<p>I just had a fishy conversation with my 1st grader – the salmon recipe sounded so yummy:</p>
<p>Me: So, do you like fish?
Him: Sure, I like fish.
Me: To eat?
Him: That’s gross. Fish have EYES! </p>
<p>Well, if that’s his criteria…no need to explain where hamburgers and chicken nuggets come from! </p>
<p>AP exams: Three this week, three next week. Spanish was 4 hours long: “a beast”. Today was Calculus, should be fine based on practice tests, English something or other tomorrow. No way to study for that, I’m told. Next week: Physics and Econ (2 tests). Should be an interesting weekend since finals are next week, too. My AP involvement started and ended with writing a check to College Board for more than our family will spend on vacation this summer.</p>
<p>I called D’s college today because I’ve been checking my bank account online and they haven’t cashed the deposit check yet. But the college confirmed that they got the check and D IS enrolled. </p>
<p>So I guess I’ll start obsessing about something else for a while.</p>
<p>I was anxious to know if my D’s college received my check and was about to call them, but I guess they read my mind and as a pre-emptive strike sent D a small card “Just wanted to let you know we have recieved your deposit”</p>
<p>Now the towel obsession can officially begin :)</p>
<p>Correction, because I really am proud of him: The merit scholarship isn’t extra-small. It’s an extra (i.e., unexpected), small one! But big enough to compensate the bank account for a lens, of course.</p>
<p>Navy towels? I’m envisioning a totally blue wardrobe after the first wash. I was thinking earth tones, and plenty of 'em. But I’m not buying them until we get there, because we’re flying. And I’m wondering: How come they all get new towels, and we keep the old ones?</p>
<p>Towels! I must have had towels when I went off to college, but I do not remember them at all. </p>
<p>Once I transferred to Flagship State U (which was before I transferred elsewhere…), I lived alone in an apartment, and I still have the towels I bought one January day while partaking of retail therapy. I still love them! I wouldn’t put them out for company to see, however, as they look nearly as old as I do.</p>
<p>LIMOMOF2, don’t be too impressed about my S self-studying. We apparently had a miscommunication; I suggested that he might want to take it, he told me he did want to take it, and I believed him. Turns out he doesn’t want to take the test after all, but as the school pays for all AP tests, I told him he had to take it since he’s signed up for it. Thus endeth any future suggestions from me to him about AP tests, and so long as I’m on that kick, SAT and SAT IIs, too; these are now fully his responsibility, though I’m willing to put money into his debit card account to pay for any tests he signs himself up for. This may result in his never taking another standardized test that the school doesn’t require, but oh, well!</p>
<p>Speaking of having computer privileges revoked, as someone did, I’ve had a computer mouse and keyboard riding around in the trunk of my car since Friday…</p>
<p>mythmom - That is so wonderful. Warn him that Florence can get unbearably hot in the summer - great excuse for eating gelato ten times a day, though.</p>
<p>Went to Target last week and got teal and black towels. Found the perfect fabric for a border on his black comforter and the accompanying wall hanging (a mathy thing) today. He is pleased. So am I. </p>
<p>I had the colors set (I thought) and then he decided he wants to order a binary fleece throw and pillow with his award $$ (geezermom, I hear ya!). Had to add “monitor green” to the mix. It all worked out. I suggested that if he gives me a list of suggestions for graduation gifts, the price on the pillow and fleece are sufficiently reasonable that they could be included.</p>
<p>AP exams: S1 took Comp Gov’t on Monday, thought it was fine. Is taking AP Physics C next Monday, says he “might” study. He is taking a physics major intro course (requiress MV/DiffEq), so he feels pretty prepared. The teacher has told the kids not to worry.</p>
<p>S2 took SAT-II USH last Saturday and felt great. Did a prior year’s MC in class today and did very well, and has been doing lots of practice essays. Got feedback from his teacher (who is an AP US grader) and says he’s doing fine. He is bound and determined to 800/5 this one – it’s his subject. Enviro is next Tuesday – has been doing well on practice stuff, will study more this weekend.</p>
<p>Mythmom, make sure he goes to Vivoli’s on Isola delle Stinche (by Santa Croce)–best gelato in the world! And warn him, it can get very hot in Florence in the summer. Still, wouldn’t it be nice to go and eat all that great food and drink all that great wine!</p>
<p>Mymom, what a fantastic opportunity for your son! </p>
<p>A mouse in your car trunk, owlice? That reminds me of that incredibly frightening thread bethievt started some months ago…</p>
<p>My son’s test today went really well. He’s happy as it reflects well on the teacher, but realized the score won’t really matter for him personally. It certainly takes the pressure off.</p>
<p>Ah, college shopping. Ours won’t be too bad. Last year we had to buy extra-long sheets and a blanket for a summer program. I’m sending him off with old towels. We have some really long ones he used to take to the gym which are in great shape. I want to get an extra-long comforter with a duvet cover, and a mattress pad. I remember reading about one of those foam pads on the bedding thread which I’d like to get for him. Also, I want to send him with a fan. We live in a dry area, and I think he’ll die from the heat and humidity initially. Oh, and a desk lamp.</p>
<p>Ah yes, gelato. DS has already been to Rome with Latin Class geeks; no on to Florence. He loved gelato in Rome. And he’s amazingly skinny. Sigh. I was born in the wrong generation! When I was 18 I had a fight with my BF and hitched home from Woodstock and thought it was the experience of a lifetime.</p>
<p>Now they’re off in England, Italy, and DD went to France this week.</p>
<p>Oh dear, D has a Japanese test coming up. That is a very mysterious language, I’d say! Why on earth do they need 3 alphabets?</p>
<p>Speaking of animals turning up in cars, last night a local news channel showed a picture of some pitbull who somehow managed to squeeze his body into and get stuck in the engine compartment of a pickup truck. The owner of the truck freed the pooch, and he was fine, but the truck neded major repairs - the pitbull chewed through everything plastic within his reach in his frantic attempts to get out.</p>
<p>mythmom - I’m gelato-us! I want to spend summer in Florence, but it is quite likely I’d be weeding my garden instead.</p>
<p>I was all geared up to give advice about the mouse in the trunk until I realized it was electronic. If it comes to life, let me know, because I know how to deal with it!</p>
<p>I heard a story recently, where the speaker was lamenting that his children are living out HIS dreams, and I can so relate to that. I got out of college, got married, had babies, and went to work. We’ve traveled a fair amount, but only locally. I’ve never been anywhere that required a passport. My children however… one went to Guatemala and one went to Nicaragua. I’m so jealous of the opportunities they’ve had. And once I’ve paid for their trips, I have no money left to take my own…</p>