Pollen & Periwinkle Pops!

Holy.

Moly.

MOLY.

Is it getting repetitive for me to marvel at how long I'm coasting between posts on this here blog???

I can't decide if it's LAME that I'm continuously surprised by the stretches and droughts, or if it's just self-actualized and a sign that I MISS THE DAYS of regular posting.

Everything has a season, amiright?

SPEAKING OF SEASONS (you like what I did there?)...

I'm popping in today to share the vibe that it is officially SPRINGTIME, full stop.

Everything is lime green and yellow (hello, pollen, pollen everywhere, and Nasacort out the wazoo!).

I actually love this time of year--for a stretch of no more than two-to-three weeks because everything feels fresh and rejuvenated and possible.

Here in South Texas, that regenerative vibe is like a blip on the radar before we progress to full on, suffocating, inferno-of-heat summer...which will happen in approximately 2.5 days (or, perhaps, it already has, since our temps soared to a record high of 96 last weekend).

Anywho.

My point is: I'm trying to soak up this fleeting beauty, appreciate all that our brief springtime has to offer, and...steel myself for the dramatic downhill slide of the school year and SUMMER.

Again, can I get a:

Holy.

Moly.

MOLY.

I'm hoping to share a little bit of a Spring Break retrospective sometime soon (better late than never, I suppose), but, for now, please enjoy a sighting of my FIRST seasonal shoe purchase that sparked some major joy:

That's right, peeps.

I bought som adult JELLIES.

If you're a child of the eighties or nineties, you're either rejoicing or groaning, because these bad boys elicit strong love/hate vibes--especially when it comes to the smell, ha.

For me, it's nothing but love, love, love!

And I DIE over this blue color that is sooooo up my alley that I inadvertently bought the shoes on a day that I was wearing a matching dress and rocking identical-colored eyewear.

Thriving and vibing, I tell ya.

Truth be told, I've really let my shoe-wear game slide over the past few years. I'm primarily a bold-and-bright athletic shoe type of girl. Sporty enough to be comfortable, but chic enough to throw on with anything--including dresses. 

That said...I'm trying to diversify for spring and summer, this year, and add a few fun footwear options to my repertoire. I've got my eyes on a fun wedge, next, and, of course, I won't be able to resist yet another seasonal athletic shoes, ha.

What can I say?

I'm a girl who knows what I like!

Okay...more, soon, as I'm able, peeps!

Can't believe it's already Wednesday, already the end of March, and already...Chicklet's 12th birthday week!

Happy Hump Day!

Over and out.

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.