<p>Son starts classes tomorrow. I am hoping that with orientation stuff over, he will get into his own rhythm and not feel so out of control of his time.</p>
<p>LOL chintzy – since D has always had classes on Labor Day, I just assumed that most colleges did. Imagine my surprise when S called tonight and casually mentioned that he doesn’t!! He didn’t want to come home, though, which is fine with me. That tells me all is well.</p>
<p>D has classes today at COW - she is starting to realize that the workload is bigger than she had expected. She got a good grade on her first lab and is glad about that. Went to the football game for a while more out of curiosity than anything since she never did at HS due to XC commitments. No meet last weekend but the first travel meet is Saturday.</p>
<p>Now D2 starts HS classes tomorrow, that is the more challenging transition in this household!</p>
<p>Enjoy the holiday everyone!</p>
<p>Through D2, I heard that D1 went to two different parties Saturday night, went searching for a taco truck at 1:30 a.m., saw people jump into a fountain, and made a whale out of tape.</p>
<p>Yep, she’s in college, all right!</p>
<p>We spoke with S2 last night and he’s sick 
I’m sure its just a cold, but he sounded tired and miserable…we’ll check in with him tonight and see how he’s feeling. He DID say he’d like to come home for his week-long fall break, so I’m going to buy a ticket RIGHT NOW!</p>
<p>Happy Labor Day All! Back from traveling cross country to watch D2 play. Long trips but beautiful weather and an opportunity to have dinner with D2 after the Friday game. No time yesterday as they had to hop on bus after showering for their long ride home. No classes for her today but she needs to meet with coach and athletic academic advisor to drop a class and add another. She missed the first two days of class due to trip. She loves the new “tethering” from Verizon so she can get internet while on the bus. Her phone acts like a modem and is connected to her laptop with a usb cord. Works great! Seems to be adjusting more and more. Hopefully classes will get her in to the groove.</p>
<p>Sent a care package so she should get it tomorrow…her first day of classes. Included movie size boxes of her favorite candies, some small school/office supplies, a fun pair of zebra print fleece gloves, fun fruits and an itunes gift card. Should make her smile!</p>
<p>Launched, moved in, all is well. Whew. We are having a bathroom re-modeled to keep from noticing the change in noise level/occupancy at home. Guarantees some chaos that is distracting from the new life stage.</p>
<p>Did have first brief (my offspring are neither chatty nor wordy) email with news that “college is very fun but my god there is so much work!” and professors are amazingly responsive. YES! That is what it is all about. </p>
<p>Love lunitari’s note about jumping in the Oxy fountain and making a whale from tape and the 1:30 taco truck run. So LAC and so LA</p>
<p>Last night while S was reportedly at football, his suitemates had people over and this morning his backpack was missing. My word!! Will it ever be without some sort of drama??? His books and computer weren’t in the bag, but still… not a cheap bag but not sure what he could do to keep it safer than it being in his room that was locked when he left. Still… seems to me son could be a lot more on top of things than he is. Why didn’t he pack up his backpack for class last night? He would have then noticed it missing instead of 10 minutes before class started this morning!</p>
<p>D finally settled at MIT. It took my wife and her with some help from me to setup the room in less than 10 hours. We had only one day to spare instead of 8 days we previously planned. It was well worth though. MIT has wireless access and her laptop was up and running in no time. She got a single and it was quite large compare to what I had when I went to college. The twin long bed was better than what we expected. There is a book rack, a very large closet and a desk. She got a view of the campus and it was nice. There are only 10 students on one side of the floor, all being singles with a Kitchen and restroom. We have talked to her using gtalk and it has worked well. She seems very happy and adjusted well. The classes will start from Wednesday. She has got her schedule and is happy with it.</p>
<p>This is now the first weekend without her. We are doing quite well as we have taken up facebook and now making friends all over in hoards. It is keeping us busy.</p>
<p>We are back from taking ds to college. The move-in couldn’t have gone smoother; what a different experience it was from oldest son’s move-in at a large state university! Eager smiling students were waiting as our car came to a stop, and they made quick work of hauling son’s belongings to the hall outside his dorm room (they were very happy to find out he was on the first floor!). The room was a large double, and everything fit well. The roommate seems fine, and his parents were very friendly. </p>
<p>His younger brother hung around him (they went into the adjoining town for ice cream)while dh and I went to the President’s talk to new parents and then a reception. During the President’s talk was the only time I almost teared up. We then left with youngest son for Walmart, some dinner and then the motel. We gave S the Walmart purchases the next morning, and then headed on our way. </p>
<p>I am doing fine so far…</p>
<p>My son’s summer never seems to end. Leaves for school next week for orientation and classes don’t start until 09/21. He’s said all his good-byes and the wait just goes on. Of course, I figured we had so much time to pack up that we didn’t get to the stores until they were all sold out. Now, I also have lots of second thoughts about some of the arrangements 'cuz we’re flying in. Can’t wait to get started so I can concentrate on S3, who’s a senior.</p>
<p>D still seems to be doing fine. We had long debate with her yesterday on whether she had class today. She said she did. H and I were shocked but she was right. I did just pass on to her that 5 other parents said their children had class today. I found it interesting that the faculty don’t insist on the day off.</p>
<p>I didn’t have class today and had planned to go find all my classes, but the buildings are closed. Starting school the day after labor day is stupid.</p>
<p>I meant to go on Sunday too, but got sick and decided to sleep because I wouldn’t have remembered two days later anyway. Whoops.</p>
<p>The silence from S is driving me crazy! I had no reason to expect it, but had hoped for more phone contact. Yesterday’s conversation was all of 45 seconds, “fine” “okay” “yeah” was about the extent of the call.</p>
<p>He did speak to our son-in-law on Friday, and told him he was heading out with some friends, had met a lot of the guys on his floor, was enjoying the experience, so I know he’s okay. </p>
<p>I suppose I didn’t realize the letting go would be so complete, but that must be my job right now. Of course, H says he’ll come around, we’ll see him in a few weeks at parent’s weekend, etc., but I miss my little boy and want to know what it’s really like for him. Whahhhh…</p>
<p>cpeltz – yeah, I know what you mean. It’s so different. Used to be when D got home from school at 3, we sat at the kitchen table and jabbered while she had a snack. Now whole days go by without communication; I see that she’s on IM, but her status is “Busy” or “Homework.” I don’t interrupt.</p>
<p>We did have a lovely, long Skype chat with her Sunday a.m. But it’s a very different pattern of communication than we had with older D – multiple short IM conversations throughout each day. </p>
<p>I, too, want to know, what’s it “really like”? I want to chat at the end of the day over a snack. I miss it.</p>
<p>Having the opposite problem- D is so homesick that she’s calling or texting several times a day. It’s wearing me out with worry and trying to be supportive, but there are signs of improvement- she’s made some friends, is excited about classes. It’s when she has any down time at all that she gets upset, so thank goodness the long weekend is over and classes begin today. I’m hoping the worst of it wears off in a few weeks, for both our sakes :(</p>
<p>westernhillsmom-- Once classes begin, I suspect you’ll see a change; they’ll provide a rhythm to her life, and keep her occupied. Guess we need a happy medium!</p>
<p>I suppose we’re all adjusting, parents and kids, and dealing with that differently. I’ll try to look on the bright side; I cleaned out part of S’s closet and now have a section just devoted to my empty nest hobby - golf clothes!</p>
<p>^^^ cpeltz, I’m assuming your hobby is golf and not just the clothes? 
Sign me up – I could easily fill several of these empty days each week with golf! H plays when required for business, but otherwise doesn’t enjoy it all that much. </p>
<p>Our new joint hobby has become looking for where we’re going to move. Interesting pastime since I really have no desire to move at all for at least several years – we just moved to our current location 3 years ago. Give H high speed internet and a phone and he can work anywhere. The pursuit continues …</p>
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<p>LOL, over the years I’ve collected dozens of vintage tablecloths and too many sets of vintage china … the problem is, I don’t like to cook very much, so my hobby really was collecting the tableware without making a meal to put on the table.</p>