Hope everyone had a nice holiday. Looks like it's been quiet here for the last couple days. I must say, it's been really nice to have him home for a couple of days but now - it's time to go! I must be getting used to the quiet around here now that the older one moved out and Steve's not around much except parts of some weekends.

Let's see, the 1st day home, he unhooked my tower and hooked his up to my computer 'cause he didn't feel like bringing all of it home. This yr we decided to eat out for Turkey Day instead of going to my inlaws so we did have a very nice dinner, just us 4. Went shopping for ideas for gifts and a nice lunch out. And then of course, it was nice to see the old friends drop in but ya know, I'm used to having the house to myself now and being able to sleep at night. Of course, the latest fun for the kids seems to be poker, poker, and more poker! His brother and him had some nice bonding time spent doing what else, but going to a poker tournament at a friend's house 'til 3 in the morning (at least he won $200 so he's set for awhile)and then last night was a night to drop in at our house. You can really learn alot when you put the TV on mute and listen to the downstairs conversation. And to think in a couple of wks. he'll be home for a WHOLE month! Can't wait??? My husband picked up an application for him last night so at least maybe he'll get a job for those couple of wks. I really enjoy seeing him when he comes home for the weekend even tho he's not home all that much when he does comes home but the LONG weekends are like a continual party time for these kids and it doesn't matter what college or University they go to, they all seemed to have the same stories, just a different location.

All in all, a nice weekend but I do wonder what time he'll be leaving today so I can get a nap! How was your time with your sons?

PAbbMom,

That was a very nice post. Funny, I could have written the same post myself - just from a different state

Seriously, the poker has been popular with my two sons for the longest time. They didn't used to spend too much time together but now find themselves at the same places playing poker. I am not a gambler but neither of them seem to play it to extreme. I do talk to them about the evils of gambling all the time however

My baseball son by rights should be flying out today but couldn't get a flight back till Tuesday. He was glad to come home and see his friends but I can tell he is glad to return. You can see now that he has a new life for himself. With him playing summer ball in Virginia, I don't really ever expect him to move back into our house other than for a vist.

My Dad dug up some home movies that we have not seen for many years. When I look at these images of my kids, I can't help thinking how time has passed - a somewhat melancholy feeling. It seems we can't wait for them to grow up sometimes but are sad when they eventually do. I tell all the high school families here all the time, treasure those years and don't get caught up worrying about college. It will take care of itself. Certain memories indeed last a lifetime.

PAbbmom - I can identify with the getting used to the peace and quiet around the house. The older one got married a little over a year ago and then moved to Memphis this past July. After our son left it didn't take long really for me to get used to and enjoy having the house to ourselves, though hubby is still struggling with it - I thought I would be the one, go figure

Found your description of eavesdropping funny! My son is not a talker, will occasionally volunteer tidbits but not often, so I have to depend on lafmom for a lot of the gossip about what goes on at school

CD - I don't expect that our son will ever be back permanently either. He's apparently headed to Kansas for the summer. We've been thinking about downsizing and when I mentioned that to him he looked at me like I was nuts

If you can get those home movies from your Dad, have them converted to DVD. I did that with all the movies from my childhood that my parents had and had copies made for my brothers and sisters.

All in all, a nice weekend. Way too much time spent with girlfriend, but oh well! We are looking forward to that long Christmas break.

It's been a great four days! Son has visited and hung out with all of his old friends, gone to see a couple sets of parents that he was close to, played football (don't know how the coach would feel about this ) and I think just had a great time! He didn't take in any poker - I think he and teamates burned themselves out with this their senior year!

CD and TDF - In reading your comments, it's kinda funny, because Michael made that exact same comment to me during his visit. He said "mom, other than Christmas, it will be a long time before I'm home again". So, while we're aware of the fact that they're moving on, they are too. I think their emotions are similar to ours - excitement and anxious to do it, but also full of wonderful memories of childhood. Just like it should be!

Both kids are currently enroute back to their respective schools as I type! It is just absolutely amazing to me how much MESSING up my house having the entire family home for 5 days can do! Guess what "I" will be doing the next couple of days???? CLEANING! Actually, both my kids were quite the home-bodies this time home. My son didn't go out AT ALL! Personally, I think the girlfriend has alot to do with THAT! And my daughter only ventured out a couple of times and was in at a very reasonable hour.

My birthday was yesterday and I had the BEST gift by having my whole family together for the evening. We went out to a hibachi restaurant and had a great time....then we came home and watched some movies on t.v. (Anyone ever seen "Best of Show"???? Hilarious!).

I have to concur with the sentiment that altho I loved having them home....it is nice to have the house back to ourselves again. BUT...it is also nice to know they will be home in a couple weeks again!

Happy Birthday, luvbb!! Sounds like you had the perfect day. Lucky you that your birthday always falls around Thanksgiving, so you're pretty much guaranteed to have the family around.

I've got to tell you that Best of Show is one of our top-ten family favorites. Of course, it takes a "special" sense of humor to appreciate it (i.e., most folks think it's the dumbest movie ever...). Maybe we should compare lists some time. Perhaps another good thread for our OH/KY/PA forum during this interim time before baseball starts up again??

Luvbb - You didn't tell us it was your birthday!!!!!! A happy belated one to you! Glad you had all your kiddos on your special day!

luvbb - Happy birthday, it sounds like it was a good one!!

I haven't seen Best of Show, but will watch the movie channels for it!! One movie I loved that also requires a 'special' sense of humor is O Brother, Where Art Thou? I found it hilarious, but a sister thought it was 'stupid'

Happy Birthday luvbb!

Thank you all! Yes, celebrated my 39th birthday (yet again!)

"Best of Show".....I haven't laughed that hard at a movie in quite some time. Especially funny since we are looking to get a pup in the near future. For those who have seen the movie....I REALLY want a shih-tzu....but after seeing that movie (and the "handlers" of the shih-tzu)....my husband and son now REFUSE!

Nice to see I wasn't the only one with mixed feelings!
Also, Happy, Happy Birthday Luvbb! 39 Again! I had to stop that line 'cause I didn't think anyone would believe me anymore.

As for movies, my husband and I had a good laugh last night watching Christmas with the Kranks. My husband actually had to laugh 'cause the Dad sounded like him. He drives for UPS and I think most of those guys detest Christmas so I've been hearing for years how we should just skip that holiday. Steve watched it this morning and first thing he said was "sounds like Dad."

Steve is back on the 12th and he actually did fill out and take the application back to Dick's Sporting Goods without us having to nudge him. Had a nice talk before he left about some of the things I "overheard" last night. Like some of the others, I think he still has his core group of friends that he'll always be close with but he has moved on and has good friends at school that I will never know as well but that's life. I did give him wings even tho I'd like to pin them back from time to time!

Glad to hear everyone's holiday was nice.