Six With Sticks

by Six Kennedy kids and their parents

Monthly Archives: October 2019


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Last FH game …

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Liz played her last competitive field hockey game. Possibly the last field hockey game of her life. She played hard. So did Eden. She was especially great at center back. But they were overmatched in playoffs. And lost to Bryn Mawr.

Eden posted this pic with her sister. Both girls were pretty emotional. As was Maggie, who started at SPSG 7 years ago with Liz. It has been a long fun road. And these girls have earned some great victories, and an IAAM Championship.

I am proud of my field hockey players. I coached them when they were small and through their time in the rec program. And have loved every minute of coaching them, cheering for them, driving them to and from events, and living through the ups and downs along with them.


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Bobcat Ceremony

Last night, the boys had their Bobcat Ceremony for Cub Scouts.  This is the first time they earn badges as a scout.  To earn the badge they had to do some basics of scouting, such as reciting the Scout Oath and learning the Scout Law.

During the ceremony, I painted their face with different colors.

Blue is from the sky.  The blue paw print of the Bobcat on their forehead is the spirit of the bobcat, and to remind the scout to do their best on the Cub Scout Trail.

Yellow is from the sun. The yellow marks under their eyes help the scout see the light of the Cub Scout Train, and symbolize the bright spirit of Cub Scouting.

White. The white on the scout’s nose is for purity and to help the scout know right from wrong as they go along the Cub Scout Trail.

Red. The red mark on the scout’s chin is for courage to always speak the truth.

Green. The green mark symbolizes the spirit of nature to guide the Cub Scout in living with harmony with the great outdoors.

The boys also painted a white stripe on my nose so that I can guide them.

I really enjoyed the initiation ceremony. And beyond initiation, the boys had already earned some badges as well.

I am enjoying the process. Kids earn badges or belt clips according to their individual accomplishments. They are encouraged to succeed by those around them. There is not internal negative competition brought on by the parents. There is just a supportive environment of people, somewhat like-minded, wanting to raise their kids right, and be part of a community of people putting effort into raising their kids right.

This is so different from the youth sports culture that my other kids have been immersed in. It is refreshing, and I am grateful for the leaders of the pack. These are good guys.


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Scout’s Honor

Luke and Jack recently joined the Cub Scout Pack 306. I was in Pack 306 when I was a kid. I am really enjoying our new tradition together. We go every Wednesday to Den meetings. The boys like their den leaders, and they are being taught some valuable lessons.

There are so many institutions these days which are afraid to teach kids morality or a value system. Sports and school leave so many gaps. And I am really excited how Cub Scouts is providing some cool opportunities for them.

Their first camping trip with the Cub Scouts was at the state park near our house. The boys started by putting up the tent. They had this down pat. They got excited when their friends started showing up. Pretty soon, the party started and they went with their Dens on hikes. Jack is a Wolf. Luke is a Bear.

After their hike, they learned different things, like splitting wood properly, tying knots, plant identification, and fire safety. Then they cooked their own dinner on the fire. They learned how to clean their mess kit. And then each of their dens did a skit at the camp fire.

The three of us slept at night in our tent. And in the morning, we cooked and ate breakfast. Cleaned up the camp and went home.

Everybody pitches in. And the people are generally really nice. I am excited to be there having these experiences with my boys.

 


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Senior Day SPSG Field Hockey

Liz was celebrated yesterday, along with the other 4 seniors on her field hockey team. She was a team captain. And a leader on the field.

Marcia, Eden, and I accompanied Liz on the field before the game. And then Eden and Liz played. They played hard but lost. Marcia did a lot of the decorations for the team, including making special scrunchies for the team.

It was an emotional day for both girls. Eden made a poster for Liz, and also a gift basket. And gave a tribute speech to Liz at the party after the event. I am realizing more and more how real it is becoming for Eden that Liz is leaving next year for college. And how much Liz means to her.

It has been a great ride watching the two of my girls compete as teammates. Eden has always been good enough to play up with Liz, and so we have had several years worth of watching them as teammates. But this is the last ride for the sisters together on the same team.

I am grateful to SPSG for making this event special for Liz and her teammates. And grateful to her coach for recognizing her for her talent but even more importantly for her effort and leadership.

I filmed the coach’s tribute as well as each senior speech.  I have clipped below the most important speech, Eden’s.

And included the entire tribute, including the coach’s praise of Liz.

I am so proud of my girls. They are growing up.


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Baltimore Marathon 2019

I decided to run the half-marathon again. First time in 6 years. And Liz was willing to do it with me again as well. Neither of us trained. But, she is a young athlete. And so we ran “together” for a short while.

For the first mile, I tried to keep up with Liz. And she was trying to let me keep up. We were darting through traffic, and making our way. And the first mile was about 8 minutes. It killed me though, and I quickly fell behind her pace. The last I saw of her, she was crushing it, with her pony tail flying back and forth.

She impressed me so much. In the morning, as she was putting on her bib, she just looked like a determined athlete. And then stretching, it was clear that she has done this before.

For me, I just wanted to enjoy the day. I’m 42. Don’t feel like I have many of these left in me.

And it was hard. Really hard. I walked so many times. By mile 11, my back and both of my legs were burning. I could barely move, but told myself I would not give up. I would finish the race. Miles 12 and 13 were very slow, probably 13 and 17 minutes respectively. And I finished with a total pace of about 11 minutes.  Liz crushed it and finished under 9 minutes, at 1:56:00 total time. Her PR. My worst at 2:26.

But I finished. And I am proud of myself. Mind over matter. I did what I set out to do. I am hurting but it is a good hurt. And I am glad to have shared this experience with my daughter one more time.


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My little Rough Rider, #5

This weekend, the Roughriders team was playing in a tournament in Howard County. It was driving rain. It was the first time I have gotten to watch Noah with his new team. He started and was playing well. He scored the first goal of the game.

I stood by myself along the fence. And was within earshot of a few parents from the other team. They were talking about how good this Roughrider team is. And then they started talking about Noah. They were like he is the smallest guy out there and he is awesome. Look at his moves, he is dangerous. And then they started to yell to the defense to cover Noah, that he was the go to guy.

It was nice and refreshing to hear.

I know my son is good. But have been in so many jealous parent situations in team sports with Liz and Eden and Noah, that parent sidelines have been nasty and unfriendly for several years towards my kids. The nastiness usually comes from parents of their teammates. I have sat quietly for years, watching Noah do his thing, and filtering out the chatter. It was just refreshing to be anonymous this weekend listening to people compliment Noah.

Made my day. Thanks #5 for all of your effort and for being so special. It is a joy to watch you play.


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Senior Day for Liz

Today is Liz’s Senior Day. It is the last home game for Liz playing field hockey for St Pauls School for Girls. It also marks the last time Liz and Eden will play field hockey (or any sport) together. Although they are the oldest of our 6 kids, based on ages, sex, and sports played by our kids, this is likely the last time any of our kids will play on the same sports team from here on out. It is crazy that it has come this fast.

Recently, the girls were both featured together to promote a game. They have both been playing varsity sports since they were freshmen. And, Liz, as a senior, has been a standout performer this year.  And Eden has been a starter.

Their team has not performed as well as in years’ past, as it is not as deep with talent and with effort. But it has been a true joy and a pleasure as a parent to watch the two of them compete. And then see how they interact on the rides home. Liz is so supportive of her younger sister. And picks her up. And Eden looks up to Liz. And also helps her in ways in which she needs help.

I am not looking forward to the end of this road. The road has been long, but now on the last mile, I realize I was racing too much, rather than rolling down the windows and enjoying the cool breeze and the sun shining on my face. Good luck today, girls. And, Liz, thanks for the ride.