childhood memories – Running Forward…My Way

Weekly Gratitude #11: My Four Grandparents

Published on January 25, 2020 by kerrymckim2 Comments

Every week I like to take a moment and reflect on one thing that I am grateful for.

This week I would like to show gratitude for my grandparents.

I cherish my memories from my Boston-Irish childhood and my grandparents all played an active roll in my memories.

This week was the anniversary of my paternal grandfather’s death and the anniversary of the maternal grandmother’s death will occur this week and these anniversaries have put me in a reflective mood.

I was lucky enough to know all four of my grandparents.

Each of them was a pivotal link between me and our families past. All four of my grandparents were children of immigrants (3 from Ireland and 1 from Canada) and told me stories about my great-grandparents. I only have a few vague recollections of the only great-grandparent who lived long to meet me.

My grandparents instilled in me a sense of where I come from. From my grandparents, I learned to appreciate corned beef and cabbage and that food just tastes better when you fry it. I learned that punctuality was important and that you don’t leave the door open. I wasn’t born in a barn, after all. I learned the importance of working hard and the meaning of money. I also learned to be honest and was instilled with some good ‘ole Catholic guilt.

I m grateful that I had a chance to know all four grandparents.

I am grateful that three of my grandparents lived long enough to see me as an adult.

I am grateful one of my grandparents lived long enough to see me get married and meet my daughter.

Were you fortunate enough to know your grandparents? Leave a comment. I would love to hear about your grandparents.

Grandma Sullivan‘s Obituary Here

Papa Crowley’s Obituary Here

Nana Crowley’s Obituary Here

Halloween 2018 and a trip down memory lane

Published on November 4, 2018 by kerrymckim1 Comment

I have never been a big fan of Halloween, especially as an adult.

But now that I am mother, I can’t help but get excited about it.

This year we had our second annual Halloween Pajama Party with some good friends.

The tradition was born last year when my friend and I were shopping at Gymboree and I thought the pink skeleton pajamas were cute. My friend asked me to buy them since she had skeleton pajamas for her boys and she said we could do a Halloween movie night. I was sold.

My daughter and I were at Crazy 8’s a few weeks ago and picked up another pair. And luckily movie night happened again this year.

We also had Halloween Dance Party at her dance school.

There was also a Halloween Party at school.

And trick or treating with her class at a nearby office park.

I had every intention of taking her trick-or-treating in the neighborhood but she told me she was done and that she wanted to give out candy to trick-or-treaters. I was surprised but I decided not to push it. I didn’t want to turn a fun day into a stressful evening by forcing her to do more trick-or-treating.

She was disappointed that we only had nine trick-or-treaters.

She is already excited for next year.

I decided to take a trip down memory lane at Halloween pasts.

Halloween 2014
Age 5 weeks.

My daughter recently found that stuffed pumpkin and is obsessed with him. She calls him “Punky Punks”. She sleeps with him every night and brings him to school for naptime. When these picks showed up on Facebook Memories, I showed her and she was so excited to see “Punky Punks”.

Also that afghan was made by my mother when I was a baby. So she’s the second generation to use it.

Halloween 2015
Age 13 months

I found this costume while doing an upstairs costume cleanout. I still haven’t decided if I am getting rid of it.

Halloween 2016
Age 2

The first Halloween after Bryon died.

Halloween 2017
Age 3

Rapunzel. Everyone’s favorite.

Halloween 2018
Age 4

And last, but certainly not least, Moana. Though a good friend of mine saw the hair and thought she was Cher. Maybe next year. It would be awesome to get two uses from a wig bought on Amazon. Though I think the odds are good that my daughter will pick another princess.

How was your Halloween? Do you have any Happy Halloween memories or any traditions?

Fall Fun 2018: Liberty Ridge Farm

Published on October 14, 2018 by kerrymckim2 Comments

Last Friday I got the chance to spend the day at Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke, NY.

My daughter’s Pre-K class was having a field trip there. We were lucky to have beautiful weather.

Best selfie ever.

Lots of playtime.

This gal here taught my daughter not to put her fingers inside the fence.

Waiting for the pig races.

GO HOGZILLA!!!

Or were we cheering for “Pork chop”…?

I had planned to stop at Mr. Subb in the morning. I thought it opened at 9 am but it turned out it opened at 9:30 and that was too late.

I was (and still am) sick so I needed a tea. We stopped at Starbucks and I let her pick out a box lunch. Of course I ended up being an expensive lunch. But my daughter enjoyed her lunch so I guess that is all that matters. 🤷‍♀️

I wasn’t trying to be boujee. I promise.