Bulldog Festival—2026!

Okay, peeps.

I’m trending about a week behind in sharing anything.

But…better than a month, yes??

And it’s not like any upcoming weekend is going to be tamer than the last, so…onward and upward!

BUT.

Before I share the big, BIG fun of Little Man’s birthday hoopla (of right now), I want to share some glorious pics of last weekend’s Bulldog Festival that was all about CHICKLET—as our only, current middle schooler!

Of course, it has to be said that I can’t believe that Chica has already made it through her middle school, Bulldog Festival years. Where does time go???

Her stinking adorable, child-like face and enthusiasm—matched by her tagalong siblings—is a core memory for me.

https://delappenings.blogspot.com/2023/09/chicas-middle-school-festival.html?m=0

Of course, once Chicklet was a 6th grader in her own right, I expected the fun to be doubled, but…as a member of the Dance Team, she was performing in a big, scary way, out there on the field, so she spent a decent portion of the event a bit preoccupied with making sure she was locked in for her dance. Totally understandable!

Plus…she didn’t really let me take any photos, so…no evidence. :(

But, what a difference a year makes!

Chicklet still tends to get a little broody before a performance (the anxiety; totally understandable!!), but she was 90% excited, this go-round, and only 10% stressed!

Her prep to get out the door, the ease with which we just dropped her off at the event to do her thing and joined her later, her comfort during the performance, and just her general vibe…so much joy to be had!

Plus, Chica (and one of her friends!) were still game to tag along and watch the performance, which make Chicklet feel pretty special.

I’m so grateful for a successful event—plus, a glorious temperature below 90 (thanks to some rain earlier in the day). A happy 7th grade Bulldog Festival for Chicklet, indeed. :)

Okay, more soon, as we decompress from Little Man’s birthday EXTRAVAGANZA!

Happy Weekend, peeps!

Over and out. 

Beaded Swaggy Pumpkins!

Okay, peeps.

We did it.

We survived an absolutely packed September weekend—school commitments, social commitments, LIFE commitments…you name it.

That seems to be our theme from this point forward (not a single weekend will be calm, until a glorious weekend we have planned for Fall Break in early October) but we’re doing our best to work the JOY into the mix along with the TO-DO’s, and we did a pretty fun job of it, this go-around.

Amidst all the scheduled chaos, we planned a fun autumnal Saturday night for the girlies and some buddies to go see Practical Magic 2 (that one was self-serving; I loved the original and was dying to see the sequel), following by some hang time and…a project (natch).

Please meet my beautiful—aptly named—Swaggy P!

Doesn’t she have a gorgeous, flapper-type vibe to her???

I always—always—appreciate how my girlies and their friends keep me on my crafting toes. There’s rarely a time when they’re gathered at our house when they don't find me and request a craft.

And you know what?? I totally dig it.

I adore how they enjoy focusing their attention on something creative as they hang, and I’ve learned to keep things stocked in the craft closet just in case. The supplies always come in handy!

I’ve also learned a few (million) tips and tricks throughout all these years. The keys to a successful Project With Friends are more basic than you’d think:

1) Simplicity

2) Room for Individuality

3) Music (and plentiful snacks) whilst doing it!

Although we occasionally dig into a slightly messier or more involved craft (like the recent resin jewelry and key chains the girlies and their friends made right before school started), it’s generally a good idea to keep things turn-key. You NEVER know when the crowd will want to pause for an impromptu break or shift their attention elsewhere, so the best projects can be scaled up or down—and done easily whilst chatting and being silly!

I also adore the creative brains of my girlies and their friends. I’m often pleasantly surprised by their creative visions—like this past weekend when I planned for the beaded swags and started a sample pumpkin to give them inspiration, but loved discovering how some girlies went in a wildly different direction!

Creative license is the best!

At the end of the day, it’s all about providing a place and a space with happy vibes, music within reach, and the chance for them to see where their whims lead!

It’s getting harder and harder to find these planned windows of time as the kiddos age, and their commitments scale up, as well. So I’m extra-grateful it worked out for us this past weekend, in case it takes a few weeks (or months!) to managed something, again. 

Yay for a little taste of the autumnal on the front end of Fall. Here’s hoping for so much more in the coming weeks!

Over and out.

P.S. Some bonus pics of my pajama-clad kiddos finishing their project a couple of days later.

We’ve Got a Cellist!

Okay, peeps.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the only constant in raising kiddos is change.

Their bodies change. Their brains change. Heck, social skills, friend dynamics and those raging hormones all change. And you can better bet those teenage aptitudes and interests change all the ever-loving time.

So…I wasn’t holding my breath for Little Man to express interest in the 5th Grade Strings Program that feeds into the Middle School Orchestra.

Especially since…following in an older sibling’s footsteps (in this case, Chica) can be a positive, but it can sometimes be a negative. 

(See above comment about the only constant being—say it again with me again, people—change.)

So color me shocked and shaken and truly tickled pink (while also wary) when Little Man came home with the participation packet and the declaration that he was IN. Like, so in that he would have bumped robotics—though, thankfully, we received word that he can manage both. Whew!

I spent the week in between the packet coming home and the official launch meeting on the edge of my seat. Would he commit?? For realsies??? Even without any of his dude friends along for the ride???

Well.

I can tell you the answer to that is a resounding: YES.

So resounding that last night’s meeting and selection of a musical instrument pathway was nothing but joy, joy, JOY.

And holy moly, what a surprise:

I now have a CELLIST up in the hizzouse!! Woop woop!

That’s right. The sorting hat (but basically, Little Man’s brain) did its thing and the cello spoke to him, even when he went in planning on viola, and I am so stinking thrilled that I can’t even stand it!

It feels so PERFECT for my lively dude.

He definitely has the personality—and stature—big enough to handle the instrument!! Woohoo!

He was literally bursting with happy vibes as we went through the instrument rental process. And he was hella proud to rock that thing like a backpack on the way out.

He is all-the-way IN and ready to start the twice-weekly lessons, next week.

You know, I have to say…I'm a seasoned enough parent to recognize what a big deal this is, selecting a musical instrument launch point.

Though I have to allow for that change, change, change to rear its ugly head and do its thing, it’s just as likely that this is the beginning of a beautiful musical journey for Little Man—much like Chica’s 5th Grade Strings launch, four years ago. 

https://delappenings.blogspot.com/2022/09/strings-zing.html?m=1

It’s unbelievable to look at those pics of Chica and acknowledge how quickly time has flown. And how much she’s grown as a musician.

In fact, she’s been Little Man’s biggest cheerleader on this front, and the person he was most excited to surprise with his instrument selection.

And watching her so naturally dive right in to tune the strings after hearing just one note—man, it’s such a reminder that leaps and bounds might seem to happen overnight but it’s a one day at a time learning curve.

For months they’re plucking strings, then they’re having their first adorable Mary Had A Little Lamb concert, and…next thing you know it, they’re in an Honors Orchestra in High School.

As always, I’m just so grateful for anything my kiddos are willing to try and put their effort in to, and…I just can’t wait to watch this all unfold.

So, here’s to another musician in the house! A CELLIST, to add to our violinist and tentative clarinetist!

More soon, peeps!

Over and out.