<p>I tried to check the FAFSA report and it wouldn’t take the kids’ PIN’s to sign in…yesterday I couldn’t even get to the point to sign in when you clicked on the box to get the PDF.</p>
<p>confetti–did you put in the same numbers on the forecaster and the FAFSA? I would double check that you didn’t transpose a number or something. Our EFC was almost exactly the same.</p>
<p>Our EFC is 2K greater then FAFSA4Caster and manual formula calculations. I used the same numbers for all of them. How soon after FAFSA is processed you can add/delete schools?</p>
<p>Megp- there is no time to be sick!
Terminal- didn’t realize you were waiting for one so quickly in January. Fingers crossed!
Our2- wow. I love your counselor. That’s impressive!! Wish our was like that, but not even close.
Shillyshally- yup, my kids are like turtles too this week. 
My LB, some gender roles are just good ones! Your boys will be thrilled with cake when they come in. Hmm. Perhaps this is boy-training… Get them to do a chore, then feed them? Like food rewards with puppies? I may have to give some real consideration to this theory. Of course chocolate works terrifically well with D, too.
Its clear soccer tryouts are coming. She’s a monster about the running agin. It’s freezing but she wouldn’t use the treadmill. I’m admiring her determination…</p>
<p>Boy, that was a lot of reading just to catch up since last night! Thanks for the reminder about selective service, wierd that only DS has to register and not DD, though both 18. DD thinking about topic of women not allowed in combat for one of her supp essays.</p>
<p>Yesterday, we were at a family gathering and DS kept being congratulated, DD was told “I’m sure you’ll hear something good soon.” Of course, since her schools are all RD, “soon” isn’t until mid-March at earliest.</p>
<p>Will someone please invite my ds over to play? He’s driving me insane playing his guitar and making me sing the choruses.</p>
<p>I promise that I’ll miss this later this year.</p>
<p>Have been gone for 6 hrs and so much to catch up on! My Dad passed away in November and so I have been having to help my mom out with paperwork (health insurance, changing the car title, bank accounts, etc.) Luckily she only lives about 50 min from me.</p>
<p>Sorry to wreck people’s low carb, New Year’s Resolutions!</p>
<p>My mom cut that recipe out of the paper sometime in the 70’s. If you Google “Mrs. Orr’s chocolate cake” you can find it. here is one link for it </p>
<p>[‘Monitor</a>’ cake a hit with several generations - CSMonitor.com](<a href=“http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Food/2009/0325/p18s01-lifo.html]'Monitor”>'Monitor' cake a hit with several generations - CSMonitor.com)</p>
<p>MyLB - some gender roles just work. The way to a man’s heart… and all that . These sayings get passed down for a reason. Hope they like the cake.</p>
<p>My S13 birthday is Jan 23rd and we will be having this cake! Also my D15’s birthday is in Nov but we postponed her birthday party due to my dad’s passing (and also my FIL passed away 6 days prior to my dad) so we are having her postponed party on the 13th and this cake will be there, too.</p>
<p>SteveMA - The only change that I can think of is that our income went down since I did the forecaster 
. But it’s been a few months, so maybe I did make a mistake. I couldn’t use the PIN I created in September, but FAFSA says I have one that I created in 2002 and I have to use that one. Which begs the question why it let me make one in September…? Also, I was out of college 10 years in 2002, and no-one’s gone back.</p>
<p>our2girls - our counselor is a lot like yours. I think he was new the year before S13 started, because he adds quite a bit every year.</p>
<p>YDS, send your DS over here - I love sing-a-longs. In fact, I drive DH crazy singing to the dog. ♫ He’s a good dog… crazy 'bout MilkBones… Loves pizza… and his Mama too. ♫</p>
<p>Confused - sorry about your Dad and FIL. Your mom is lucky to have you so close.</p>
<p>Confetti! “Now I’m Free -eee, Free Woofing!” I love it! </p>
<p>Stem- hope things are going well with your visit to your mom. Thinking about you. </p>
<p>Steve - glad to hear your DD is sleeping and pain-free </p>
<p>Confused - your cake is sure making the rounds! (or should I say Mrs. Orrs cake) I sort of wish I knew how to use the stove now! ha </p>
<p>Spent the entire day on Capitol Hill today. So fun! So tired! Nighty-night all. Going to be dreaming of acceptances and BIG BIG scholarship $$ for all! :)</p>
<p>Oh my gosh Confetti, I’m going to steal your song! (my singing sends people scurrying, but their comments as they flee are so funny… 
) that’s going to make my morning…
So S14 has started SAT class. The teacher told him he doesnt have to “go overboard like (D13) did.” Of course he found this hilarious. She was somewhat offended then realized it was actually funny. No worries there. S is not one to go overboard.
Oh. Well, it seems possible that One of D’s schools will release decisions tomorrow. That would be nice. It’s a bit earlier than I was expecting. She has three coming this month. Wondering if this is going to be every Friday for three weeks, which seems possible. I really hope she gets in with a good offer tomorrow ( assuming it IS tomorrow). I’d be able to relax some.</p>
<p>Wahoo - here’s to ‘good fridays’! :)</p>
<p>OUr2Girls - I had you on my list 3 pages ago to say I was jealous of how involved your GC seems to be, then I wondered if I took the post wrong, then I realized she really IS a good GC! So I reinstate my jealousy… ;)</p>
<p>Speaking of jealous - anouilh- your son loves road trips and that is SO cool! We would’ve seen a lot more colleges if DS13 didn’t judge so much ahead of time if the trip was going to be worth the time spent…</p>
<p>Ama038 - NYC!!! I get claustrophobic just WATCHING those crowds! How’d you do it? How did you get there? Train? Subway? Gulp…drive? And a bucket list for teens is too funny!! </p>
<p>confetti - I had to quit my Words with Friends habit… I always wanted to come up with the perfect word and it became toooo time consuming and actually not so relaxing… that said, anyone want to start a game? ;)</p>
<p>Vandygrad - Good luck to the Ravens! Ray Lewis 
DS said he would have to remain neutral if the Pats (his team! - sorry 'bout last year by the way…) and Ravens were to play in the playoffs… He said the Pats can always have another year to win the Superbowl, but this would be it for RL. For Christmas we got him a Brady poster for his dorm room, and a great 8x10 of Lewis (granted, I THOUGHT it was a poster when I bought it and was shocked to find a ‘tiny’ 8x10!)</p>
<p>MyLB – Must be GREAT to have unexpected and required time off!! :)</p>
<p>Confused - So sorry to hear about your dad AND father-in-law. That means your D lost both grandfathers within 6 days? And around her b-day… it’s hard to know when its OK to feel joy or to celebrate. I lost my dad on Dec 12 and DS got his ED decision that very same day… hard to know how to feel…</p>
<p>TV - I was also lax, but tried hard when they were little (at least for the first 2!) to make sure shows were educational. DS13 was a big Sesame Street fan til he was about 2, the he switched to Blues Clues (remember the original Steve?). I still remember the order of our solar system to the tune of “Oh the sun’s a hot star… and Mercury’s hot too…Venus is the brightest planet, and Earth’s home to me and you…” Anyone care to join me in the rest? </p>
<p>Another great show on PBS was Cyberchase. I still use their Lemonade recipe (the one designed to teach fractions)</p>
<p>Had a veeerrry long day today and fear I am getting sick… (I will stay away from megpmom and her family! Hope you all feel better soon!) Moved mom into assisted living today. Her first night there… I hope when I talk to her tomorrow I will hear it went well… She LOVES her room and I have to say, my sister and I did a bang-up job on bringing all the right furniture and stuff to make it really feel like home! </p>
<p>So I left mom at 4:30 cuz she is first seating for dinner, and came home to help boyz dress up for mock trial and then we all headed to the courthouse. For the second year in a row, we were in the courtroom of the kidz great uncle, so their last name is right there on the door and up on the judge’s desk (no bias though… he was NOT the judge of the trial!) They all did great (well, DS16 was a jury member and they are sort of just place holders at the trial, though they do attend meetings and help out throughout the season) DS13 was excellent as lead attorney and DS14 was excellent as a witness! I’m really proud of them! It’s so much fun to hang around after the trial discussing the case with everyone. But if the defense doesn’t win in the next trial on Tuesday, then that’s could be it for the year. Gives a much more negative feel to the term “one and done” :(</p>
<p>Wow! I can’t catch up with everyone! I am on a family ski trip and I have been reading along on breaks and when reception permits but haven’t been able to post. </p>
<p>Steve…hope D is doing well!</p>
<p>I am on an iPhone so can’t see everyone’s names for updates. </p>
<p>Sorry for loss of fathers so close together!</p>
<p>Happy for those with finished apps and new acceptances!</p>
<p>Cheers to successful helicopter parents!</p>
<p>Cyber chase and myth busters were big in our house! </p>
<p>No college talk while skiing w D13. She is waiting 4 to more schools in April but has good choices now, so focus is moving to s15:)</p>
<p>Going to UChicago accepted students meeting in our area. I am a bit worried about people’s comments to D about torture workload, bad area, no nightlife etc… We had heard all that before and most of her favorite schools are not in nice areas and are rigorous schools but the reaction to Chicago is stronger.</p>
<p>Just some comments on the comments–yes boys and girls are REALLY REALLY different, and vive la difference. It was a really pleasant surprise having to take leave, although it made me feel a little like I need to get a life (plus I had to work about 10 hours yesterday and some more this morning anyway–too much going on ).</p>
<p>wherenext–yes, your D will hear all of those comments, and she really should. That said, the kids who do in the end choose to go there thrive in that environment.</p>
<p>Interesting about TV–we were without (except NBC and PBS, which we got on the rabbit ears) for about 10 years after we moved to our current location. It was DH who finally said he couldn’t miss another World Cup so ordered a dish in 2006. Seems like all of the kids watch stuff online or through Netflix anyway. Soooo time-consuming to actually spend 60 minutes watching an hour-long episode. ;)</p>
<p>Grad party – our D’s graduation is 5/18 in the morning, but they have a lock-in from 10 pm +/- to 5:30 am the next day, so lucky for us we don’t have to do a grad party right away! Can’t seem to figure out when would be a good time, though!</p>
<p>Before cable we’d watch mostly PBS with the kids. I have fond memories of Mr. Rogers (LOVED the trips to factories and stuff, watching them make crayons, or steel drums by hand, etc.) and watching Arthur. They could turn on TV before school if they were ready to go…we would leave for school when the second Arthur episode began…”Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got your library card!” :)</p>
<p>carimama – I don’t think I commented about your postmark dilemma…thank goodness for the guy at the airport post office! He should get some good karma coming back his way, and you get a gold star for your persistence in getting a 1/1 postmark!</p>
<p>lukelev07 – welcome to you, and any other new kids! We love to get your perspective on things, and hear about your triumphs, and pick you up when news is not as anticipated…ya just can’t visit Walker’s basement! No Kids Allowed ;)</p>
<p>Hope kids expecting information today receive the best kind!</p>
<p>TV - very strict with the first two - 2 half hour shows per day or one long video - LOTS of reading time. Third one, 6 years on behind - watching Harry Potter movies at 3 with the big sibs, okay with me skipping Barney, but when we talk about Elmo’s World it is sad that he does not know what we are talking about. He did watch some nice Nick shows like Franklin. He also started in on video games at a MUCH younger age.</p>
<p>Waiting here with the rest of you. No news for a long time, waiting on prescreen results. Heading to two auditions this month where prescreens are not needed. </p>
<p>I have been reading and enjoying the fun with puffing and cakes.</p>
<p>Sending good thoughts for healing after surgery.</p>
<p>Somewhat related. Parenting, boys vs girls, etc…</p>
<p>My wife insisted that we not have toy guns for our son when he was little. But when he chewed a piece of toast into a handgun shape and proclaimed ‘I gotta gun’, it was over.</p>
<p>G’ morning all.</p>
<p>Sorry to read about all the sandwich generation issues fellow parents are facing. Stress…</p>
<p>Nice to see so many birthday celebrations coming around the corner…</p>
<p>Hope those with surgeries or concussions are healing and resting…</p>
<p>In full agreement that shows like Arthur and Cyberchase are great fun and nice learning tools. Funding for PBS was always important for our family for those quality programs. Arthur is fun to watch even now that kids are older (esp. when home sick).</p>
<p>Not sure who mentioned listening to “Landslide.” I feel like the radio’s been conspiring to get me all weepy while I drive around town lately. Lyrics from Philip Phillips “Home” (settle down, it’ll all be clear…pay no mind to those demons that fill you with fear) or “Don’t You worry Child, Heaven’s Got a Plan for you.” (some random pop song) or even good 'ole Phil Collins with “You’ll be in My Heart.” I don’t know if it’s just starting to hit that my family launches a college student THIS year and I’m noticing those maudlin lyrics more or what!!!</p>
<p>Good news Friday for all…still waiting to hear how that “teacher not teaching” meeting went :)</p>
<p>Haystack-way back when, John Stossel (I think) did some tv shows about various topics. One was about bullying in school–VERY informative- but another was about kids and playing with toy guns–more specifically playing games like cops and robbers. The study he based the show on said that kids that were allowed an outlet (boys especially) for that type of game were less violent then ones where parents didn’t allow toy guns or playing cops/robber type games.</p>
<p>My latest ear worm has been Dust in the Wind…"…all your money won’t another minute buy…"…much better than the last one…Forever in Blue Jeans…</p>
<p>Haystack…I banned toy guns too, but boys will turn anything and everything into a gun…first time I’ve heard toast though! Lol</p>
<p>Have a great weekend everyone!</p>
<p>wahoo, you have my attention! I was thinking the latest communication meant next Friday, but it could be today too!</p>
<p>My S used to love the PBS educational show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego when he was a toddler. As a result he loved geography and often bit his toast into the shapes of states. He would be sitting at the breakfast table and suddenly say “Look Mommy, Florida!” So no guns, but plenty of fairly recognizable places!</p>
<p>My D submitted her last application supplement last night. She had been finished with almost everything back in early November, since she had a lot of EA schools, and went ahead and submitted all of the RD schools that didn’t have supplemental essays. But there was a lurking RD supplemental essay with a Jan 15 deadline to a reach school. I’m glad it is now done. I think she was less motivated since she already has several good acceptances in hand.</p>
<p>She was deferred by her ED reach school, but has 5 acceptances to safety/match schools, in date order as to when she received the acceptance - Rutgers, Ramapo, Allegheny, Elon, and Susquehanna. And waiting on another 6 schools.</p>