As far as humidity, should I cover the plant entirely, or do I need to allow for airflow? (Thanks, by the way. I think I can handle that method.) I don't need to worry about the gnats, then? I read somewhere that the larvae might eat new roots, and where my violet is trying to take root, that worried me. If they won't hurt the plant, then I suppose I can deal with them later. Should I be surprised that even though it's just taking root, and having so many other issues besides, the foolish thing is actually flowering? It's brand new and fairly small, but it has two flowers and half a dozen buds. This is since it's been repotted, mind. Thanks for the help!

A jug of Febreeze. I'm quite sure the guys in my son's dorm never did laundry the way you and I think of laundry...they Febreezed--EVERYTHING--shirts, jeans, sheets, towels, probably their armpits...lol I second the OTC med/first aid kit. Send the minimum until you know the kiddoes your son will be rooming with. Things like Sudafed can be abused. Still...I wish we'd done this. There was one very miserable night when my son (no longer in the dorm) called to tell me he was sick. Based on past experience, I knew immediately he had strep...probably 103 fever, raging sore throat, chills, in short he was alone, several miles from a store and miserable. I can guarantee you I spent a miserable night as well. While he was at the pharmacy the next day, I made him stock up on Tylenol and such. Extention cords and power strips. My son's dorm room had two outlets. Boys seem to need their electronics...Xbox, DVD players, Speakers system. Hopefully you can coordinate with the roomie so they don't overlap too much. Personally, I'd love to see game systems banned for dorms, but I'm sure schools fear no young men would come to school. lol Remember, you can't prepare for every instance. What you hope to see when your son or daughter goes away to school is some of the resourcefulness you've taught over the years. Do they know how to find information? Do they seek out the best way to do things? Can they face a challenge and deal with it? (Like getting a ride to the store when they don't drive. It's perfectly do-able.) Have fun and remember to enjoy these next few months.

Got a lot of smiles from these posts. Remembrances of my four going off to college, each for the first time. First to go was DD. She took 125% of everything she needed. The school sent a list and I got another list from a different school too. We got it all. took 2 vans to move her in. She shared a 7 x 11 foot room with one other girl! We have a pic of her room on move in day. Oops, that super size box of Tampax on the bed shows in every picture! Her and old room mate laughed about that one at DD's wedding shower! Now, the next 3 were boys and they take 100% of what they need (meaning: 25% of what you KNOW they need). One set of sheets, who needs to wash except at Xmas and Spring break?! I mean it simply amazed me! If they didn't have something they needed, they just went down the hall and "borrowed" it from someone else (usually a girl who had it all). If they knew they were coming home in 2 weeks, then they didn't do laundry. No, I do not do anyones laundry except mine and DH's, they just didn't want to haul it anywhere. So don't worry, what they don't take with them you can mail or they will beg from soneone else. BTW mail them a package one day BEFORE they leave. Amazing how much a box from home says "I love you". Still have 2 in college, had all 4 in at the same time one year! Kathy G in MI

None of the three have been delivered yet. Each is a surprise but now they have been told one is coming so they will be excited. I'm sure they will love them.