<p>I'm not feeling sorry,,,,just feeling uncomfortable for both my boys...it's a total mom thing! Actually my older son is at 29 Palms (he's a corpsman) and is training for deployment with the Marines. He sent photos Monday of him in full gear standing next to a therometer that read 118, I printed this and mailed it to his brother at indoc...maybe that will put it in perspective for our Candidates too.</p>
<p>We just can't stop being mom's can we?</p>
<p>We are praying for your son's, and you too.</p>
<p>My dime-store psychology: We've spent the past 18 years communicating daily with them, protecting our kids, trying ensure that they are treated properly (pampering?) and generally trying to secure a better life for them. Well.....then we go drop them off with D.I.s who are, at face-value, the ANTI-MOM!! Painful to cut that ambilical cord - twice - but the second time will be worth it too.</p>
<p>Amen to that MMAMom2011!!</p>
<p>A GREAT BIG THANK YOU for the pictures with their roommates. It gives us moms a sense we have talked to them already!</p>
<p>I loved the smiles today!</p>
<p>got my first letter today! He checked all the boxes (preprinted multiple choice letters as suggested) and circled the one that said "I love this place." That's a good thing!</p>
<p>Yay, Suzanne!!! Hoping for a letter, too.</p>
<p>Preprinted questions with check boxes? BRILLIANT! I never saw/thought of that. That idea should be put in the Suggestions for 2012 thread. I'm working on my questions to send tomorrow!</p>
<p>It's thundering here in Philly - the "cold" front is on its way - which means Kings Point too! Hurray!</p>
<p>Suzanne you got one up on me with the check boxes. How did I let that idea slip by. Put that on the list for the parents for next year. That is a great way to find out everything 'you' want to know (and maybe alittle more).</p>
<p>LOL! Yep they worked. He had about 25 things to choose from, both positive and negative. Lucky only 1 negative....not sleeping well because his room is too hot without a/c...he'll adapt!</p>
<p>Since most of my son's friends don't leave for school until the end of summer, I am going to get them all together and let the video camera just roll while they talk to him and goof around. Once he has his computer I can send the video file for him to watch. Might make him feel like he's with them.</p>
<p>Suzanne, we've been laughing all day about the "form letter!" Where did you hear about that??? Brilliant! We haven't received a letter yet; I'm betting the girlfriend gets one first.</p>
<p>RichVaMom....I have the same sneaking suspicion about my son's first choice of letter writing recipients. I sure hope I get one too!</p>
<p>Wow a form letter would be great! You have to drag more than a one or two word answer out of him anyway!!</p>
<p>I don't know where the form letter idea came from. It may have been at the Welcome Aboard Picnic, or I may have actually dreamed that one up myself. Anyway, it worked! He did write at the bottom to say hi to his girlfriend, which I did!</p>
<p>Yep, my suspicion proved correct...the girlfriend received THREE LETTERS today! And mom...ZERO. kawalla, what about your suspicion??? Speaking of girlfriends, does anyone know where the girls stay for the dances? There's a ball in early Dec. I know kids under 21 can't book hotel rooms here in VA or NC. Anyone want to start a "girlfriend connection" to help with travel plans/hotels/help line??? Son's girlfriend going to VA Tech.</p>
<p>Helping w/travel plans for girlfriends?</p>
<p>Only if the concierge is addressed "Mother Superior". :D</p>
<p>I love your "Mother Superior" idea, zonker!</p>
<p>RichVaMom...don't know about the girlfriend but I did receive a letter today and boy, what a relief! It was short and sweet but to the point. I hope you all receive something from your kiddo soon.</p>
<p>No, no mail here today! Thank goodness the girlfriend shared her THREE LETTERS yesterday. I think I will start a new thread about the dances/girls, etc. Not enough significant response on this one!</p>