Tech Triumph & Rainforest Riverwalk Romp!

(Double post alert!)

Okay, peeps.

SPRING BREAK IS HERE!!!!!!!

We did it! We made it! We crossed the finish line! We survived! And, now, we have a glorious nine days without school and the oppression of a rigorous schedule and my crew is sooooo here for it!

We kicked off our break, with the most fan-freaking-tastic excursion down to...the Riverwalk! Our first jaunt down there in 4.5 years--which just feels incomprehensible, if I'm being honest.

But.

I truly believe this Riverwalk dinner celebration was pre-ordained in honor of my Chicklet because it was truly a night to celebrate--her!

This girl right here has put herself out there, time and time again, throughout her 6th grade year, auditioning for roles in dance and theater--both in the cast and behind the scenes as part of the tech team, and...time and time again, she's not managed to be cast for any kind of role...

Until last night! And this mile-wide smile says it ALL.

I can't even begin to describe the parental pride I've felt as I've watched her audition over and over throughout the year, getting her hopes up every time.

And then the parental pain as I've watched her quietly work through the disappointment and resignation of missing out on each and every opportunity.

:(

Honestly, it was starting to chip away at Chicklet's theater joy, and I couldn't blame the girl.

She'd become aware of a select group of kiddos--particularly upperclassmen--who seemed to be the cream of the crop and continue to be favored in round after round of production, and it was so fascinating to watch her reach a level of acceptance about this particular dynamic...while still putting her heart and her hopes into the idea of participating in any way herself. 

Welp.

For this particular go-'round (a final, very small four-person play that is being presented), Chicklet still auditioned for a role--and didn't get one.

But then, a few days later, she decided to put herself out there one final time and try for a technical role of any sort.

She stayed after school, diligently answered the "audition" questions to the best of her ability, and when her theater teacher asked her if there was any final thing she'd like to share about her suitability for a technical role, she shared the following (which I'm paraphrasing, of course)...

She kindly told her teacher that she was aware that some people were talented and would always manage to get a part. But that others might have heart even more than talent, and that if they'd be given a chance, they'd work even harder than the talented people, because they'd have wanted it so much for so long. She told him that she thought those people should be given a chance because they wouldn't disappoint. They'd put everything they had into it, and...

Holy. Moly. Her wise, heartfelt and honest words paid off because not only did her teacher tell her the answer was "beautiful," but he eventually CAST IN HER A TECHNICAL ROLE!

I mean, the happy-happy-joy-joy our Chicklet displayed last night, when she finally received word that the tech cast had been posted. She logged on to see her name there, under costumes & make-up, and, I mean...I can't even begin to tell what her joy felt like, exploding out of her little body.

She was lit up like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and...deservedly so!

Moreover, I love, love that she earned this role by bringing her insightful thoughts to the forefront and advocating for all the underdogs--not even just herself.

I am so beyond proud.

It was the most incredible way to officially launch Spring Break--especially considering it came just after we were home from our special visit to The Riverwalk for an overpriced but delightful family meal at The Rainforest Cafe--something we've not done in years and years.

It was the hubby's idea to "gift" the kiddos this excursion for Spring Break, because Chicklet, in particular, has been asking to go there for a meal again for years--with her request being denied, ha.

We remembered it as terrible food and an expensive gift-shop endeavor, too boot, but...this time, with realistic expectations plus the knowledge that our kiddos have mostly grown out of the atmosphere of the place anyway, it was just a fun, lighthearted way to tell them we hear their requests and we honor their positive memories of this place.

And it was an absolute joy, I tell ya!

I don't know why or how, but...the food was incredible! Truly! We over-ordered and loved it all! And we brought card games to play as a family and passed the time so happily. And Chicklet, in particular, was still delighted by the animatronics, despite her tween age.

The gift shop purchases just felt like a silly bonus instead of a tantrum avoidance like it was when the kiddos were younger, and the whole thing was just...delightful. :)

I'm so, incredibly grateful to have launched our much-needed Spring Break on a very positive note, and I have nothing but high hopes for good vibes moving forward!

HAPPY SPRING BREAK, peeps!

Over and out!

P.S. If you want a trip down memory lane to our last Riverwalk experience, 4.5 years ago, when my crazies were so tiny—and cousin June was even tinnier…here you go!

https://delappenings.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2021-11-30T14:20:00-08:00&max-results=3&start=17&by-date=false&m=0

Athletic Mind Over Matter

Okay, peeps.

This post goes out to my Chica.

My beautiful and dedicated eldest, who's nearing the very end of her middle school athletic endeavors, and--wow--is it sobering to blink and see how fast it's all come and gone!

Now. To rewind a bit...

In the kiddos' middle school, each child has the option of enrolling in general Physical Education or Pre-Athletics, which is basically the difference between doing the basic course versus committing to a more rigorous path that eventually involves organized sports of some kind.

If you sign up for the Pre-Athletics path as a 6th grader, the class period is more physically intense, under the guise of prepping you for the sports that are to come.

Then, the summer between 6th and 7th grade, you're expected to participate in Conditioning Camp, which is one hour, four mornings a week, for about 7-8 weeks of the Summer. It's hot, it's early, but it helps the kiddos maintain some of the stamina they've gained over the course of their 6th grade year so they can hit the ground running when 7th grade starts--along with alllllll the sporting options in the world.

Pre-Athletics was Chica's chosen path, and holy moly, did she manage to make it through the rigor of several years of intense athletics--with a smile on her face (most of the time), no less!

In 7th grade, she participated in Cross Country, Tennis and Track.

In 8th grade, she participated in Cross Country and Track.

And, now, as of yesterday afternoon, she has officially wrapped her Track season and completed all her middle school athletic commitments--beyond the standard class period when she still has Pre-Athletics.

I mean...wow. 

How are we done?!! (And by we I mean she--unless you count the oodles and gobs of driving to and fro, which I totally do!).

If you're interested in taking a trip down memory lane, here are a couple of posts that cover Chica's Cross Country experience--which was, by far, her favorite of all her athletic pursuits:

https://delappenings.blogspot.com/search?q=cross+country

https://delappenings.blogspot.com/2025/10/fall-breakish-family-in-town-style.html

Honestly, if you ever would have asked me if one of my kiddos would find some kind of personal satisfaction in long distance running, I would have told you that you were crazy.

That said, it also makes total and complete sense for my Chica, for many reasons--most notably, because she has a dedicated athletic mentality, but is not the most athletic of all the girls competing in middle school sports, and Cross Country, at its core, is about competition with oneself!

I adore, adore how hard my girl has worked, waking up before the crack of dawn, day after day, month after month, to participate in these pursuits, despite knowing she'll never have the fastest running time and might not be placed in any events in an upcoming meet.

It's the drive and the pride in a tough thing accomplished that is her true victory, and it has been a joy to watch that mentality grow and flourish in my beloved eldest child.

In fact, on the night of her very last Track meet, a couple of weeks ago, I looked at the screen saver on her phone and felt the biggest swell of pride over the words:

In running, victories aren't only medals and records--they're the quiet moments when you realize you didn't quit.

And that, my dear peeps, is the whole point of the whole dang thing. :)

How glorious that my girl is only 13-years-old and already aware of this beautiful nugget of truth?

Yes, Chica has honed her body over the past few years, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy physical habits, but...more importantly, she honed her mind.

She learned that she can do hard things, no matter how athletically inclined she may or may not be--and that is priceless.

 

Chica's athletic days are still far from over, though.

For High School, she's required to have one year of Physical Education, and she's chosen to knock it out as a Freshman (smart, since she's already in the groove of things).

She's signed up for Cross Country, and I know it will be a whole different thing on a High School level, but I have high hopes she'll be able to handle it with the same grace and realistic attitude--to only best her own personal achievements, and not others'.

I have no doubt, she'll do her level best!

So, here's to a lighter final nine weeks of the school year, and then some heinously-hot conditioning over the Summer as she heads into her final year of academically-centered athletics before she blows this popsicle stand!

Go, Chica, Go!

Over and out.

Rollercoaster Vibes

Okay, peeps.

This might be the year of the horse, but as I've already stated: it's mostly giving me a swift kick in the arse, not a swift joyride with the wind in my hair!

I'm still tackling my health hiccups, one by one, but it's a slow-going process that's been riddled with ups and downs.

As (bad) luck would have it, I've been battling bronchitis that hit me hard and kept me down all last week.

Worse, still, it forced a cancellation of the little surgery of mine that was supposed to be this week, as the medical team just doesn’t play around with respiratory illness and anesthesia and I couldn’t conceal my heinous condition when they called for pre-op.

I’m not gonna lie: the day I received news of the cancellation, it was a pretty down day. The height of my illness and the depth of my frustration over crap timing and events.

Luckily, I spent just a day having a snotty, hacking-up-a-lung pity party and then adjusted my mood and got my act together, even though I was definitely playing the fake-it-‘til-you-make it game, which…prompted some feels.

Honestly, sometimes I sit back and wonder why the past few months have felt so dang hard when nothing truly catastrophic has happened.

I know so many people with more acute health battles, kiddos with chronic diseases or behavioral conditions, others with career upheavals or financial situations that are taking a toll on their lives and sometimes…it feels silly for me to feel a bit down about my own personal issues when they’re comparatively minor.

But then, I remind myself that pain or stress—or even joy—is not a comparison game.

I don’t have to rank my health challenges compared to others.

I don’t have to justify when I feel low.

I don’t need to explain why my body or my mind feels exhausted.

And I certainly don't need to keep a running clock on how long it takes me to bounce back to 100%.

So why do I still feel the need to???

Is it a gender thing?? Are females simply prone to this justification/comparison behavior?? The hubby is constantly telling me he wishes he could hand over his own male brain and thought processes to alleviate some of my angst because things are so straightforward to him.

Is it a me thing?? Am I just an overly-aware and anxious person when it comes to not presenting as complain-y or woe-is-me? Empathy is a core tenant of my personality—for better and worse. Is it harming me in this regard?

Is it a mother thing?? Am I too closely associated with a bunch of child-rearing women in the same boat, accustomed to putting others first and sweeping all of their own obstacles under the rug?

Is it an occupation thing?? Would I feel less inclined toward this type of self-judgment and incessant rationalization if I had a corporate job that had me in an office from 9 to 5?

I have no clue.

The only thing I do know is that: 1) death by a thousand cuts is still death, and 2) it might never get easier to avoid comparisons and justifications--but, gosh darn it, I'm going to keep trying.

I promise all is well(ish). I do feel like I’ve made it through the worst of a bunch of little things, for now. I’ve had some really great days and weeks mixed in with all the crap, and I’ve been able to recognize that. And my crew is extremely excited about our looming Spring Break plans to stay home and do nothing.

Couldn't come at a better time!

So...onwards and upwards (again, again!)!

Okay. Now. For listening to me drone on about my state of mind, I shall reward you with some fun, random pics of our happenings, of late:

Spring/Easter vibes!

Yep. I did it. I bough a giant, stuffed carrot for Coda girl to enjoy, and...enjoy it, she does. It's hysterical to watch her tackling a crinkly stuffed than that's three times her size, ha. And, better, yet: the hubby or I can be fully standing, holding the carrot for Coda to grab. What an easy "play time" situation. ;)

Next up...hang time with friends! ALL three of the kiddos have had plenty of friend hang-time, lately--both at our casa and at friend's houses. It's been lovely to afford them each, in rotation, some happy-happy-joy-joy time to counteract all the busyness and demands of their school lives, right now.

I don't have many pics of all three of them enjoying their buddies, but I do have some pics of Chica and her friend as they were baking. It's an activity that's really in the sweet spot of teen creativity, right now. Chica has always loved to bake, but I've started to purchase these easy kits to have on hand when one of the girlies has a friend over and they want something to do that's fun and not too childish. 

If you watch any of the Food Network backing shows, you know and love Duff, like we do. These kits (the first was one I purchased for Chica for Valentine's Day) have been so easy-breezy perfect.

With pre-measured ingredients and not much to add (beyond butter and fresh items like eggs), the kits have been a total win. :)

Here's another baking adventure that Chica completed solo, from a cake pop kit one of her friends gifted her for Valentine's Day. Can you tell she's kind of known for loving to play around in the kitchen when time allows?

As a side note: I swear I love and adore all my freaking children, but Chica's by far the most willing photography subject, these days, so she ends up in more of the pics! It just is what it is!

Next up...we're in the sweet spot of some glorious Springtime weather, right now. It will be gone in the blink of an eye, since we are in South Texas, but...I'm enjoying it while it lasts!

Gorgeous sunsets, perfect temps for evening walks, beautiful skies, and...even a double rainbow a couple weeks ago as we sat down for dinner!

It was beauuuuutiful.

Rainbows ALWAYS appear for us in roughly the same location (perhaps because we're more prone to afternoon/early evening rain showers that end in sun?) and for this particular one, we had a fantastic view from the playroom of nearly the whole, dang rainbow!

And, another really stunning sunlight/nature shot: 

Isn't that gorgeous?? I've spent some time looking up the phenomenon of when the sun appears with a ring of rainbow color around it, and though there are conflicting opinions--plus a whole lot of scientific explanations--the consensus is that it's a harbinger of positive things.

I snapped that pic one early morning on a walk with Coda girl, on one of the first pleasant weather days following our cold weather. It certainly seemed to channel change and upward momentum...at least, for me. :)

Other fun randoms include...Chicklet during one of her flu days a few weeks ago, when I gifted her a stuffed Dobby as one of her Valentine prizes. Poor girl had been down and out for days at that point, and it was nice to see her smile. She's such a teen these days, definitely aging up in all regards, but...she still enjoys a good stuffed animal. :)

Another random I never managed to post: heart-shaped biscuits from Chick-fil-A on Valentine's Day!

And, last but not least: significant honorable mention goes to the hubby, who's been in the weeds of life with me (always, but in particular, the past two months). When I'm sick, he has a wonderful way of just diving in and helping with my responsibilities, but...it does wear on him, over time.

The clear and obvious sign when his tank is empty: falling asleep on the couch (and, please note Coda girl asleep at the other end, ha.)

Thankfully, this was a couple weeks ago, and I'd like to think we've made a tiny bit of progress since then (bronchitis, notwithstanding), but...it's always a poignant thing to see how run-down he gets--especially because he never admits it.

This is literally our first Spring Break without any sort of travel or event plans since our kids have been school aged, and...that feels major. But, boy, does it feel RIGHT for us, this year.

I really, really hope we're able to sit on the couch so long we get uncomfortable. And sleep so late we miss some meals. And generally decompress to the point that we can collectively power through this final nine weeks of the school year!

March. Is. Here.

And I know I said this when December turned to January, and then when January turned to February, but...I feel like positive vibes are coming!

More, soon, peeps!

Over and out!