<p>kitkat, I emailed the schools and told them that we’d need an extension because we obviously couldn’t make a decision until we had firm numbers in hand. The issue then got resolved so I didn’t need the extension, but the schools in question were really very responsive. I’d have an issue with any school that WASN’T responsive - do you really want to deal with that for four years?</p>
<p>Harriet-- It was originally descriptive of me and now also of my S. (and has nothing to do with encephalitis, which it kind of looks like it might) (And I smile every time I see you sn, because I loved that book.)</p>
<p>nceph- congrats on the Williams legacy!!!
I wish my kids would have considered my alma mater(s), but nope, no way, no how, not interested.</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas, everyone. We did the baby pics and inspirational quote for the HS yearbook (and they use the baby pics in a slide show at convocation). DS’s college yearbook allows for 1 baby pic and brief inspirational quote. I picked a Ghandi quote, and then discovered its very overused. Oh well. I am surprised they do the college yearbook so late- it gets maild out in the fall, several mos after graduation. Maybe to be sure the kids actually graduate?? I hope they do a tribute to the missing student and the students who passed away during the past few years,. So sad for such a small school.</p>
<p>Firedancer? Nah. But I can eat a downhome barbeque or an elegant dinner any day as long as I don’t have to prepare them.</p>
<p>jude - Congratulations. I know a few parents with kids who went to Gettysburg and they all were quite happy there. </p>
<p>kitkat - Did they even give you a date they would finalize their offers? That is so inconsiderate of them.</p>
<p>nceph - H grew up near Williamstown and he always tells the story that he hung up the blinds on the dorm rooms in Williams when he was 17 (he was in working for a hardware store that summer). The Clark Art Museum is fantastic.</p>
<p>Well, I was going to keep it a surprise, but I ordered hundreds of macaroons from Ladurie, the amazing Parisian bakery. They come double cookied, with filling in twenty flavors, the filling flavor matching the cookie flavor. And tubs and tubs of French ice cream, better than gelato, trust me, is also coming. Plus some Don Perignon. Magnums. Of course.</p>
<p>The good thing is that these goodies go with any and all of the suggested cuisines.</p>
<p>And I also hired a blue grass band. Don’t worry. They won’t play for the entire time, but I can never think of anything else so festive!</p>
<p>And now dear friends, must go to work.</p>
<p>Hi owl – good to see you back. The lounge just aint the lounge without you. You will go down in history as one of those great court ladies who ran the most incredible salon!</p>
<p>Kitkat: I want to punch their lights out. If all deluged them with emails about the FA awards maybe they’d saddle up. No, sweetie, don’t have a heart attack. Only kidding. Would never intervene. Just breathe. It’s all you really have to do.</p>
<p>I have mixed feelings about the whole legacy deal. I really didn’t push either kid to apply, but they both did. The admissions office offers courtesy interviews to the children of alums to tell them what their rough chances of getting in are and has discouraged some really talented legacies even from applying. My kids didn’t do the courtesy interview, so we had no idea of their chances. I just knew I was going to take it that much more personally if they didn’t get in (they both did). Now that my S has decided to go there, however, I do think it’s going to be kind of fun to move him into a familiar dorm. Actually, it would have been fun to move him into an unfamiliar one, too. I am very excited, and my low key teenager thinks I’m (more than) kind of nuts.</p>
<p>Oh that would be great! How funny! Yes - you are right - its the not being in control of the situation that is driving me crazy!</p>
<p>I’m having trouble keeping up with all the action going on in the V-Lounge…now that the decision is made, H is keeping me busy with the business, we have a big tuition bill to pay now!!! Crazy thing is, I’m happy about it.</p>
<p>kitkat, this is just crazy what the schools are putting you through. You need closure, because if you don’t try, you will always wonder, what if? </p>
<p>Wedgedrive, good luck getting a decision. We’re waiting!</p>
<p>nceph, it sounds like a great decision to me!!! Congrats!</p>
<p>jude, I was also a little sad last year about my older D’s choice. But it turned out that she has been so happy with her decision that I also think it was the right one for her now. I just didn’t think it would be good for younger D to follow her there.</p>
<p>mountains, that prom get up for your S & date sounds like a hoot. They will have a blast. It’s also really great he picked Colby. What would he do if his waitlist school comes through?</p>
<p>As far as YB quotes, older D did, “Nice, nice it’s all very nice, so many different people working for the same device.” Bokonon-Cat’s Craddle", Vonnegut</p>
<p>If I remember right, younger D is quoting song lyrics by Patrick Wolf this year.</p>
<p>And for the party on May 1st, I love the Owlice’s casual BBQ-elegant dinner party-lulau with mythmom’s imported macaroons and Don Perignon! I’ll make blender drinks and Persian rice. Do you think we can “virtually” fit into our D’s prom dresses for the party? You all will be tickled by my chartruse feather earrings!!!</p>
<p>2forcollege - I have no clue what S would do if the waitlist comes through. Every time I think about it, I stop myself because I just don’t want to think about it. :)</p>
<p>Without a doubt, I am going to virtually fit in all those glamorous prom dresses, have various virtual dates and eat as many virtual calories (alas, only the last one is true).</p>
<p>mythmom: Ahhhh…Ladurie was amazing (especially the hot chocolate)…do they actually ship???/</p>
<p>I really cannot keep up with this thread, but congrats to all!</p>
<p>kitkat: Sorry you are still waiting out there; when do these schools think they will give you an answer?</p>
<p>This thread is quite busy!! Lots to try to digest!</p>
<p>NCeph-
Have they finished the reconstruction of the student center/dining hall area (I think thats what it was that was about to go under renovation several yrs ago). Must be pretty!</p>
<p>I am not getting any response so I don’t really know what their time table is. When I called I got put through to the counselor’s voice mail. No return calls. When I emailed, I get no response. My next call (this afternoon) is going to be alot more firm. I guess I assumed it was implicit that they would give me an answer in time to make the deadline, and that I had given more than enough time to get an answer. BTW - I sent my original information to them on April 11.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>lol! Macaroons, cake, champagne, pineapple, pulled pork, chevre in phyllo, dark chocolate, ice cream… </p>
<p>Yes, lots to try to digest! :D</p>
<p>2forcollege – Is your D headed to Michigan? Or did I imagine that? One of my S’s best friends is headed to Michigan this fall. Really nice girl. I grew up a Michigan fan, because I have a lot of family associated with the University, although I’ve had to tone it down a bit since I married an Ohio State fan (and when UNC, H’s alma mater, has played Michigan in basketball – back when Michigan had a decent team). (Of course, if your D isn’t going to Michigan, well, nevermind!)</p>
<p>jym626 – Yes, the new student center is complete. I haven’t seen it yet in person, but I hear it’s nice. Now they’re embarking on replacing the library. I expect there to be construction going on forever, but it seems that’s the case with most colleges. (Vassar was undergoing some renovations to Main when my S and I visited over a year ago.)</p>
<p>Ok - I did it, I really did it. I mailed the first batch of graduation announcements with custom stamps with S’s new college logo on them (from photostamps.com) — so, it’s REALLY gonna happen. WOW </p>
<p>Now I am crying at the thought of actually leaving him in a brand new town with loads of brand new challenges and experiences. I’m going to have to fly home by myself and I hope I don’t get picked up by the police for being a blithering idiot as I drag myself through the airport.</p>
<p>When does the crying stop???</p>
<p>university1, there’s a gas station about five minutes away from D’s school which we all call “the crying station,” because after we moved her in freshman year, we all made it as far as that station, at which point we all burst into nearly simultaneous tears. Those stopped fairly quickly. But they come and go for a few weeks after that. </p>
<p>Still, they’re mostly the happy kind.</p>
<p>university</p>
<p>I cried a lot more in anticipation. By the time we left him on campus after a wonderful orientation, filled with caring and reassuring and moving messages from the president, dean of students, etc., etc., I felt he was in such good hands that I left with quite a light heart. With the first year almost over, I can hardly wait to get him home again, but when it’s time for him to go back to his “other home”, I think I’ll be at peace with it. A happy kid=a happy mom.</p>
<p>I felt the same way when I left #1 son. He was so excited - and I knew he was in a great situation. I had a misty-eyed moment and then was fine. One of his friends - however - his mom cried the whole 5 hour drive to school and the whole unpacking. It was really hard for him - he wanted to be excited but she made him feel kinda bad about his excitement.</p>
<p>I’m having the pulled pork and pineapple. For dessert ice cream, Breyer’s
Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip please. Did you notice the 1.75 package is now 1.5? A sneaky price increase. </p>
<p>That meta thread/Viola Dad! Feels good to laugh that hard.</p>
<p>Oh, look, it’s tea time.</p>
<p>But today I say to heck with the tea; someone pass the bourbon!!!</p>