So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season that I don't know where to begin. First off though, my apologies to my wonderful son Rowan. I have not done a very good job documenting my complete love for you as I have for your older sister through this blog. It is not because I love you less; that is far from the truth. This blog was started to write about the newness of fatherhood and now that I've been doing this Daddy gig for a while fatherhood has become less of a novelty. This is now what I am. You have definitely provided enough material in your three and a half years to write volumes about how great you are and how much I love you.
It has been a crazy year for sure. Back in the spring I quit the job that I have hated for a very long time and got my real estate license. Though I'm pretty sure real estate is not my passion, I have been able to lend my marketing skills to make a difference in our new family business. I need to step it up in 2012 to expand my knowledge base in this field and try to take more of a lead in an effort to take a load off Kristin's back. I am really trying hard to be a good Daddy and enjoying the opportunity to be with my family more throughout the week.
The kids are getting bigger and becoming very smart little people. Maureen has a gentle heart and is still very people-centered. She cannot wait to make new friends and I can tell that people really want to be around her (young and old). Her delicate yet striking features, with glowing blue eyes, dark, thick brown hair and china doll skin garner her compliments all the time from complete strangers to where we are concerned that she believes looks are an important part of who she is. She is still stuck on everything Princess but that's thanks to Disney marketeers. You can tell at this early age of five that she is going to be artsy: she loves her dance class at the Louisville Ballet school, she draws and colors and creates daily and she loves to perform. Maureen is a little peace maker and gets concerned when all is not right in her little world. She is sensitive enough to know when her Daddy or Mommy is not in the best of moods and tries her best to cheer us up.
Rowan loves to make people laugh - he is constantly making silly faces and saying the most ridiculous things in order to be the center of attention. He is going through a faze where he likes to push buttons to test our limits. He knows exactly how to get under his sister's skin quick and has adopted an evil little laugh (Ha, Ha!) to announce his victory in upsetting the apple cart. But he has a very sweet, gentle side as well and can be the most loving little boy. I believe he acts out because he has so much energy built up in that little body. He needs to run around and tire himself out to release the demons. He still has that crazy blond and curly hair and is as cute as can be. I think we have the most beautiful children in the world!
As we approach the new year I have high hopes and lofty goals for team Lally. I want to make sure our business is profitable enough to let us lead a comfortable lifestyle where there is no stress about money, but I don't want either of us to be so busy that it interferes with our family dynamics. The focus is the family. I want to work on demonstrating my love and devotion to my wife and beautiful children - I need to work on straightening my body and more importantly, my soul. I want to make sure we create good memories for our children, provide a safe environment and keep this unit close and strong.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
End of school party 2011
The kids' end of the school year party was scheduled for yesterday, noon at Hogan's Fountain in Cherokee park. It's been raining a lot and all indications were that we were going to get wet. Boy, did we. It was miserable. But the deluge stopped after a while and wet kids got wetter. It was all fun and games until Rowan took a spill while running around in the skin collector they call a fountain. Forehead, nose, chest (including his little nipples) and knee caps were scuffed up. After a quick cry in mama's arms, he was back up and running in the fountain again. Definitely a tough guy!
Friday, March 04, 2011
My little otters
Spring has not yet sprung, but my little one's are already looking forward to summer.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
So much to say
Blogging just isn't what it used to be. Let me see where I left off...oh, yes - Thanksgiving. The month of December was hectic and nice and cold (sometimes) and festive. I took several Fridays off through the month to burn some vacation time and to put in some much needed shopping hours. The holidays brought some in-laws in-state and we spent many hours playing games, sharing gifts, snapping photos and most of all, eating and drinking. The kids were overstimulated with excitement. They were up way past their bedtime throughout the holidays and it took a little doing to get them back into a routine. They were pleased with the efforts of Santa Claus and they continue to play with their new toys. Maureen got a new bike and already broke it in by taking a spill down our driveway - a few tears, a little more tightening of some nuts and bolts and she climbed back on that horse (bike). Rowan got a basketball (you can't go wrong with a ball for Rowan) a lot of Thomas Train paraphernalia - in hindsight, I think the trains were more for his Daddy as they were for him!
We are well into the month of January now and it's downright cold. Everyone is doing well. I'm not going to make any promises to blog more often, as resolutions tend not to stick. Happy new year and we'll see you soon!
Oh, PS: My sister Erin had her first child last week, Evelyn. She is very sweet and very tiny. Welcome to the world Baby Evie!
We are well into the month of January now and it's downright cold. Everyone is doing well. I'm not going to make any promises to blog more often, as resolutions tend not to stick. Happy new year and we'll see you soon!
Oh, PS: My sister Erin had her first child last week, Evelyn. She is very sweet and very tiny. Welcome to the world Baby Evie!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
So much to give thanks for this year and so much to look forward to in the year to come. I am most thankful for a loving and supportive family. Kristin is a saint and has the patience and faith in me that I need to keep moving forward. The kids are growing to be so sweet and considerate and a hoot to be around. And we are fortunate that we get additional support from both sides of our extended family when we need it. We get face time with both sides of the family tomorrow - I'm looking forward to a day of good food, football, and quality time with loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Mid-October 2010
Hello there blog. We're on the backside of October and we are full-tilt with activity. It's hard to believe we are already in the fourth quarter of 2010. Halloween is next week with Thanksgiving and Christmas on its heels. Where did the year go? Despite some goals that have not quite been achieved professionally (though I'm slowly moving out of limbo in that respect with at least some activity) I feel good about my family. Yes, we have some setbacks and difficulties, but I see a lot of love being generated and I can see great qualities being cultivated in our kids.
Maureen has become very concerned about the feelings of others. She can tell when Kristin or I have had bad days and she keys in with obviously supportive tactics to try and make us feel better. Though she has a few squabbles with Rowan, I can tell that they are best friends right now and they enjoy playing together - they are quite good at it. Maureen watches out for Rowan and stands up for him on the playground at their preschool. Still into princesses, dresses and girly things, she is delicate as a flower. She's very smart, will spend hours with books and demonstrates the diplomacy of an attorney. She has been toying with logic in her quest to get what she wants (sometimes very convincing) and is gaining a wit about her with funny and insightful, offhand comments. She does compete for our attention with Rowan, and we try hard to spread our attention evenly - it's not always easy. She does have the propensity to cry at a moment's notice about the simplest of things but we are working through that (I hope). Maureen has a social nature, loves to be around people, but doesn't particularly like being in the immediate spotlight. She is a ringleader with her circle of friends but she does not demand attention; it seems to gravitate to her. I think that's because she tends to be a tad older and therefore wiser (?) than her cohorts. I was observing her last weekend, trying to communicate with some six-year-old girls and I could tell she was studying them, and trying to assimilate. She was flipping her hair in front of them and striking poses that, in her mind, was what six-year-olds did. She was trying to introduce conversation that she thought would be interesting to them and though she did not quite make it to their level conversationally, she did get their attention. What a hoot.
I notice the most change going on with Rowan right now. He is becoming more and more independent and is trying to assert his independence; sometimes pleasantly, sometimes not so much. He picks up on cues from his big sister, will take an immediate stand. But, he hasn't lost his sweet nature. He has a lot of energy, still likes physical activity and has a really healthy hug in him. He has become doubly conversant in the past few months and share's his sister's quick wit and reasoning skills. I love it when he answers "Yes" to a question - he has a distinct and deliberate way in saying it. He still says his trademark "I don't know either", but not as much as he used to - he seems to form more opinions these days. He is a funny little guy and is always looking for a joke, a funny word association or pun to get his sister giggling - and they love to laugh together. Rowan doesn't seem to be interested too much in friends at school right now, but I know he has a little friend Eliza that he will play with and apparently cracks up on a regular basis. Potty training is an on-again-off again process right now; it seems it is taking him a little longer than his sister to accept the practice, but I hear that is par for the course with two-year-old boys.
I knew having kids would be hard work, but the joy we get in return is well worth it. We keep plugging along, hoping we are doing what's best for them, teaching them what we believe is right, and allowing them to learn from their actions. It's all good!
Maureen has become very concerned about the feelings of others. She can tell when Kristin or I have had bad days and she keys in with obviously supportive tactics to try and make us feel better. Though she has a few squabbles with Rowan, I can tell that they are best friends right now and they enjoy playing together - they are quite good at it. Maureen watches out for Rowan and stands up for him on the playground at their preschool. Still into princesses, dresses and girly things, she is delicate as a flower. She's very smart, will spend hours with books and demonstrates the diplomacy of an attorney. She has been toying with logic in her quest to get what she wants (sometimes very convincing) and is gaining a wit about her with funny and insightful, offhand comments. She does compete for our attention with Rowan, and we try hard to spread our attention evenly - it's not always easy. She does have the propensity to cry at a moment's notice about the simplest of things but we are working through that (I hope). Maureen has a social nature, loves to be around people, but doesn't particularly like being in the immediate spotlight. She is a ringleader with her circle of friends but she does not demand attention; it seems to gravitate to her. I think that's because she tends to be a tad older and therefore wiser (?) than her cohorts. I was observing her last weekend, trying to communicate with some six-year-old girls and I could tell she was studying them, and trying to assimilate. She was flipping her hair in front of them and striking poses that, in her mind, was what six-year-olds did. She was trying to introduce conversation that she thought would be interesting to them and though she did not quite make it to their level conversationally, she did get their attention. What a hoot.
I notice the most change going on with Rowan right now. He is becoming more and more independent and is trying to assert his independence; sometimes pleasantly, sometimes not so much. He picks up on cues from his big sister, will take an immediate stand. But, he hasn't lost his sweet nature. He has a lot of energy, still likes physical activity and has a really healthy hug in him. He has become doubly conversant in the past few months and share's his sister's quick wit and reasoning skills. I love it when he answers "Yes" to a question - he has a distinct and deliberate way in saying it. He still says his trademark "I don't know either", but not as much as he used to - he seems to form more opinions these days. He is a funny little guy and is always looking for a joke, a funny word association or pun to get his sister giggling - and they love to laugh together. Rowan doesn't seem to be interested too much in friends at school right now, but I know he has a little friend Eliza that he will play with and apparently cracks up on a regular basis. Potty training is an on-again-off again process right now; it seems it is taking him a little longer than his sister to accept the practice, but I hear that is par for the course with two-year-old boys.
I knew having kids would be hard work, but the joy we get in return is well worth it. We keep plugging along, hoping we are doing what's best for them, teaching them what we believe is right, and allowing them to learn from their actions. It's all good!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, October 04, 2010
I can't believe it's four years!!!!
Today is Maureen's fourth birthday - a full president's term. Can you believe it? Words cannot describe how much I love that little rag-a-muffin, and how proud I am to be her daddy.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Saturday, September 04, 2010
End of Summer 2010
It's been a long, hot summer and I am so looking forward to the fall. I failed to do my annual post about the fair - it wouldn't be summer without at least a comment about it. We went and we had a great time. My only regret is that we didn't get a photo of the winning bale of hay, but I have a feeling it looked similar to last year's bale. We managed to meet up with Kristin's Cousin and family for a quick (and expensive) bite at the Mike Linnig's tent.
This is Labor Day weekend, and the Cardinals take on the Cats with their new coach at the helm. We are cautiously curious to see how well they fair - no big expectations about winning but it would be nice.
Looking back over the last few months, we did a lot of fun things. We got to see Mickey Mouse, we spent some time in the North Carolina (Sweet Caroline) Mountains, we went to a beautiful wedding in Noblesville, we spent quality time with family and friends. We are now looking forward to some cooler weather and the fun that fall brings.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Prima Ballerina
Here's a photo of our beautiful little ballerina. Mojo started ballet class this past Tuesday with Poppy, her long-time BFF. The class is put on by the local ballet company and they are apparently all business. They must wear their hair in a bun - Kristin had to consult Poppy's mom on how to properly do this! They also told Mojo and Poppy that they are not allowed to chit-chat. I think she's as cute as a button!
Monday, August 02, 2010
Last week was family vacation time in the North Carolina mountains. We were situated in Rosman NC, just a few miles away from where Nicole Kidman and Jude Law struggled to reconnect in the movie Cold Mountain. We left early on Wednesday morning for a five day jaunt that included hiking, a natural rock water slide, a birthday celebration, picnicking, sampling of the area's finest brews and viewing (and not viewing) some of the area's famed waterfalls.
Rowan was not so into hiking until he learned that throwing rocks into the creek is good, clean fun. He enjoyed having such sports enthusiasts as Uncle Pat and Cousins Alex and Gus around to throw ball, bat a balloon around and run laps on the deck with.
Maureen was quite taken with the idea of sleeping with Cousins Abbey and Gus, away from Mom and Dad. She didn't quite make it the first night, but was successful the second, though Aunt Kathy experienced the joys of the early morning water run. Maureen was also the instigator of getting everyone off their feet to dance to the vacation theme song, Sweet Caroline. Every time a new person arrived to the cabin, we had to welcome them with a little song and dance.
When driving home yesterday, we posed our customary question to the kids, "What was your favorite part of the vacation?" Rowan said his was having chicken nuggets, french fries and apples at McDonald's just an hour ago at the Dollywood exit. Maureen agreed. Just think of the money we could have saved!
But seriously, it was a great vacation with the in-laws and we have the pictures that will help us remember the trip for years to come.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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