@sushiritto Awesome about the 10K!!! Yay!!!
While in the area visiting family, H, S and I ran the turkey trot 5k at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. Pretty campus, adjacent to a pretty town…and they run a well organized race! I have no idea what majors are offered or anything to say about the academics, but we all enjoyed the race.
Have you all thought about how you will stay in touch with your kiddo when s/he is away at college? D is getting me set up on Snapchat. It seems the kids like to maintain these streaks with their friends, where they send each other at least one pic every day–D and I are planning to do the same. I can send D pics of the dogs and family doing silly everyday stuff. She can send me pics of cool things on campus or selfies of how she’s feeling that day. This seems like good “proof of life” assurance between phone calls or Skype.
Other ideas?
Since it’s Black Friday, I’m guessing you’re all out shopping for your kiddos. 
What will your soon-to-be-away-at-college child have under the tree this year? Mine is getting a luggage set. Got a screaming deal on Amazon.
I love snapchatting with my college D!! It’s been a lot of fun for me, you will love it!! You also get a little peak into the party life on their stories lol.
@ShrimpBurrito my kid always “ghosts” me on Snapchat, the little poop. We laugh about it, though.
We text. I suspect I might get a Facetime call now and again, but texting seems to work while she’s at school now. Maybe I will need more hand holding come September.
@ShrimpBurrito both S18 and D20 will be getting luggage sets for Christmas this year as well. I showed them before I hit send because they are both picky and I want them to like it. D20 is excited to get a sky blue set…S18 chose black and said “why do I need 3?”. This coming from the boy who currently packs for a week’s trip using a duffel bag. Not sure what else will be under the tree but nothing big. Probably some little things they need and cash in the stocking.
@ShrimpBurrito I started on Snapchat when my oldest went overseas alone two summers ago. It meant a lot to be able to see her face and know she was happy and healthy when she was so far away. Since then I feel more connected to what’s going on in her life by being able to see it for myself, like see the places she goes, the fun stuff she sees, the faces of friends from college or work I hear about but don’t get a chance to meet, etc.
She is my one friend on Snapchat since D18 made a decision to live social media-free and D20 doesn’t want me to be her friend…but I have spies…
Note to self: Sell my SNAP stock on Monday. You know once parents start using it, then the kids will abandon it. :))
Luggage is actually a great gift idea, and something she eventually needs. But mine is of the “I don’t want to pick out my presents” variety, even though when asked she can’t really articulate what she’d like.
Soooo … I do have a few small things purchased. We have never gone crazy under the tree. I did buy her a great pair of snow boots (Timberlands - they lasted me 20 years including four in Syracuse) that she can wear now, but those aren’t Christmas presents.
Gift cards always fit. She has a serious Panera addiction, and has finally realized it’s expensive without gift cards. =))
We have reached the ultimate in procrastination. S18 decided that he needed to clean his room yesterday before starting his essay. S18 never cleans his room without being asked. It took all day and his room is spotless. But still no essay…
@Momma2018 “What I learned about myself when I spent all day cleaning my room.”
And I’m only partly joking. What did he unearth? Was he surprised that his 10 year old self loved Legos? Did he find a pair of toddler shoes? I’ll bet that would be kind of unique.
We are gearing up for scholarship applications, most of which have an essay/statement requirement. And some of them are quirky. Not quite “what kind of tree are you,” but open-ended enough to get someone into trouble. Here we go again, lol.
We found that weekend duffels/carry bags were something that were really helpful for our college kids. They used those more than they needed suitcases. Going to and from school we used the largest camp style dufflebags to lug everything. Those fold up and go under the bed, in the closet, or back into the car very easily. The weekend bags were what they used for their visits home. My son needed a larger weekend duffle so he can bring his laundry! 
Hi- New Member here- although I have been lurking for a couple of months! Thanks for all the great advice and for sharing your experiences. Here’s our story…DD is a 17yo HS senior, east coast, great public school. She reached out to her school guidance counselor, and literature teacher, who helped her with her essays and applications and thankfully she submitted them in early October. She still refuses to let my DH and I read her essays. You have to choose your battles, so we have given up asking to see them. Amazingly, she was already accepted into 3 of her 8 choices, they were rolling admissions. She will be visiting her first choice next week w her dad. We aren’t visiting the one’s requiring plane travel until she is accepted .She doesn’t want my opinion,so I am staying home :-). She likes cold climates, big cities and doesn’t want any schools within driving distance. It sure is a wild ride-thanks for being there!
Welcome @momofone9! My daughter was the same regarding essays. She ultimately did let me read them, which was a pleasant surprise, though not until after apps were submitted.
Our daughter balked at us reading the essays, too.
D -“Well my CC reads them all and gives edits/suggestions”
Parents- “well, unless CC is planning to pay for your college you better hand ‘em over”
End of discussion.
@bearcatfan - I like that idea. I may mention it to him and see if it can work with one of the prompts. He has been stuck bc the school has around 6 very specific prompts and he would much prefer something open-ended.
My D and I mostly text. Occasionally I will get a snap from her, but usually just texts. I plan to utilize FaceTime A LOT next year. Can’t imagine going too long without seeing her face (plus it’s a better way for me to gauge how she is REALLY doing).
@momofone9 welcome and congratulations on your D admissions. I have found this site helpful, I’m much more of a consumer of info than a contributor.
Our D wanted our spell/Gramer check skills, but balked at content suggestions. Her essays have sort of evolved over time. She still has 3 apps to complete by 12/1, does anyone know whether you can tweak the original common app essay for those schools not applied to yet? Thanks!
Chistmass gifts - computers and business casual clothes ds18 and ds20. dd16 got her Christmas gift early (and unexpectedly yesterday) four new tires and new rear schocks for her car.
For stockings, so far I have lottery tickets for the two oldest and all three will get some spending money for their spring/summer adventures dd16 - euros to spend during her semester abroad in Germany, ds18 will get an envelope labeled “comet cash” with US dollars because I can’t figure out how to get a UTD gift card other than one limited to the book store until he’s actually registered, and ds20 will get some Taiwan New Dollars and some Renminbi (RMB) for his high school’s Chinese club China/Taiwan Trip. These will only be token amounts.
We have a tradition of new matching/co-coordinating PJs for the kids on Christmas eve, this year they will be getting college PJs! Happily I could find OU red plaid PJ pants with a gray OU long sleeve teeshirt, and UT Dallas green plaid PJ pants for the boys with gray long sleeve UTD t-shirts. So yeah! red and green for Chrismas but college so they’ll actually wear then later!