2nd year uni (starting 2018)

[HSMMaCM]

The old thread seems to have filled up!

Just looked up Posing Pandas on Amazon and it’s out of stock! This thread obviously has a lot of lurkers . . . . .

Going to collect DS on Saturday. Can’t wait to see him as he hasn’t been home all term. He wants to decorate the tree when he’s back and then lie in front of the fire and do nothing at all.

Noooo! Haven't managed to get it yet, couldn't see it in our Sainsbury's 😞

I went into town to get some bits and bobs for DD, and it occurred me to look in the Sainsbury's Local there...they had a small display of 'stocking fillers' so I've got my pandas. I also found a 'tea ball' (dragon shaped, oddly enough) to solve the loose tea problem.

She's coming home a day earlier than originally planned, so tomorrow week.

Waiting to buy and the decorate the tree when DS is home this weekend too. He's looking forward to coming home but he's so much happier in his new house that the horrors of the start of term seem a distant memory now. House finalised for next year too, with an old friend from school and another lovely lad so at least that's so sorted. They may stay there for fourth year too or move back into college but that decision can wait for a while.
I'm looking for stocking fillers too and I've only just seen the discussion about Posing Pandas.....not sure how they'd go down with mine but I might have a look, just in case!
Enjoy time with your DCs these holidays everyone, I know I will.

Good reading about your Xmas plans and presents.
Phizzdog glad to see your ds is ok now. Dd has settled back in halls, and has relaxed visibly now she has a placement sorted for next year. She will be living near Portsmouth!

We have an artificial tree which we've had (along with most of the decorations) since DD was 3. (We didn't bother when she was one, and somehow when she was two went out for a tree and came back with a small goldfish tank. That still puzzles me, but Cyril and Frank... Hank....Hank2 were age-appropriately instructive on the 'cycle of life and death' ...maybe would have been better for Easter...). Anyhow... I guess we'll get it down from the loft next week, I'm in no hurry, may leave it for DD to decorate.

Phizzog, I am so pleased.

DD has had a rough few years with a serious accident before the start of Yr 13, and then a very difficult flat in her first year.

She came home last weekend and it feels as if the familiar and happy DD is back. Though she now, disconcertingly, calls refers to Bristol as "home".

Term does not finish till 21st, and though she thought she had, she had in fact forgotten to book a train on 22nd when it appears that half the West Country is heading for London. She may have got the last cheap seat on a very early train. Good as we then fly off to see her brother. I have no idea what Christmassy things he has planned. It will be interesting. We are getting messages asking whether a mini-ht dog is the same as a chipolata. (NO!)

That's good to hear about better accommodation situations Phizzog and Needmoresleep. They can enjoy Christmas
without that feeling of dread as the time approaches to go back.

When I went to pick DS2 up in the summer, he took me out for lunch locally and then we had a mooch about before we dropped some stuff off at his student house. He was chatting away about his course and his social life and how much he loved it all. It suddenly dawned on me he now had a life he'd created for himself separate from his home life. One of those watershed moments where you see the transition they are making from childhood into independence. At the moment I can see him staying in his adopted city so I know what you mean by it being a bit disconcerting, as much as we are pleased for them.

It's lovely that they're growing up and away and creating their own lives. If we've helped them achieve that then we've done a good job.
Not sure where mine will settle, he'll almost definitely take up further study and wants to do a PhD but who knows where.
I have the next one to worry about too and that's far more complicated

This is my second wave (as our older 3 children went to university from 13 years ago within about 4 years of each other) so I am not quite so surprised by things. Mine seem happy still (the Bristol twins) and are coming back about 21st i think as one has a presentation to give on his course on 20th. We usually go away sking at Christmas but aren't this year so it's quite relaxed. They will drive themselves home.

One of mine was very keen we had hte usual real tree (and in Bristol he and a girl in his house bought a real tree and carried it back so they are certainly getting into the Christmas spirit and have arranged a dinner party at the house too this week).

Good luck with your next one Phizzog. These are my last ones. I think it is likely they will move home after they graduate as their sibilings did but we shall see.

Work is very busy for me so the fact thery are not back until about 21st is not a bad thing.

Errol - is it the tree in the loft or the fish tank?

NMS, we don't bother with the train - Megabus outside Blacks to Victoria in about the same train as the train for £10!

DD is out on her work do - 3course meal then clubbing, paid for by work. Better than I got!

Ds had his last exam on Monday, so he and his flatmates are cooking a celebratory roast dinner...he'll be heading home on Saturday...his dsis is coming home tomorrow- she's in final year so had an essay to hand in this week , then will be starting on her dissertation after Christmas. She has dyslexia and essay writing doesn't come easily to her , but I've seen an amazing improvement in her essay writing especially since she spent a year in industry, so now knows how her course relates to real life outside academia!
Waiting till the weekend to get the tree

DD has last exam tomorrow but is going to Daft Friday (8pm -8am) on the 14th - has booked the train home on 15th - arriving late so as to be home in time for dh's birthday.

She hasn't been home at all but I have been twice to see her including - once to go to an elderly relative's birthday celebration where we left dear elderly aunt and uncle sitting up in the lounge at 3am singing along to Frank Sinatra while dd and I crawled off to bed with dd whispering " how can they stay up so late ?!"

BTM, coach fully booked as well!

Serves her right. She will have to get up very early indeed to be at station for the first train. But apparently very cheap.

She is pleased though, that her Bristruth has over 100 comments.

NMS, eeek re coach - DD comes home on Fri - pretty sure it's booked...
I often get Bistruths pop up on FB when DD comments - wonder what it was...?!

Picking dd up from station this aft and will do a bit of Christmas shopping. Can't wait!

BTM...to continue our private conversation, and in case it is useful to other Bristolians, it looks at least some of the coaches are full on 22nd and on the evening of 21st. DD is expecting a full day of teaching on 21st so does not have many options. The situation is worse as SouthWestern (Bristol to Waterloo - often a cheaper option) is threatening a strike on 22nd. Plus she did not fancy being on the road the Saturday before Christmas.

Its a big University. Many travel home via London. To add that to the normal Christmas rush is interesting.

If you are on Fb, Brispets is worth a look. DDs friend was very proud her pet had been featured.

May be my 2 can start an auction for a place in their car then! I hope they leave when the roads are not too bad. One likes to drive with no traffic which can mean ridiculous driving in the night kind of thing which I never think is a good idea even if you get a clear run.

Enjoy having your DD home RedHelenB 😊
I'm collecting my DS from the station on Fri and the tree goes up on Saturday 😀

It's definitely noisier in the house but it feels like the family is complete again. Had a lovely evening watching Love Actually and the apprentice interviews and catching up I'm starting to feel Chrstmassy now.

Message from DS on Monday - "full tank of petrol in the car ready to drive home. "
Considering he isn't driving till Saturday , I am taking this as a sign from my pragmatic " why use 10 words when one will do" son, that he is looking forward to Christmas.

Haven't seen him since October 1 , so will be lovely. Tree will be waiting . x

Snap re Love Actually - I'm starting to feel Christmassy too now! 😊

My dd can auction three car spaces