<p>The annual weaning of the thoroughbred foals at our local farms is now complete. There are always at least a few mares and foals to a field as soon as the foals are born. The mares bond, and the foals bond. For a number of months, the mares socialize as the foals grow and learn to graze and play, and learn the joys of racing each other around the field in preparation for their future jobs. Starting in early fall, the mares are taken out of the field gradually, one at a time. The foals learn to rely on each other more and more, and don’t seem to notice when the last mare leaves. They no longer need the mares, because they have formed their own community with their peers.</p>
<p>Although I am sure DD will need us on some level for the rest of our lives, this is a great reminder that, in the animal world as in our world, separation of parent and child is a necessary, and very important, part of life and leads to great things.</p>
<p>@32578233: That is a wonderful way to put it. As trying as it is to let go, the reward of watching our kids navigate on their own is priceless. Still, I miss the days when I was able to make everything right in their world.</p>
<p>It is a BEAUTIFUL day here. I am loving the clear skies and crisp air.</p>
<p>I have wondered too about SongBird and MOSB. I hope both are well. I look forward to hearing SongBird in concert some day.</p>
<p>All this talk of bagels has made me hungry…</p>
<p>D flew home last night. I’m trying to strike the right balance between making myself available to her but not hovering. She seems good – happy, enjoying school, but already missing her school friends. Which is all so normal!</p>
<p>Hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous fall day.</p>
<p>So DD’s boyfriend of 2 years broke up with her 2 weeks ago. It’s for the best and we’re very pleased as it will give her a chance to really be free and enjoy college more fully. He is a HS senior and 2 years younger than her…he’s a young senior(just turned 17 last month), she’s an old freshman(19 years old tomorrow!). Unfortunately she is terribly upset and heartbroken at the moment. It is getting better but very slowly.</p>
<p>She was home for 5 days last weekend for her fall break. First time she’s been home and it was great having her but she’s just so sad over the boyfriend thing that she didn’t enjoy it as much as she could have. We had an early birthday BBQ for her too and that was nice. It was odd readjusting to having her in the house and also her setting her own schedule…coming in at weird hours and not “asking” us but “telling” us what her plans were. Nothing wrong with it, perfectly appropriate, just different than our old relationship with her. She’s also grown so much and matured, we can really see the difference.</p>
<p>D ha d her first rowing meet today. She raced in the novice division in an 8 person boat. They didn’t place well, but their time was right where the coach wanted it for the first race. </p>
<p>She is a long distance runner and said that the race was just like a cross country meet in boats.</p>
<p>Bajam~Yay to your D on enjoying herself and meeting the coach expectations…Always a good thing ;)</p>
<p>CruisnFam~Sorry about the break-up but i totally agree it will allow her to move on, and live her college life to the fullest. Hope she feels better soon :)</p>
<p>325~Just wonderful analogy :D</p>
<p>BI~How about that!! Cav beating GT Wahoo Lets see what next week brings.:)</p>
<p>Hugs to all having students back home…Enjoy your time :D</p>
<p>You know what’s interesting – D’s been running into friends this weekend while she’s home for a short visit, and of course all the HS seniors are talking about college. She tells me one girl who’s good academically but not recruited is applying early to Princeton, another to Dartmouth. D said: they’re all aiming way too high. The wisdom she’s gained.</p>
<p>@ Crusin - Gentle hugs to your DD. She will heal and your instinct is correct, in the big picture it is healthier for her to move on. No matter, we always hurt when our children do, so hugs to you as well!</p>
<p>@ 325 - So insightful! I did some Sr. portraits for a young friend who rides this fall. We shot with the horses and I was so moved by the relationship with the rider and horse as well as the horses. I love your description. Thank you for sharing this.</p>
<p>@ 2edu - Wahoowa my friend!! How exciting! We listened on the radio in the car and were going nuts. Bluejr sent me a picture from his phone as they stormed the field. What a great way to celebrate Homecoming. Could not have been happier for Coach London. What a class act! See you in a week. :)</p>
<p>Just returned from Family Weekend at Olin. What an amazing place. My son could not be happier. He has finally met kids like him. The students are treated like adults, are challenged, but love what they’re learning. It is not the right school for everyone, but it is a perfect fit for him.</p>
<p>I cannot believe how much he has changed. He organized a dinner at a Japanese hibachi restaurant for five students, their parents plus a few students without visitors. Total of 20. He called and reserved the dinner at the restaurant. This is a kid who hated to answer the phone at home. Progress. He has a bunch of really nice friends, a great roommate and a reasonably clean bathroom. He is creating models using power tools which is another first. Five more weeks til Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>Another treat for the weekend - there are two CC moms with kids at Olin. We all hung out together. DS actually lives on the same floor as their kids. They are not frequent posters to this thread but they do read it on occasion. I’ll respect their privacy and let them reveal themselves if they choose. </p>
<p>Hope everyone else loved their Family Weekend.</p>
<p>Got the text- everyone’s back in New Haven, road trip was a success (yalemom15 breathes deep sigh of relief). One down…probably thousands to follow! This old mare needs to be led out of the pasture, haha :)</p>
<p>Fmm-Glad you had a nice parents weekend at Olin. We’re headed to ours over Halloween weekend, hope my son is as organized as yours was!</p>
<p>I have a week of home improvements ahead, bought some cool lighting fixtures for the kitchen. Lighting can be a less expensive way to put a new look in a room, let’s hope these do the trick ;)</p>
<p>Skyped with our kiddo. Has had a good week.
Weekend included a team party, freshman BBQ, and the “Safety Dance”…which was pretty elaborate including pro DJs and light shows/live feed video of people dancing etc. Held in Commons which is a huge hall. Quite the event.
We got a text Sat night asking us how to dress “80’s” and we were able to give some advice and point towards some Youtube videos/music names etc.
Kiddo was quite 80s inspired for the event. Funny how those styles from during my college years are now a “theme”…who’d a thunk? huh! lol</p>
<p>Seems there is so much to do and the kids have a great time every weekend. Really really wide variety of things to do. </p>
<p>FLMM - So very glad to hear that mathson has found his tribe. It warms the heart. It was quite a search for him as I remember. So glad it all worked out. Nice to see them maturing as well.</p>
<p>ym15 - Glad the travels went well. I’m with you…I feel better when all my chicks are where they belong, even tho two of my ‘chicks’ are legal adults!</p>
<p>fog - So funny about the text asking for assistance to dress 80’s! Sounds like it was a great event.</p>
<p>fogfog, I just finished Skyping with our son. He got the full glowing report about the Safety Dance from his suitemates. I think I detected a little road-tripper’s remorse about missing the event even though he insists he had a blast on his weekend sojourn. Hopefully he figures out there are lots of fun things happening right in his own backyard :)</p>
<p>p.s. love the timing on the wardrobe question, when it comes to what to wear boys really don’t think ahead do they?!</p>
<p>BI- Yes - the event was terrific–and kiddo was glad to be part of it.
Yalemom15–glad your student enjoyed the road trip. There is a lot going on–on campus–lots of fun…
Wardrobe timing- for men or women- can’t always be anticipated, can it…so as long as they have fun, it is all good</p>
<p>FLM~Your week-end sounds wonderful! So glad your son has found his people. </p>
<p>Yalemom~So glad the week-end went well…What could go wrong in the Hamptons??
I was shopping for chandeliers today, Urgh!! Everywhere I went they had more of the same…frustrating:( Well at least I found some nice shoes :p</p>
I agree. While shopping with DS during Family Weekend, I asked if he wanted to get a few things to create a Halloween costume or to decorate his room. He looked at me like I had six heads. He did ask why girls had so much stuff in their rooms.</p>
<p>2education - I bought all my light fixtures online. The selection and prices were significantly better. I had no problem. Sales help was great. Want the site?</p>
<p>Anyone have any ideas about online sources for “youthful” looking black dresses? D needs both knee-length and floor length ones for a capella, asap, but has labeled all my suggestions so far as “too mature”. I know they are performing at parents’ weekend in 2 weeks, so there is not much time. The fact that I started sending her ideas right after she was tapped but she ignored them for 3 weeks is of course irrelevant.</p>
Lets see what next week brings.:)</p>
</p>
It was quite a search for him as I remember. So glad it all worked out. Nice to see them maturing as well.</p>