Lila and her big brothers
Category Archives: Jack
School daze – back to school ?!
After what seemed like a year and a half of home schooling, everybody went back to in person school. Maggie and Eden off to Gerstell. New beginnings for these two.
Seven
They grows up and they grows up and they grows up.
Look what we’ve made. Lila’s first few weeks of life zipped by. Dad was dealing with lacrosse nonsense, per usual. Liz was recovering from ACL surgery and going back and forth to the rehab several days a week. Jack trying out for lax teams. Noah and Maggie finishing up a summer schedule for lax. Eden and Maggie preparing for a new school. The boys all getting ready to go back to school for the first real time in a while. Liz was finishing up summer school; she managed to take three classes with exams (which she had to take in Essex) and have surgery in the middle of it. Luke got a bike for his birthday and everybody was wheels up in August. Maggie went camping with Becca in Chincoteague. We all took a quick trip down to spend a night or two with Aunt Joan and Uncle Greg. Eden started a job at Play It Again Sports. All the while, Lila was eating, sleeping, crying and pooping. And being loved.
And in a blink, it was time for the seven to part, at least for Liz to hit the road to go back to Louisville.
Taking stock. Seven is a lot. There is a lot of love in this picture right here. A lot of kids who are smart, respectful, funny, conscientious, and, in my opinion, pretty amazing. And I want them all to be happy. So, we do our best as parents to provide for them. Help them become good citizens. Help them through their struggles. Help them dream. Help them grow. Help them to learn the value of hard work. And help them find joyous moments in life.
2020 was tough. In so many ways it was tough. It was tough on Liz. It was tough on Eden. Noah did well, but 2021 threw up new challenges. Maggie seems to bee bop through anything that comes her way. 2020 was tough on Luke. Jack is a cool customer and is ready to be back to school soon. It certainly had some hardships for Marcia and me. And Lila is coming onto the scene with no expectations.
At the end of 2021, I hope to have two (licensed) drivers in the house, and one working on it. And Eden figuring out where she wants to go to college. And for the seven to be together again for a few weeks around Christmas.
ACC Tournament 2021
On April 28, we traveled to Chapel Hill, NC to watch Liz in her first ACC Tournament. Jack, Maggie and Dad made the trek. There and back again in one day. Left REALLY early in the morning, maybe 3:00 or 4:00. Made it into Bellwood, VA, just south of Richmond, where we stopped at Waffle House!
We made it into Chapel Hill. We “explored” to find a parking spot and get to the fields. Bought some cool ACC hats. And settled in to cheer for the Cards. Watch Liz in warmups. And then watched her play against UNC. UNC was ranked the number 1 team in the country, and Liz looked good on the field against them. Her brother and sister were so into the game and definitely excited and cheering for her when Liz took the field.
Liz’s team lost to the #1 team in the country. But that mattered not to us. Our highlight came after. We hustled to the bus to catch some time with Liz. And then found out we could meet up at the team hotel. What a treat! We had taken our sticks, so we got them out of the truck and played some catch with Liz at the hotel. This was after a full season of lacrosse for Jack since Liz had seen him last, so she was very impressed with how well he could throw and catch.
We topped it all off with a stop at the Yogurt Pump, YOPO, before piling back in the truck and driving nearly 6 hours home. 12 hours behind the wheel to see my girl, and for her to get to see Maggie and Jack. Worth every second.
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.
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.
Brave little patient
Jack had to go to a clinic at Johns Hopkins last week for a test. It took 4 or 5 hours of him being hooked up to an IV and having blood routinely drawn. He does not like needles, but he was a champ. By the end of it, he helped the nurse pull the IV out of his arm.
Gobble, gobble, go!
I don’t have pics of Maggie or Jack, because we didn’t attend the event.
Maggie, Luke, and Jack all competed in Gobble Gobble Go at their school. Maggie completed 16 laps. Luke completed 8 laps. Jack completed 13 laps. Jack beat most of the 5th graders, and was tops in his grade, 1st grade. Maggie might have been tops in her grade, 5th grade.
It is Thanksgiving morning, and we have been talking about the Turkey Trot. I just threw the clothes in the dryer, as it is 23 degrees out. I am not running this year. Liz, Noah and Maggie all want to run. It is almost time to wake them up, so we will see.
Fall is for soccer
Noah, Luke and Jack all played soccer this fall. Luke and Jack are really enjoying their teams and playing. It has been a rainy fall, and a lot has been canceled. But they are enjoying it none the less.
Noah is playing on two teams. He did not participate fully in tryouts so that he would be placed on the B team, which he was. But then he went to a pickup game in the summer, and the A team coaches saw him, and asked him to double roster. It has been a great opportunity for him. He is having fun and competing on both teams, and we are really enjoying both sets of coaches.
One of the parents on the Gold team takes pictures of all of the boys. It is really great when parents do this.
Noah captured above playing for the Catonsville Cobras Gold team. With one game left in the season, they are sitting in first place in the league. If they win next weekend, they win the league.
The kids are out cheering on Noah. Jack needs to put on some weight.
Jack playing for the Avengers
Luke playing. He loves playing in the goal.
Jack – proud kindergartner
Jack is pictured here at school. He looks so cute. Unfortunately, this gem was taken the day after he decided to cut his own hair!
Orange Day. Hold that sign, boy! Way to go. Even got orange shoes, nice!
I am very interested in what you are saying. Really I am. What did you say?
Fire Station 4!
I thought we were taking a field trip to the Fire Station? Okay, I guess this is the same thing.
Mine’s bigger than yours. My tower.
Y – O – U – T – U – B – E. Got it!
We like eating bananas on Yellow Day!
But not yellow snow!
Six With Sticks 