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Category Archives: Marcia
What Up, Cuz?
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.
Coba – Mayan adventure
On our trip to Playa del Carmen, Marcia and I took an excursion to Coba. I have long been interested to see the remains of the Mayan culture up close. I found an excursion which combined Mayan ruins with zip lining and other experiences. So, we went for it.
The morning started early when Paco, our guide, picked us up at 7:40. It was an hour and a half ride out to Coba. We learned a brief history of the Mayan culture. We were told that the Mayans migrated to this area of Coba from a more southern region. This area is mostly limestone, so does not have much soil for farming, but is surrounded by freshwater cenotes. It is suspected that this area was deserted in about 600A.D. due to a 20 year drought.
Coba remained undiscovered until the 1920s or 1930s. It was at this time that Wrigley had come into the area and was pressing the resources in the land for material to make gum. As they pushed farther into the jungle, the Mayan ruins were discovered.
In the days of the Mayans, the commoners were farmers, and lived in small homes made of wood and thatch. The more elite families had homes built on top of raised surfaces built out of limestone. Temples were also erected out of limestone. These were to perform rituals, mostly sacrifices to please the gods, and ask for rain. We were able to view a few of these, and some courts they built to play a ritualistic “sport” which they also used to determine common folk to sacrifice to the gods.
My Mayan princess and me atop the Nohoch Mul Pyramid. This is the tallest Mayan temple in all of Mexico. We hiked here from the smaller temple which can be seen in the background among the jungle trees.
It is a tough climb to the top. It is 129 steps, and they are pretty slick. Even tougher going down!
Beautiful scenery
We came. We saw. We kicked its ass!
Photo of the Nohoch Mul Pyramid.
We hiked about a mile through the jungle to reach this pyramid. Then climbed and descended it pretty quickly. All set to hike back to our starting point, and Carlos, from teh Mayan Uber, pulled up on his tricycle. 5 dollars senor. I did not need to be asked twice. Sold.
Carlos speeding us through the Coba jungle. We passed spider monkeys in the trees and kept going.
We made it back to a small village just outside of the ruins. There were several little shops. We were impressed with their craftsmanship, and the authenticity of the Mayan crafts. After selecting a number of items, we learned that they had no electricity. It had been out for more than a day because of rain. With not enough cash, and out of time, we were attempting to figure out what one item to purchase, when a fan came on. Which meant power! Cha-ching! Back to shopping for the kids. A couple knives for the boys. A Mayan calendar for Liz. A turtle for Maggie inlaid with lapis lazuli. And a ceremonial mask. Checkout and back to the van for the next adventure. But not before I ran into these guys by the banos.
Once in our van, we drove another half hour further into the Mayan territory. We drove past people living in very meager living conditions. Then we got to our stop to begin the second half of our adventure. We put everything in lockers except shoes and bathing suits, and started a hike through the jungle. Our first stop was to put on harnesses and helmets. Thunder rolling in the background, we climbed up to a high platform over a lagoon to find a zip line. This has been on my bucket list for over a year!
We hiked a little farther to another lagoon. Now the rain followed the thunder and it began to rain pretty hard. Another platform, and another zip line, this time through the rain!
So much fun. We hiked next to Cenotes Jaguar. It is so named because the ceiling of the cenotes is shaped like the eyes and mouth of a jaguar.
Holy tan line, Batman!
A kiss before we descend into the Cenotes Jaguar. Considered the Mayan Underworld.
Paddling around in tubes. 60 feet to the bottom of the cenotes. I dived down into the clean water. This was before I realized the number of creatures living in the water!
There were two ways out of the underground cave. Mayan elevator or the ladder.
We both opted for the slippery ladder, while the rain came through the opening at the top of the cenotes on us.
It was a good workout climbing out. Time to rest. We thought. Nope, time to kayak across the lagoon in order to get lunch. We were instructed to avoid the crocodiles.
No mas crocodilos!
It was a great day. I knocked two things off my bucket list. And really enjoyed spending time with my beautiful wife. Shirtless all day, I still did not do anything about that tan line because it rained on us for so long. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
Back to Earth
Is it normal to come crashing back to Earth after an enormous high of a weekend?
I am overwhelmed this morning. Time change and no rest, back to work today. Feeling a little low today. Got a lot to do and need some energy in the tank.
But focusing on the positive. I am overwhelmed also in a good way. I am so proud of, and impressed by, my wife. She organized so much for two retreats over the last two weekends. She organized chaperones, rides, food, and answered a ton of questions along the way. She provided leadership while on the retreat.
But, what I am most proud of was her shining moment during the retreat. In front of a ton of parents, a crowded room of about 50 kids, and a bunch of coaches, she delivered a heartfelt speech. One that made me and my father both tear up. It was about my grandfather, and about how proud he would be of me and my father, and how proud she is to be part of the Kennedy family.
Although I was completely outshined by my wife on this night, I think I did well closing the evening as well. This has always been something that I have not paid attention to plan well during the retreat. One particular aspect, but an important one. Well on this week, I think Marcia, Dad, and I all did well in this moment, and it wrapped up a good retreat.
I must say that I am also very impressed with our developing coaching staff. I was especially impressed with Steve Overbay, Brian Gross and Grant Pivec this weekend. And as always, Sean!
Today, I am back to Earth, with more mountains to climb. Tired, and miles to go before I sleep. Miles to go before I sleep.
Get cracking, COACH!!
Charmers at the Charmery
I had a wonderful lunch date with Marcia and our two youngest, Jack and Luke. I took them to the Paper Moon Diner. It is decorated with the most eclectic collection of toys from several decades. The toys are attached to the ceilings, to the walls, and to mannequins. There are dolls riding tricycles upside down on the ceiling. There are several hundred Pez dispensers in a glass case. There are superheroes hanging from old phone cords. There is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask in a fan from the 1950s. Outside, there are toilets in the garden, filled with plants. There is a huge tub, overflowing with flowers.
The boys loved it. They were fascinated by the scenery throughout the meal. Luke would point to something on the ceiling and say something about it. Jack would point and try to repeat what his big brother said. Then he would call somebody a Ding Dong. They ate their lunch, got full, and took home a doggy bag. Luke took the check up to the register and paid with my credit card.
Then we took the boys to the Charmery in Camden. They had very unique flavors like Old Bay Caramel. Luke ordered Vanilla. Jack insisted on Pistachio Toffee Crunch. It was so good that his dad also got the same.
Luke, with his spoon that changed colors
Jack Charming at the Charmery
After lunch, they dropped me back at work. What a doubly special treat for me. Some delicious ice cream. And some of the loves of my life to share lunch with.
There and Back Again: A Big Red Tale
Snooze. Beep Beep. Snooze. One eye open. 3:33. Good sign, gotta get up. I was taking the kids today on an adventure. I didn’t tell anyone where we were headed, including Marcia. We got them loaded in the car and we were off by 4:30. I was taking them somewhere they had never been. And I hadn’t been back to Cornell in 17 years.
I put over 4 hours behind the wheel before anyone woke up. Then they were up the last hour of the drive. We pulled into Manos Diner in Ithaca around 9:30 for a little breakfast before seeing the sites.
Manos Diner – first stop in Ithaca
First stop had to be Schoellkopf Field. I took the kids out onto the turf and they loved it. Noah started sprinting from one end of the field to the other. Elizabeth and Eden starting running stadium stairs. I told them where the locker room was and showed them where coach Richie Moran took us all after each game for a post game party.
Six at Schoellkopf Field
Love this Stadium and those stairs
Hall for post game lacrosse gatherings
I was proud and excited to tell Marcia and the kids all about my days at Cornell. I showed them the slope and told them about Slope Day. I showed them where I sold daffodils for Daffodil Day, raising money for cancer research with my fraternity. I told them about the Hot Truck, and showed them my fraternity. My freshman dorm has been torn down and replaced with newer buildings. We walked through campus and I showed them the statues of Ezra Cornell and Andrew White. I showed them some of the libraries and where I had classes. We saw North Campus, and West Campus. We saw Collegetown – less bars than there used to be, and more Starbucks.
Marcia and the kids at Cornell
Cornell or Hogwarts?
Fuertes Observatory
Legend has it that if a virgin crosses between the two statues at midnight, they will cross the quad and dance a jig. The statues have never moved.
Far Above Cayuga’s Water
Looking down on West Campus – much different than when I went there
The kids loved seeing the plantation. We spent a good bit of time there exploring all of the trees. And we had a picnic late in the day, the last stop before heading home. As a student, I never really appreciated the plantation. I ran around and through it for lacrosse, but never had a picnic or took in the beauty of the place.
Newman Overlook at Cornell Plantations
I love Luke in this picture
Picnic in Cornell Plantations
The main attraction had to be the gorges. All of the kids had lots of fun exploring the gorges. They ran along the paths to get to the gorges. Unfortunately, they weren’t allowed to swim. I was really disappointed in this, as I remember lots of people swimming there when I was a student. It is now an offense that you can be arrested for. Bummer. I still waded out into the waterfalls, but we decided against letting the kids do it.
Ithaca is Gorges
Gorge above Beebe Lake
I found the spot where I jumped from the side of the gorge 20 years ago. I didn’t repeat the act, but was kind of impressed with how high I had jumped from. Young dumb and stupid is no way to go through life, Kennedy!
Where I jumped 20 years before
For me, this was a great trip. There were reasons that I left Cornell, and there were reasons why I put it in my past, and haven’t revisited it. It was great though to remember on this trip all of the joy I experienced at Cornell. All of the beauty of the place. And to share that with Marcia. And also with the kids.
It is an impressive and beautiful university. I wish I had appreciated it for all that it had to offer when I was a student, athlete and fraternity boy. There was so much that I didn’t do as a student, and wish I had been a bit more mature in those days. I am so grateful though for the experiences that I did have, and that I am able to share even glimpses of those experiences with my kids. It made me so proud that they were genuinely interested in the trip and my stories. Maybe one day one of them will be lucky enough to experience Cornell as a student.
Six with skis
Last night, we took a little trip up to Ski Liberty. None of the kids had ever been skiing before. And I hadn’t been skiing since before Marcia and I met, over 17 years ago. So, we piled the oldest 4 kids into the van and drove up there.
We started them off with a lesson.
Marcia – dropping off kids at Ski school
Ready for ski school
Ready for some skiing
The kids were off with their instructor and Marcia and I were able to take a few runs by ourselves. I took a few runs down the back side of the mountain by myself and was able to ski a Black Diamond before meeting back up with the kids. An hour lesson and they were doing great.
Maggie – hands on her knees, no poles
Eden – flying down that mountain
Liz – focused on her turns
Noah – No fear
And then some night skiing as a family.
Having fun
Kennedy gang at Ski Liberty
We mostly stuck to the bunny hill.
I love how comfortable the kids all were. They got on the chair lifts by themselves, and were calling to each other from the chair lifts and waving to each other on the mountain. It was really cool. Before the night was over, I took Liz over to a bit faster hill for one last run.
It was cool that I remembered how to ski after all these years. And it was interesting that Marcia and I had never skied before. She kept remarking that she never knew how good of a skiier I was. Interesting that we have spent all these years with each other and there are still sometimes things that we don’t know about each other.
Very cool night. They all wanted to do it again. Eden wanted to spend the night. On the way home, we stopped at IHOP for breakfast at night. This morning, with 7 inches of snow on the ground, I took Liz to an early morning bus to NYC to spend a few days with her godfather. The rest of us have a snow day 🙂
Field Hockey girls
Yesterday was a really fun day of sports. I got to take all the boys to Noah’s soccer game, a game in which he played really well and his team won 5-0. He played goalie the second half, and had one spectacular dive save, which was really cool. And then we all went to a field hockey tournament and watched the girls, Eden, Liz and Mom, play.
The girls won the Gold division of their age group. They played hard, with total effort, no subs most games and down a man for one game. 5 games total on the day. I was very proud of how hard they played in the 5th game, when they were visibly exhausted, but they kept running up and down the field and making plays. Eden scored 4 goals across the games. Liz played really tough. And Marcia coached the team really well, the best the field hockey team has looked in a long time. One of the highlights for the day was when Eden notched the winning goal in the semi-finals in the last 2 minutes of the 1-0 game against Brandywine.
Although the championship game atmosphere has become a little old hat for me and Sean and all of the Redshirts girls, many of these girls and their parents had never been in this type of position before. So, I was very glad that the girls were rewarded for their tremendous efforts with a few exciting wins and a 1st place ribbon.
And I am very proud of my wife. She motivated them. They were in the right positions to be effective. And they moved the ball better than they normally do. She put them in the best position to be successful and they delivered.
Team Pyramid
Eden scores against Perry Hall
Liz in traffic
Eden scores 2nd against Perry Hall
Coach Marcia
Liz getting down
Eden
Girls win 1st place
Happy anniversary
These 6 kids didn’t come from nowhere! Marcia and I started this party 12 years ago yesterday. So how, do you wonder, did we spend our 12th anniversary? Why, on a field of course!
In the 90+ degree heat, we took all 6 kids to the local high school’s turf field. We played soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. We brought a radio and cranked the tunes. And then we ran field hockey evaluations.
I don’t know if that actually beats me taking Marcia out for a nice date. That would have been really nice too. But we had a good day as a family, and we really enjoyed each other’s company.
Youngest of six with sticks!
Sandy is trying to keep us down
As I climb into bed, the blinking lights out front from BGE’s standby man, Larry’s generator humming, and planes flying overhead every 6 minutes, I pause to reflect on the day.
Actually, I should start the tale with yesterday. Sandy dumped a ton of rain on us. We stayed indoors all day. By midday, our back yard and woods were swamps and pools. I had to go outside once or twice to fix the gutters during the afternoon. All in all, we were holding up well.
By the evening, small amounts of water started seeping in the basement. Eden and I stayed ahead of it for a few hours with a wet vac. By 9, it was clear that the ground was saturated and we started to lose the battle with mother nature. The telling sign was when water began bubbling up from cracks in the floor as if from a natural spring. Still we soldiered on. At around 10, Eden was way in the back room when the power went out. She wad a little freaked, but found me in the dark. We all went upstairs and showered and went to bed.
I became a little nervous, so brought Noah and Maggie into bed with us to ride out the storm. In the morning, Marcia cooked eggs and bacon on the gas stove. We assessed the basement … totally flooded.
Rap, rap, rap on the door. Ian and Kerry Rathmell stopped by. Offered us freezer space. Also pointed out why our power was out.
A few more neighbors came by, the Marions and Blair’s. And then we were off to hunt for coffee.
After Starbucks met our craving, we started in on the basement. I will not mention the trips to the hardware store or all the mishaps getting started.
But, by 1:30, we started pumping out the basement, pulling power from Larry’s generator. Eden helped the whole time and Noah and Liz helped as well. By 3:30, we had pumped 1136 gallons of water from the basement. Then we swept the floor clean.
While in the backroom, we came across the Halloween decorations. Got in the mood and decorated. Then got dinner at Chick Fil A.
On the way home, we found out that Liz has a presentation due tomorrow. No power or internet, we went to my office. Didn’t get home til 11:40. We were greeted home by the BGE standby guy and a lot of red caution tape.
It had been a long day. And a challenging one. The things we need to do tomorrow are not reasonable. And the days to prepare for Disney World are slim. But we’re weathering it. And everyone is holding up just fine. No ‘woah is me’ here. Everyone pitching in as a family and not complaining.
For the most part, I can handle this. The only thing wearing on me is the inability to take a hot shower. Gross!
Six With Sticks 