Six With Sticks

by Six Kennedy kids and their parents

Author Archives: davekenn


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Kennedys take a day trip to Cascade Lake

We were planning a grand adventure today.  Maybe Assateague.  Maybe Gettysburg.  I got up at 5AM, ready to go.  By 7:30, I realized both of these options were probably out.  Everybody was tired.  So, we got …

ImageThat’s right.  Cascade Lake.  $80 for the carload to enter.  The kids had a ball.  They had a lake, some slides, some diving platforms, and a “poop deck”.

The highlights:  Eden, Liz and I went down the Miracle Slide.  Liz and I jumped off of the high dive.  It was about 15 feet up.  And yes, I did land on a girl below.

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Look out below

I was too afraid to look down, so I just jumped.  Oops.

There was also a little splash and spray area for the little kids.  4 hours.  $80.  I think we can chalk this one up as an “adventure”.  But, I’m not sure if we’ll be back.

Check out our trip on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sixwithsticks/sets/72157630906056910

 

 


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Luray and Shenandoah

Marcia and I decided to take the kids on an adventure on Saturday.  We planned the trip for a few days prior, but we didn’t tell them where we were going.  We kept it a surprise.  We only told them what to prepare: a change of clothes, a sweatshirt or jacket, cameras, shoes/socks and flip flops, a bathing suit and binoculars.  The trip we had planned was a day trip to Shenandoah Valley.  The kids asked fo days, “Are we camping?” and “Are we staying overnight?”.

We got the kids out of bed around 5:30AM on Saturday the 22nd.  We left the house at 7:30.  Our first stop was at Luray Caverns.  None of us had been there before, and we were not disappointed.  We spent about an hour touring the caverns.  Then we spent time in the Garden Maze.  And the kids mined for gems and minerals in the sluice.  We left in time for lunch.

I thought it would be good to picnic at a scenic point in the Shenandoah National Park.  We were planning to drive Skyline Drive and see the sites.  It was so cloudy, we could barely see 10 feet in fron t of the car.  So, we had a picnic in the clouds.  And then we all experienced our first toilet pit along the Appalachian trail.

We took a hike down Dark Hollow Falls Trail.  Luke on my back and Jack strapped to Marcia, we all hiked down to the falls.  It was a beautiful sight.  THe kids played in the falls at the bottom, and then we hiked all the way back up to the top of the trail.

But when we got to the car, our adventures weren’t over.  The car was very low on gas, so we consulted with our maps.  Found the closest gas station, several miles south, and gassed up.  Phew.  We made it.  It was quite an adventure.  And we caught the bug on adventures!


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Eden is a runner

Eden and I ran this morning at 6:15.  It was maybe the hardest I’ve ever seen Eden run.  I think she was properly motivated.  Something had to do with maybe me setting a time goal for her and for not letter her give up.

Eden has also become quite the laxer as well.  She scores at will in her Tyker league.  She probably should have made the travel team.  At least we didn’t complain.  Her she is doing the draw against her friend, Neve.


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The little hellion

Luke has become quite a handful lately.  He is going to need to go to anger management soon if he keeps this up.  Tonight, he smacked Noah in the head with a toy car and then ran over to me with a smile on his face, as Noah cried, to give me a hug.

We think he is getting a little frustrated that he can’t voice his thoughts yet, and so he gets violent.  Last night, we went out to dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day.  What a disaster!  We went to Dimitris because we thought it would be easy.  Jack was a total handful for Marcia.  And Luke was a handful for me.  After a few different appetizers, we ordered the check and hightailed out of there.  It was the toughest meal we had in a number of years.

I am looking forward to Luke being out of this phase, but I am sure he will be.


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Liz hits double digits

Elizabeth turned 10 on Friday.  Marcia’s quote on Facebook:

Ten years ago today I met the determined little lady that made me a Mommy. She is still living her life with that same fierce determination that brought her into this world. Tell her she can’t and she will show you five ways she can. We are so proud of you Liz. Your large family loves you so much. Stay determined the world is filled with endless possibilities. Happy Birthday!

I couldn’t have stated this better.  Determination = Elizabeth.  Have you ever met a kid who has been denied more times but keeps proving everyone wrong?  And doing so with grace and humility.  I’m proud, and also impressed that my daughter has some qualities that I have lost in myself.  Such as humility … I have to brag on the kids all the time.  I don’t like braggards, but I see so many mediocre kids have been put ahead of my kids because they have been hyped so much by their parents, yet aren’t as worthy as mine.  So, I’m going to brag on my 10 year old.

She’s become quite the draw girl in lacrosse.  She pulls the ball.  Here she is against Perry Hall, she scored 4 in this game.

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Liz in a 12-5 victory over Perry Hall.

On her Redshirts team, she is a 4th grader playing against 5th and 6th graders.  Two weeks ago, we lost to a RGLC 2018 team (6th graders), 17-10.  Liz scored 4 goals, including the last goal of the game as time expired, never quit, although she was the smallest girl on the field.  Marcia and I are so proud.

Tonight, she wrote an essay for the principal at Hillcrest in order to be a safety next year.  Her essay was on responsibility and being a role model.  Here is what she wrote:

Dear Mrs. McVey,

Please consider me for the school safety position for next year.  I would be happy to be any of the safety positions, but I am most interested in being one of the safeties that takes care of the kindergarteners.  I like taking care of little kids because they are cute, funny and they make me smile.  I would like to be a good role model for them.  I care about safety and following rules, and I think I will make an excellent school safety.

One of the qualities that I think is important in a safety is responsibility.  I show responsibility at home and at school.  At home, I am the oldest of six children.  I help my mother with my younger brothers and sisters all the time.  Everywhere we go, I help get them in the car and put their seatbelts on.  I also help with chores, like making their lunches in the morning or helping them at bath time.  I have a younger brother and sister at school, and I make sure they get to where they are supposed to be before and after school.  At school, I volunteer for the jobs that nobody likes to do, like the janitor.  I think it is important to have a clean classroom.  At school, I am responsible for myself and my schoolwork.  For example, I always turn my homework in on time, and my library books are never overdue.

I think it is important that school safeties are role models for the rest of the school.  I think I would make a good role model.  I am always on good behavior.  In class, I have always been on green.  I am quiet and I always follow the rules.  I am hard working and determined.  Because of that, I am a GT student and have earned straight As.  I also model good behavior at home and work equally hard at sports, including lacrosse, field hockey, basketball and swim team.

For these reasons, I think I would be a responsible and patient school safety.  I hope you agree with me.  I have wanted to be a safety since I was in 2nd grade, and I hope that you pick me.  Thank you for considering me.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Kennedy

As much as I am proud of her, I also am fearful that she will be denied something again by adults.  I’m just so used to it at this point that it is discouraging.  I told her tonight that all we can do is try our hardest at everything, and if others don’t notice or pick us, that is their problem; just as long as we know that we have done our best, that is all we can ask.


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Ultimate lax chicks

This morning, Edie was on fire.  A goal, 2 assists, and a bunch of ground balls.  She went into a few scrums and came out with the ball.  Just awesome.  I’m so proud of her.

Last weekend, Liz tried out for Lightning A.  She showed her stuff.  She played really well.  A goal, a pipe shot, a saved shot, a few draws and some really good plays.  Unfortunately for Liz, the “powers that be” in Catonsville had decided the A team before the tryouts.  They didn’t even watch her play.  They didn’t care.  Just so unfair and reckless.  These adults should have no business being around kids.  Just shameful.

They put Liz on a B team, which had nothing to do with her abilities.  It had to do with her father, they didn’t want me coaching.

Liz, you’re a rock star.  And your sister Edie is on your heels.


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Discover our true potential

Sometimes I feel that a human beings natural desire to be liked or to be part of the in group that society says is the norm clouds their ability to make fair and rational decisions.  It is the true leaders and good men that stand up for the wronged.  True and wonderful accomplishments would never occur if hard choices weren’t made or if people just went along with the status quo.  In the end, I am a true believer, that everyone gets what they really deserve.
– Marcia Kennedy

My wife wrote something profound today.  I think she is on to something.  I hope she embraces it.  Because she is absolutely right.  And I’m inspired by my wife.


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Daddy lovin

Luke and Dad

McLovin, that’s my boy lately.  They go through phases… well Luke is in a definite daddy phase.  Not sure where it came from, but he can’t get enough of Daddy right now.  It’s an unusual phase.  They all go through phases where they can’t get enough of mom.  Every once in a while, they love their dad, and he wants me all the time for the moment.

I’m loving it while it lasts.  Love you Luke

Dad


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Being a good sport

I am very torn lately.  I want to teach my kids the right lessons in sports.  And I want them to grow up and be confident in themselves, and, at the same time, exercise good sportsmanship.

Lately though some things have really puzzled me.  What is the right move?  What is the right action for me to take?

Two examples:

1 – Elizabeth tried out for Catonsville lacrosse Lightning team.  She was playing great.  One of the best through the drills.  But, when the split the teams, they said that she was a C team player.  This was not right and it was blatantly obvious.  It was also apparent that this was no accident.  There are some very mean people making the decisions that are very jealous of me.  Elizabeth was very upset, but I didn’t know what to tell her.

2 – Elizabeth and her field hockey team yesterday played in the Harvest Hockey tournament.  We had some of the best players on our team, and we could have beaten anybody.  We got stopped though in the quarterfinals.  Elizabeth Perry’s goal was not counted and we lost by one goal.  I told the kids to forget about the bad call and not complain about it.  But that is hard for kids to swallow.  Hard for me to swallow.

Chip Marshall told me recently – “God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change”

I went to Loyola.  The full quote:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”

I struggle with the last part.


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Gluten Free

Marcia is convinced we all have Celiac’s disease.  There is no cure, but it requires a gluten-free diet.  Why?

The reasons are plentiful.  For all of us.  But most recently, Noah has had some blood results that are very troubling to Dr Arshad.  He needs a litany of tests over the next few weeks.  Yesterday, Marcia had me worrying about Leukemia.

After I bathed Noah last night, I talked to him as I was dressing him for bed.  I told him he needed a lot more tests.  From lady doctor?  That’s right buddy.  She needs to test you so the itchy rash goes away.  And we need to get your blood tested again.  Maybe all of this will stop your nose bleeds.  I don’t like nose bleeds.

I’m proud of my son.  Yesterday he was counting all of the lights in the room.  And he was grouping them and adding together.  There’s 2.  There’s two.  There’s 5.  There’s 3.  Altogether there’s 12!  And last night he was doing Highlights magazine and wanted me to read to him.

I am overextended lately, and Marcia is way overextended.  I find myself telling Noah “no” way too many times when he asks me to read to him at night.  If I read to him, I fall asleep in his bed, happens every time.  But, I need to do it more.

Noah takes everything like a man.  We tell him he can’t do something or can’t eat something and he understands.  Last night, he got very upset that he could no longer have bread and cookies, etc, in addition to already being “allergic” to peanut butter, milk and eggs.  Poor guy.

So, we’ll try this diet for 30 days and we’ll see.  Maybe Marcia’s right.  Maybe this will make all the difference.