by Claire
It is Fiesta Time in San Antonio. This city wide, week long party is a defining San Antonio moment. There are parades, festivals, food, drink, silly “royalty,” memory making moments, more drink, more food…and a lot of money blown! I didn’t grow up in San Antonio (nearby, yes…but there’s a big difference b/w my hometown and SA) and, for whatever reason, I never found Fiesta all that appealing. There really are some people who could read that and gasp. I don’t know–maybe it is like someone from New Orleans saying they could do without Mardi Gras. Either way—not a huge event on my radar. There are only so many fajita tacos and beers a gal can have!
There ARE kid friendly events and we do usually make at least one of the 3 major parades, but as the kids get older even that is a take it or leave it event. So, it wasn’t a huge adjustment with the new spending plan this year to avoid Fiesta events…but all the planning by others did get me paying attention in a new way this year. Festivals/Carnivals can easily set us back over $200 when all 6 of us go! The last time we did this was for a Church Festival and yes that is a very good cause…but with our current financial situation, donations will need to be made in a different way! Side note: We continue to make regular donations in a smaller amount than in the past—short term until we make some progress on the debt and then we will build that back up. We are also giving more of our time which is so great for us and the kids).
The kids have never “bugged” us to go to these things—honestly, it was more force of habit. “It’s April–time for Fiesta” or “It’s February, time for the Rodeo.” And these events have now almost come and gone for 2012 and our kids aren’t inquiring…the Boy Scout did his service for the fundraiser of selling parade seats (set up and take down of chairs) and no one is begging to go to Fiesta. That’s nice to see and compute–it makes changing the habit very doable.
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
There is an annual street fair a few miles away that attracts about 200,000 people over a two day period. It’s a lot of vendors, politicians, radio stations, music, and fair food – lots of food. About 12 years ago, I took my then 4 year old and her best friend, just as we had done for the past two years. After about 30 minutes, we all decided it was too crowded, too noisy, and too expensive. We left and went to a local park that we had never visited and which had lots and lots of rocks that allowed us to walk about a mile downstream, building and breaking down small dams, talking to others, and arriving at a small waterfall. I knew we had made the correct decision when my daughter said this was a LOT more fun than the fair and her friend agreed. It cost us nothing to go to the park and play.