Miscellaneous Life Ramblings

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
101

<p>I’m feeling responsible for the girly twist this thread took (though let me just say–can we all get together for ladies night–oh what a night–soon? Please?), so in an attempt to twist in a more gender-inclusive direction…</p>

<p>What’s the stupidest thing your kid has lost at boarding school? I’ll start. His shoes. Like the main ones he wore every day to class. The one thing I didn’t think I had to label. </p>

<p>Neato, time to resurrect the pants story.</p>

102

<p>classicalmama: Great idea!! How fun would that be!!???
You parents with the stories about nutty things boys do at BS… I can relate to this. When CameoKid was in kindergarten, I was a dorm parent to 50 boys (yes, 50) at a well-regarded NE coed school. They lost every item imaginable, and I also confiscated a lot of things, too… like cell phones and video games. I have funny stories to last a lifetime… the pair studying for a physics exam who decided to test their theory by launching a rocket in the corridor… the kid who flew past my window as he rolled off the roof and amazingly, only broke his collarbone and his arm (I wanted to study outside, so I went on the roof. I guess I fell asleep")… and the kid who frequently walked to class in all weather with sandals and a t shirt, never a jacket. They were bright, creative… and some seemed to have no common sense at all. But for all the times they exasperated me (I think I wore a look of incredulity that whole year, and said “You did WHAT!!!” way too often), those boys were a treasure. I mean it. CameoKid had 50 adoring big brothers, who taught her to ride a bike, ice skate, and play hockey. She often travelled around campus on the shoulders of the tallest kids. They joined us for family dinners, they watched endless episodes of West Wing with me… they asked my advice, they shared their thoughts, and talked about what was going on in their lives. Their presence in our lives was a real gift. CameoKid was bright and adventurous, and occasionally became an unwitting accomplice in their harebrained escapades. But they were all great kids. (I am proud to say the the most mischevious one was hired by NASA out of college…and has a rather impressive position there. Hopefully, there will be no shenanigans in space!!) And I bet every one of your kids is bringing wonder, joy, and exasperation to their dorm parents too… :)</p>

103

<p>Lost and never found:</p>

<p>Bicycles (several, but after the first they were used decrepit ones so we didn’t feel bad)
Cell phones</p>

<p>Lost and found much later:
Wallet (after credit card cancelled)
Prescription medication (after another prescription was obtained)
ID cards</p>

<p>Never lost:
The flip flops worn all winter</p>

104

<p>Per classicalmama’s request:</p>

<p>

</p>

105

<p>Back from a long day at a shoot (TV commercial, not grouse)…but a quick note to say that I rocked Bowling Green for most of my high school years…</p>

106

<p>I think classicalmama & I have the same son</p>

107

<p>Just last week:</p>

<p>Ruined: black formal suit
Reason: "I wore it rock climbing, because we were taking team pictures, and I thought it would look cool, but then I fell and it ripped in about 3 places, so I need a new one when I come home for break”</p>

<p>(you can’t make this stuff up . . . and I’m not too fussed, because he’s grown about 2 sizes in the last 3 months, and probably was about due for a new one anyway, but still!)</p>

108

<p>Mountainhiker, what is it with your boy and falling off rocks?</p>

109

<p>neato - the climbing thing is in his DNA. When he was 2, I walked into the kitchen one morning and found him on top of the refrigerator. He had pushed a kitchen chair over to the counter, boosted himself up with the help of the canisters sitting on the counter, and was happily surveying the world from his tall perch. </p>

<p>The falling thing? Guess it just comes with the climbing thing!</p>

110

<p>I guess he hasn’t fully grasped the gravity of the situation. :)</p>

111

<p>Not a boarding school loss - but last year, my then-6th grader (who weighs all of 65 lbs) came home from formal dance class with a size 14 husky blue blazer. I’m pretty sure the owner of that jacket didn’t try to get himself into DS’s size 10 slim version.</p>

112

<p>Bought our first College reference/guide book (Fiske) today. Sigh.</p>

113

<p>Oh, Seven, and I was just going to jump into the shampoo convo… you had to bring up college? Perhaps then my recollection of “Body on Tap” (which you can find in its beer-bottle packaging at the VT Country Store next to the Lemon Up and the GYHST) is more appropriate to the considering-college set.</p>

<p>Friendly, I am still laughing thinking of the blazer swap!</p>

114

<p>@mountainhiker - I hope he at least got the cool picture!</p>

115

<p>So the other day my daughter and a classmate are talking about BS and what schools each is applying to. And my daughter names the ones on her list and her classmate says…“So SCHOOLX, that’s your ‘safety’, right?”</p>

<p>When she recounted this to us, I was flabbergasted. These kids are in 8th grade. I personally think that’s a little early to ingrain any notion of “safety” into their minds. I mean, what if SCHOOLX was my daughter’s favorite? How’s she going to feel about it now?</p>

<p>@girlgeekmom: After a trip to VT Country Store this summer, younger daughter has GYHST on Xmas list.</p>

116

<p>The VT Country Store is an actual place, not just a catalog? Oh, I need to go there.</p>

117

<p>We have been to the store in Weston, VT…a short drive from Manchester.</p>

<p>A pic of the inside:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.fungetaways1.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/vt-country.jpg[/url]”>http://www.fungetaways1.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/vt-country.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

118

<p>It’s a very fun place – you can easily spend an hour or two looking around in there. And we enjoyed their restaurant too :)</p>

119

<p>We were reminiscing not too long ago about a beloved, but very eccentric aunt who loved to wear Tangee Lipstick ( with mixed and often tragic results). Leave it to you guys… because after all the posts about the VT Country Store, I went to the website and hit pay dirt! Tangee Lipstick for everyone! I can’t believe I found it :)!! </p>

<p>Some very lucky women (thanks to you) are going to find Tangee lipstick under their tree this year.</p>

120

<p>@PhotographerMom: Tangee was among the purchases my kids made on our visit this summer!</p>

<p>The restaurant offers something that I’ve never had ANYWHERE but there: A bowl of crackers and milk. You are supposed to break them up and pour the milk in…consistency is a bit like oatmeal, flavor a bit like crackers and milk!</p>

<p>Forgot to mention the maple ice cream. That is a must, as the certainly don’t offer that down here in the mid-atlantic…at least not as good as they make it up in VT.</p>