GCSEs 2018 (14): the aftermath

We had to do binary for the candles on DS2's 15th birthday cake because all we could find were 1s.

Ha Ha I was going to go for the binary birthday candles as well, even though DS birthday isn't til November. I wonder if they'll notice a sudden increase in orders

That's dedication Stickerrocks!

Oh my word, that Maths Gear site is good. I am looking forward to seeing DD1's face when I put the "binary birthday candles" on her cake. She will love the fact that she is 10000 years old!

It rained in Cornwall earlier too. I was forced to drive 200 miles to get back into sunshine again!

Send it this way mmzz. My veg plants are shrivelling up!

BlueBelle Actually, I'm really reassured that you can't remember. Possibly I'm over-thinking the need to buy something amazing. She will undoubtedly be very happy with her geeky T-shirts!

I do like the look of the mathsgear website, though. I can probably also use that for DH's next few birthdays, thanks to adrinkofwater.

AChickenCalledKorma my DS had a couple of things from a website called mathsgear for his birthday.

Sost keep strong, your positivity will get you through this

Oratoryfor my 21st my mum got me a piece of jewellery, which I still have, it was nice to have something to keep.

AChickenCalledKorma I've racked my brains but I can't even remember what I bought DD for her 16th (clearly wasn't memorable) so no help unless she likes jewellery.

I can't see DS getting up very early today after the England drama

Thanks for the birthday ideas - that's got my brain into gear! Lots of things I would never have thought of.

Today she comes back from her silver DofE expedition, which she was very stressed about because the group dynamics have been quite tricky. But at least they won't have been cold and wet this time .

Yes new scientist live was great. Also recommend escape rooms. We got one for DD1 for Christmas and did it as a family ( no friends) - you often only need 3 or 4 people

I’m having exactly the same issue over DD1 s 21 st. No ideas at all. Very bad mother ,

Sostenueto hope the remaining treatments go well and don't make you feel too awful.

AChickenCalledKorma if you live near London, how about tickets to New Scientist Live? DS2 went with DH last year and they both loved it.

chicken what about a Young Driver session if you have those near you? My DS is desperate to drive and has had a few lessons at Brooklands since he was 13 (Xmas pressies from granddad)

City break to European city?
Visit to Shard/other skyscraper?
Ticket to Comicon or similar?
Escape rooms - needs others to join in however?
One day cooking course - something tricky like sushi/pastry/dim sum/cake?
Laptop for college?

DS's birthday is early January so I have taken him on a European city break ever year since he was 12, quite cheap in January! Paris, Madrid, Rome, Nice, Marseilles. Lots of art galleries, markets, nice food, and a bit of biking, and all the free stuff available and people-watching from cafés

I got DS3 a Simon Singh book, The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets. Unfortunately so did his father. I've also got him a new sim with lots of data which went down well.

Chicken the one graphics tablet we have is popular in our house.

Best wishes to you Sost stay strong.
DD has completed day two of four at second choice sixth form induction. Made a few friends and seems to like it. Will be interesting to see if she changes her mind about where she wants to go after this week.

Very best wishes from me too Sostenueto.

Yesterday he went to the induction for his 1st choice sixth form (all fingers crossed) which is the school he is currently at. He came home having 'decided' to do an EPQ (on top of four A-levels). I think not.

DS2 has his induction at his 3rd choice of sixth form today. It is the closest of thr three sixth forms he has applied to and is a perfectly good school, but is slightly less academic and has less SEN provision. Great for neurotypical all-rounders, slightly less good for maths & science geeks on the autistic spectrum.

He recognised two people from his school and two people he had been to primary school with, but didn't know anyone else.

They did taster classes of their chosen A-level preferences, arranged by the blocks they've been timetabled in. DS2 said the Further Maths class only had two students (including him).

He had a mini-interview with the head of sixth form. I had advised him not to mention that this is his third choice and that he is actually hoping to stay at his current school if he gets high grades. He was directly asked "Why are you applying here when you have a guaranteed offer from [current school]?" which he said was a bit awkward.

Doc Martens
Tickets for something

Wishing you well Sostenuto. I hope you are getting help and support IRL. You deserve it!

So - my next challenge is finding a 16th birthday present for DD1. Since there seem to be a lot of like-minded 16yos represented on this thread, ideas would be most welcome. So far, we have a couple of T-shirts from her favourite comic strip (XKCD). These are the only thing on her wish list, and were actually a bit pricey as they came from the US. But a couple of T-shirts doesn't really seem sufficiently momentous for a 16th.

Ideas for off-the-wall gifts likely to be appreciated by science-y, maths-loving, non-conformist daughters would be most welcome.

Sost hang on in there my lovely chum! It must be grim for you to be struggling, but with Team Sost behind you, you have more hope of getting through this than England have of winning a penalty shoot out. It could be worse, my DF has just asked my DD if she knows anything about drugs and has her school told her not to take them.

Sostenueto really hope you feel better soon, it must be horrible coping with the treatment. and hugs. xx