August 19, 2010

Transitions

Beautiful Smart Wonderful Daughter, Boy in Black, and First Extra have been moving into an apartment near campus, the bottom half of an old house that they are furnishing it in a style that might be best described as Early Curb Side. The three of them will be living just across the street from the Classy House, a rental that houses a bunch of students they know, most importantly, Blue-eyed Ultimate Player. Film Guy, Skater Boy, Pirate Boy, and Sailor Boy have already been over to inspect the place, which feels like an extension of our own living room, just ten miles away.

My daughter finished her master’s thesis this summer. (Somehow, she was able to work amidst the noise and confusion of our household. It probably helped that her mother was out of town so much.) She and Boy in Black began orientation for their PhD programs at Snowstorm University this week. Now that I’m home from my travels, I’ve been cleaning my office, writing a syllabus, and getting ready for the start of a new semester. I’ve been thinking about the approach of winter as well: I froze seven quarts of tomato sauce on Tuesday, and I’m waiting for a delivery of firewood. With-a-Why has been thinking about the fall: he actually pulled out his summer reading list and asked me to order the books, so there’s some chance he might even read them before school starts.

Shaggy Hair Boy’s back-to-school project? He had his wisdom teeth pulled out.

He chose to stay awake for the surgery: the dental surgeon just used novocaine. (He’s nineteen so it was his decision, not mine.) “It hurt a lot,” he reported afterwards, talking through wads of bloody gauze, and clutching the four teeth in his hand. His strategy was to stay up most of the night before the surgery, so that afterwards, he was so exhausted he would sleep. The strategy seems to have worked; he has done little but sleep for the last 24 hours.

We’re going up to camp this weekend to swim and play bocce and canoe and sail. But then, starting Monday, I’m back to work, and the summer is over.

11 comments:

halloweenlover said...

Ok Jo(e), you simple HAVE to do a series of posts on your parenting tips. I NEED TO KNOW what I can do to make my kids be friends the way your kids are. And don't tell me it is all kid personality!

I want concrete tips! What not to do! How to discipline! I want to know everything!

YourFireAnt said...

Wow. We got out to Wordplay County Park for our picnic just in time.

T.

Word verif is 'packed' .

jo(e) said...

FA -- Yeah, by next week, I'll be all busy and stressed out.

Halloweenlover: Maybe I should have my daughter write a guest post ....

Kyla said...

Transitions at our house, too. I'm finally starting university (day classes!) next Monday, then on Tuesday KayTar starts Kinder and BubTar starts 3rd grade. I'm excited and nervous!

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

I'd love to read a guest post from your daughter.

L said...

Well, lucky you, your kids will be living close for a few more years!! (With the whole story of your daughter moving her things from the house and suggesting one of her brothers could have her room I thought she was going farther away).

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Wait wait wait: BSWD and BiB are both old enough to start PhD programs already? How long have I been reading this blog? How old am I now? This amazes me.

KathyR said...

Early Curbside! --snort!--

Rev Dr Mom said...

I'm so impressed that you have two kids in doctoral programs! And you are so lucky to have them close to home.

Summer has gone by way too fast...

Silver Creek Mom said...

ONE day I hope to be worrying about my own PhD...I have yet to get through undergrad. LOL! My Beautiful smart daughter is thinking of doing her masters now too.

I am so glad they are going to be close. Mine is close but it is 2 hours away.

Summer has gone on way to fast! My youngest starts grade 4 next Monday! Yikes!

halloweenlover said...

Yes yes yes on your daughter's guest post, or at least tell her to email me privately and share all your secrets. And then you should write a parenting book.

But in the meantime, at least tell me all your secrets before my kids get too old! I also need some sanity tips.