Check out West Virginia. We took our three teenage boys there and they had a blast...white water rafting, zip-lining (which I had to admit was awesome!), cliff jumping, etc. I can't remember the name of the place, but they had SOOOO many activities. Our boys went to bed very tired each night! We didn't stay on the property, but rented a cute little cabin. Very pretty. New River Gorge...or something like that!

I usually only watch college football and college lacrosse! Go Gators! (I have been watching Gator basketball since they are doing so well!)

Good luck! I got my MBA from UT. They have really grown and the facilities are great.

Congratulations! Well done!

I would look at the specific foreign language requirements for colleges your kids may be interested in attending. I found out two years ago that they vary! Some require SAT subject tests, some don't!

Thanks for the suggestions and "insider" scoop! I live in Florida and am looking forward to "dry" heat vs. the humidity! I will pack extra lotion and lip balm.

Hi, I am going with my DH to a conference in Las Vegas. He will be attending, I will be "spousing" it! Any good ideas of things to do/see while we are there? Things that I could do during the day while he is in the conference? Thanks for any ideas!

We do the fill in the blanks orally and don't write in the book. :)

Ha! I can totally relate! I had to give up my office/classroom/reading nook/exercise room last Thursday when my ds came home. I am SO glad to have him home...I didn't really mind cleaning it up! (Although I cringed when I went in there today to get something...his clothes were everywhere, suitcase half unpacked, empty glasses...maybe I should have waited to clean AFTER he leaves!) It's good to have all my boys in their rooms at night! Merry Christmas everyone!

Hire a guide to drive/ride in your car! We did this and it was FANTASTIC! He was very informative and we let him drive our car...didn't have to worry about navigating! You can make reservations through the park system. He wove a story through the sites...and would end with a "cliff hanger" that would carry us to the next stop. Learned SO much! Have fun!

Hi Barb, It's ok to miss them! I left mine Monday at the University of Florida. It was an emotional week leading up to his departure...and then when I drove my van out of the driveway...and when I was driving on the interstate..._______fill in the blank. Once we got there and started working...I was too busy. I was totally expecting to cry when I actually hugged him good-bye and left him at his apartment...but I didn't! I think I was too exhausted and my tear ducts were dry from the morning! I came home yesterday and cleaned out his room without shedding a tear. I love texting and hearing about what he's doing...but I do miss him. I still have two teenage boys at home...so the toilet will still not be FLUSHED! (Although my oldest was the only one that actually DID it! He was so excited about finally having his own bathroom!!!), there will still be messy rooms, violin/piano playing, noise...but I won't have my oldest here. The other boys say it's "depressing" to go into his old room. The hardest part of launching them into life is grieving the loss of childhood.... On the positive side...I now have an office/guest room! I won't have to clean my middle son's room when company comes...this room will be clean! Hugs to you...you're not alone :)

I read In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin a couple of weeks ago and found it really fascinating. Written about the Ambassador to Germany pre-WWII. Very enlightening. I learned a great deal of the posturing of the nations before WWII. I wasn't sure I would like it...even though I love history...but I did!

We are taking our son to the University of Florida today. I feel your pain/pride/etc! He is moving into an apartment with my niece and nephew (the nephew is in grad school at UF, the niece will be a junior at Santa Fe...but it's her first time away from home). They have it made! The apartment is huge and very safe and close to campus. It helps knowing that he will be near family. My sister and parents live 30 minutes away and we are only 2 1/2 hours. I have had a teary-eyed week and a good cry last night...hopefully I will be able to hold it together today ;) I am happy and excited for this new stage of life, yet sad to see the end of his childhood stage. Every stage is good...I have to keep reminding myself of that! I'll be thinking of you...and others....who are launching their kids into life in the next few days/weeks!

Jumping in with both feet on August 22nd. We like to start really strong...so we can finish lighter! Happy homeschooling everyone!

Thanks for posting this! I just got back with my deals! My Staples associate was really nice about the 25 deals. The associate saw me counting and then went and opened the box and gave me the items in bundles...she did that for everything that was $.01...said it helped not only me, the cashier, but the people re-stocking, as well. Looking forward to next week's deals!