<p>Jaylynn–I think my S is of the same mindset about that history paper tomorrow. Fortunately US history is something he knows pretty well. The kids with whom he’s going to prom have spent more time today discussing limos than studying for IB history or AP physics (they all have one or the other of them).</p>
<p>DS graduated from Pomona College today! I think we all deserved a diploma after a two-hour and forty-five minute ceremony! I will upload a couple of photos onto flicker sometime soon. Waiting for DH’s phone to charge so I can get his photos as well. </p>
<p>College graduation is different from high school. I think the student who spoke yesterday nailed it when he described the “crippling uncertainty” that goes along with college graduation. Even if you know what’s next, which few really do, it’s the real thing now – adulthood. You could tell the kids were joyous but nervous and probably the parents as well. </p>
<p>I who am facing an empty nest will first face a very full one. DD is going to be with us for a month. Since she has to live on a college campus for five weeks for her job, she decided to sublet her apartment for two months to make her income go further – so she’ll be with us for a month. Then both sons are home and one of DS’s college friends is between housing until August and might stay with us for some of the time and DS2 will be with us for the summer. I figure by the time the nest empties at the end of summer I might be ready for some peace and quiet.</p>
<p>DS is back safe and sound from amusement park. He went too fast in the car, so there will be some hell to pay (thank you GPS). To make it worse, it was on a back road. </p>
<p>mim, hopefully your brood won’t iterally foul your nest this summer, but it sounds like you will need a vacation.</p>
<p>Jaylynn i meant infants, which is the child that recently died, too young for vaccine.
D is freaking out about AP bio, she is out straight and worried she didnt study enough. She looked on line and it will not exempt her from any classes in college. (nursing) but she doesnt want to let her teacher down who said she gets dissapointed if her kids doent get a 4 or 5. no pressure!!!
The poor kid has something 24/7.</p>
<p>D went to Starbucks today to work on her capstone monologue and ended up overall happier. She has resolved to just get it done - that it’s OK if it’s not perfect. That’s progress in my view… much as I’d love to see her do something she feels triumphant about. My college prof used to say - “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.” Meaning - just do it! Now she’s off to a much looked forward to swing dance evening. </p>
<p>I think after dinner I’ll have DH take me out to Burgerville for a fresh strawberry shake. Yum! It’s not as good as Culvers in my view, but Burgerville shakes are pretty darned delicious!</p>
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<p>Congrats !! It has been a few years since I attended my D’s graduation at Pomona. At least we were able to sit inside the auditorium. Some of the overflows had to sit outside in tents and watching it on a screen.</p>
<p>Cbreeze, it’s the exact opposite now. The graduation is outdoors in the quad under the trees. A simulacast happens indoors for those who wish to escape the heat. It’s lovely to be outdoors. Many of us moved over to the shade, they had tables set up with water, etc. Also, it was very easy to access restrooms in all the surrounding buildings, something which often is not easily available at graduations (note to Wackaloons, use the restroom before your child’s graduation if it’s on the football field in the bleachers.)</p>
<p>D spent most of yesterday studying for IB History today. Since we had a funeral and then dinner with in laws etc on Saturday, she really had no choice. Nice dinner, some cards and I’m happy. She is under a lot of pressure right now, we can do something after this week.</p>
<p>IB History study her as well yesterday. I also rented “Joyful Noise” which is a predictable, easy watch, but with just the right amount of sap and humor to be pleasant for everyone. Also a true chick flick with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifa. I have always liked Dolly Parton for some reason - she is just so intentionally over the top and unapologetic - and was that way before it was popular. The kids, being Jack White fans, were amazed that Dolly Parton wrote Jolene. I had a nice evening walk with my friend and her dog and was able to help her get her next weekend mapped out (like us conflicting places to be in different parts of state) as DS knew her son’t schedule that son hadn’t shared with his mom. We were able to map out his race times so they can see him race and get to their other obligation. It was a nice mother’s day gift to be able to help relieve that stress for her.</p>
<p>Good morning all! DS’ nest fouling yesterday turned into a full-on meltdown and migraine. I think the stress/anxiety (and weird sleep patterns, and too much caffeine, and…) just finally hit. Poor guy. Came down in the middle of it all and said “Finland’s off. I just can’t do it.” (not that I took him seriously in the heat of the moment). He’s still feeling pretty out-of-sorts and I just told him to go back to sleep. He’s got AP French tomorrow plus two papers due - but we’ll take it one thing at a time.</p>
<p>DS and I saw UP in the theater together while D and dad went to see some action flick. We wanted to go to the movies together, but couldn’t agree so we chose 2 movies at the same theater at the same time and split off. DS15 and I love UP together still - it is probably his favorite animated. From time to time he will sneak up behind be and “beak” me on my noggin with his chin like Kevin (the bird) then when I turn does the bird call with fists tucked under armpits so elbows splay out like wings and does that quick bird head tilt thing.</p>
<p>Stress here last night, as well. S took a practice AP Physics test and looked like he’d been hit by a truck when it was over. He was both disappointed and relieved that he had gotten a 3 on his practice test. Said it was much harder than he had expected…so now he is freaking out about the real test today. Good news is he only has to get a 3 on it to never have to see a physics class again.</p>
<p>D1 has two APs tomorrow (US Govt and Comparative Govt), I suspect tonight she will stress out. Woke up to a rainy day which means she probably won’t get to coach her soccer team tonight (which oddly enough will add to the stress)</p>
<p>Good morning all!</p>
<p>S has the Physics C AP test today. He didn’t study for it, so we’ll see how it goes. He can get credit for 2 classes if he gets a 4 or 5 on each section. He has Gov’t tomorrow and then both Econs on Thursday. That’s it. </p>
<p>Sorry to hear about all the stress the kids are feeling. What a big change they’re facing! S has some stress from outside sources, but he doesn’t seem stressed about school. </p>
<p>We finally got about half our garden planted yesterday. I love digging in dirt!</p>
<p>My girl has her AP Biology test today, then she’s off to the Cleveland zoo to begin her 2-week internship. Tomorrow’s AP Government test will be her last. She gleefully proclaimed, “Then all I have to do is go to the zoo–no tests or papers!” She is starting to decompress. We have beautiful weather for her to be outside. She’ll be doing some things with the marketing department, but also spending time with the naturalists and animal managers.</p>
<p>Yesterday she showed me all the certificates and gifts her science and English teachers awarded her with on the last day. Her English teacher gave her a beautiful journal and wrote an entry that made me cry. She said that she fully expected to be teaching something my girl had written in the next ten years. My girl’s response–“No pressure or anything!” Ha!</p>
<p>Hey Renee (and other beer lovers) I thought I’d share with you my new favorite summer beer. It is light, but flavorful.
<a href=“http://www.narragansettbeer.com/products/summer-ale[/url]”>http://www.narragansettbeer.com/products/summer-ale</a></p>
<p>Thanks for the bathroom tip mimk6</p>
<p>Love that the “reason edited” line has become like a PS.</p>
<p>My son also has the AP Physics C test later this am (and he is still asleep now). He took a practice test and said he will pass one part but he is not good on the other (apparently the test has two parts). Whatever (my general response at this point)!</p>
<p>AP Gov. is tomorrow morning and then he has Human Geo on Friday (which he is only taking to keep his GPA weighting since his college dosen’t give credit for it but his HS will strip all AP weighting if the student dosen’t sit for the exam). He. Is. So Done.</p>
<p>Those doing gap year - commonapp posted this link on facebook (comment below is from commonapp).</p>
<p>This article on gap years includes thoughtful observations from Robert Clagett, Dean of Admission at Common App member Middlebury College.</p>
<p>[Gap</a> Year Momentum Grows as Studies Show Higher Performance After Delaying College Admission - ABC News](<a href=“Gap Year: Congrats! You're Accepted to College, Now Go Away - ABC News”>Gap Year: Congrats! You're Accepted to College, Now Go Away - ABC News)</p>
<p>seiclan - why does he care about keeping the AP weighting for his grade in AP Gov’t?</p>