@elena13 I’m sad. Excited for her, but sad because I’ll miss her. She’s sad too, and broke down in tears the other day because she’s gonna miss me and her sister. I told her we will see her as much or more than when she was at boarding school, and she told me this felt different because it feels more permanent. I think the first month will be hard, but by the time she comes home for fall break (on my birthday!) she’ll feel better and pretty settled.
Bittersweet! We have let let them spread their wings.
S19 has been working almost every day, works out about twice/day and has added summer goals of getting better at skateboarding (ugh) and learning the bass, so I hardly get to spend any time with him. That’s been a bit sad but what he wants to do, and I guess it is good preparation for not having him around in the fall. I think move in weekend will be fun, so I’m looking forward to that. For the things that don’t involve the parents, my husband and I will enjoy Nashville. However, there are a number of things planned for parents. I’m excited to learn more about where he will spend the next four years.
We are sad and excited over here. Sad because D is such a fun part of the family and we will miss her so much, excited because it is so nice to see her excited about college. I know D21 will miss D19 the most and that will be really hard for her. Luckily it is a short and usually inexpensive plane ride away so we will hopefully send D21 to go visit once in a while.
Nothing much going on around here. D has been very lazy this summer. She wanted to look for a job but by the time we got back from CA it was only a few weeks until we were leaving again so she didn’t think anybody would hire her just for a few weeks. We have been dorm shopping which should be really fun but is turning into a bit of a pain because she is so picky. So far we have one set of white sheets and 5 cozy throw planets (trying to decide on color/layering/etc) and a few closet organizers but that is it! Oh, I did pick up a few things on Prime Day - extension cord, surge protector, mini steamer.
We are heading to MA this weekend to visit friends and family. Crazy that when we get back my two younger kids will have less than 2 weeks until school starts (hate the FL school schedule!!) and D19 will not have that much longer!
I’ve barely seen S19 all summer! Admittedly I’ve been at the beach a lot and he has not joined us because he’d rather stay home and work, and keep up with his work out schedule. When I am home, he’s either at work or out with friends.
The other day I decided I wanted to start shopping for bedding. S19 refuses to use a top sheet and loves his comforter which is probably 8 years old. Admittedly, the underside is very soft. In fact, if I could find it somewhere, I’d buy a new one for him but it was discontinued years ago. I happened to mention to dh the other day that I’d been online all afternoon looking at bedding. His response was “he’s a guy, he doesn’t care.” Except I knew S19 would care. So next day I ask him what type of bedding he wants. He says, “I don’t care, just get me whatever.” So I Point to his brother’s bed and said “well, since you don’t use a top sheet, do you want a comforter like your brother’s with a duvet you can wash?” He immediately said no, he wants one just like he has now! He then says, “I want to pick it out so I’ll go with you to make sure I like it.” So today he met me at Bed Bath and Beyond and sure enough, he went around feeling the underside of the various comforters until he found one with the texture he liked. Then he said he didn’t care about the sheets, just something similar to what he has now. He said he didn’t care what else I got him, he didn’t even know what all he needs. So as we were walking toward the front to leave, I said what about a pillow. Again, very adamant! He does not want “a fluffy pillow you sink into” (down pillows we mostly have at home). So again, we had to go test out the pillows-he wanted a firm one and settled on a cheapo one! ?. He also does not want memory foam topper like his sister has. He wants one like his topper from home. It’s from IKEA which they don’t sell anymore, so he wants to take his with him.
I recounted this story to dh and he said it was a good thing I was the one who handled this because he would’ve done a “bed in bag” thing and been done with it. He doesn’t understand the need for comfort - he went to a service academy where they couldn’t even have any personal clothes!
One other thing, for anyone still needing to purchase all this stuff, our local BBB is running their college event tonight and Sunday. If you register ahead and go in during the event, everything you purchase is 20% off. If you do the Pack and Hold, they apply the 20% when you pay at pick up at the store near the college. I didn’t even know our store was hosting the event tonight-it was coincidence we were there today. However, I got a coupon in the mail a few weeks ago with the same 20% off ENTIRE purchase so I’m going to get S19’s things later. We just went today so he could pick out the comforter he wanted.
So anyone who is interested in this deal, check your local BBB to see when they are hosting.
Make sure son has two bath towels, a fitted sheet and pillow case, a comforter (I got my S a reversible microfiber twin comforter), toiletries, surge protector and Ethernet cable, plus long phone charging cable and laptop.
That’s all he really needed and wanted.
I’ve used them for my 1st 2 kids and had great luck with them. Went to order for our 3rd but was very disappointed with the color/pattern choices. They used to have a ton more. Also too many masculine choices and not enough dark feminine choices. My daughter doesn’t want white or light pink. We are looking elsewhere because of that
@4kids4us - 
My S19 is the same way. Topper, comforter, pillows!! Loves, loves, loves his comforter - he has had it since the 7th grade. I was never allowed to get rid of it (we could possibly have the same one as you :)) No top sheet EVER. Only the comforter and many “fuzzy” blankets. The comforter is so worn and so soft but is too big for his dorm bed. I also went to BBB and probably touched most of the comforters - I think the sales people thought I was a bit odd. I spent forever there and did find a gray one that will do - but it is nothing like the one he has now. He picked out his (2) toppers already and will be bringing his cool pillows and blankets with him…a comfortable bed is a BIG deal to my son!
I’m getting excited for her to leave because she’s been so moody (she even admits it) lately. I told her on some level, it’s totally understandable…a huge change is coming up and while she is so excited to start UCLA, underneath that this huge change must be a bit daunting on some level…hence the moodiness. Since most UC’s don’t start until the end of September, the sadness hasn’t seeped in yet, but I know it will. Just talk to me in a month and a half.
She’s currently watching the Bachlorette with some friends downstairs. That show is my worst nightmare (can you even imagine your kid being on it???!!!) but they are all amused by the insanity.
I love hearing about all your boys’ love of their comforters with no top sheets + cozy blankets piled on top. What’s the deal with this?! I have a 13 year old boy who is the same. When I have to wash his reversible microfiber bright orange and blue comforter he groans about having a duvet with a duvet cover. Based on what I’ve read I should expect him wanting to take this and his current blankets to college with him. Those boys, always saving us money. Thanks, boys.
@crknwk2000 nice! Yeah my son also will be at UCLA in September. He’s working now and hasn’t even thought of it. My wife and I are getting stuff here and there. Like you said wait about a month and things will get interesting.
S19 is barely home. Working or out with friends most of the time. I’m trying not to panic about him going away. I think I’m still in denial even though it’s 35 days until we leave. He couldn’t care less about bedding but I bought him a new duvet and cover and a weighted blanket and a topper. He saw his how nicely it all matched and told me he doesn’t need things to be perfect and to please not buy a bunch of pillows like a Pottery Barn bed commercial. Ha! Good thing he said something as pillows were my next purchase. I did buy him a pillow of our dog. Sent a photo into and having it made. Sorry that order is already placed and it’s a surprise! He started looking at tapestries and posters. He found some interesting ones and says he will show me before he buys them but I haven’t seen him in 24 hours so not sure when that will be.
He’s a bit moody when I do see him. When I complain about him not being around, he tries to spend a few days around here but I can tell he’s antsy to get back out with friends. He’s acting a bit like he’ll never see them again but I told him friendships can last if both parties put the work in.
He got his orientation trip assignment and will be day hiking in Maine for three days. We have a LONG list of things he needs for that trip so I need to get time with him to pick that stuff out. Anyone here hike? They are saying to have hiking boots with hard sides that are broken in but I don’t see why he can’t wear the more sporty trail type shoes like Merrill’s. Thoughts on that?
ah. I read the hiking list wrong. It just says “hiking shoes with good ankle support”. Just googling best hiking shoes 2019 - I’m sure I’ll find something. Still, if anyone has a brand they like, let me know.
I think the Merrill sporty trail type shoes should be fine. They are not hiking the tallest peaks in the land. He’ll have an extra pair of shoes to wear after the hike is done too, where I doubt he’d hardly ever wear the hi top stiff hikers after that except for hiking trips. If he decides to be a world traveling thru hiker carrying a heavy load on his back all day then he can buy some of those burly boots.
My son decided to send in his AP scores just in case he decides to use 1 or 2 of them to place out of something, but he probably won’t. When we sent them over I noticed he had earned an AP scholar with distinction award. I thought that was cool and he assured me it was no biggie and he didn’t even care about it. I said it’s probably not all that easy to accomplish but I could not find any data/facts to show him any stats. Does anyone know where I could find a percentage chart that shows this?
We only see son19 sporadically throughout the day. He Is spending a lot of time with his friend group taking a lot of adventures. He’s had a good summer so far, lots of fun.
He is working a PT job a few days a week. He was told to take a 5 week rest to let his body heal up ,but today he officially starts his summer workout training program. He has to do quite a bit so I’m not sure if he’s psyched to get going again or not. I think he has liked having time away from the physical and mental demands for a while.
Thanks @RightCoaster.
You can look up the AP awards on the CB website. Some are easier to get than others. There’s a whole list of them.
S19 has also been training this summer. He had a little running break right after school ended but he’s up to 70 miles a week right now and will stay around there until he leaves for Bowdoin. Insane.
@homerdog My d is a serious hiker–Vasque is our go-to brand (either for boots or a hiking “sneaker” type shoe)! REI or Zappos is where we get them. They usually need almost no breaking-in period. For a good trail shoe, look at the Vasque Grand Traverse or Vasque Breeze III Low.
It’s interesting how different the approach to dorm stuff can be. My D19 has basically been shopping & collecting since May–nothing too “matchy” or anything but she’s very particular about what kind of look/vibe & comfort she wants! Whereas my D18 was not very particular–wanted new stuff but was perfectly happy to have me scout out/suggest/buy. Of course, with D19 we have the added logistic of getting it all across the country to California. I think it’s going to be a combo of shipping stuff to her beforehand (sounds like an easy process of boxes being held at one of the dorms for easy access on move-in day) and Bed Bath & Beyond Pack & Hold. Pomona also has a “Recoop” program where they collect used lamps/fridges/furniture/hangers/etc. at the end of each semester and re-sell for cheap on move-in day, so hoping we can get that kind of thing then. As for the kiddo…she’s having a nice summer. A PT job that she loves balanced with spending time with her friends (thank goodness most of whom are around for the summer!) and hanging with us, too. I find I’m in this weird in-between place, where I’m simultaneously excited for this “new phase” in her life to begin on the other side of the country AND kind of in denial that she’ll be gone. 
The departure of D18 off to school wasn’t that bad because she’s only a few hours (by car) away and it was a crazy busy & stressful senior year for D19, keeping me pretty occupied. The completely empty nest is going to be…I don’t even know!
@homerdog I swear by Keen hiking shoes. I don’t normally need ankle support for day hikes, but many people prefer it for the peace of mind. It’s important that shoes have a good traction. They should be a little larger than normal sneakers so they can be worn on relatively thick hiking socks, but not so large that they are loose on the feet. If you buy new shoes, make sure he walks at least a few miles in them before leaving. Socks are important, too - I prefer synthetic socks, many people swear by wool but the first time I tried them I had blisters. Here’s a detailed guide from REI.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking-boots.html
@OrangeBlossomMom my D has been slowly collecting as well. She has a particular sense of style and wants her living space to be happy and peaceful. She is reusing her bedding from her semester school (she doesn’t use a top sheet either- I don’t actually think anyone in our family does), so she’s been thinking of aesthetics. It might be awkward if she doesn’t end up with a single because she’s been banking on that and proceeding as though she won’t be sharing.
Haven’t checked in for a while, but: After being in complete and utter denial about move-in (we had family here the beginning of the summer, then we went on a trip to the lower 48, and now we have other family up here through this coming weekend), we figured it was time to buy her plane tickets, what with move-in being barely over 3 weeks away.
So that’s done. Probably won’t do anything else for another week yet, though.