If you’re a regular reader (thank you!), you know that my older son is going to college for the first time this fall.
If you’re not a regular reader, check this out. Or this. Or this. (And then, if you like what you see, why not subscribe or follow using Google Connect, over there in my left margin? I’d love to see you again!)
I’m trying to live in denial about it for a little longer, but it’s hard. The sale ads that trumpet back-to-school items and discounts have begun to arrive, and some kind of magical fairy has told Pottery Barn Teen, The Container Store, and Target that I have a new college freshman, because I have never received sale circulars specifically geared to college students in the past.
Or maybe I have, but never took notice.
And another thing, WHY is it that it seems like there are incoming college freshmen all around me, even in fiction? Take “Toy Story 3″s Andy, for example. After allowing us a front row seat (or, in my family’s case, a center-of-the-row seat in the back half of the theater somewhere) from which we could watch him grow up, he’s leaving us to go to college (to P.U., according to the pennant that hangs in his room). Don’t even get me started on this movie. Okay, too late. It was wonderful. All Fab Five of us (Jim, the boys, Julesie and me) were teary-eyed for the last ten minutes of the film, right after I thought to myself, “Oh, this is going to be fiiiiine. I don’t feel emotional at all.” And then I had a sobfest. I’ll bet you a dollar that a “Toy Story” gift set including all three movies will be out by the holidays. I’m totally buying it.
I thought Andy was probably the only fictional character I’d come across this summer who was off to college in the fall. At least, I didn’t really anticipate finding any more of them. I was wrong.
Yesterday we went to see the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s new musical, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. Here’s the synopsis from their website:
The frivolously fashionable Emperor and his opinionated daughter Sam just can’t get along. But with the help of some colorful characters and not-so-colorful threads, the two come to see themselves—and appreciate each other—for the first time. This world premiere CST Family musical based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale promises to warm the hearts of children and adults alike!
Cute, right? And it was. But guess what we learned when the show first started?
Sam, the Emperor’s daughter, WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE FOR COLLEGE.
Are you kidding me?
I started looking around for Ashton Kutcher, but he was nowhere to be found.
At any rate, I made it through the show (it was quite enjoyable and I will be posting a review at SSR&S on Tuesday) and we headed home.
A few hours later, I headed out to the grocery store. As I pushed the cart down the aisle in front, I noticed that their DVD section had a huge “50% Off!” sign hanging on it. I walked closer to see if there was anything there that would be worth buying, thinking about the next few days: Jim and the younger boy are off to Boy Scout camp and the older boy and I will be on our own. A new movie would be fun, and at the sale price ($5 for most!), I hoped to find one.
I saw “Superbad” and thought, “SCORE!!!!” Jim and I watched it a while back and I thought it was hysterical.
Side note: The older boy told me (a couple of months ago) that many people at school think he looks like McLovin’. I don’t see it. Do you?
McLovin:
Photo credit: Picapp
McOlder Boy:
Anyway, I was all pleased with the fact that I found “Superbad” and that I could watch it with the older boy. No matter that, when it came out, I told him he would never, ever, ever watch it. He’s eighteen now. He’ll see it eventually. And regarding the fact that parts of it might be a bit awkward watching it with his mother? Forget that: you might recall that the two of us went to see “Brüno”. Short of watching porn together, that’s about as potentially awkward a movie-watching situation we could be in together. “Superbad” will be nothing.
Oh, and just so I can bring this post full-circle, can I remind you what the plot of “Superbad” entails? I totally forgot the circumstances under which McLovin and friends are running amuck: THEY ARE PREPARING TO LEAVE FOR COLLEGE. (To my sister, who is yelling “How could she forget that???” as she’s reading this: I DON’T KNOW!!!!)
Part of the plot summary, from Wikipedia:
It is two weeks before the end of high school. Evan (Michael Cera) and Seth (Jonah Hill) are long-time friends in their senior year of high school, about to leave for different colleges.
Oy vey. This is making it really hard for me to ignore the fact that my son is leaving for school in less than two months.
Don’t even tell me if Spongebob Squarepants decides to get a college education. I don’t want to know.
©2010 Suburban Scrawl
16 Comments
Tom
Have you seen "American Graffiti" lately? It'd fit right in too.
Dawn
Hugs to you, Melisa! I get it…really I do!
Mom24
🙂
Yeah, we're avoiding Toy Story 3 around here. I think I could handle it, although I'm sure I would cry, but I know I could not handle watching Jacob and Julianna sob through it. We'll watch it later on DVD when hopefully it won't be so raw.
WeaselMomma
The Doc is going to have to medicate you before Halloween.
It's all good. You get to see the fruits of your labor and you did do such a nice job.
BTW, loved SuperBad and can almost see a little bit of McLovin' in those pics.
Tara R.
It's like Punch Buggies (VWs) you don't see them until someone is punching you in the arm all the time. You're sensitive to this so you pick up on it more. This is your first bird to leave the nest… wish I could say it gets less emotional.
I can see a little resemblance to McLovin'
Lisa
I totally know this feeling except I went through it when my mom was ill and right after she passed away, every one of my favorite tv shows somehow involved illness, cancer, or death.
(found you and suburban wow via dawn I am also a somewhat local blogger)
LceeL
I always thought 'McLovin' was like a state of mind – but obviously, your son is the reincarnation of same and he's truly physical.
nycgirl0501
Everytime I hear the phrase "going off to college" I think of you. But it will be totally okay I promised. When my sister left I was sick to my stomach but we all adapted and cherished the moments she came home.
I think the McLovin comparison is just the eyebrow thing.
Don't feel bad about forgetting the plot. I saw it and didn't remember either until you mentioned it 🙂
Heather
awww, you poor mama! you are right– things like that seem to be everywhere when you're trying to avoid them!
and yes, i think he DOES look like mclovin!
Huckdoll
Toy Story 3 – I sat there wondering if everybody had become wusses overnight because I was not even close to feeling anything – and then bam! Lump in my throat, tears flowing.
I'll be purchasing the box set as well.
SurprisedMom
I feel for you. It wasn't quite a year ago that I was in the same place you are now. It's hard watching them fly the nest, even though you've been preparing them for this exact same thing for 18 years.
Now I'm going to have to watch Toy Story 3 and SuperBad. I'll let The Oldest watch it, but The Youngest will have to wait a few years.
Mags
I can't wait to see Toy Story-I've heard it's fantastic.
I actually thought of you the other day when I walked into Target and saw signs hanging from the ceiling. They were all college related and showing you what you can do with your dorm room if you buy their stuff….
Otter Thomas
Sorry you are having a tough time. I hope it gets easier for you. At least you can laugh away you pain because Superbad is hilarious. Once again you show you have a superior sense of humor.
Mrs4444
I don't know why, but I feel like I'm just not going to get emotional about Kyle leaving. Is that denial? I suppose the first week of school, which is typically very stressful, will be my excuse; I'll probably end up a puddle. We shall see…
Love the Sponge Bob ending 🙂
Meeko Fabulous
I have YET to watch TS3! They're gonna revoke my Disney card, I swear.
Eternal Lizdom
Love SuperBad. He totally looks like McLovin.
my mom has been going through this with my brothers. Ted is starting his 3rd year of college. Daniel is starting his senior year of high school. 1 year left. In the midst of all that school stuff, my mom's parents have moved to an assisted living community near my mom (loooooong story on that one) and that is yet another transition and change my mom is handling right now. Whew!
Anyway.
I totally noticed all the pregnancy and breastfeeding around me when I was in that place. Now, I totally notice any kid acting up or having a tantrum or meltdown since that's where we seem to be these days.