Counting Chickens

Lee2015

USMA & USNA Mom
5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
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Yes, I'm counting my chickens before they hatch! But Christmas is right around the corner, and IF daughter should receive an appointment to an academy, I want to get her a gift that will be useful down the road. So, would an iPad be a useful or fun thing to have at an academy? Any other suggestions would also be welcomed!

Thanks!
 
I've heard that iPads are #1 on many Cadets/Mids wish list/shopping list this Christmas.

And if she doesn't get an appointment, keep it for yourself, they are very cool. (Hold off on the free personal engraving until you know for sure. :wink: )

Of course, an engraved Ed Brown Classic Custom stainless .45 ACP would also work. :thumb:
 
IPad! Hubby talked me into getting one because I was reading forums,,,uh hmmm, all night long! I thought too extrav but he said "who would possibly use one more". Much easier to type on than smart phone and totally addicting! It is extreavegant for me but I so love it! I couldn't wait till Christmas. But make sure you have the operating system needed to support it. That cost me another $130:shake:
 
But make sure you have the operating system needed to support it. That cost me another $130

What operating system would that be? I know nothing about the iPad--in the initial research stage. Thanks!
 
If I can get this straight,,,, you have to be able to run the latest version of itunes, which I thought we were. We were running in Mac os x version 10.4.11 but to get the newest iTunes, thus Ipad we needed to be able to run Mac os x version 10.5 plus, which comes on their Leopard and newer yet Snow Leopard software. We were back in the olden days of tiger! Grrr! Same thing happened to me 5 years ago when I bought a kid his first iPod. 99 dollar iPod plus 129 for Tiger software. Actually love Mac stuff but the software updates every few years are just a cost to figure in. Oops sorry, probably really off topic. Will PM next time. If you are a PC I am sure there are similar concerns just make sure you know what version of iTunes you have or can update to before you go buy your iPad, go home and plug it in and Nothing! Such a bummer when that happens! All good now. And see, I am typing much better now than I did from my phone!:redface:
 
ttp://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=4087&highlight=christmas+gift

The link above is to one of several past threads with some ideas. Electronics are certainly restricted during plebe summer, and may be restricted part of plebe year.

A Leatherman multitool - I had child's name engraved on it - makes a useful gift no matter where son/daughter ends up going to school.

For senior Christmas, we gave a number of gift cards to local restaurants, movie places, etc. to be used during senior spring. Also gave son a boxing lesson to be taken with his dad and brother - framed as total guy goof-family together time - for a kid who had never been hit in his life - took some of the nerves out of plebe PE and required lessons.

Knowing your child will be gone soon, also consider experiences with you, rather than stuff.
 
Fun ??? Plebe Year ??? Academy ??? Do those 3 words belong together in a sentence ?????
 
Other than the .45 ACP the Leatherman is a great choice no matter what school.
 
Yes, I'm counting my chickens before they hatch! But Christmas is right around the corner, and IF daughter should receive an appointment to an academy, I want to get her a gift that will be useful down the road. So, would an iPad be a useful or fun thing to have at an academy? Any other suggestions would also be welcomed!

Thanks!

Last year we were in the same exact boat ... what do we get for christmas, graduation gifts etc. My daughter is now starting November of her Plebe year at WP ... the only thing she wants for christmas is a new pair of comfortable boots ... everything else she needs, they give her! I saw one post under this about time together ... I agree, enjoy those moments, some things don't have a price tag! Enjoy and Good Luck
 
With the media restrictions, I can't imagine a Plebe using an iPad much the first year, unless they were visiting with Sponsor family or rated media. I would think by the time it was allowed more regularly it would have a new version released. BUT, it would be enjoyed completely until I-day.

My DS left his iPod at home, phone has no music, and he hasn't asked for me to send it. I know they get to listen to music every so often, but I don't know how they do it since he has no speakers on his computer??????

I just checked out the leatherman choices.....which one would be best? I have an Army ROTC cadet who is going to LDAC next summer and then my USNA Plebe.
 
I used the generic "leatherman" although they do have the biggest range of prices and styles. The high end ones with the laser sight and electric can opener are a little over the top though.:biggrin: They are all good so pick your price range. Gerber, Snap-On and many other manufacturers also make multi-tools. Sears has a pretty good selection.
 
Checked today. Sears has a sale on Leatherman. Check it out. Simple the better. My daughter left my good leatherman on the deck during a passage to Puerto Rico. Rusted bad but some penetrating oil and Naval Gelly and worked well again. With a little care they are indestructible.
 
Thank you! I'll check Sears today. Where did you take it for engraving? Thats a great idea.
 
Didn't know you could engrave one but any jeweler should be able to do it for you. They can do engraving on about anything. That is a pretty good idea for a personalized multi-tool. Especially if it "disappears".
 
Engraving

Our jeweler was going to do it by hand and charge a fortune. The local trophy shop did machine engraving that looked just fine for $8.00 I got one for someone a couple of years ago from LLBean; they will do it for $6 with free shipping.
 
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