<p>Congratulations to all the successful “launchings” and hugs to you all!
Our turn is Sunday morning.
momofzach ~ Thanks for sharing this beautiful poem…</p>
<p>Hi all - just got back from the 2-day-move-in adventure for ds. First off, you guys all need to chill (HA!!! Don’t I sound like ds now?) If you ever watch Cesar Milan - Dog Whisperer, he says how you carry yourself and where your mind is (jittery, anxious) gets translated down through the leash to your dog. Now, my son is no dog (HA!) but I think it works exactly the same way - when people get nervous or sad, I rush into Mommy mode and reassure or bolster feelings. So I didn’t shed a tear, I spent the entire time trying to resolve space issues, bolster ds’ fears and be that “calm assertive” pack leader that I know how to be. I was the very picture of calm, very zen.</p>
<p>So it went like this, 6 hrs of boring driving, rush to dorm, park in back because regular arrival packet said to park there - meet nice man outside who ends up introducing himself and the entire cook staff because, yes we have parked at the cafeteria entrance. So, now ds and chef of the place are tight. We get a personal tour and escort to security who gives ds the passcode, and use of a big commercial laundry cart on wheels. I remember someone had 2 trips? We had 3. Some 65 tshirts made the trip for some reason. Anyway, while dh and ds go off to retrieve the fridge from Walmart, I set to putting things away. The roommate won’t be moving in for about a week (ds will be with the band at another campus starting tmrw) and the room is just wonky. It’s a double in a suite of 3 doubles - but the room is short and one wall is cut off with a countertop area with a fridge space below. In anycase, I spent most of my time, trying to move furniture to make a decent config - that doesn’t short-change either ds or his roomie. Both beds have to be lofted because they don’t have a closet but have a bulky wood wardrobe piece that makes it impossible to store the dresser anywhere but below the bed. So be it. It took about 3 hrs to get arranged and things put away. Once roomie moves in, they might decide to move everything around but in my new favorite phrase “That AIN’T my problem!”</p>
<p>Ds had dinner with us and then went back for his first night around 9pm. After we left him, he met up with a bunch of band geeks who roamed the city until 1 am or so. We came back up this am to bring him some breakfast from Dunkin, and then said bye. A girl was waiting for him in the lobby to go over to band. He sent us one text “just got lunch – lots of fun! Plenty of new friends :)”</p>
<p>I’m more worried that he will forget to go to class once school does start. He’s just fine with the social aspects!</p>
<p>I was just thinking "where’s amanda…it’s about time for her to check in’. Yes I know the dog whisperer. This is why my dog is neurotic…because I am. 
Usually my son isn’t, but at this point the leash is jumping up and down like a whip. The picture of calm and zen I am NOT! </p>
<p>So now the pressure is on me girl to bring it on home Saturday. Way to not have a glitch…thanks. ;)</p>
<p>Seriously though, sounds like you did awesome! I love that your son is ‘in tight’ with the chef…classic! Congratulations…I’ll be meeting you on the other side very soon!!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>^^^^THIS^^^^^</p>
<p>I think our geeky, nerdy boys have suddenly found themselves in a setting where many, many boys and girls are just like them–and they are going to thrive. </p>
<p>Love, love, love the chef story. It is classic. </p>
<p>And third tweet from college: A picture of lunch with #winning. The picture included fresh strawberries, chicken sandwich and fries.</p>
<p>Missy–I think everyone who is yet to be “up to bat” is feeling those jitters.</p>
<p>There is alot to be done and depending on the move–and travel–the variables are many. We fly–with connecting fligts. Rent a car. Do the BBB run. Do the Walmart fridge run etc etc.</p>
<p>One thing I did do was make a dinner reservation. </p>
<p>And fwiw–DH has not done a list, a shopping trip, and was unhappy I bought an extension cord. Then again, the whole college search/apps process was done without DH–who had a fit when he heard the price tags. That day he made a cahrt from the search list of tuition and so on–only to find the prevailing college rates were the same…
So I expect he will find company in the shell shocked dads who wonder why they need bedding or a desk lamp…</p>
<p>AK–Our dog is totally chill–and fun and goofy–I suppose like us?? hehehe Dog whisperer fans here too. So I am going to channel my Cesar next week.</p>
<p>missy and blue - hoping I’m not being too personal, but you have let us know that your S1s had some rough times starting college, so I’m guessing this would feel scarier for you. Just be gentle with yourselves.</p>
<p>It’s helping me that D is saying she can’t wait to go, is so excited (in comparison to how she used to feel about HS starting). I’m very tired of the waiting myself, am afraid I will fight the anxiety so well that I will be completely numb by the time we actually go.</p>
<p>But next Friday will be here any minute, I know. Soon we’ll all be past this phase - just as we were past the app deadlines, the response deadlines, the decision deadlines. It is very nice to have the wonderful company in this experience.</p>
<p>Good luck this weekend to our next bunch!!</p>
<p>DS finding the waiting very hard - room all packed up here since we sent so much, friends off, reading done so just waiting…think will be much better once we start the journey Mon. Errands Tues and move in on Weds. Fortunately, he has single - has some severe food allergies that could make sharing room dicey, but he is also a nerdy guy who needs a lot of down time. Am hoping there will be the right balance for him - that he finds friends to hang with and does not get isolated in his room.</p>
<p>OWM - love your story - and how do you get your son to text you?? Mine texts in response (sometimes); his last two texts were, literally, “nah” and “nope”. </p>
<p>Thanks for the poem - and needed the kleenex. Found Runaway Bunny when cleaning recently and cried all through that one also…</p>
<p>Momofzach—did you have to? Did your really truly have to?</p>
<p>Yes I’m crying. 36 hours to go here too BlueIguana. But all our stuff is done. All I can do is wait. and let the anxiety build.</p>
<p>D has now packed tea set, doilies/table linens, and box of children’s books that she HAS to have with her. That is all. To her credit she does have two weeks and just created a shopping list with all the toiletries/first aid/incidentals she needs so I am thinking this is going to be fine…famous last words. 
Thanks everyone for sharing everyone. I LOVE to hear the stories, chill (or not), successful (or not), good roommates (or not).</p>
<p>arisamp–thanks for the chuckle. I liked the cartoon where the kid checks Facebook while the parents face the checkbook. Heh. </p>
<p>HighHead–I commiserate! Stress is inevitable. I suspect the ones who have been calm all along may now be feeling sudden jolts while the ones who have been stressed all along may now just be ready to leave and are calm. Who knows?</p>
<p>mommylaw & owm & amandakayak–congrats on joining the happily launched. It’s so impressive to read each story and know how much family love and support went into these launches. </p>
<p>mommylaw–it’s so good to hear you had a peaceful move-in! </p>
<p>OWM–when I read about the happiness of your S2, I can’t help but recall all the adjustments in thinking that went into his final school choice. Yet, here he is–rooming with his BF, meeting other wonderful physics brainiacs & you’ll get to see him (if he’s available) at all home games. Seems almost perfect!</p>
<p>amandak–loved your story, too. Kids with great social skills like your S do seem to have a built-in leg up on this journey. Why am I not surprised to read that he already has a girl waiting for him. ;)</p>
<p>kathiep–I know just what you mean about sending off the second kid. I must have deferred (denial? no!!) acknowledging the pain of letting the first S slip out the door to college. Now all of it is hitting pretty hard. I join HighHead in feeling weepy.</p>
<p>blueiguana and all others pre-launch and feeling ready to “lose it”–I respectfully suggest you remember that the official anxiety phase was the SAT-taking, GPA-teeth-gnashing, essay-writing reminding, College Board detesting, CommonApp procrastinating, late requests for LORs, writing checks for applications, and most horridly–waiting for the big or small envelope phase. At this point–our kids are admitted and will attend!! Breathe in. Breath out. LOL. From here on, anything forgotten or not thought of can be purchased, shipped or done without. I have a close friend who just called me to say they forgot to pack their D’s sheets. (!!!) But all worked out fine anyway. Since a roof over their heads, food in the cafeteria, and classes are taken care of, nothing else can really go too far awry. Oh, I guess we do have to deliver them. Chin(s) up!</p>
<p>emmybet, fogfog, slitheytove, and (I really shouldn’t list by name because I don’t want to leave ANYone out) all others who are waiting for move-in–the time will fly and all will be wonderful! Can’t wait to read all your launch stories soon.</p>
<p>Final thought I wanted to share. I have lately been obsessed with the Game of Thrones (HBO) and have also just read all the books. That’s about a million pages for those who are not familiar with the novels. Anyway, it takes place in a medieval-like time where by the age of sixteen the boys are considered men and are pretty often fighting in wars and getting married. Girls are married at 13 or 14. I think this fictional (and historically accurate) world has given me a bit of perspective as none of their moms are sweating about Brita water filters. They are hoping their kids come home with all their limbs. I laugh. But then I’m one who enjoys a bit of ironic perspective.</p>
<p>Like Kinder, I love hearing it all - the good, the bad and the ugly. </p>
<p>Mommylaw, OWM and Amanda: Congrats on successful launches. Amanda, I loved your dog whisperer metaphor. </p>
<p>Missypie: I loved your husband’s attitude - “She doesn’t need that.” </p>
<p>After D’s medical scare, I’m just relieved to see her bouncing back and focusing on college again. I took both D’s shopping for today. It was an expensive day, but I’m savoring these moments. Not to mention that this is clothing tax-free shopping week in our state.</p>
<p>Good luck to those launching in the next few days.</p>
<p>Drinks waiting for you on the other side people, just saying…Actually after moving ds in, I had two beers in about a 1/2 hr. I had never been so thirsty for a beer in my life.</p>
<p>Proudmomof5-Sorry! I felt the same way!</p>
<p>Sent from my ADR6350 using CC App</p>
<p>AmandaK: Congratulations on a successful launch! A friend who took her daughter to college earlier this week reminded me that they feed off of our emotions – as the dog whisperer analogy – and that if we’re calm and confident, they will be too. She likened it to when they were little and had to have a shot or stitches. If Mom overreacts, they do too. I’m keeping this in mind as our date approaches. Let’s see if I can pull off a calm demeanor. Kudos to you Amanda!!</p>
<p>OWM–read the whole post, loved it, got a tear in <em>my</em> eye! </p>
<p>Picked up two more items for DS today: a water filter pitcher for his room, and a stapler. A Swingline stapler. A <em>red</em> Swingline stapler. Got a big grin and a genuine “thank you” for that one from my “Office Space” fan.</p>
<p>Sounds like most move ins went pretty well. Our turn is tomorrow. Luckily, I believe that the only ones moving in are the 8 or so field hockey freshmen, so we should avoid most of the regular chaos. We looked at the detailed orientation schedule today. Regular move in day is on Sunday, and the day is completely packed from 9AM until 11PM with New Student Orientation events. D said "I am so glad that I will have been all moved in already. I can’t imagine trying to move in and attending the events.”</p>
<p>I didn’t start panicking at around 3:30 when we got home from our endless ‘last minute errands’, and realized that not one article of clothing was packed. D and I went into her room, I gave her 5 empty laundry baskets and told her to sort her clothes that she wanted to take with her into the baskets- t-shirts, shorts, athletic clothes, etc. 80% of the clothes were packed before we all went out to dinner to celebrate her departure and our anniversary. </p>
<p>I did count her t-shirts. She has a total of 132!!! She is ‘only’ taking 31, and leaving the rest at home. She uses them for working out and sleeping.</p>
<p>BF and his Mom also came with us to dinner. His Mom made me a bracelet with the birthstones of my girls, and she made H a bookmark with the same birthstones for our anniversary. She is really very sweet.<br>
I held it together until my D took out the photo frames that D2 made for her as a graduation present. She put in photos of the 2 of them since they were little all the way until right before graduation. I had helped her put it together, but seeing it again made me tear up. Of course, D1 had no sympathy. “I can’t believe you are crying!!”</p>
<p>When we came back from dinner, we finished packing the clothes. By some miracle, she was able to fit all of her clothes into her VERY large LLBean duffle bag that she has had since 5ht grade, and one large family suitcase for all of the clothes that are on hangars. The plan is to take the large suitcase back home with us, and she can keep the duffle, since it collapses when empty.</p>
<p>D is currently relaxing, but was getting a bit anxious a little while ago. D is getting concerned that she will be all alone in her room for 2 nights. At least 2 other field hockey players are in the same hallway, and one is next door. I told her that she should bring her sleeping bag and they should sleep in one room together for the 2 nights.</p>
<p>We will be up early tomorrow to pack the car and to be on campus by 11AM. Wish us luck.</p>
<p>Hi all,
Amanda, OWM,Mommylaw~ Congratulations on your Launches~So glad to hear how well it all went :)</p>
<p>Here the dorm mountains are packed and strategically loaded in the car.It all fits :D</p>
<p>We will be heading out tomorrow for our first stop in VA to drop off S1.Blue I will be looking for you on Saturday ;)</p>
<p>S2 was very quiet tonight. Asked to go to his favorite ice cream parlor for the last time until next summer.</p>
<p>Safe travels to all, 
</p>
<p>Well, we are home after 2 very full and emotional days on campus. Move-In went smoothly- 2 lovely girls from a Christian Club introduced themselves and loaded up. We made 2 trips up the stairs and had everything moved in! I made up DS’bed and we found that there was only one 3 pronged outlet in the room! So DH made a shopping list: extension cord, adapter, and duct tape. DS became very remote and did not want any help unpacking and arranging and shooed us off. When we returned, he had put all his stuff away and was ready to go off with friends. We came back to campus this morning for a very impressive Convocation. Students wore gowns, the band performed, the President gave a lovely speech, and each school’s Dean had students stand and be inducted into the University. Then we made our 7 hour drive home. I am relieved to have him settled in, but Wow! it feels empty in our home tonight. So, back to work and raising DS2.</p>
<p>I have been very weepy all morning. we head out later this afternoon. MOve in is early tomorrow morning, so we are heading down tonight and staying in a hotel. I am very excited for D, but am filled with sadness at the end of this phase of my life. I am confident that after I “mourn” I will be able to move on, but I am letting myself feel this sadness.</p>
<p>We’re headed out this morning. Move-in is this afternoon. I’m weepy too, but trying to save it until we get home As others have said, I’m excited for DS, but sad to be letting go. We’ll miss him a lot.</p>