<p>Oh yes I realize that it is 9 long months til I-Day but having talked to many a parent it is never too late to plan ahead. We started in grade school. Taking that son/daughter to those after school activities, staying up late to help finish that project that our darlings happened to mention at dinner "oh mom, we need 6 dozen cookies for tommorrow's class meeting, can you bake those special choc chip macadamia nuts, my teacher loves those". We drove the giggling girls and the really gross guys to the special events. And that day when they said " I want to go to Navy" we started to help as needed. We did some research and tried to let them explore their options. Drove them to 6 other colleges and seminars to see if it what they really wanted. Stayed up all night Feb 1st to watch them try to get the app in to NASS. "but dad I got to get in early or there is no chance." and watch them watching the mail every day for that letter. Then there was the summer. Dropping them off at NASS or maybe it was a sports camp, or both. There was a glimpse of the future when you picked them up and they stood a little taller, that little gleam in the eyes and and their speech changed ever so slightly. The question you asked that would have gotten a "uh... yeah" just a week ago now has turned into "yes sir/maam" without them even realizing it. (by the way that wears off in about 3 days, NASS is so short :) ) . Then it is watching them go through the app process. "why cant my xxxxx teacher get that rec letter done already!!! I gave it to her 2 weeks ago" The Mail takes on a whole new importance. </p>
<p>AND THERE IS NINE MONTHS TO GO!!!</p>
<p>All that said, I can tell everyone far an near that we parents deserve a nite ourselves to laugh, cry, and enjoy everything. I make a motion that we start a 2012 committee to have a PARTY!!!</p>
<p>Lets all get together the nite after we drop them off.
PM me and we will get it started.
We took years to get this far planning a party nine months early is keeping true to form. </p>
<p>Mike Sr.</p>
<p>We're 2011 parents - formed a group online at Yahoo! groups - got together at a bar in Annapolis over PPW, keep up with each other via emails and on our site.</p>
<p>It was terrific to have other parents on board to talk to over Plebe Summer. Our son's plebe summer commander sent out a mass email to the parents in early July; we used that email to build up our group. Now have about 45 members in our 2011 group.</p>
<p>We plan to keep on tailgating, having happy hours, etc. for the next 3.75 years. Good luck -</p>
<p>We did the same thing for 2010... thanks to peskemom who pulled all the little ducklings together!!! </p>
<p>Savor every minute--- but do remember to enjoy the last vestages of senior year in high school with your soon-to-be-plebe..... I Day will come fast enough, and you will be wishing you had "just a few more days" before dropping off your pride and joy in Annapolis!!! </p>
<p>Congrats again!</p>
<p>I took the liberty of setting this up. Come log in here and we can get to know each other. </p>
<p>Mike Sr. </p>
<p><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents%5B/url%5D">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents</a></p>
<p>Lets get this going here and we can post ideas for the party and help eachother for the next 4 years and 9 months.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Our son's plebe summer commander sent out a mass email to the parents in early July; we used that email to build up our group. Now have about 45 members in our 2011 group.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Ours did that too for his company Class of 2010 - Great way to meet the other company parents. This forum is great to get introduced to parents from all over and arrive at IDay with a support group in place. Once Plebe summer starts, it is great when the Company officers do the Yahoo groups as those parents will be the parents of many of your Mids friends. Ours posted pictures, listed roommates, told little funny Plebe summer stories etc. All things to get dialog going between the parents. We felt like we had been friends forever by PPW!</p>
<p>Also speaking of planning ahead - never too early to get the reservations for IDay, especially if you want hotel within walking distance. Even if something changes during the year - cancellation is easier than hunting a room down in June!</p>
<p>Congrats to all - and enjoy the ride!</p>
<p>I got some prelims from the Lowes Annapolis Hotel and we can get some group rates for I-Day.</p>
<p>And a party as well. </p>
<p>check in here and we can post ideas back and forth</p>
<p><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents%5B/url%5D">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents</a></p>
<p>Mike - Lowe's Annapolis seemed to be the favorite hotel of all our 2011 parents. We've stayed there once (loved it), at the O'Callaghan Hotel once (hated it) and at a private home we rented out (really loved it) for PPW.</p>
<p>I would also suggest thinking about renting a small home or condo for Plebe Parent's Weekend next August. Your plebe will want to rest, stretch out, and rest some more. It's definitely easier to do this in a 2- or 3- bedroom rental than in two separate hotel rooms. And you can have a BBQ or a family dinner, using your favorite 'home cooking' recipes. Also - it lets you bring a significant other, a sibling, or a grandparent along for PPW. We did this last month, and it was wonderful. Everyone had their own 'space' but were together, too. </p>
<p>The prices for renting an entire townhome are comparable to 2 hotel rooms in DTA. About $350-450/nt, 3 night minimum. Best site online is <a href="http://www.stayannapolis.com%5B/url%5D">www.stayannapolis.com</a> - also try <a href="http://www.vrbo.com%5B/url%5D">www.vrbo.com</a> (vacation rental by owner).</p>
<p>I got a group CC 2011 parents together at Loew's this past I-Day.. We had sooo much fun!</p>
<p>Then after meeting 6th Co 2011 parents on-line during Plebe Summer.. about 28 of us got together .. again at Loew's... the night before PPW!</p>
<p>We've all become great friends!</p>
<p>Take every opportunity to meet and share stories! It will make you feel as if you are a part of the bigger picture. :)</p>
<p>And if you reserve online at Loews Annapolis in January for June I-Day you can get a GREAT MILITARY Rate (Yes parents are eligible for it too in Annapolis). We stayed for $116 a night!</p>
<p>We currently have 20 rooms at the group rate for the 2008 I-Day. Please go to the yahoo groups and let us know. we are also in the process of planning a parents decompression party. Volunteers to be on this committee please let me know.</p>
<p>Mike Sr.</p>
<p><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents/%5B/url%5D">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents/</a></p>
<p>Looking on the official usna.edu website has the date for I-Day on a Friday. This confirms recent reports that it was being moved. We will be looking to get some parents together for a decompression party on that evening.
Stand by for updates.
Recent years has had I-Day on Wednesday's. This is new and we will see what other items have changed as well.</p>
<p>Good luck to all
Semper Gumby</p>
<p>Mike Sr. </p>
<p>2012 parents site
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents/%5B/url%5D">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2012parents/</a></p>