<p>DD is begining to pack up (multitude) boxes for cross country school. I think reality of it all is settleing in. DH and I are keeping very up and excited for her (which we are) but it probably doesn't help that only one other (close) friend is 'moving away' -so there is a lack of shared experiences with her peers. SO, how are your DD and DS winding things up with friends and dealing with upcoming changes?</p>
<p>We are just outside of Boston so the vast majority of friends are indeed staying local although living at school. My son, going to VA, is the first of the group to leave - we are leaving Wed. We let him have a BBQ Sunday and an amazing number of kids came. They all thanks my H and I for letting them get together one more time. While I slaved in the kitchen <g> I overheard the many discussions and fears about roommates, finding their way around campus, courses, grades, and yes, homesickness, etc. They are worry about so many things and hanging tightly together before they go. DS was out tonight for dinner with friends, then watched a movie with some friends.....we get to have him for the 12 hour drive down there. One other students we know is going to Vanderbilt, another to Wisconsin - otherwise pretty much Boston area or New England. I have told my son he can spend as much time with his friends as he wants. I do have him for the 12 hours and at least one stop at Burger King or some other equally chatty location before orientation separates us!</g></p>
<p>Our S starts orientation this Sunday. He's spending extra time with his girl friend and catching up with his other friends. Since he transfered to a residential high school at a University in another city for the last two years, he's been through this before.</p>
<p>What is different is how far from home he's going to be. He got used to coming home or having us up to help him with personal things and knows that's not going to be possible now. </p>
<p>Last weekend we spent a lot of time going through his transfer credit/AP, looking at his degree plan and trying to figure out when it was best to take certain courses. Then we watched movies together. I think a lot of it was make work. I travel and that was the last weekend we'd have together for quite sometime, so I suspect that he was just trying to spend some time with me. I couldn't have been happier that he wanted to.</p>
<p>Let me just jump in here extend best wishes to of the children of CC parents heading off to college! May this be the start of a wonderful and happy adventure for both your children and you. It has been a pleasure following their stories this year and I look forward to frequent updates on their progress. Congratuations!!! You did it!</p>
<p>Hear, hear!! Congrats to all!</p>
<p>Last night I found a Brita water filter-pitcher I'd bought for S back in May, and brought it to his room so it didn't get left out of the packing. (He flies away on 8/27.) He asked if it had filters, and I turned the box around and said, "Yes, there are 2 here, it says each should last 2 months so I can pick up some replacements here for you to take back when you come home for Christmas..." and looked up to see him typing on his computer. I thought to myself, "WELL now, that's RUDE," and then peeked at what he was typing. Apparently he has a file listing each of the bags he expects to check/carry on the plane, and each of four boxes he expects to pack for me to mail to him after he leaves. He was adding the Brita pitcher to the list for the appropriate box.</p>
<p>He's planned his own going-away informal party for tomorrow afternoon and evening, and is taking his younger brother to the auto racetrack later this week for some brotherly bonding time. There's been a lot of buddy pool-playing and photography trips at sunrise going on recently: I think that's his way of saying farewell to his best friends. He seems pretty together, and eager for the next phase. His mother is not quite as eager, but will keep a stiff upper lip as she waves him into his future at the airport in 10 days or so.</p>
<p>Apparently he has a file listing each of the bags he expects to check/carry on the plane, and each of four boxes he expects to pack for me to mail to him after he leaves. He was adding the Brita pitcher to the list for the appropriate box.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Mootmom, For some reason, this convinces me even more that your son is going to the right school. :)</p> </blockquote>
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<p>LOL, Carolyn, thanks! Your comment gave me a nice warm smile just now. :)</p>
<p>(For those who are confused, my son starts at MIT this fall.)</p>
<p>Son heading off to college at Great Penn State spent the last several days on a co ed camping trip with 8 close friends. They had a blast hiking and enjoying cool waterfalls . They may plan an annual weekend field trip together, a nice way to get together with the old gang each year. He just dashed in to say hello and that he is home, they off to return camping equipment to another friend.</p>
<p>First friend leaves Thursday. DD and friends went to beach today and celebrated her birthday and their leaving. Then, on to Rainforest Cafe. They are making dinner tomorrow night for friend leaving Thursday. Mootmom, D has a friend going to MIT as well. Since she will be at Amherst, she will go to Boston to visit, maybe the kids will meet.</p>