By Courtney Burkholder 

Hi, Moms! Are you sleep-deprived yet? How are your feet holding up?

Are you all out of B.S. or still full of greetings and air kisses for 200 of your closest friends? You just saw all the same bunch last night at the Coronation, but, hey, there is still much to say and celebrate. There’s just no stopping you! You’re on a roll, and if you slow down now, even for a second, you might collapse and never get up again.

That’s right! It’s Fiesta time and plowing through the wonderful, albeit long, week of parties and activities is not something the folks of ’09 and ’12 take lightly. Consider it a civic duty.

I know, I know. You’re exhausted. You haven’t seen your children since last Sunday, the pizza delivery man knows more about what’s going on at your house than you do, your e-mail account is full and you’re too afraid to check your voicemails. And let’s not even talk about your blood alcohol level!

The week is almost at an end, but the parties and events are still going strong … the Battle of Flowers Parade, NIOSA, the Queen’s Ball and the Pooch Parade, just to name a few. Babysitters are in high demand and raking in the cash, ladies are keeping a watchful eye out for “their” dress on another body at another function, flowers and ribbons adorn doors and storefronts, and the kids are heavy laden with medals.

Those Cavaliers are sweating profusely beneath their jaunty uniforms, but they suffer for a good cause. And our fair kings, King Antonio and El Rey Feo, can be seen all around town at schools and neighborhood king parties, handing out medals and doing much to enhance that San Antonio Fiesta spirit.

So, ladies, think about it. Do you really have all that much to complain about? Sure, it’s work pulling it all together for yet another party, gala or happening neighborhood event.

I feel your pain. But think about it.

Fiesta is the one time a year when the entire city pulls together to celebrate our heritage and raise huge amounts of money for local, very worthy causes. Scholarship money is given away like glasses of lemonade and your kids are learning what it means to be a true San Antonian. So forget about grades and school work and all that other boring stuff! Forget about your aching feet! We’re talking … FIESTA!

Pull out another colorful dress – borrow one if you have to – and strap on your high heels. Give your throat a squirt of sore throat spray and drink a Diet Coke for a much needed caffeine boost. It’s for a good cause.

Happy Fiesta!