<p>kathiep: I made a photo poster online at Walgreens. Instead of using baby pictures and then through the years, I concentrated on high school photos of S2 and his friends. In reality, this is because I was not organized enough to dig up baby and elementary school pictures, but let’s just say it was because I thought the focus on high school was best. Anyway, I did the photo poster (20 x 30") for about $16 using an online coupon and then used a poster frame that I bought at a discount at a craft store. The whole thing cost about $25. Afterwards, my son surprised me by saying that he liked the collection so well that he might just hang it on his dorm wall. </p>
<p>The other thing I did was to put up a blank notebook (plain paper, wire binding so that it opened flat) and asked people to leave advice, to share a memory, or to wish him good luck. The collection of drawings, special memories, and advice was fun for him to read.</p>
<p>I can relate to bajamm’s comments about people not understanding why D is going so far from home. We are in Ohio and she is going to Wisconsin - near Green Bay. Nice LAC, member of Colleges that Change Lives - she was sold the first day we visited. Good enough for me! People are all asking, “why so far away?” and many (most) have the misconception that by going to ANY school in Ohio would have given her the benefit of in-state tuition. I try to educate them, but it is like emptying the ocean with a sieve! S was accepted at a state school in Ohio and a small LAC in Wisconsin (different from our D’s). With financial aid (mostly grant, small amount of loan) the LAC was significantly less expensive than the in-state tuition offered by the OH school. He is a senior now - has traveled to Russia, made a niche for himself in the music program and will begin his 4th year on the swim team - never could have had these experiences at the big state school! He is happy. He is not a number. He has enjoyed being far enough from home that he has become his own man (choking up as I call him a “man”, but he is). I am sure D will have an equally enriching experience - far from home.</p>
<p>Suddenly, time is getting short! Where did the summer go? Empty-nestness is looming… it will be fun, but so different! Glad to have my CC colleagues to share with!</p>
<p>Just re-read. I sure didn’t mean to “dis” the state schools. It is so much a personal choice. Benefits of each. So important for the student to feel right about their new home!</p>
<p>I like Amanda’s response also about paying for school! May use that!</p>
<p>bajamm, in our case shopping is being done without him. He will only be home for about 36 hours before leaving for school, and all that time will be filled with laundry-doing. Of course the only thing I have bought for the dorm room was sheets online, and I did order those before he left, and let him pick the color. He is bringing his comforter from home, towels and toiletries that went to camp, etc. If he needs extra storage for the dorm room, etc. we will figure that out there and buy it there. Buying him tylenol and cough syrup etc. in case he gets sick at school does not require his participation If he ever decides with his roommate whether they want to rent a microfridge or not, I may end up buying him a mini fridge too. But he doesn’t care about having input on that.</p>
<p>amandakayak- We did that too and it is an awesome tip especially if you have people drifting in and out over a period of hours. They can also take it “to go” without much of a hassle.</p>
<p>We did this as well. Was really nice to read the comments written by folks she has known over the years. </p>
<p>I did the poster board with pictures of her from Pre-school to Grade 12. Everyone loved it. She loved it. I have to find a permanent place for it though We had several posters at home from all the different senior nights with pictures of her in all the sports - I used these to decorate the garage.</p>
<p>We always move the cars out of the garage and place the food and drinks in the garage. Keeps stuff cooler on a hot day. The grills are out in the driveway.</p>
<p>I love the idea of the cupcakes! S made about 2 dozen cupcakes for D’s party - he made them look like graduation hats. Incredibly simple to make and looked really cool.
Of course, they were not enough for our huge gathering - I should have ordered some other regular cupcakes!</p>
<p>D’s having a going-away/farewell party with friends in about two weeks. She didn’t invite her school friends to our party back in May - it was more family and family friends. So, I need to do this all over again No clue how many people are showing up - this is all on fb and she says about 30 are coming thus far!</p>
<p>arisamp - Scored the Walmart fridge that was listed as “out of stock” online yesterday, so they DO restock this stuff! Had the “ship-to-store” and it will be waiting for pickup when dh/me and ds head out there in 2 1/2 wks (GASP!) </p>
<p>Ds is clueless - no packing, no cleaning out his room, no nothing!!! Driving me nuts. He has retained notes from every AP class and more in stacks along one wall of his room. 1 ft. tall stacks of paper all along a 11’ wall. Does he think he or any dd coming up the line, would refer to these notes? Seriously? I asked him if he got into honors housing yesterday - since there has been no mention since his app besides the assignment into that dorm (which doesn’t mean anything) and he “doesn’t know”??? His RA set up a FB group, he’s txted with his suitemates and yet, he doesn’t know? I know I should really not care, right? He doesn’t want to ask the RA because he doesn’t want to sound stupid. And he “doesn’t care anyway.” Ugh.</p>
<p>^^^ I have to say, AK, I don’t blame your DS for not wanting to ask in that situation. Because if the answer is “no” it’s rather awkward. And really, what does knowing in advance get him?</p>
<p>momofzach - I hear you. Raising my boys at 1, 3, 5, & 32ys was far easier then 16, 18, 20, & 47ys. When they were younger they actually listened. Now DH thinks they are all his buddies and my house feels like a fraternity. It get’s awfully lonely in here. I trust God knew what He was doing, but a little balance of a girl in the house would be nice right now. As it stands DH thinks I’m exceptionally unreasonable when I ask for the chaos to notch down to a dull roar.</p>
<p>Anyone have any suggestions of good care packages to send to my rising college freshman while he is working at overnight camp? He is with 7yo kids, fwiw. Last year I sent him some little “stress-buster” toys, a rubik’s type puzzle, some juggling rings and balls, and some blow-up monkeys to share with the kids, which went over well but ended up causing fights/discipline issues with the kids so they put them away. I’m kind of at a loss at this point. Food is not allowed. Anyone?</p>
<p>What about those silly-band bracelets that the kids are crazy for? They are super inexpensive and can be given to the kids. Bluejr took them overseas to younger cousins last year when visiting and they were a huge hit. Maybe your son would like sharing them? A card game like Uno? Madlibs or other puzzle magazine?</p>
<p>With you on that! And sometimes they gang up on me LOL.</p>
<p>This morning my 17 year old went to work and I made his lunch (my idea)…tuna sandwich…reminded me of making lunch for him every day in elementary school. Middle & high school were all about buying lunch. Gonna miss that kid…sniff…sniff.</p>
<p>Other items to send to camp boy - balsa wood airplanes and the little plastic paratroopers with parachutes. S is director at scout camp and he is always taking goofy little things - all favorites from his childhood. Bought himself a cap with Animal from Muppets last weekend! Bubble stuff? Those helicopter things that have a zip strip to make them fly? For S, the goofier the better! (he’s 21)</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas for sending to DS at camp. If anyone can think of something I can send along for <em>him</em> (versus to share with the 7yos) I would like to throw in something of that nature as well. Thanks again!</p>
<p>^ Sorry, the Uno and Madlibs/puzzles were for him… or at least I’d send them for my son. Sending non-food items is hard. I’d say a small nurf gun but I’m afraid that would be frowned upon with little ones around (seen as violence…you never know how picky higher ups will be).</p>
<p>mathmomvt- How about magazines or books? Or decks of cards? New batteries for the flashlight (or are boys too cool to need flashlights?) He is going to Cornell? You can send books about Ithaca. Is he allowed off camp at night or the weekends? You can send him gift cards to a coffee place or local restaurant near camp.</p>
Of course the only thing I have bought for the dorm room was sheets online, and I did order those before he left, and let him pick the color. He is bringing his comforter from home, towels and toiletries that went to camp, etc. If he needs extra storage for the dorm room, etc. we will figure that out there and buy it there. Buying him tylenol and cough syrup etc. in case he gets sick at school does not require his participation 
If he ever decides with his roommate whether they want to rent a microfridge or not, I may end up buying him a mini fridge too. But he doesn’t care about having input on that.</p>
We had several posters at home from all the different senior nights with pictures of her in all the sports - I used these to decorate the garage.</p>