<p>MOSB–wonderful memories!! Your recital event was a joyous and heartfelt gift to your talented D! You deserve all the love and thanks your daughter expressed. Unlike the rest of you sappy moms, I did not cry. I was smiling as I read the lovely description. :)</p>
<p>Just spent some time catching up on all the graduations, last concerts, last games, new jobs, new games, new tutoring opportunities, etc. Congrats to all but particularly to all you parents driving, chaperoning, cheering, feeding, etc, etc, your great teens all these years.</p>
<p>We went on our househunting trip to Huntsville and came home with a contract to buy a house. I cam back really happy that we are moving there- no traffic compared to DC area. I also love the hills and mountains near by.
However, I also came home to my the almost graduate being in a real funk. SHe wrongly thinks everyone has lots of friends here. As I pointed out to her, all the military kids she knows who were introverts and were new to the area during high school ended up pretty lonely. High school moves are hard on kids and it is the life of military kids. The youngest won’t go through that since a) she is an extrovert and b) she is moving right before ninth grade. It doesn’t help her at all that she is quite attractive, thin but shapely, and smart. Furthermore, she doesn’t need to limit what she eats to stay thin so I think it causes resentment among some of the girls. I hope it will be better for her at college. I know it will be better by the time she becomes an adult. But it is hard to see now. Her only friend is a boy and he is another introverted military kid who moved right before 12th grade.</p>
<p>MilitaryMom–tell her college is a whole new world (sound like a familiar song). I didn’t have many friends in HS, and never had a date. I didn’t even get to college and was dating and finding new friends. She will blossom–let her know that. Moving is always hard on the kids, but this move she would have done anyways, and she was driving that train, so remind her she’s in the power seat, so enjoy the ride! </p>
<p>MOSB–as others have said, beautiful daughter, beautiful sentiments–tears here too. I’m going to be a mess over the next few weeks as we do all the events.</p>
<p>Novelisto–congrats on the two awards, hard work does pay off, just not always in such a tangible way!</p>
<p>Cgpm–great news on the cabin upgrade–enjoy the cruise!!</p>
<p>Everyone–If you are planning on a spending spree at Bed, Bath & Beyond I have a tip for you: sign up for their email list. You get a 20% off one item coupon emailed to you, and then you get a 20% of ALL purchases in one visit in the mail welcoming you to their program. The coupons can be used online for those of you ordering stuff to be sent to BBB close to college!</p>
<p>MilMom - sorry your D is in a funk. We know she will be fine, but at the moment, she may not believe it, so it stinks. Congrats on the house and I’m glad you came back happy. </p>
<p>VAMom - thanks for the BBB info. Heading to their website now…</p>
<p>Flmathmom- the last week of school all the sr.'s were required to take a cpr class. Minature dummies were donated by the an alumni and the kids took them home to keep and use to teach others. </p>
<p>No room mate questionaire at his school, room mates are ramdomly assigned based on housing preference. </p>
<p>MM - so nice to have found a house you like in one visit! Once your D goes off to school she will have a great time and forget all that angst about moving.</p>
<p>novelisto - congrats on your D’s awards. </p>
<p>momjr- sounds like great ceremony! I love the kid on the couch too!</p>
<p>MM - so sorry to hear about your DD. If it helps, I was FAR from popular in HS, but found myself in college. At 38, I was the VERY last of my friends to get married, but I do believe I found the best prince. I have an amazing husband and great son. Significant percentage of friends are divorced (once or more) or have troubled kids. As Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You don’t know what you are going to get inside”.</p>
<p>So much news from everyone! </p>
<p>MOSB, It was so nice to hear about your daughters program! I’m glad everything turned out the way you wanted.</p>
<p>Novelisto - Congrats on the awards - you should be proud!</p>
<p>momjr, Your son’s grad day sounds just mahvelous!</p>
<p>OWM - Your crazy weekend, back a few pages, was making me tired!</p>
<p>MM - I think that your daughter’s worries are perfectly normal but you are very much alleviating them by at least being close to her college. I know other parents that moved out of the area at the same time their kids started college and it was hard for the kids. It’s great that you found a new home so quickly so that you will all have time to explore and get to know the new area before she starts College.</p>
<p>On my homefront, we have prom this weekend and it’s crunchtime for classes. Son has been up past midnight most nights doing end of year papers and projects. Unfortunately, this may mean no haircut before prom and he’s looking pretty shaggy.</p>
<p>Hey, weren’t we going to launch a new Thread called something like College 2015?</p>
<p>MM - That’s great that you found a house in a single trip! It’s like HouseHunters!</p>
<p>So prom is tonight and I am just a bit queasy. I tell ds, you’ve got to try on that tux (that you ordered last minute) before you leave the shop. He calls me from his car in the parking lot “they gave me a black shirt, I asked for a white shirt but I am wondering, maybe this is a good mistake and I should go all black” Did you try the tux on? “Well, no, should I?” Gosh, some days I think, well kick the birdie out of the nest, but then the next day, I don’t think he remembers how to tie shoes. Basically, he did get the white shirt, but wrong size, it’s too big, vest is also too big to fit under jacket but is the smallest they have, jacket looks like a prep school jacket with the piping along the edge (too Glee club looking for my taste). Anyway…what do I care right? Well, for the $150 tux rental - he will prob use his own white shirt, tie and vest. His own suit (more fitted to his bean pole body) would have looked better and been free.
So, flowers $35, transport to event (this is a boat cruise around NYC - transport to dock is mandatory from HS) $150, prom tickets $150, tux rental $150. For 5-6 hrs = $485??? Soooooooooooooo glad this is a onetime thing. I will cry later when we take pics, but it will be because of the money flying out the window.</p>
<p>AK- $150?? for tux rental, yikes. S got his tux from the same place that was supplying the graduation tuxes for the whole senior class. All the boys were measured and fitted at school, so they knew his sizes, otherwise I am sure my S would have done something similar. i do remember adding up all the costs associated with prom and thinking, boy this better be a party to remember!</p>
<p>We funded back-to-back proms for Jr. daughter and Sr. son in May… v-e-r-y spendy, even though I had purchased my son’s tuxedo the previous year for his Junior prom. We purchased his tux/shirt/vests/ties/suspenders/pocket silks because it was more cost effective than renting 2x or more …plus he has two younger brothers who may be able to wear it some day. He also now has a nice pair of dress shoes to wear for internships, interviews, etc. </p>
<p>As the prom approached and he hadn’t yet asked a date, I threatened, “I bought that tux on the promise that you would wear it at least twice. You WILL go to the dance, even if you have to bring your sister!” :D</p>
<p>AK: Wow!! That’s expensive! You do wonder if they get that much enjoyment out of it! When I think what we could have done with the money spent on the proms it makes me kind of sick. </p>
<p>MaryOC: Loved your comment about bringing his sister! That ought to get him moving!</p>
<p>Question for those of you who have sent children away to college that had to fly home for holidays. Did you leave a piece of luggage with them in their dorm? If so, what type/size? S2 will be far enough from home that he will have to fly home for some holidays. S1 goes to school about 2 hours away, so luggage hasn’t really been an issue. His “luggage” tends to be a laundry basket full of dirty clothes and/or some sort of duffle bag that he stashes under his bed. There’s not a lot of storage space in the dorm rooms, so I’m wondering what kind of luggage S2 will need for traveling back and forth.</p>
<p>My son’s college sent literature for ordering bed linens and bath essentials from a particular vendor, Residence Hall Linens, guaranteeing a great fit for the school’s Twin XL beds. Check/confirm dimensions of their products, to those of your particular dorm rooms. You can purchase 200 CT cotton/poly percale sheet sets (comparable to BBB) for $20… and upgrade to 300 CT and 100% cotton for an additional $14? </p>
<p>Some of their value pack/bundles look economical and stylish (with free shipping), but I can’t vouch for quality, etc. Just throwing out another option for anyone who still needs to shop:</p>
<p>[Residence</a> Hall Linens ? XL Sheets, Linens, Dorm Bedding](<a href=“http://www.rhl.org/store]Residence”>http://www.rhl.org/store)</p>
<p>I have to pick up S’s tux as the senior trip doesn’t get back in time to pick it up before prom, unless its the day of prom which I don’t think is a great idea. I hope everything fits. I kind of wish he wore the suit we bought him for graduation, but as it was in the same week, we relented.</p>
<p>Hope he is enjoying himself and obeying all the rules on the trip this week. The weather seems excellent so far, fingers crossed. I am already getting nervous for graduation next Thursday, 7 day shows rain, but hopefully things change. I think they have been rained out once in the last 15 years, please don’t let this be another one, it is so beautiful on the lawn overlooking the bay. If we have to go into the gym I might cry (lol, I will cry anyway).</p>
<p>MililtaryMom: so glad to hear you found a house in Huntsville. And I feel confident that your daughter will thrive despite the move.</p>
<p>MOSB: The recital sounded so lovely. Some of her popular selections were from my favorite singer/songwriters. Maybe you can sell your organizational and planning services to other parents without those skills??</p>
<p>AmandaK: hope the prom goes well and that he enjoys it. The tux story is funny–if it’s not your child! I’m glad we bought the tux and all the trimmings. For future info: JC Penney online has very reasonably priced shirts (black and white) and vest/tie combinations. </p>
<p>Great news here. Our son heard from the professor that he will be working with through the Mizzou Honors College Discovery Fellows program. I understood about one-tenth of what DS said to me about the project but his face was lit up like a Christmas tree. I know it does have to do with alternative fuel sources! And his professor is originally from Argentina. I searched for him on the Physics Dept. website. I’m sure I’m not suppposed to say this as a 56-year-old mother, but he is VERY easy on the eyes!</p>
<p>It seems so strange to read about your children who are still in school. We have already moved to another “normal” here. DS works five days a week 10-3 at a local furniture store, doing their website, FB page, invoice and order data entry and occasional deliveries and showroom floor stuff. Evenings and days off, he is bike riding with friends, hanging out another friend’s pool, playing video games. The group usually surveys what’s for dinner at each other’s houses and picks the best menu.</p>
<p>He and DH leave a week from Saturday on a mission/construction trip to a Navajo reservation in New Mexico. And his Summer Welcome (Orientation) at Mizzou is three weeks from today. </p>
<p>So, enjoy the last week(s) of school and all the graduation festivities!</p>
<p>For anyone seeking Twin XL sheets… all you truly need is a properly sized <em>fitted</em> sheet. The flat sheet and pillow case(s) that come in TwinXL sheet sets are standard, twin sizes.</p>
<p>The Company Store has quality bedding in fun styles, where you can select from entire sheet sets or separate pieces (ie: twin XL fitted) for mixing and matching. They have a summer sale going on right now, and you can also apply a host of on-line discout codes at checkout:</p>
<p>[The</a> Company Store Promotion Code for TheCompanyStore.com, The Company Store Coupons and Discounts - CouponCabin.com](<a href=“http://www.couponcabin.com/s/coupons/company-store/]The”>http://www.couponcabin.com/s/coupons/company-store/)</p>
<p>If none of those suggested codes work, LUVTCS1 should get you 15% off your order.</p>
<p>ohiomom- regarding luggage for those that fly home, i read somewhere to leave some big duffle bags for them use to carry stuff home. The duffle bags can be rolled up and stuffed in some out of the way place til needed. </p>
<p>maryoc - I love the company store products. I am very intersted in what S decides to pick out for bedding. We haven’t heard anything about dorm assignments or room mates yet. An RA from S’s school has called to see if S has any questions and told my H (only one home) that allthe dorm stuff will be mailed in a couple of weeks. I am hoping S knows who his room mates will be before we fly out there for orientation on the 12th. </p>
<p>OWM - well I imagine it makes sense for you to introduce yourself to your S’s boss when you go out there to drop S off…right???</p>
<p>S started his FT summer job today. It is a little warm around here, relatively speaking. I am curious to see how he faired.</p>
<p>Checking in really quick - prom was last night. Boy, did she look gorgeous (I know I am biased, but still…) Friend came over to help and we took tons and tons of pictures. Only a couple that I am happy with 
With a tornado warning hanging over our heads and constant lightning and thunder, we were on the town commons trying to find all her friends and take pictures. Did get some - couldn’t get a lot of others - people were too busy running for cover. Fortunately, although it threatened to rain big time, it never really did pour and we did get pictures. She was a tad bit sad though that the wind ruined her soft curls 
They were at an all night after prom party and now at a friend’s house, hopefully getting some sleep. I saw her briefly this morning when I went in for clean up duty and she looked exhausted!</p>
<p>Does anyone else feel like these days are going by too fast ??? I want to hold on and savor the moments, but everything seems to be moving too fast. Graduation rehearsals are tomorrow with actual graduation on Saturday evening. Current weather forecast is good for Saturday, thankfully!</p>
<p>mosb - congratulations on the recital. Sounded wonderful. I can’t believe you held it in when she talked about you - in my case, D was just thanking everyone at the party and I was a mess :)</p>
<p>AK - you really have a very humorous way of writing. The tuxedo story is hilarious - the prices though are outrageous. 150$ to rent a tux? How much does it cost to buy one?</p>
<p>May I rant for a minute? D has a final presentation at school tonight, which she is busily not writing. Then she announces that she may go in to school early to hang out before the evening begins. Fine, I say. I have several obligations this afternoon, but can drop you off (getting her permit is another thing that isn’t getting done) at 4 on my way to pick up your brother, or you can go in with me at 6 when the program begins. Or you can take public transportation (very convenient from our house). None of this is fair (!) or convenient to her life. Why am I such an unhelpful mother? Oh, and by the way, there is a yearbook party two towns away, after the evening event, and she will need a ride home from that at some unknowable time tonight.
Rant over. I am now returning you to you regularly scheduled programming…</p>
<p>Hello everyone, and congratulations to all the new graduates! :)</p>
<p>MOSB ~ Sounds like the perfect day. Thanks for sharing this beautiful event with us, you described it so well. You will have sweet memories for years to come…Congrats to your D!</p>
<p>Novelisto ~ Congrats to your D on her awards!</p>
<p>momjr ~ The graduation sounds like so much fun!</p>
<p>Arisam ~ Thank goodness you could still have the prom and take pictures!</p>
<p>VAMom2015 & MaryOC ~ Thanks for the shopping tips.</p>
<p>OWM ~ LOL, about the professor…</p>