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- Oct 10, 2007
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- 3,181
So, we are at the end of BCT, Acceptance Day is looming, the Academic year begins. Next up: Parents' Weekend!
For those of you who can afford it (and maybe if you can't!), I do so strongly suggest you make plans NOW, if you have not already done so, to go to Colorado for Labor Day weekend. Yes, arrange to arrive Thursday and don't leave till Tuesday, especially if you are flying in from the eastern US or even from the west coast where you'll spend plenty of time in crowded airports.
There will be lots of advice here on where to stay, what to do, what your cadet will want to do...
This thread is for folks who can bring some experience to new parents, some stories which may bring tears to the eyes (or roars of laughter), some suggestions on "what not to do," etc. Questions welcome.
Make sure you stop in at THUDGATE! And, let's face it: this is not Steeler football so if you want to spend the entire football game at Thudgate, no one will think less of you.
We went to PW all four years and each year, came home with a lingering smile, sometimes a loving tear, and just so darn proud!!!
Year 1, we brought baby sister and everything was so new to us. We stayed local, checked out that castle in Manitou Springs, bought every souvenir you can imagine, cheered at the football game (no terrible towels! what's with that?), and rued the day we did not take advice from others and wear a ton of sun screen & hats (OK, we bought those too). Invited by sponsor family to dinner at their lovely home - made new life-long friends. Shed copious tears when we pulled away from Vandy, since Thanksgiving seemed a year away, and my sons - so young, yet all grown up, shockingly so.
Year 2, baby sis is off to civ college and we had our twins to ourselves. Or so we thought. One twin agreed to sit CQ desk for four hours on Sunday. REALLY? Papa is grumbling. Spent lots of time at Walmart. Cheered like fools at the football game (and bought the $5 tee shirts, a bargain still worn to this day). Met roommates who are still dear friends to this day, saw a Batman movie (like I cared but they loved it). Twin B suggested a steak dinner that Sunday night and at the restaurant, ordered the most expensive thing on the menu! This was quite the shock to Papa, who was still agreeing to paying all the bills. Papa is STILL talking about that one!
Year 3, after the football game, we took the twins to Cheyenne Mountain Resort for two full days - heavenly (and so incredibly out of our pay grade!). Boys still talk about it. We had paddle boats on the little lake there and had a great sea battle. Ended with one twin "boarding us" pirate-style, and us all capsizing! Had the most incredible meal ever there and loved sitting out watching evening creep along with the deep purple shadows of the Front Range. Boys almost 21 and seemed like 30 year olds to our minds. So adult, so mature, so comfortable. Commitment was done - and they were all-in.
Year 4, met the parents of our future daughter in law, and spent even more money. Our sons are FIRSTIES! We were shocked when we came in from golfing, and a 4* called our son "sir" and treated son with deference and utmost respect. Our son was the "old man" now! He looked like the man he was, and the toddler we had known, all at the same moment.
Post your PW stories here!
For those of you who can afford it (and maybe if you can't!), I do so strongly suggest you make plans NOW, if you have not already done so, to go to Colorado for Labor Day weekend. Yes, arrange to arrive Thursday and don't leave till Tuesday, especially if you are flying in from the eastern US or even from the west coast where you'll spend plenty of time in crowded airports.
There will be lots of advice here on where to stay, what to do, what your cadet will want to do...
This thread is for folks who can bring some experience to new parents, some stories which may bring tears to the eyes (or roars of laughter), some suggestions on "what not to do," etc. Questions welcome.
Make sure you stop in at THUDGATE! And, let's face it: this is not Steeler football so if you want to spend the entire football game at Thudgate, no one will think less of you.
We went to PW all four years and each year, came home with a lingering smile, sometimes a loving tear, and just so darn proud!!!
Year 1, we brought baby sister and everything was so new to us. We stayed local, checked out that castle in Manitou Springs, bought every souvenir you can imagine, cheered at the football game (no terrible towels! what's with that?), and rued the day we did not take advice from others and wear a ton of sun screen & hats (OK, we bought those too). Invited by sponsor family to dinner at their lovely home - made new life-long friends. Shed copious tears when we pulled away from Vandy, since Thanksgiving seemed a year away, and my sons - so young, yet all grown up, shockingly so.
Year 2, baby sis is off to civ college and we had our twins to ourselves. Or so we thought. One twin agreed to sit CQ desk for four hours on Sunday. REALLY? Papa is grumbling. Spent lots of time at Walmart. Cheered like fools at the football game (and bought the $5 tee shirts, a bargain still worn to this day). Met roommates who are still dear friends to this day, saw a Batman movie (like I cared but they loved it). Twin B suggested a steak dinner that Sunday night and at the restaurant, ordered the most expensive thing on the menu! This was quite the shock to Papa, who was still agreeing to paying all the bills. Papa is STILL talking about that one!
Year 3, after the football game, we took the twins to Cheyenne Mountain Resort for two full days - heavenly (and so incredibly out of our pay grade!). Boys still talk about it. We had paddle boats on the little lake there and had a great sea battle. Ended with one twin "boarding us" pirate-style, and us all capsizing! Had the most incredible meal ever there and loved sitting out watching evening creep along with the deep purple shadows of the Front Range. Boys almost 21 and seemed like 30 year olds to our minds. So adult, so mature, so comfortable. Commitment was done - and they were all-in.
Year 4, met the parents of our future daughter in law, and spent even more money. Our sons are FIRSTIES! We were shocked when we came in from golfing, and a 4* called our son "sir" and treated son with deference and utmost respect. Our son was the "old man" now! He looked like the man he was, and the toddler we had known, all at the same moment.
Post your PW stories here!