Augh, I'd go nuts.

I was at Ikea a couple of weeks ago looking at mattresses, and they had some nice options. When we were first married, my husband and I had to live apart for about five months because of his job. He bought the cheapest queen size mattress they had at the mattress store. Like it wasn't even out in the show room, and they had to take him in the back so he could see it cheap. We still sleep on that mattress seven years later, and we're still happy with it. I have no idea how we will pick our next one.

I'm so happy I found this thread! What a wonderful ending. :-)

Oh gosh, I can't even imagine the joy of having an almost five year old that took a nap. My oldest gave up his at 18 months when it was taking me over an hour to get him to sleep for nap and at least another hour at bedtime. He did go to sleep quite early for a year and a half or so after giving up the nap. Honestly, we just kind of adjusted our lives around it. He won't even nap when he's sick. I thought about trying a quiet time, but it virtually impossible. He wasn't verbal, and it just didn't work. At the age of your son, I would definitely do it! Maybe audio books? I'm guessing my younger will nap a little longer, but I'd be pretty surprised if he were still napping at 2.

I think I'm going to get this refurbished Nikon Coolpix off of eBay. It gets alright reviews. Maybe you could buy the gift card form him? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Coolpix-L30-Digital-Camera-20-1MP-5x-Optical-Zoom-Red-Refurbished-/331389253528?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item4d2856b798

I pretty much wear my Birkenstocks year round, and it's definitely colder here than in Texas. I'll occasionally put on other shoes if I'm wearing an outfit that really calls for them, or if I actually have to walk *through* the snow. I really dislike socks.

I'm part of team, "mix your dry ingredients really well with a whisk." ;-)

I think I'm getting a new stainless steel cookware set. I got my grandma's spare set (that she had already decided to replace!) of Revere ware when I went off to college. I've been using them ever since. I think it's time. I think I'm getting a flannel shirt from Duluth Trading.

I've never owned a mattress pad in my life, and I'm suddenly feeling like a poor excuse for an adult or something. Luckily, my kids aren't really vomiters or bed wetters.

Moving really stinks, and I'm just about fed up with it. It feels like we move all the time, and it doesn't really get easier. I'm usually happy once we get there, but the whole process and uncertainty bothers me. It looks like we have another three moves in the next five years or so, and you almost get to the point of not even wanting to feel at home somewhere. Sorry you're in the middle of it,OP. It sounds like the place you're moving is going to be great once you're settled.

We keep it at 72-73 during the day and 71 at night. I'd like to keep it a little cooler, but my oldest has cold induced uticaria, and he does well at that temperature.

I think I'm going to give them a try!

Thank you!

Has anyone used FedEx Office Center for coil binding workbooks? I was going to go to Staples, but FedEx would be more convenient. Do they do a good job? Is the price comparable?

Gosh, I love Paris... From your list - Honestly, I would skip the Jardin de Tuileries. To me, it just feels like a crowded gravel walk way with some trees, and that was in the summer. I can't imagine it would improve much in the winter. I'd see the glass pyramid and move on to other fabulous things. ;-) Personally, I also wouldn't waste time going up the Eiffel Tower, but I'm sure many would disagree with me. I much preferred the view (and pictures) of the Eiffel Tower from across the river at the Palais de Chaillot. Plus, the metro stop over there is much more convenient. If you're going to go up the tower, I recommend the Ecole Militaire metro stop rather than the Eiffel Tower RER stop or the Bir-Hakeim stop. The walk to those stops are filled with aggressive peddlers. I love walking around the Marais area. It's beautiful, lively, filled with interesting shops, and it has plenty of places to eat. Bibiche recommended the Place des Vosges, and I agree. I would get a nice sandwich, go sit on a bench there, and just take in the loveliness. Notre Dame is one of my very favorites. Plus, it's a lovely walk there from the Place des Vosges. ;-) I really like the Arc de Triomphe, and there is a metro stop literally right underneath it. I might spend a little bit on the Champs Elysees, but I wouldn't waste a lot of time there. I took a tour with Paris Walks that I really enjoyed. The guide was very engaging and informative. If they're offering one on something you're interested in on the days that you're there, I would consider spending the two hours. I did the Marais tour, and I definitely saw and learned things I wouldn't have otherwise. They even have a chocolate tour (!), but it's only once a month. :-) http://www.paris-walks.com/

DS 4 - He'll be getting a Green Bay Packers hat, a spirograph (which he asked for), kinetic sand, and probably a bigger gift if I can come up with something. He'd freak over a nerf gun, but I'm not sure I want to go there yet. My parents are getting him cowboy boots. DS1 - I think we're splurging on a nice, Waldorf style wooden kitchen. He's been pretending to cook a lot lately, and it's adorable. I'm sure my four year old will play with it, too.

Magnatiles are awesome!

How.... icky. "Your neighbors will know." Yuck.

We do one load (almost) every day. We have one basket we put everything in. My four year old loads the clothes from the basket to the washing machine and picks up any stray things that didn't make it to the basket. Depending on how much space is left, I throw in a couple towels or a sheet. On occasion I'll do a whole load of towels or sheets, but they usually get done with everything else. I start the laundry washing. Once it's done, the little guy transfers it to the dryer (except for the stuff on the very bottom that he still can't reach). When the dryer is done, he moves the clean clothes to a chair in the living room where I fold them.

I go through phases where I eat a nice,big salad for breakfast most days. Load it up with fat and protein.

I sometimes boil orange peels or lemons with cinnamon and cloves. Just keep it at a low simmer.

Wow, this is exactly my life except it was my parents that came to stay in our house, and we're four hours away! Is your husband's company paying for the move? I would definitely go with something unfinished. Moving a second time is not worth the hassle at all. Even if it means needing to buy a couple of cheap pieces of furniture, that cost would be made up by not having the expenses of moving another time. We took most of our furniture, but we left our living room couch/chair and dining table for my parents. We were planning on replacing the living room furniture soon anyway, so we bought a new set in our new location. We'll sell the old set when we move back. We bought a really cheap Ikea dining table to get us through the year. We took all of our other furniture, kitchen things, clothes and toys. We did some major decluttering before the move so that our stuff would fit in the new place. We're in about half of the square footage that we're used to. As far as beds go, we got a few nice air mattress to use while we visit the house. I'm nine months in, so I'm happy to answer any questions. :-)

I love oatmeal with cocoa powder and either strawberries or raspberries. Yum!

Target often has cute table cloths that make great ring slings if you want to go that route. One table cloth actually makes two since you cut it in half length wise. You want to find one that's 100% cotton and usually at least 100 inches.

I would check The Babywearing Swap Facebook page. They have an under $100 section, and some really great ring slings come up there for reasonable prices. If you're comfortable wrapping, another option is a short (sz 1 or 2) wrap that you tie with a slip knot. You can pre tie it so you just pop the baby in and out like you would a ring sling. It's personal preference, but I find the wrap with the slip knot more comfortable and just as easy.