<p>Okay- thanks for the heads up re page numbers. Will try to make it by post number (maybe #300?). Maybe when we get close to 300, someone could grab the updated list from the drumroll thread and post it? If anyone has great ideas so that we can all find it, let me know.</p>
<p>Love all the information and suggestions, from technology to alcohol. I can tell this group is going to be a fountain of help in the coming years. </p>
<p>Regarding alcohol, D is very anti-alcohol. We have been known to have a glass of wine with dinner or a beer with BBQ so it’s not coming from us. I think she is very scared of losing control, which I think is a very real concern for our young ladies. </p>
<p>D’s move in date is August 13, a week earlier than the regular freshman move in date since she is participating in a week long honors volunteer program (Alabama Action). 2 of her suite mates will be moving in the same weekend since they are participating in sorority rush.</p>
<p>Around 300 is a good idea - Can we also ask anyone that is not on the countdown list to add their name if they want to be a part of it? That way we can post both of those updated lists here and they will be imbedded into this thread for reference.</p>
<p>I like the idea of a “clean” post - 300 sounds like a good idea.</p>
<p>Thank you for finding that thread! Looks like our trimester/quarter kids will be the latest: Lawrence 9/9, Northwestern 9/12 … not sure yet about UChicago. 32578233, want to let us know? When I went, I remember moving in on 9/22 for orientation week (which was very helpful, since I got mono over Labor Day weekend and was just finally on my feet by the time I needed to go to school).</p>
<p>I know some of us don’t want the summer to end, and I’m not entirely happy about losing the day-to-day living with my girl. On the other hand I am very excited for her, and not entirely SAD about losing the day-to-day living, either. Count me in as one who is very glad I already have pets to talk to and cuddle (well, H, too … but you know … nice to have “babies” around … oops, better stop before I really put my foot in it …).</p>
<p>Emmybet, you must have read my mind. I love the day to day living with my D. She is smart, funny and we share such fun times, HOWEVER - I, too, am so excited about her future and the new adventures ahead of her! Luckily, I have 2 dogs and H who are cuddly and wonderful companions (H ranks a bit higher than the pups - LOL). I know there will be some tears and I will miss the close connection with our high school and the music program (it’s awesome)- but looking forward to our new adventure in Empty Nest World.</p>
<p>Hi kinderny. Guess what? There was a mention in the New York Times Sunday Real Estate section about vacation homes on Kinderhook Lake. I feel like I know all about your home town already!!! And I hate that school…</p>
<p>I just bought 3 tickets to the midnight screening for 11yo D, S and myself. S is not sure whether he wants to go with friends or not so I bought him a ticket “just in case.” If he waits much longer to make plans with friends and buy tickets he may be stuck going with me and lil sis anyway. I would be just as happy going at a more reasonable hour the day of the release instead of at midnight, but it is the last Harry Potter and it is an event. </p>
<p>Last midnight release we went to was a traffic nightmare after the show. There were 8 theaters showing HP all with start times within 20 minutes of each other. The traffic light leaving the parking lot was working as if it was the middle of the day and only let a few cars out at a time. It took me about 40 minutes to get out of the parking lot and only then because I went wrong way out the entrance. I plan on parking down the street this time around. </p>
<p>S was almost 7 when we started reading the first HP book. I read one chapter a night. After about a week, he started reading it on his own because I was reading it too slow for him.</p>
<p>The benefits of living in a small town. You can just show up on opening night to a movie (even HP) and buy a ticket on the spot (they don’t pre-sell, and I’ve never experienced a sell-out) and no traffic nightmare afterward ;-)</p>
<p>My S was the same as mamom’s. HP was his first “big” chapter book, and he read it at almost 7 for the same reason as mamom’s S – I was reading too slowly for him (though I admit on purpose – I thought he was ready but was intimidated by the size).</p>
<p>We also read the first HP book and the next three outloud as a family. Then the boys decided they could read them faster on their own. But it all started on a drive home from my mom’s Michigan lake cottage. A school librarian friend had recommended HP before it went “mainstream.” On that trip, when it got too dark for me to read in the carr, DH pulled over at a gas station and bought a flashlight so I could keep going all the way home. I think I read outloud for six hours.</p>
<p>My husband is not a reader but HP turned him into one. Whenever he had a business trip planned, he would read ahead so we would be up with us when he returned. </p>
<p>I can remember anxiously awaiting the UPS man or letter carrier with each new arrival of the first few books. Then the release night parties at our Borders, which closed a few months ago. (Now we have no bookstores in town. Sad, isn’t?)</p>
<p>The last movie comes out while I am out of town for work but my husband will be enjoying three free days between jobs. He and DS2 bought tickets on Saturday for a matinee on opening day. I am jealous.</p>
<p>When I have some extra cash, I plan to buy two new complete sets. One for each son so we can keep the original set at our house. The books were such a big part of our boys’ school-age years.</p>
<p>I’m so jealous of those sending off dd-s and not ds-s - there are so many colorful, fun organization things and bedding for girls, just came back from Target. Boys = not so much. Relegated to gray and black and maybe dark blue. I spent most of the morning with dd3 (the joyful child) mesmerized by the choice of cute out there. Unfortunately, my cart was filled with drab dull boy colors.</p>
<p>^^^^what amanda said^^^^</p>
<p>Bought navy blue and gray plaid bedding for DS2. After I threatened the pink comforter and spongebob sheets, he picked out something he liked at BB&B. It was in stock at our store and I had the 20% coupon.</p>
<p>ThinkGeek.com does have a sheet set, but it is twin not twin XL or else I would have purchased it.</p>
<p>Wow, wow, wow - 200+ posts on this thread and over 10 pages on the old thread?? I was only gone for a little over a week :)</p>
<p>Nice to see everyone again on this new thread! Looking forward to lots of interesting discussions as we launch these freshmen! Quick introduction - we live in MA. D is headed to Case Western in August. S is 13 yrs old, headed to 8th grade.</p>
<p>Vacation was awesome - totally disconnected from the rest of the world on the cruise. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Felt sad, very sad when we came back. I normally have the blues at the end of any vacation, but I think it was much more pronounced this time around - with D headed away in Aug, the family dynamic is going to change so much. Hopefully, we’ll still have great vacation plans and she’ll want to join us!</p>
<p>She got some email over last week saying initial course selections were due today! Uh? She spent some time yesterday trying to figure out her schedule. We haven’t done any shopping yet, although she has built up a long list of things she needs. She knows her room and her roommate (Case lets them select their own rooms and roommates!). Headed out to orientation next week - it’s all seeming so real now. The last month/six weeks were so full of activities, events, awards and with parents visiting for the month and our vacation, time just flew by. I didn’t have any time to think about her actually heading out…but now, it all seems to be happening so fast! She registered for a fun orientation event that begins on Sunday - so we are actually dropping her off early (we were originally scheduled to drop her off on Wed). Sun, August 21st is the D-day for us…</p>
<p>kinderny - D is not on the initial drum roll list - I guess I forgot to add her there?? When you post the updated list, please do add her on - heading to Case Western.</p>
<p>Sounds like all the moms of boys are a little let down by the drab, narrow choices for bedding and decor. DS choose a microfiber comforter- solid black on one side, solid gray the other… gray sheets. I suggested a throw pillow and scatter rug with bright accents (red? orange?) to liven it up. He wasn’t interested. He is bringing his “Man Cave” sign and favorite framed roller coaster print… so that is something at least.</p>
<p>So proud of him- he leaves tomorrow for month long summer bridge- packed independently… didn’t ask for input, but did recite contents of duffle. I’m trying to let go and trust that he packed successfully.</p>
<p>Yep I’m with you on lack of choices for boys. I’m out shopping now (lunch break) an have found all black and gray stuff. Oh well, black is one of school colors. So many options for girls, though. I am having hard time finding twin xl sheets at stores. Looks like online shopping for best choices.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC App</p>
<p>re: sheets, S chose these: [Horizons</a> 300 Thread Count Printed Sheet Set | Overstock.com](<a href=“Overstock.com: Online Shopping - Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry, Clothing & more”>Overstock.com: Online Shopping - Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry, Clothing & more) in blue. I got them sent here so I could wash them once before he used them for school, and I’m impressed by how soft and nice they seem. The intentionally “blotchy” design will probably show both drool and laundry problems less than solid sheets, though we didn’t choose them with that in mind. Otherwise S will be bringing a light blanket (white) and a down comforter (navy blue) from home. He’s not really into “decorating”. I’m sure he’ll find a way to make the space his own.</p>
<p>I’m not on drumrole list, but you may put me on this one.</p>
<p>Getalifemom’s D - Harvard College</p>
<p>getalife - love that DD shared her special first time story with you.</p>
<p>mamom, pamom, kinderny - thanks so much for the Tanglewood info espec disability/mobility info and A/C warning. I am always thrilled to find small hotels or B&Bs with first floor rooms and accessible bathrooms. We are planning to go to the Clark Museum for the ****arro exhibit. That is probably DH’s limit. I miss culture living in S. FL. I grew up on LI and lived in Manhattan for 10 years (pre-disability).
Loved it.</p>
<p>Welcome anialways and other new posters</p>
<p>To those lamenting over their DS’s limited color choices - my DS only wears blue. His room, bedding, sneakers, clothes, laptop, coat, sweatshirt, nickname and school colors…BLUE. No black, gray, khaki allowed!</p>
<p>Has anyone heard from MOSB?</p>
<p>Hi Again…wow I was away for the weekend and came back way behind. I see I am going to have to be diligent to keep up here!
A little more about me…we live in MA and my D2 will be attending George Washington U. She is interested in Political Science so DC is where she wants to be. I have a D1 who already graduated from Syracuse U so this is all not new to me. Except D2 is my baby so the empty nest looms. I’m a little nervous about that…thank goodness for my H and my kitty!
H, D, and I attended her student/parent orientation last week. She was very happy at the end and H and I were impressed. Also, DC is new to us…we look forward to 4 years of exploring. It is all seeming very real…move-in on Aug 27…I officially marked out the vacation time at work today!</p>
<p>Momgirls, it looks like out daughters are trading locations. We live outside DC and she is going to school in Boston. Parts of Boston actually remind me of DC.</p>
<p>We haven’t started dorm shopping, but we did some cold weather shopping today at the Nordstrom Anniversay pre-sale. My D got 2 Northface jackets, some waterproof boots and some cute leather boots. She drew the line at the long Northface parka, but I imagine she’ll decide she needs one later on. I think it would have been less expensive to head South!</p>