Just bought the ticket for her to come home next Friday. Also got the refund from an overpayment today. I think the first year really is coming to an end and we survived.
And if the first year went by quickly, just wait. My oldest is graduating (WHAT!?) and has a job (WHAT!?). I sent her off to college 1 month ago. (D’14 left yesterday).
My mom used to say, “Raising my kids was like an afternoon in my life.”
@ordinarylives - I know how you feel!! Oldest graduates a week from tomorrow and DD '14 can’t be almost done with her first year!! DS’11/15 has a job offer he’s trying to figure out whether or not to accept - much more stressful decision than the college choice as they’ll pay him very well but he has no say in where he would have to move! He’s just focusing on finishing exams now. How could it all be going so quickly!
On our way to visit S14 at college. Can’t wait to meet all the friends (especially girlfriend) and see the campus showcase exhibits. We’ll probably eat in campus cafeterias to help use up excess food debit that won’t be refunded. Will also help cart off lots of canned goods to a food bank. In three weeks he will be heading home after finals. The year has flown!
D14 is home. Hard to believe that undergrad is already 25% done. And she reports that most of her college friends have already texted with frustration / boredom with hometown life. I wonder if they will adjust or if it will just be a long summer.
First year almost done. Challenging academics, good friends, fun campus life, yeah, yeah, yeah. But my D’s biggest accomplishment is winning a coveted intramural championship t-shirt in dodgeball. Her goal at the beginning of the year was to get a t-shirt before she graduates. Who knew that her and her friends’ prowess in dodging and catching would lead to the goal. And apparently they take these sports pretty seriously; their team motto was “Win or Transfer.” Thank goodness no one has to transfer. Congrats to the Slumdodge Millionaires!
And she’ll be back home next week, and miss her friends terribly.
@LibbyT my S14 probably would point to his Pokemon tournament wins as a key accomplishment of his first college year. It won him some sort of ‘leadership’ position and he has to design a team logo that he turned into stickers. Still . . . not exactly resume-worthy, even for a game design major!
D is done with finals, I still can’t believe she is done with her first year.
My son arrived last night from school. His spring semester grades are posted. Made the Dean’s List again, which is quite an accomplishment since he battled assorted illnesses all semester. He probably will get some sleep today, and then he starts working tomorrow. Lots of youth soccer games to referee. His girlfriend comes for a short visit early next week. Gives me time to get the house in shape – we have a new rug coming and are getting replacement windows, which are sorely needed. So the place will look nicer than it has been in a while.
After his girlfriend leaves, my son has to pay for two, online classes at the community college. Between refereeing soccer, classes, running and doing some household things (like painting the fence), he should be plenty busy this summer.
DS finished his last final last Friday. I went down to help him move out - man what a job! Someone up thread said it was not as bad as move in. To me, move in was a breeze. And maybe if it was only him, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But all 4 boys were still on campus and the common area looked like a bomb exploded! 
We got roomie’s stuff moved to the storage building and loaded DS’ stuff in our two cars and made the long drive home on Saturday.
He has a summer job lined up at a boy scout high adventure camp that he had attended previously. BTW, they advertised today that they still have positions open, so if anyone’s interested PM me. It includes room & board plus a decent salary (not a lot, but not bad). I was pleasantly surprised when he went out and found a job early this semester. But then was not so excited when I heard it was delivering sandwiches … by bicycle … from midnight to 5am on the weekends! Luckily, he now has a different job on campus lined up for next semester. So excited that I won’t have to be worrying all the time!
His classes went well. Made dean’s list first semester and should make President’s list this semester as soon as he finalizes one class that is listed as incomplete right now - just paperwork that needs to be processed. He will be doing research next semester as well. He has planned out all the classes that he needs and has it down to finishing with a MechEng degree in seven semesters. That’s not including a co-op or possibly a minor or two.
The roommate situation was very good this year. So thankful. All 4 will be sharing an off campus apartment next year.
This year really did go by fast - spring semester especially! Glad to see your students are doing well, too!
bissouu - congrats to your DD re the RA job! Our DS will be an RA next year too. He just got his room assignment - in a freshmen dorm - and will have to return to school in July for training. We are so grateful for the money it will save, though we still do not have final numbers from the FA office. Son has finished 3 exams with 2 more to go.
DS got home last night, had his favorite meal for dinner, and then promptly went out with his best friend who is already home from Michigan LOL. Tonight he is going to the high school for senior night for his Spring sport. He is still good friends with those old teammates and in contact with his coach so it will be fun for him.
Saturday he has an all day workout with a private coach for his college sport and then going out with a couple of friends at the naval Academy who only have this weekend before they ship out for the summer, so he is already quite busy.
Good to have him home though!
2014novamom: Your son is like mine. Wasted no time keeping busy! Didn’t make a favorite meal, but trust me, he is not complaining over my cooking! We’re back to meats and veggies for dinner, and nothing is fried. So he’s a happy man! Refereed his first youth soccer game. Has eight to do this weekend, so he can bank the money to pay his fraternity dues and have some spending money this school year.
Got to chatting about meal plans last night over dinner. He has decided against one. He just wants the Dining Dollars plan, so that if he needs to grab a sandwich or something during the day, he can. While he liked the food, it lied his waistline a little too much. No more cobbler or fried chicken, he said. He needs to eat healthier, so maybe he can be healthier. Normally I do not cook on Friday nights (usually we have leftovers), but I plan to show him how to make one of his favorite meals. It’s quick and easy. In other words, perfect for a Friday night.
Packed up DD in under 1 1/2 hours (she had done a lot of prepacking and her rommate left yesterday), loaded everything into the car and got home about 11 PM Friday evening. She is glad to have her first year behind her and to be home for the summer. Off to DS-2011 graduation next weekend and then back home for the summer.
DS found a place to live for the summer! He met the housemates, they all get along, one of them has a bed and desk he can use, and he says he has friends with cars who will help him move. Phew! Now I can stop worrying about that.
My son is home. This year didn’t go so well. He’s applying for transfers.
@2016BarnardMom, I’m sad to hear it didn’t go well. I hope he finds a better fit next year. It’s so hard to predict these things going in.
D came home Thursday night. I took the advice of someone upthread (thank you!) and hired movers to move her stuff into the storage unit. D was grateful, and it saved me an eight hour trip each way and the cost of a hotel room. Now she is working on getting clothes moved from the car, through the laundry, and to her bedroom before she starts work on Monday.
D is still waiting for grades to post. She thinks she did well in all of her classes except one. Ironically, that one was her easiest class. It was her only class with lots of assignments/ busy work (which she hates) and apparently she neglected to turn in several assignments. Oy. Now she regrets not grabbing the easy A. I guess it’s live and learn (or at least I hope it’s learn).
My DD#2 came home last night and said “I can’t believe I finished one whole year.” I asked her if it was easier or harder than she thought it would be, and if it seemed long. She said fall was easier but seemed longer and spring was harder but raced by. There were several times in the spring when I didn’t think she would return next year because she just seemed miserable with her team and classes (and why was I spending so much time on FAFSA and other forms if she wasn’t going back!). She finished classes strong, though, and will return.
DD#1 finishes next week and I hope she gets it all done. She’s had an entire semester to work 15 hours in the workshop, and as of last Wed had 8 hours in. I doubt she’ll get them completed, it will lower her grade, and I’ll not be happy.
DD came home today. She spent a few hours here, napping on the couch and enjoying how clean we keep the house. Funny how that works when there aren’t kids around messing up. She was excited to get back in her car, she didn’t bring it to school and doesn’t plan on bringing it next year either.
@2016BarnardMom - sorry to hear about your son…where does he think he wants to transfer? Is it something specific he didn’t like that can be fixed elsewhere?
My son comes home tomorrow and we’ll be back to a full house.
I went and did a big grocery shopping today. I haven’t spent that much at the store at one time since Christmas!