Continuing Year 13: January 2016

[Needmoresleep]

Only two more terms at school. Let's support each other support our DC in getting through to the end.

Another not looking forward to September when the house will be empty. I've only just got used to adjusting the cooking quantities when DS1 comes and goes back to uni.

My 6'4" and a little bit DS1 was 18 yesterday and its really struck home he will be off in September!

Off to sixth form information evening for DD tonight though. Will still be busy.

Mine's 6'3" and 18 in a couple of weeks. We do seem to have some giant DC. Any tips for where to buy 30" waist 36" leg skinny jeans?

My DD1 is only 5'3". but she is bigger than me so it doesn't seem like she is too small to leave home - I do worry she is too gentle though. And just, you know, young. But she's a way off 18 yet, also, which probably has something to do with it. It's going to be awful when she isn't here, even though we have 2 other DCs. We are very close and we are the only people in the world who really 'get' each other. The other two get aspects of me, but are also at sea with other aspects. DH is at sea with all of us, really! I'm dreading it, to be honest.

So glad to have found this continuation thread!

What is this 'reserve' you folks are talking about? Is this more than just a personal 'I'll go here if I get that grade... and there if I don't?' Or is it an actual choice that must be made on UCAS?

My DS tells me nothing! He's had 5 offers, so should I now be suggesting he does something on the UCAS site?

My DD has had a recall to a drama school, after her rejection at the first audition at Central. She's going back to Guildford hoo-blooming-ray because it has bucked her up no end (and she has RADA next week gulp).

Mocks? They have mocks? you would not know it from the work being done by the little Frolicks.

Uhtred, my DD is the person I get on best with in the world. When she came home with her first proper boyfriend I sobbed for days... a unique feeling, so poignantly painful that she "loves"/shares with/enjoys the company of/wants to be with, someone other than her mum. But I'm over it now. As she said, I'm still the mum she loves best :)

Just use your Viking sailing powers to hug the coastline of your DD and don't let her sail too far into the unknown!

Squirrels, when you find those jeans can you let me know? I've been stuffing DS with chips and biscuits but he's still skinny as a rake!

Needmoresleep - only two more terms you are so right I hadn't thought of it that way - and one of those isn't even a 'real' term.

Talking of 18th birthdays, we are taking ours to a posh foodie restaurant for the first and last time in our lives, I do think it's immoral to pay so much for food, to be honest, but I cannot think of anything else that they haven't done and might like! So it's a good helping of extortionate butter nut and aubergine foam, porridge tuilles and snail icecream for us, later in February.

If anyone has any imaginative was of celebrating an 18th, or gifts to give to your 18 year old daughter, they would be gratefully received!

I hope your DC like the posh foodie restaurant, frolics.

bucking, once you've received all your offers (or rejections) you have a set amount of time in which to make two preferences, 1st and 2nd choice. Ideally second choice should be a lower offer as you'll get your 1st choice if you make the grades (or sometimes if you are very close) but if you don't your 2nd choice will come into play. You can't keep all 5 offers. The dates to make your decision are on the UCAS website.

Here you go, bucking

www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/track-your-application/replying-your-offers

DS is 18 next week. He is not a big party person, so he's having various separate events. A dinner at a very smart restaurant with us and one set of grandparents (but not the snail ice cream restaurant!) a meal out with a gang of his mates, and a gastro pub lunch with DH's side of the family.

The present bit has been tricky. Leeds2 I thought girls would be easier because you can always get a nice piece of jewellery but perhaps not! Would she like a spa day with a friend? Or you - even better!

We are getting DS two things; an iPhone 6 which he desperately wanted, and then there will be a sum of money set aside so that at some stage during the year he can buy something more permanent to remind him of his coming of age - hopefully a painting or a sculpture or something like that. We are usually quite financially restrained when it comes to presents in our family, but we're pushing the boat out on this occasion!

Well done to Bucking's DD for the drama recall. Fingers crossed.

OK, off to options evening with DS3. Last night was college interview with DS2 (who has ASD.) No end in sight in this house. And DS1 is only 5' 11", how have you all bred these giants?

I think we will go for jewellery, Morvah, but I feel a bit as though I should come up with something a bit more unusual, if that is the right word. I have done a lot of thinking but just not come up with anything!

I have suggested the spa day, most definitely with friends and not me!, but she doesn't want to do that because she did it last year.

Wow thank you knickers that is crystal clear. And motivating! How busy you are with your kids at big stages! You must be made of stern stuff. V stressful I imagine.

Leeds, I got earrings for DD, sophisticated rather than bling. Had to lie down for ages after purchasing them as went v lightheaded. Son has much asked for sword coming his way.

Im taking dd to the theater too, and DS to Derren Brown and that's their lot. My DP and I have taken a pledge together: no more expensive birthdays!

Ha ha, before you know it they'll be 21 ...........

Did your DD choose her earrings, or have you chosen for her?

Bucking good news about your DD's recall, hope it goes well. Be interested to find out what snail ice cream is like.

DS has 30" waist & 37" leg. He doesn't wear jeans just smart trousers for school & otherwise joggers. I've found M&S 'big & tall' the best - got some of their grey trousers new on ebay for school. Their sizes are generous so find 35" long joggers fit him, might be the same for jeans. I suppose M&S jeans aren't very trendy if you're a teenager though. It is frustrating that there's so little available for tall people.

Asked him what he wanted to do for his 18th & he said 'Go to Berlin'.

Hello - can I join in? Dd is taking A levels this year but will be taking a gap year and applying to uni once she has her results. Ds is in his final year at uni and is also planning a gap year. It is quite likely that for a few months at least we will be a family of 4 living together once more in the autumn - not sure I will see much of my car...!

DS1 had driving lessons last year, which he was told were in advance of his 18th.b However, despite reaching Grade 8 trombone last year, he has only now decided he would like his own trombone rather than the school hired one. So we are helping substantially with that (kind of knew it would happen).

DD pretty certain of her options, all different to DS1, so at least it will be a bit different atcparents evenings!

That is a lovely present, raspberry.

We had options evening for DD2 last night. She's not even 12.5 yet! Ah well. Her options will be almost identical to DD1 and DS - history and music being the common thread between the 3 of them. DD2 will be selecting drama as her first choice though. DS has just submitted his sixth form college application. That should be straightforward. I bloody hope so anyway. DD1 is summer born, we won't be doing anything on her actual birthday because exams but there are a whole slew of shows and shit coming up in the next few weeks and we are also keeping our powder dry for when the London run of Hamilton is announced too (and the Sting/Peter Gabriel tour will go on sale soon too). It's always show/concert tickets for presents in this house - the only way the kids can get to see stuff, because most things involve expensive train tickets and at least one night in a hotel). No reason to change that for her 18th. She's already informed me that she will do me the favour of continuing to do all shows etc with me and DD2 after she's gone off to the RCM.

Bucking - brilliant news about the recall and good luck for RADA. Is your DD doing NYMT or NYT auditions this year? DD2 has her YMT:UK audition next weekend but she's carrying an injury so no high expectations there.

Actually there has been one saddening moment this week - she reckons she won't do destination Star Trek this year because it's only a couple of weeks after her course starts and she doesn't want me to end up out of pocket if she finds she can't go (as has happened with walker stalker and DD2 due to a clash with the dance festival over half term - to be fair I knew that was a risk when I got the tickets, it was always clear what DD2's choice would be if she had to make one). It's fine, I won't go either if DD1 doesn't want to go, I can live without it and it wouldn't be the same without her (she's more into trek than I am) but still...it's sad. At least she's sad about it too, this isn't a 'I'm not doing that stuff with you any more mum' moment. But still. I don't like change...

Leeds, I chose them for her and am now panicking in case they are not as well liked as they should be!

Bethan - sounds like an enterprising young man! Berlin is fab.

Raspberry, love the trombone present - hard to wrap, I imagine?

Uhtred I'm guessing your DCs will always go to shows with you, if you're paying its lovely to have a strong shared interest. DD is staying in UK, good god I couldn't imagine facing up to her going abroad, you're made of tough stuff to contemplate it - and "Carrying an injury" sounds like a technical lovey term.

Knickers, I was braced to address the 'first choice/reserve' issue with DS in full parental mode, last night, and was amazed (and delighted) to find he was fully aware - but is waiting for Edinburgh to offer or not which i fear is likelyas this would be his first choice.

Uhtred, its nice you share something. Unfortunately DS talking about AnimeManga, KPop or LOL is a different language.

DD loves school as much as anyone could. Sixth form really has been the best. She is very aware of time running out so is trying to get the most out of the remaining time. There is some chance she will end up representing the school in four different sports this term, two of which she will be the only girl on the team and competiting against all-boy teams. Its exhausting, and lets hope mocks are getting sufficient priority. Still its all win. Bad results will be an early warning that she needs to refocus, and good results, that she has managed quite an impressive juggling act. Though we hope she does get a place this cycle there is a real possibility she does not, at which point she will need to knuckle down and get the best grades she can.