Parents of the HS Class of 2011 - Original

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
7761

<p>No tree yet. My daughter comes home from Boarding School on Friday. We’ll get one then. And if it doesn’t get decorated…well, I’ll throw on a couple of garlands and stick the angel on top. Nobody looks too closely anyway. </p>

<p>Shopping is done; shipping underway. We had a pro take her senior photo (came out great) and as long as she was posing, we did the Xmas photo too. We have a group of elderly relations scattered about the country and they’ve indicated they really enjoy seeing her picture once a year. </p>

<p>Made some chocolates yesterday but they didn’t come out so good…good enough for us but not to send. I promise I didn’t do it on purpose (nom, nom, nom…).</p>

7762

<p>Mosb- can you make me tall too??? Haha!</p>

7763

<p>I remember when I was young and working, I spent a lot of time talking to the other accounting people around the country and the world. When we all finally got to meet at a meeting, most were surprised to see how slender I was (I was back then pre-wheelchair). Because I have a very deep voice (often mistaken for my hubby on the phone), most of them thought I was heavy.</p>

7764

<p>I’m another one that plans to hang in with you all while you await results. I can’t wait to see how your stories end. I’m sure that this great group of kids will end up with good choices and bloom where they are planted.</p>

<p>We’re still in a happy post-ED bubble at my house. With Hanukah over and no tree to worry about, we’re pretty relaxed. I used to have Christmas envy, but hearing about all your stress makes me feel better.</p>

7765

<p>Cooker – on the subject of Christmas/holiday cards: a few years ago, when Class of 2011 DS was in 8th grade, he broke his collarbone at the state soccer tournament. DH and younger DS had stayed home, as this tournament was a four-hour drive away (plus two nights in the hotel). Thankfully, we had carpooled with another mom and son, so I didn’t have to drive four hours home in the dark, after spending two hours in the ER, trying to watch him in the backseat. This was two weeks before Christmas. Most of my Christmas activities went out the window with getting him to various doc appts. That’s when I decided to sent out Happy New Year’s cards. There’s a website that has beautiful photos of snowflakes that you can copy and print, so I printed some cards at home with three snowflakes and Happy New Year on them. Those were our “Christmas cards” that year!</p>

<p>Collegeshopping – I LOVE those pretzel things with the Hershey’s kiss on them; I have also made them with Rolos on top. I’m just adding some items on my weekend grocery shopping list now! :)</p>

7766

<p>Sorry, pepper, but our tree was decorated on Sunday. I’m still working on getting the boxes back into the attic though, and have to clear out the spare room since D will be home from her study abroad on Friday! We have made a couple batches of cookies also. I buy very few presents, and have made the holidays much less stressful that way. No cards sent out for several years. Son’s ED school has a Jan 15 notify date, so not worrying about that now.</p>

7767

<p>Just wonder if this sounds like any other of the sons represented on this forum (minus the nuclear reactor parts):</p>

<p>Son came home from school today. His mail included a random letter from Columbia University, a gaming magazine and a letter from the Chancellor of our state flagship (where he is accepted and there IS a nuclear reactor). He threw away the Columbia letter without opening it (no nuclear reactor), grabbed a glass of milk and the gaming magazine and threw himself on the couch, leaving the letter from the Chancellor on the table.</p>

<p>I picked it up, sat down on the couch and said, “aren’t you going to open this.” He said he was sure it was just another congratulations letter, but he humored me. Turns out it was notification that he was a candidate for the top scholarship level and it included the essay prompts and other items that are due Jan. 12!</p>

<p>Good thing he didn’t toss it in the trash!</p>

7768

<p>I made the pretzel things with the Rolo & pecan half on top, for a party last night. Everybody raved about them. I cannot eat gluten, so I used gluten-free pretzels. Nobody could tell the difference. They’re the easiest candy to make!</p>

7769

<p>What are these candy things?
Someone referenced a “square” pretzle. Are these baked or something?
The Rolo and Pecan variety woudl be a hit here. Please share.</p>

7770

<p>I love the idea of the match the student to the screen-name game! :slight_smile: Bluejr is horrified at the thought (which in my twisted sense of humor makes it all the more appealing…). I’m all in for the parents of 2011/15 getaway!! I also like the picture I hold in your mind’s eye MOSB, flattering. I am not going to burst the bubble :)</p>

<p>I totally get, and feel your pain, over frustrations on things not done, appointments not made, and goals not met. We had so fewer applications than most, are done, and no EA/ED. Cruisecontrol is luxury. I will not feel so zen when the kids EC is in high gear (with overnighters at the school…on school nights to meet deadlines), semester grades come out, and we approach March/April decision release dates. I will be crying for help and mental stability!</p>

<p>I marvel at those of you that have been able to negotiate smaller gift lists. We still send gifts to cousins kids overseas…I have told DH if he asked his cousins I’m sure they would all rather move on from this tradition to sending cards, a letter, and pictures. We do it out of a long standing obligation to older relatives. Drives me nuts. I suggested gifts just for the children between of our own siblings (meaning nieces and nephews)…no way! Gifts to a husband and wife as a couple…no way. One gift to his parents, forget it. I have honestly, and sincerely told them all every year there is not a single thing I need. I lack for nothing. If they insist, I have a charm bracelet that I love. I can tell you who gave me each one and what it represents. That all cost under $30…some $20. My kids get me one every year and I love it. Don’t get me wrong, we are not rolling any any windfall, but no one should be paying for holiday gifts in January! If you chose to for your kids, that’s your personal decision…but out of obligation, I’m not a fan.</p>

<p>I am thinking about all of those that are navigating the EA/ED results. I’m thrilled for your successes. So many exciting results. The disappointments sting. I don’t know how we’ll handle them here. Bluejr says he’s fine with whatever…c’mon, being turned down is always some degree of lousy. Hopefully it’s quickly coupled or proceeded by happy news that softens this.
MOSB, exciting news about the audition…my son plays guitar, so I’ll say ‘Rock On!!’. :)<br>
RenMom, what an amazing thoughtful son to think of you first when he didn’t get the news he wanted. I hope he can find something to divert his attention. What a sweetie!
amanda, more talented musical kids! Congratulations to your family. How joyous!
Indinct, I’m so sorry about the job news. Not what you want to hear this time of year (or any really).</p>

<p>Tree issues… ours needs to be replaced so badly. I asked if it could wait until after Christmas so we could get it on sale. Half the lights don’t work, it’s leaning and hoping it doesn’t topple. Not quite Charlie Brown, but it does make me laugh. I got a reprieve from decorating since I went shopping instead. I should have known better. I lost my car keys, my iphone died, had a panic attack…but I did get 40% off darn it! The car keys were found. The iphone was called time of death that afternoon by AT&T. It was an original…we’d had a long-term exclusive relationship so I was really crushed. Hesitant for that i4, was holding out for the i5. My last call was to my MIL…fitting.</p>

<p>Wishing everyone luck that is getting news today! Oh, oh…5:01pm EST drinks on me!</p>

7771

<p>

</p>

<p>24 trees decorated in our house, up since Thanksgiving weekend. Plus collections of 50s Santa heads and other kitsch, manger scenes, Dickens Chirstmas village and about 25 Santa and Mrs. Santa salt and pepper shakers. Most of the trees aren’t full sized, but they do take days to put up. It’s not tasteful but it’s certainly festive.</p>

7772

<p>Fog and others – If you go to allrecipes dot com and search for “pretzel turtles” it gives you the recipe. It does describe the square pretzels – the ones that look like a little grid. But I have used just the regular “pretzel-shaped” pretzels too.</p>

7773

<p>Holliesue, definitely! I’ve always pictured you as 5’9" or 5’10" and willowy. Is that about right? :)</p>

<p>Re the 2011/2015 getaway, I’m in. A friend of mine does a 4-day getaway weekend every year with about a dozen or so moms who bonded when their kids were in pre-school and neighborhood stuff together (far from here where she lives now). I’ve always been jealous, and more than once have thought how much I’d enjoy a getaway like that with you folks. If we do it, we could incorporate some version of the who’s who game as a pre-trip activity. (See me planning this already???)</p>

<p>Idinct, forgot to mention earlier…so sorry to hear about the job situation. I hope something just right turns up for you soon, and without all that hassle!</p>

7774

<p>Missypie - 24 trees?? Wow! We have a quickie Dicken’s Village (5 houses) which we put up lickedy-split but we spend a whole day, putting up my mom’s - with something like 45 houses on a board about 4’ x 10 '…and my mom directing the whole thing - how the houses have to be just so, can’t have the church next to the bar and other “unknown to anyone but her” rules. We put the bar next to the boarding school this time and she didn’t catch it.
OWM - glad someone is double checking your mail!!! Congrats on the possibility!!!
Holliesue - But I thought you WERE tall? No?
Expecting a couple EA decisions in the next day or two, but who knows. Ds doesn’t even seem to know or care about when things are happening. Maybe that’s a good thing.</p>

7775

<p>MOSB and AK- oh definitely…if you subtract about 8 inches and keep the weight the same! Ha ha!!</p>

7776

<p>Well I did get some good news today apart from the job rejections. I checked online and my insurance company has agreed after two rejections to pay for S’s surgery, yay. I had to outlay the cost and was resigned to not getting reimbursed. And… my mom after being very sick yesterday is on the mend. You never know what you are going to find when you get there.</p>

7777

<p>OWM - my son assumes we will open mail and check emails and let him now what is important. A bit of an indulged only child I guess. I take the blame.</p>

<p>Blue - I don’t know the source of your ‘blue’ but that is the ONLY color my son will wear.</p>

7778

<p>"Me too, and in my mind’s-eye, you all look WAY too young to have a child going to college…you’re all very slim and pretty with lovely manicures and hair highlighted JUST enough to look gorgeous, but, yeah-that’s-her-real-color! "</p>

<p>Um, no…I am noticeably more gray than I was before the common app went live on August 1 and a bit rounder too! You, on the other hand, could definitely be the above.</p>

<p>I am here for the long haul. I look forward to “talking” with you guys each day and am genuinely excited to hear all the good news. I haven’t wondered what everyone looks like, but I have been curious about some of the screen names.</p>

<p>Wishing the ED/EA families good luck tonight.</p>

7779

<p>You guys have Dickens Christmas villages? My Christmas envy is back.</p>

<p>Good luck to those waiting for results tonight.</p>

7780

<p>WOW Missypie. That sounds…amazing! I LOVE big Christmases! And tasteful is in the eye of the beholder…</p>

<p>Does anyone here have a North Pole village? That’s the one where Santa lives. Its my favorite–it’s got buildings like the LEGO factory and a reindeer fliight school. Total whimsy. We also have a smaller Dickens village, which I also love. </p>

<p>I’ve never really given any thought to what you all look like…now I’m going to start wondering!</p>