<p>Glad I’m not the only one. I was so sure with my S when he left for college that he was doing the right thing, and so was he, and we’ve both been proved right. But with my D it’s a different story. She’s much more unsure and so am I. I keep waiting for the excitement part to kick in, instead of the “what were we thinking?” part. 
S went 2,000 miles away and never looked back. Now D is going 3,000 miles away, having turned down a very good school only two hours from here. Seemed wrong to choose it for the main reason of being close. Sigh. ten more days of trying not to have buyer’s remorse.</p>
<p>Hang in there, westernhillsmom. </p>
<p>And lunitari, you are so right. I thought this time would be easier, for a lot of reasons, but this morning I found myself tearing up in the grocery store, having to put back almost half the things in the cart because we won’t need them next week. And I’ve been having awful anxiety dreams, too. Part of me knows how silly this is, and part of me is just a mushy puddle. </p>
<p>I’ve done this once already; it really shouldn’t be so hard.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I will be stealing this line often over the next few weeks. </p>
<p>NorthMn re weather… I really don’t get it at all. But am hoping this doesn’t move east exactly when we’re supposed to be loading stuff into S’s dorm room. </p>
<p>I think son is starting to think about things for the bigger picture. When I said we really had to start picking things to pack and figure out what more he needs (beyond the new tennis shoes, cleats, underarmour stuff and navy blazer), he said ‘I know’ before I finished the sentence.</p>
<p>Son was approached by a few DI schools for lacrosse, but they were not schools on his wish list and so it never went anywhere. Since he applied ED, he also didn’t put his name in the ring for either sport until way late in the process. Still, the athletic director of our school made some calls on his behalf after he was kicked to the curb ED. Every DII said, “if you get in, we’d love to have you play.” Long story short: I think playing DIII is going to be a great balance for him. The only time they miss class is when they are to play at the one school furthest away and that’s only every other year. Plus, there is a good chance he’ll play in the spring as well. He usually thrives under a little forced time management, but it’s not like he is committed to play. He knows he has told these coaches that he will play and he will honor that commitment for this year at least - unless that changes. :))!</p>
<p>Oh, good, I’m glad it’s not just me! Pass the Kleenex and open the wine…</p>
<p>Was really starting to miss D big time today, then I remembered that the Mindset list came out for the Class of 2013 - had some big laughs over that</p>
<p>[Beloit</a> College Mindset List](<a href=“http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2013.php]Beloit”>http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2013.php)</p>
<p>I especially liked the Green Giant/Shrek comparison</p>
<p>lunitari: Passed, and opened. Hope you’re okay with red.</p>
<p>Moda: FWIW I’m a very, very happy DIII parent, and a huge fan of the benefits of forced time management, as you put it so well. D’s school (like many DIII schools) has a very clear written policy on athletic v academic conflicts, and the steps to take before the start of classes each semester are spelled out for all. She hasn’t had any difficulty in balancing, though her conference is somewhat spread out and she has certainly had seasons when she missed more than one class (tournaments in particular can be tough). I’m impressed that your S said “I know” to the blazer; S1 still thinks I have two heads for suggesting he take his.</p>
<p>NorthMN - I am sure that your D will do just great and that she will thoroughly enjoy being part of the team and sports tradition at her school Congrats on her accomplishment.</p>
<p>Apprently the rule is he has to wear a blazer and tie to every away game. It’s not really an option. 
And honestly, I don’t know as a freshman how much he’ll even go to those. I was reading last spring that one of the cutbacks was to trim up the travel schedules. Much like NMn, though, I don’t think we’d know how well he’ll fit into these schemes/plays until he gets there and practices. Still, I do believe a kid cant go wrong with a pair of khaki’s, blue blazer and loafers no matter what the occasion, except black tie. :)</p>
<p>D reports in: she’s in her dorm room – a corner room with 2 windows. So far, so good!</p>
<p>Haven’t been on in three days–so much to catch up on! Really can’t say enough about how much help the people on CC are! Got a traffic report from a parent headed in the same direction just before we left Tuesday morning, and CBBBlinker has made me the smartest parent at move-in day! (Seriously, people were amazed by the stuff I knew!)</p>
<p>Drove 10 hours on Tuesday, met roomie and shopped for 47 hours on Wednesday, had a successful move in today. Tomorrow we go back for Convocation and a bunch of parent activities. H would like to get on the road tomorrow night, if only for a couple of hours to break up the drive. Will have to wait and see if we’re in any condition to operate a motor vehicle!</p>
<p>Congrats on all the successes, large and small. Good luck to those in the on-deck circle, and looking forward to sharing in the wild rumpus when the final birdie has flown the nest.</p>
<p>Well, S left early for his gaming convention, so now we only have the last two days before D day for haircut, Target run, organizing, packing…</p>
<p>Rachacha, thanks for the Beloit link, very entertaining!</p>
<p>Our little birds are flying the coop.</p>
<p>You all are doing so well in the college moves! It gives me faith that I can do it and survive the process. </p>
<p>D is making progress in the sorting and packing. Shopping still to be done but we’re getting there. Should make it by next Tuesday. I can hear D moving around upstairs and it makes me think how quiet our house will be without her. But I try to keep turning to cheerleading mode and get excited for her and all the cool things she will be doing soon.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Last night as I tried to fall asleep prior to this morning’s departure and LONG drive, the girls were making noise downstairs. My first thought was, “we all need to sleep. please be quiet and go to bed.” But then like Northernwoods. I thought about how much I am going to miss the “annoying” late night noise and chatter. Sigh. </p>
<p>The car is mostly loaded and we will be on the road in a few hours. </p>
<p>To those of you still shopping and packing, enjoy these last few days. To those of you with successful launches behind you, congratulations! (Zetesis - great news about the room!) And to all of you with travel and move-ins this weekend, be safe and take plenty of tissues ;)</p>
<p>Looking forward to the margarita party!</p>
<p>I may need a margarita before the launch! Honestly, I had to pop over here to CC for a breather because I’m in the middle of writing the “off to college” letter to S – and I’m afraid I’ll short out the keyboard because of all the tears. </p>
<p>Glad I could help, chintzy! D was a pre-orientation leader and called to report how wise (and old) she feels now, compared to the freshmen.</p>
<p>Safe travels and a happy launch, PRJ (and anybody else heading off today).</p>
<p>S1 sat and watched goofy movies with us last night. At one point I thought, “he should be packing,” but I was enjoying his company too much to say anything.</p>
<p>I had a great surprise when I walked in from work yesterday. D was starting to pack. I hadn’t said a word. We had started organizing things in one area of the house but when I came in she had taken some boxes that had been set aside for my S who left for his senior year yesterday and was packing them. I was VERY surprised.</p>
<p>Finished up shopping for her yesterday so we should be good to go. Still have a bit over a week although H and I are still “discussing” when we should leave. We drop her off on the 1st but there is an abbreviated parents meeting for parents who are not planning on going back for orientation. D needs to be there early for sports. I would love to attend the meeting but H is concerned about leaving the car packed for 2 nights at a hotel. Does someone really want her sheets? We would take the laptop in. Sheesh…</p>
<p>Sounds like everyone is doing great.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, I was able to be on this thread a million times a day and sleep and breathe college packing without ever thinking to collect boxes. We packed most of the things in the bins we were bringing, but I needed one box and didn’t have it. I ended up using a Zappos box that I need to do a return…only Husband put it on a high closet shelf in Son’s doorm room so now I have to wait until Son brings it home at Labor Day until I can return the shoes. Duh…</p>
<p>missypie–bet if you called Zappos they would either send you another box or tell you what to do. I love them.
S leaves next Thursday. I have shopped for a few things because it is what prepares me. He has only cleaned his room (resisted but I held no car use over his head. I was a HUGE job but I did not see how he could begin to pack if he did not clean first. I can tell he likes it better). He told me he has not even thought about leaving, yet. Too far off (uh??).
Last night we had H’s brother and S had a female friend (not GF) over for dinner. S was so so sweet and nice and he laughed, etc. He actually talked to me alone after and admitted his GF is “sensative” (as in prima donna?, I did not say of course)and he is more relaxed with this friend, etc. Anyway, hugs and I love you’s…just in the nick of time. Sure wish our summer could have been like this. But it gives me hope. I am sure this week will fly by. I am more excited for him than anything but I know that part of this is that his school is so close. It is a very different feeling for me than when D went far far away. But I still know that goodbye on campus will be hard.</p>
<p>In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of getting ready to go, D is “helping” some neighbor kids look through her old Playmobil toys and pick out some to “borrow” since she won’t need them while she is away at college :). I think it is a part of the saying goodbye to her childhood but it certainly tugs at my heart.</p>
<p>They were her most played with toys when she was younger and she has made it clear that she expects them to be kept for any future needs.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The last few days are full of heart wrenching moments. One of mine came in overhearing a phone conversation. Son has a friend who has much more severe Asperger’s than he does. The friend, who will be living at home and attending CC, called him the night before we left to see if he could come over to play video games. Son had to decline because he was packing, and explained that he was leaving for college. To my knowledge, the other Aspie guy has two friends and both are going away to school. Are you weeping aloud yet?</p>