It has become a Thanksgiving tradition since Liz was in 3rd grade. The Catonsville HS XC Turkey Trot. Liz is still rehabbing from ACL surgery. But wouldn’t miss Maggie’s first Turkey Trot.
Liz, Maggie and Jack
And if there is an adventure, you know Jack is up for it. He came out in the cold to cheer Maggie on.
Big crowd of runners at the startWhere’s Maggie?
Maggie was ready. Poised at the start and ready to run her race.
Maggie ran hardAnd saw some familiar faces on the courseAnd some unfamiliar ones! What the?!
Once Maggie ran away from the insanely large and scary clown, she came around the last turn headed for the finish line. One more hill to go, and Jack was there to cheer her on.
It was freezing cold, and Maggie was pretty awesome. It was great to have Jack and Liz there to support her. Happy Thanksgiving!
Such a fun Halloween celebration. Maggie and Jack were excited to carve pumpkins. Jack loved the Halloween decorations, so we scouted out the neighborhood the day before and picked the best house to trick or treat at. Luke was a plague doctor; the costume was HOT, so he bowed out from trick or treating after an hour or so. Jack went strong into the night and canvased a huge swath of the neighborhood. Somehow, Maggie got more candy though than him. Our littlest nugget, our avocado, didn’t make it out to trick or treat. She stayed at home on the front porch to hand out candy … and nap.
Brody was born in February. But, because of Covid and the fact that Bobby lives in New York, we had not met him yet. Until now. Bobby came in town for a Ravens game. And we all met up at the grandparents’ place. All of the cousins enjoyed getting acquainted. Lila got to meet Uncle Bobby and Aunt KC. And Brody got to meet all of his cousins and aunt and uncle. It was pretty special. Brody was so inquisitive.
Maggie ran her 3rd cross country race yesterday. She finished 5th overall and was again the first female finisher. She finished in 15:17. Her coach told her to start slow and work people on the hills. His plan worked, and she did very well. She passed people on the hills, and found herself quickly up at the front group. She came into the finish in 5th place, about a minute behind the top runner, and 30 seconds from the 2nd runner. Her times have so far improved in every meet so far.
Maggie at the start. Her coach strategized that she should go out slow at the beginning.
Maggie ran in her second cross country meet on October 7th. It was at Glenelg Country School and five different schools competed – GCS, St Pauls, Gerstell, Beth Tfiloh, and St Johns. Maggie was the first female finisher with a time of 15:17.
Maggie started the race fast. She went out with the top runners. She found herself pressing against a pack of St Pauls boys runners. And she hung with that pack.
As she came through the first lap, she was right behind the GCS girl who was in the lead at the time. When they went out of sight, Maggie was still behind her. But when they came out from the back side of the campus, Maggie was right on the heels of her teammate, BB. And had taken the top female spot. And as she went uphill, Maggie grinded and kept gaining ground on the runners ahead of her.
Eden cheered Maggie on at every turn and went up on the course to cheer Maggie around the last loop. As she rounded the last turn, Maggie put on the jets and almost caught the boy way in front of her on a sprint to the finish line.
Maggie showed guts and determination throughout the entire race. She kept a great attitude and persevered. I captured a video of her coming through the last turn and her sprint to the finish line.
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.
Noah is off to his sophomore year. Of course, he did not want to pose for a picture, so got an action shot of him leaving the house.4th and 5th grade for Jack and Luke at Hillcrest. All smiles for these guys. Luke is riding his new bike to school.Eden’s senior year
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.
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!
Early morning leg of the trip. Sleepy heads in the back of the truckHey enough pictures dad, it’s a parking lotThumbs up for checking out a new spot – Waffle HouseWakey wakey, time for breaky
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.
Six With Sticks 