Monday, August 18, 2020

What a weekend! I hope yours was good! I know life is probably starting to get crazy for most right about now. I’m linking up with Heather, Tanya and others here.

I’m going to be honest – I didn’t get many great photos because a lot was going on. I have made the comment to many that the two hardest times to have twins have been ages zero-one and college prep time! My boys (including Tom) aren’t big on photos and I tried to be respectful of this day for my boys. The Covid times made it a bit different than the traditional move in day, too, I can imagine. We don’t know anything different, of course!

Trying to get a picture of both boys with Ernie! Jack’s stuff in my car behind them. Mason’s stuff in Tom’s car.

First we drove to Mason’s dorm and the helpers swarmed (but asked first if we wanted help) and we didn’t have to lift a finger. Everyone was masked. Jack and I were behind Tom and Mason.

I took a photo later – they had written dorm info. on the car.

We parked cars and all went to Mason’s dorm first. His roommate had moved in earlier that morning and his parents were gone. Mason didn’t want much help (and he needed to get to know his roommate because they were randomly placed) so I headed to help Tom and Jack.

Jack’s roommate that he had randomly assigned to him ended up not coming so Jack gets a private room.

Mason came to see Jack’s space. Apparently they are not allowed in other dorms during this phase. He was allowed in on moving day, of course.

The chapel is between their dorms.

There is a beautiful water feature next to the chapel. You can’t tell from the photo but there is water running down.

View of the back of Mason’s dorm.

It’s kind of a park like setting between their dorms.

Walkway between Mason’s dorm/chapel and Jack’s dorm.

A picnic shelter at the end of the path.

I don’t know if the grills are functional but it reminded me of something you would see in a state park.

Tom setting up Jack’s technology.

Neither boy wanted any help unpacking. They both immediately set to work and we just kind of observed. They did want us to take empty bags and bins home that they didn’t want or need.

Jack’s wardrobe, fridge, and microwave. This is all provided in both dorms.

This is the main dining hall. They have the tables distanced and signs that say “sanitized”. The food will be already boxed up and grab and go.

The mascot is the knight and this is a prominent statue on campus.

Everyone got a bag with three masks, a thermometer (they have to do an online health screening each day),

and because it is a Catholic university a small bottle of holy water with this sweet blessing on the back. Even though it is Catholic, they are very inclusive of all religions, and all people in general.

Mason sent me this photo later – he and his roommate put this shelf together.

Parents were invited to grab a meal and then there was a movie that we could stay for at 8:30 but we were done with move in by 4:00 and there weren’t many people hanging around. They divided the move in day into two days because of Covid. We could tell the boys wanted us to make ourselves scarce, too. So, we headed home around 5:00. I didn’t cry at all with them. We hugged and said good-bye. I did cry a bit on the way home, though. They are only 30 minutes away, but it’s still very weird for them not to be living with us. Tom and I came home, ate leftovers, and were just tired and drained. I did have trouble sleeping and I still can’t figure out if I should keep their bedroom doors open or closed. It’s sad both ways!

Saturday around noon Jack wanted us to bring a couple of things so we did (this was always a tentative plan on the table) and we took him to get a couple more things at a nearby Walmart and then got him some Cane’s chicken to take back to his room. He didn’t want us to come in even though we could have because it was moving day two. So, we said good-bye again and dropped off a bag to Mason, too – he came down and got it and we said good-bye to him, too, and left.

We were invited out on our friends’ boat that evening and it was lovely. We cruised and ate pizza on the boat and it was so nice to kind of celebrate being empty nesters.

Sunday we went out on our boat with our canine boy.

And, that’s about it.

Today as you are reading this I am working to try to figure out my plan for online teaching for the first 6 weeks of school. I have a lot to do and hopefully it will distract me from missing my boys.

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

20 thoughts on “Hello Monday”

    1. Awww thank you! I guess the timing was good since now I am busy with work. We are having simple meals this week!
      Hope you get another counselor and your work life becomes more manageable!

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  2. I’m so happy to hear that drop off was success! My favorite college stop off story – I was on the 8th floor of the dorm. 2 elevators. 1 broke, so my parents helped me more most of my stuff up the stairs. The next day, I called my dad to tell him a friend was stopping by the house for a pair of shoes I’d forgotten. He opened my closet door and saw my full closet of clothes and said, “what the heck (not heck)…I thought we moved you OUT yesterday.” 😂 I’m glad your boys are close by …happy medium for all. I know they’ll have a great year (& you’ll settle in to being empty nesters).

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      1. University of Missouri (Columbia) Hour and a half away from KC. (Right in the middle of Missouri) I remember going home every other weekend my first year, once a month my second year, and then my parents had to beg me to come home when I was in my last couple years 😂

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  3. Aw, I bet it will be quite an adjustment for all of you but how nice that they are close enough for you to lend a hand them they need help. I never went away to college as I just could not imagine living life in a dorm; I commuted instead.

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  5. I’m glad your boys are close by! And it’s probably nice that you didn’t have a traditional move-in experience with an older sibling to compare this to…seems like they’ll be getting the most they can out of a college experience this year!
    Good luck this week.

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    1. Me too! That’s a good point – nothing to compare to!
      I sure hope they feel like they’ve found their new home!
      Tom and I are both trying to find our new normal!

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  6. Amy, it sounds like you did a great job! And you have been for 18 years! Your boys seem so ready for this next step and I am sure they will have the greatest time! I hope you have a great week as empty nesters and trying to get your first six weeks planned!

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    1. Thank you so much Sarah! I know I did too much for them at times. Its so hard sometimes with boys. I know they have so much to learn as do I but I’m excited for this new chapter of our relationship.

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  8. Its always so hard when you drop off your kids at college and the blessing and curse in yours is having twins! So you only have to do it once but its twice as hard. We raise them up to send them out to the world. Always remember that when your kids are able to go off and do great things….its because you raised them right. We came to our beach house on Thursday and my husband went back to our primary home today but I am here until Sunday. It is super hot at home but here it is in the 70’s! I am so thankful and happy for this slice of paradise!!! We aren’t right on the beach but we have gorgeous ocean views. Have a great week and know that your boys will be just fine! I have 2 college graduates and I cried when I left both of my girls for the first time. You got this!

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  9. Bittersweet – you must be so proud! The campus looks lovely and it looks as if they are going to be super well cared for. How often do you think you will see them through the term, or are they too far away? J

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    1. It is bittersweet. I am so proud. The campus is beautiful. They are only 30 minutes away but I am trying to let them dictate how often. I know this space was necessary and good for them.

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