! We didn't realize Madi wasn't feeling that great until we got there. Poor girl! Tyli had a blast though. She loved all of the animals and they put on a good show. It was perfect weather. Thanks Jill for the fun event!
Madi and Ty were playing hide and seek. Tyli would count perfectly to ten then yell, "Knock, knock! Here I come!" (2.21.10)
"Mom, I know what 4 + D is. 4D (40). (2.18.10)
Jon gave me flowers for Valentine's Day. Madi's response was, "Oohhh! Daddy gave you flowers. He must Luuuuuvvvvvv you." (In her most ooey gooey voice.) She then proceeded to tell me every single flower gift she has every recieved. (2.14.10)
"Mom! My messy face is not clean!"- Tyli (1.21.10)
We went to eat at Red Robin a while ago. As we were being seated there was a large statue of the Statue of Liberty (holding a hamburger.) Tyli looks up at it and yells, "Look! It's Jesus!" Maybe a little sacraligious, but I'm still laughing about it. (1.16.10)
After a long day, Madi was whining for a treat. I told her I'd give her a treat, I'd give her a kick in the pants. She replied (very whiny) "Nooooo! Thaaat's not a treat!" (1.4.09)
A three year old is very repetitive. EVERY time we drive by a place we have been Tyli will point it out. We went to the light parade this year and each time we drive by the spot Ty points it out. "Look mom! The "harade". As we pass Madi's soccer field, "Look mom! Madi's socco ball." As we pass the firestation, "Look mom! The firetruck " As we pass the field that we watched Brooklyn's soccer game, "Look mom! Brookie's socco game." She also loves to point out the track that I run at, the dragon waterslide we rode and the amusement park we visited. You would think it would get old, but I laugh every single time. (1.1.09)
The other day Tyli and I walked from the store to the car. (It was all of fifty feet.) Once we got to the car Tyli gave a great big sigh, wiped her forhead and said "Phew!". I guess fity feet is a lot further to a two year old. (11.09)
I am LOVING the way Tyli talks right now! Just the ways she asks for "churgar" on her cereal every morning, or the way she calls for "Baddy" (Madi) or "Badison" or says "tan't" (can't) or "towd" (cold) or "biowin" (violin). Sigh. Does she really have to grow up? (11.09)
Madi was using the restroom the other day and this is what I heard, " BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Toilet paper alarm! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Toilet paper alarm!" I swear! I hope she doesn't do these things at other people's homes! (11.09)
After work Jon was asking Madi how her day went. He also asked her if she had been a good girl. She responded, "Yeah, I was was good...well, except for when I was a little bit naughty." (11.09)
Tyli is obsessed with Cinderalla. She watches the movie every day. She loves her Cinderalla dress which she also wears every single day. Some days the dress goes on and off ten times. The other day she came down stairs wearing her Cinderalla dress and I said, "OH Tyli!" She was very upset and told me "Mom don't "oh" me! Mom! Don't "Oh" me!" (10.09)
The other day I told Tyli she is "so silly!" She responded, "I not silly, I Tyli!" (10.09)
Madi was trying to explain something to me and she was getting confused. She told me, "Mom, my thoughts are all tied up in knots!" (9.09)
Tyli loves her binky! Unfortunately we all know (or hope) that one day she will be binky free. We are planning on taking her to the toy store where she can "buy" something with her binky. After that, no more binky. It will be rough! We've been prepping her though. So last night we were talking about it and I asked her what she wanted to buy with her binky. Her response...another binky! We are in trouble! (9.03.09)
Carver, Parker and Madi were having a sleepover. They were up giggling all night. Finally I went to see what they were up to. Madi and Carver were hugging. I asked what in the world they were doing. "I'm being Carver's Teddy Bear!" Madi replied. (7.26.09)
We were hanging out with Parker, Brooklyn, Madi and Carver. Brooklyn and Parker were talking about having a crush on people. Carver asked, "What is a crush?" Madi replied, " You know, it's when someone smushes you." (7.25.09)
Tyli is talking more and more. I think we will be able to avoid speech therapy. :) I love the way she can say " Mommy" in such a way that she hits every pitch on a scale. She starts high, goes low, and then comes back up. I also love how she adds the short "i" sound to words. Like horse is "ho-is" and wait is "wa-it". I also love it when she runs from me saying "missed me!" Too cute! (2-09)
As many of you know I love doing my girls hair. Madi will brag to her friends that her mommy learned to do hair on her barbie when she was little. It's true! Some days Madi will be perfect while I do her hair. I can twist and twirl it to my heart's desire. The next day she'll cry at just the thought of having her hair done. So one day I asked her, "Madi, how come some days you are so good when I'm doing your hair and some days you cry and cry? What makes the difference?" After thinking about it for a minute she answered, "Chocolate!" She just happened to be eating some at the moment. So I guess I have two questions. One, is she a little young to have figured out the secret to life? Two, is it OK to give a four year old half a chocolate bar every day while I do her hair? (2-09)
Madi- "Today we watched the saddest show at school." Of course I was concerned so I asked what show it was. Then, almost crying, she replies, "It was about a little boy who became best friends with a snowman. Then at the end of the show the snowman melted." This sweet little girl has such a tender heart! I don't know anyone else who would get so broken up over a melted snowman. (1.09)
Tyli has started to love saying prayers. She folds her arms and then whispers things we don't understand. We think it's the best prayer we have ever heard. (1.09)
Madi- " I know what Tyli's birthday is. It's Christmas the eleventh. Aren't you so proud of me that I know that?" (1.09)
Madi- One day we were hanging out with Meagan, Sarah, Lizzy and Ben in Ben's room. Madi says, "Look mom! This is Ben's diarrea!" She had meant to say diary. We all started laughing we thought is was so funny. Madi was so embarrased and started crying. The next day I tried to talk to her about it. To let her know that we all say and do funny things and can laugh at ourselves. She was still so embarrased she started crying again! I'll try again next year. Maybe she'll think it's funny then. (12.08)
Tyli- Jon and I love to whisper to Tyli. If you whisper in her ear, she'll whisper some funny sounds back. The other night Jon whispered in her ear "I love you!" Tyli whispered back perfectly in Jon's ear, "No!" That's Ty for ya. No to everything! (12.03.08)
Madi- "Mom I love you! You are the coolest mom ever!" Wow! Talk about an ego boost. I just take them when I get them. (11.15.08)
Madi- "So, whoever forgot to get the sugar for the cereal, has to be the one to get the sugar for the cereal." This is especially funny considering I am the only one who ever gets the sugar. Hmmmmm. I wonder who she is referring to? (8.28.08)
Tyli- Today Tyli called me "Do-di" all day. (10.27.08)
Tyli- Mom asks, "Tyli, do you always so "no" because I am always saying no to you?" Tyli responds, "NO!!" (10.26.08)
Tyli- Whenever I starting singing (and for those of you who know me, that is ALL the time!), Tyli puts her finger up to her mouth and says, "SSHHH!" Should I take it personal? (10.12.08)
Madi- "Mom, Tyli is shakin' her boobies!' She meant "boodie." (10.01.08)
Tyli- "No! Mine! This!" Welcome to the next year of my life. (9.27.08)
Madi- "At school when I don't get chosen, I have a sad face on the inside, but I use a happy face on the outside." (9.18.08)
Madi- "Daddy, I love going to church because all of my friends use such good manners to me." (9.7.08)
Tyli- "Wall-E" She serously says it with the exact intonation that they use in the movie. Did robot speech come from one year olds? (9.5.08)
Madi - "Mommy, I love you even when I'm gone." (8.13.08)
Tyli - (Trying to tell her dad about her day.) "I (points to her eye) MMM (went) uh (swimming.)" Close, let's try again. "I (points to her eye) bop (went) momming (swimming)." So close! (8.13.08)
Is she a natural or what? I did not teach or show her this. She just does it!
Bzzzzzzzz!
I know very few signs, but bird happens to be one of them. I showed it to Tyli. Now whenever she sees a bird, she makes the sign and says "uh". It is so cute I almost hope she never learns the real word.
Ty adores her big sister. I knew she would want to be whatever Madi was so that was part of my inspiration for the bug costumes.
Flying around the yard.
Madi was so excited because she got this ladybug necklace to wear with her costume. It wouldn't be complete without some fashionable jewelry. (She learned this from her aunt Amy who designs her own jewelry.)
