The Cost of Travel Ball…a classic....re-visited

[Joe]

I'm reading this with tears in my eyes right now and we just started 9th grade...
Can't imagine what it'll be like 4 years from now!!

Good stuff Joe !

Thanks, but wait!!! The story's not over! Said DD just started her junior year in Austin and the story gets better. Unfortunately, it's tax season and returns are due by the 15th, so filling in the happy details will have to wait for a week or so.

For all those dreading that day...? Don't! It's like fine wine...they get better with age

[DonnieS]

I'm reading this with tears in my eyes right now and we just started 9th grade...
Can't imagine what it'll be like 4 years from now!!

Good stuff Joe !

The story is as we are living it now, locations a little different, the school is 150 miles east of 'that' school in the op, but the trophies, the scene in the room, again and again, pictures all over the wall of the girls, ... its the same. You go between incredible pride at that she has got to the next level and just missing her coming in and saying 'dad, holy crap, guess what happened'.

As the mix happens into a very large school, and lots of different kids, backgrounds, lifestyles, family fixes, etc. what you did in raising her keeps getting replayed over and over, and you hope you did the right thing, blah all that stuff. And you think you did, and then she comes home for the first weekend with a friggin PIERCED NOSE. WTH. DW threatens to take her car away, I go to the meat of the issue and threaten her life. Just think, thats after only 2 weeks away. What do we have to look forward to for the next 4 years.

The adventure continues...

[artomatic]

I love you guys...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybugI5CkIs&feature=related

[3'sDad]

For what its worth, we attended a Philly Force game in August. At the autograph signing after the game, I did notice quite a few of the players from both teams with pierced nostrils.

[GIMNEPIWO]

I'm reading this with tears in my eyes right now and we just started 9th grade...
Can't imagine what it'll be like 4 years from now!!

Good stuff Joe !

The story is as we are living it now, locations a little different, the school is 150 miles east of 'that' school in the op, but the trophies, the scene in the room, again and again, pictures all over the wall of the girls, ... its the same. You go between incredible pride at that she has got to the next level and just missing her coming in and saying 'dad, holy crap, guess what happened'.

As the mix happens into a very large school, and lots of different kids, backgrounds, lifestyles, family fixes, etc. what you did in raising her keeps getting replayed over and over, and you hope you did the right thing, blah all that stuff. And you think you did, and then she comes home for the first weekend with a friggin PIERCED NOSE. WTH. DW threatens to take her car away, I go to the meat of the issue and threaten her life. Just think, thats after only 2 weeks away. What do we have to look forward to for the next 4 years.

The adventure continues...

Whoa D-man ...

[rbi]

Other than just plain missing your DD who may be off to college and DD adjusting to college life away from home, I think the main point here is focus on the POSITIVES along the way, enjoy the ride it does not last long. Nothing worse than thinking back when your DD booted one and looked up at you in stands (numerous times throughout the years) and you shake your head in disgust. Next time that happens try a gesture of encouragement, not deflation, trust me it works so much better, and you as a parent will feel better. When the day is over, focus on the positive, its ok to talk about mistakes BUT, trust me the mistakes are going through their mind all day, so keep it positive, THEY WILL LISTEN MORE IF YOU DO!

[Joe]

Other than just plain missing your DD who may be off to college and DD adjusting to college life away from home, I think the main point here is focus on the POSITIVES along the way, enjoy the ride it does not last long. Nothing worse than thinking back when your DD booted one and looked up at you in stands (numerous times trough the years) and you shake your head in disgust. Next time that happens try a gesture of encouragement, not deflation, trust me it works so much better, and you as a parent will feel better. When the day is over, focus on the positive, its ok to talk about mistakes BUT, trust me the mistakes are going through their mind all day, so keep it positive, THEY WILL LISTEN MORE IF YOU DO!

rbi...right on! When you stand at the doorway of that empty room, you can only wish some things had been handled differently.

[dittoz]

We're already battling the body art thing - college cannot be good for that war!
DS came home with both ears pierced the other day - he's in 12th grade. Did it himself!

DD looks at all the alternative piercings and says no way. She thinks her second ear holes are bomb. Hopefully it stays that way.

Still, looking at all the positives, it's the ink thing that scares me. Holes grow over eventually and hide the college craziness. Tats on the other hand are with you for life (usually) and DO NOT LOOK GOOD 20 years later...

[Dugout Dad]

Still, looking at all the positives, it's the ink thing that scares me. Holes grow over eventually and hide the college craziness. Tats on the other hand are with you for life (usually) and DO NOT LOOK GOOD 20 years later...

Don't worry about the ink, there is always Turlingtons
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/turlingtons-lower-back-tattoo-remover/1056744/

there is a 15 second pre-commercial before the video

[pbj2000]

Still, looking at all the positives, it's the ink thing that scares me. Holes grow over eventually and hide the college craziness. Tats on the other hand are with you for life (usually) and DO NOT LOOK GOOD 20 years later...

Don't worry about the ink, there is always Turlingtons
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/turlingtons-lower-back-tattoo-remover/1056744/

there is a 15 second pre-commercial before the video

Funny....