I took a large round paper mache box and cut a square piece of cardboard to fit on top so that it looked like a graduation hat. Glue the square on the lid of the round box.I cut a slit in the top slightly off to the side, to drop the cards in. I painted the box her school color and made the tassle out of embrodery floss. I used a wooden plug to represent the "button" on top and put the "tassle" on top. I used 2004 stickers to decorate the bottom part. I hope this makes sense. She then used the box to store the cards in later. She has it packed away or I would take a picture of it. Any questions, please ask. Laurie

Can I jump back in to add more of my thoughts on graduation announcements? DS graduated from high school 9 years ago. Being our firstborn, we went the announcement route everyone else around us seemed to be going with: buying the regular, formal, pricey ones with the name cards, tissue and inner envelopes, etc. Frankly, they were boring and all basically the same. I have to admit that when I receive one from a friend's and family's kid like that, I read them and then drop them in the shredder, keeping just the photos if there was one. I'll bet I'm not the only one who does this. And, I still can't figure out why anyone wants to include a name card. We did with DS, but even he thought is was "silly". Nine years later his little sis is graduating and I love her announcements and so does everyone else, including her! A simple photo card, with two casual photos of her (one in her western hat with our mountains in the background and one a beautiful, casual head shot with her smiling). There's also two pics of beautiful flower close-ups that she loved and since she was designing it, she chose what she wanted. In the middle, just her name and the day she graduates. On the back is just a beautiful quote that she loves and that's very meaningful to her and a big blank space where she could write a personal message. That's it. We've already received several other personally designed announcements this year and we love them and prop them up to enjoy. I don't see them as a cheap alternative, but rather as a more personal, special choice. Anyhoo, just my own opinion on high school graduation announcements. Oh, and BTW, we taught our kids at a very young age that all gifts received deserve (and got) a thoughtful, handwritten note mailed to the giver within one week. Starting at three years old, I had them dictate what they wanted to say and then they signed it themselves. Many times what they had to say was pretty hilarious, but I felt that if it came from their hearts, that's all that mattered. And, no one cared if their "signatures" at three or four years old were written across the entire note, sideways and were just a happy scribble (LOL)! Lynn

Congratulations! "now, what would you do? is it understandable for me to be upset or not? is it normal to not even send a card or a small gift? would you say anything?" 1. What I would do is exactly what you are doing. Venting :) 2. Yes, it's understandable, I'd be upset too. 3. "Normal". Hm. Well, from what you've described it is normal for him and his relationship with your DD. It appears it's not normal for how he treats others. Unfortunate. But probably normal. 4. I'd say something if I thought it would do any good. And I'd say something like what was suggested above: DD worked hard, I know you're probably busy and it's easy to forget, but would you give her a call or send a card letting her know how proud you are? It would mean a lot to me. I received no gifts/cards/etc. for my college graduation from family members. My friends, their parents... they gave me gifts and I appreciated their tokens of pride so very much. For me, taking the time to really congratulate someone for accomplishing a goal is very important. Regardless of what it is. Your dd sounds like she's gone above and beyond many graduates, and that is worthy of extreme pride (so please don't take this wrong because it has nothing to do with your DD, just a generalization). My feeling is that if someone graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard or plumbing school it shouldn't matter insofar as they should be shown by their family and friends that their efforts and accomplishment did not go unnoticed. Praising someone for success (even if it's something that may be considered by others to be not that hard or unusual) is important. Acknowledging achievement is important. I have a friend who recently completed a marathon. Ten miles is not very much. I can run 10 miles faster than this person. I have another friend who has won the Ironman and many who have competed in similar elite marathons and triathlons. But I am so proud of her and I'm her biggest cheerleader. She set a goal, she worked toward it and she accomplished it! It's so cool to see her look of pride, and see her self-worth rise and to know that she knows that she is more capable than before. To me, that's cool. And if your brother is too ignorant to see just what a cool niece he has, it's his loss. Heck, I'm proud of her and I don't even know her. (((virtual card congratulating dd)))

I have no experience with West Point but my husband is a Naval Academy grad and we are currently sponsoring several midshipmen (basically we are their home away from home). Plebes (freshmen) are extremely restricted on what they are allowed to have in their rooms when it comes to personal items. Basically NO personal clothes aside from undergarments - only clothes issued by the school. For example, they have gym gear (shorts & tshirt) that they are allowed to wear at our house when not in uniform but unless they are not leaving our house, they must be in uniform. They can leave personal items at our house and wear them IN our home, but not if they go somewhere, like the movies, to a restaurant, etc. my garage is stacked with personal items that belong to two of our mids (who are now sophomores) that they either can't have or don't have room for in their rooms. They can't bring their own bedding, etc either. I'm fairly sure West Point has similar rules especially for their plebes/freshmen. My advice would be to give him money. Because they are unable to work in college, including in summer, they have no way to earn money. They do receive a stipend but it is very minimal. I know our mids would very much appreciate cash. I imagine West Point cadets would feel the same.