{Sniff}{Sniff} This morning, we packed up TheSecondChild and shipped him off to Australia for a semester abroad. How exciting is that? Oh to be young again! I really wanted to slip into his suitcase, but sadly, the pre-wedding diet just hasn’t been quite up to par. I’ll miss my little Sweetpea.
As I type, he’s sitting in Los Angeles waiting to catch his midnight flight to Brisbane, where he’ll have four days of partying orientation. Then he’ll be off to Sydney where he’ll be going to school for the next 4 1/2 months. He just called and he’s found four other students (all girls no less — that’s my boy LOL), and, poor babies, they had to spend their afternoon at the Santa Monica Pier. What a life!
A few months ago after all the Australia arrangements had been made and we were discussing the excitement of it all, TheFirstChild said “Uh … Mom? Will the best man be at my wedding?” DOH! What a stunning lack of planning that was. Needless to say, we’ll be interrupting his semester of fun hard work with a trip home in May for the wedding. (There goes my plane ticket down under.)
So, you sweet Sydney bloggers, if you happen to see my little heathen cherub wandering around the city, slap him upside the head and tell him to go back to his flat and study give him a big hug from his mom.
A few odds and ends:
- If you’ve always wanted to make a Dear Jane quilt but never quite got it together, help has arrived! Anina is hosting a Dear Jane along. I freely admit to being a big wimp about it, not to mention just a bit overloaded at the moment, so I’m sending you over there to be my proxy. I do love that quilt — go sign up!
- I wrote up the little pattern for my crocheted valentine cards and you can find it here. I hope it makes sense, I’m not a pattern writer!
- Lookie here what Sharon sent me!
She showed these little gift bags on her blog one day, so I happened to mention how perfect they’d be for the bridal shower. She’s such a sweetheart that she made me a sample, so I could see if it would work out, before I bought the pattern! It’s perfect and soooo cute. That Zombie Genius Monica designed this cool little bag. It’s called the Wash Tub Ditty Bag and if you can’t find the pattern at your local shop, you can find it at Kris’s quilt shop. You’ll be amazed at how easy they are to construct — just what I need for some quick party favors. Thanks heaps Sharon and Monica!
It’s a clear, beautiful, cold night here, so I’m off to check out the eclipse!
XOXO,
Anna
what a lucky kid!! I’m sure you will miss him. You’ll busy with wedding plans and he’ll be back before you know it!
what a wonderful experience your son is sure to have. I know you will miss him. The wedding plans will keep you busy and that will fill alot of your time.
Thanks for the tutorial. I can’t wait to try it. The instructions seem clear to me.
Well I’m sure he’ll have a blast. Which school is he attending in Sydney? I hope he has good fellow students who will show him all the top spots to visit while he’s there.
OMG I’m shedding a tear for you. Just seeing your little, uh tall buy standing there brings back memories of my boys being gone. Hey I could have met him in Santa Monica or LAX today. I’ll take care of yours and you watch over mine. Deal??
He’s gonna enjoy himself I’m sure. What an experience.
Glad you enjoyed the little ditty bag. Way cute huh?
I can feel the lump in your tummy now that lad of yours is on his way, your joy at his going yet your missing of him is immense, where did all the years go? Another thing, don’t you go wearing yourself out making too much, I am just having little boxes, that need folding, tied with ribbon for our favours (says she who is making all the dresses and dickie bows and cummerbunds!!)When my eldest got married I spent the day with a migraine, totally exhausted after all the busy preparations. Mind you, I think those little bags are adorable, and would add such a gorgeous personal touch to the tables…
Ohh, Anna, I can feel your second thoughts and worries about your son going to Australia. He will have a wonderful time however! I’m sure! All those young people travelling the world, it’s amazing!
The bag is gorgeous and a wonderful idea!!
What a wonderful experience for your boy! Don’t worry, we Aussies will look after him and he will absolutely adore Sydney – it’s such a gorgeous place!
It must be hard to let him go.
What an opportunity of a lifetime! I know that you’ll be missing him, though.
I’ve got to ask – what does one study for a semester abroad in Australia? I’m v. curious…
Your words about your son cracked me up! I know what it is like to have an ideal vision for your kids, but we have to be realistic too, right? ;)
I know you will miss him, but with the wedding coming up, the time will go quickly!
Ohhh, what a lucky boy!! (sad for mom though) I always wished I’d done something like that during college.
What an adorable little bag!!!
You are too funny! I can’t imagine sending my boys on an airplane. Good thing I’ve got a good 14 years before I have to think about it… by then I might be ready!
Anna! You have rescued me. Our local quilt group is doing a Dear Jane and I am lost because I missed the lecture and first work group. I am excited about hearing this group Dear Jane along. Fabulous. I’m in.
What an adventure your son will have. Its exciting. I like my kids to dream big dreams and go after them. It makes them better people. He will come back better for it.
I have had 2 weddings so far and I hate to tell you I didn’t do well on the wedding diet. I hope you can do better than me.
Oh, love the bag, forgot that.
My baby is in the land of Oz too! My oldest baby… married with a family. But he lives there – and I want them all to come home so bad! My son got snagged by an Aussie Girl. She’s the best DIL ever… but I want them here!
Oh I love your bag!!! And I’m blushing too. Gush. Blush. More gush. I heart you!
what a wonderful opportunity for you son. and a sad time for you. :(
lovely bag.
He’ll have so much fun, Anna! It’s such a wonderful opportunity.
What a wonderful opportunity for TheSecondChild! Maybe you should allow him to do some “guest” posting of his adventures!!! Oh, oh, thank-you so much for posting the instructions for your beautiful cards!
I remember feeling the same way when I let my (then) 17 yo DD go to Japan. When we got to the airport I told her that she had to get herself checked in and through security…I’d just lag behind and watch. I figured if she couldn’t get herself out of SLC then she had no business flying halfway around the world. LOL! She did great…it was her mom (that had to watch her disappear as she moved up the escalator) who had the hard time! What wonderful memories these experiences create!
I am so sad for you that your son is off to another continent. I would be feeling pretty sad if my kids were off too. But, currently they remain home with me for just a little while longer. I will truly cherish this time!!
I am sure he will be in touch with you frequently. You should both download Skype on your computers so that you can talk for free and even see each other via webcam. It is really cool and works very well.
I love the little bag and your right great for party favors!
Oh Anna, I just can’t imagine how we mothers let our little boys grow up and go out on their own so freely. But one day that will be me, too. I know how you must miss him!
I laughed at all the strike-throughs!
How did you enjoy the eclipse? Victor wanted to nurse right when it was most spectacular, so I was in bed for that part. Brian got to see it, though.
XO
Bon voyage, Sweetpea! I’m sure he’ll have the time of his life. There’s a German show I watch every day called “Auf und Davon” (= up, up and away!) showing the adventures of German kids going abroad as au pairs or on work/study programs and it’s so wonderful to see these young people getting out on their own and experiencing new cultures.
well- he will have lovely memories of this time in his life! I wish him well! I went and checked out the Aunt Jane quilt – Amanda gave me that book and I want to make it so badly- not sure I have the skills or time
how fantastic for you son. I will keep an eye out for him even though I am in Melbourne (we go to Sydney every now and again as we have family there). Where will he be studying? He will have the time of his life – what a great experience. Are you going to send him to any patchwork shops?
My big boy (14 and a half) is off by himself for a month to the states in July. I am really struggling with that. I will start really thinking more about it as the time gets closer. At least I have family there.
Good luck with your wedding plans and ‘go the diet’!!!
Oh, my baby boy is about to go to New Zealand for 2 months and then after the summer he’s got his first job 2 hours away from here. I’m so miserable!
I loved your “Where I’m from”. I haven’t done mine yet; no time to think and also I’m putting it off – a bit squeamish about it. Yours is excellent! No wonder you’re so nice, with such a lovely family. My childhood wasn’t quite so idyllic. Though fine.
OK sister I feel your sadness and that pit in your stomach. Even though it’s a wonderful lifetime experience and the time will fly by – it’s still hard to see them go. Sounds like he was making a good start of getting to know people :). Thank goodness for the internet – you will have quick access for chatting :).
Thanks for the tutorial on the cards. I’ve shared it with a few of the peeps and I even have a few of those Vintage Workshop C/D’s. Now I tried to find that little bag listed in her shop and couldn’t find it. That’s my next mission. I will email her. Those would be great little packages for small gifts. As always Anna – I’m inspired.
Hugs – Karen
I feel your pain – it’s so hard to watch them go off on an adventure, isn’t it? I’m not worried about him getting into trouble, since I happen to know his mom, and she’s a pretty wonderful lady! I know you did a great job raising him and he will do the right thing.
That is the sweetest bag Sharon sent you! But of course, it was created by Monica!! Can’t go wrong with that combo, can you? Nope!
Just wanted to send big hugs to you. My 17 yr old chick wants to fly the coop asap, and I’m kind of looking forward to it, but I know when it actually happens, I’ll miss her terribly. What a cool experience for your young man, tho!