My former dentist said I needed one. Of course, it was just barely a few minutes into the cleaning when the hygienist said that and for some reason it just seemed off to me, that office seemed to really push a lot of things like that. I had it done and it was very expensive. I ended up changing dentists, I felt like that one pushed a lot of things that weren't always necessary. (I realize sometimes deep cleanings are necessary, this was just the feeling I got from that practice.)

We live about 3000 miles from my mom, DH's mom lives in another country (I've never met her). I haven't lived close to my mom since high school, and haven't lived in the same state since I graduated from college.

We're going to see it tomorrow afternoon, I can't wait! We couldn't decide who was going first (1 adult, 2 kids) while the others stayed home so we didn't have to take the 1 & 3 year olds to the theatre. We'll be seeing it at the drive-in, so it won't be quite as exciting as in the theatre but at least we can see it at the same time!

I would get different accounts for each kid. My older four have accounts and it would not work well with them sharing an account! Mine would be upset if their siblings had changed something for their character or worlds also, they each have their own "skins" (basically just changing the appearance of their character) and DS1 likes to use many different mods.

Do you have a link to this? I would like to take a look at it.

We buy the (knockoff) magic erasers in bulk from eBay, we go through a lot of them here. It was about $3.50 for 50 of them, including shipping.

We moved from a Toyota Sienna to a Nissan NV about 6 months ago, I love it! We could all technically fit in the Sienna, but it was cramped and a pain to get everyone in and out. I was worried about driving something that large but it didn't take long at all to adjust. I'm able to park it without being "that guy" crossed over the lines in the parking lot now, though I do usually park farther back. I love being able to have a seat between each of the kids (in a row), it makes for much more peaceful rides. I miss the automatic sliding door on the Sienna. Getting the infant in and out is not as convenient as it was in the Sienna, that's probably the biggest drawback. I have my infant in the first passenger row, and my oldest helps get her in and out. We did get the one with the leather seats because it had the rear-view camera. That was a must for me! We have a blue one. You've probably already seen it if you're considering the NV, but I found this review helpful when we were researching. eta: ok, I thought it was going to post the link, not the actual video. Sorry about that!

That's awesome! We just made the switch to RS, so that's reassuring to hear.

I have everyone "find their spots" for shopping, they know what that means. I wear the youngest (10 months), my toddler is in the seat of the cart. The two middles hold onto the left side of the cart, one in the front and one by the handle. Both on the same side, so I can move the cart close to the shelves and so we don't take up too much room. The other two are walking behind or beside me, with one of them checking off the list or running to get things. It's easier to do it with me and all the kids than it is to have another adult along, because if it's just me then they know what to expect and there's no "who wants to walk with dad/grandma?!" This started when I only had a couple kids and DH was active duty, so I was always shopping with all the kids along.

Atheist homeschooling mom here. 3 of mine were over 10 lbs, two were 9.5 lbs. No gestational diabetes, but we have a history of 9-10 lbs babies in both my family and DH's family.

Our living room windows are (nearly) floor to ceiling, with a small sliding portion at the bottom, about a foot off the floor, that opens horizontally. He learned how to unlock both the locks on the windows, pushed the screens out and let the cats out. One we caught as it was halfway out the window, the other had already escaped and spent the day gallivanting about the neighborhood in the rain. She came back tonight, and I got to bathe a wet, muddy, briar-entangled ticked off long-haired tortie. Pass the wine, please.

Last week he climbed up to the top of the shelves and ate 5 buckets of Halloween candy (while under his dad's supervision, of course). The older 4 were not impressed. When sent to his room for a massive tantrum, climbed up and got DS1's carefully assembled Lego Millenium Falcon and destroyed it. We still haven't found all pieces. Used every single toothbrush in the kids' bathroom, to the dismay of his older siblings. Won't use the potty, but despite many layers of clothes he still manages to free himself every day/night and make a huge mess. A couple hours ago I put him to bed in a diaper, capri leggings over the diaper (because the boxer briefs are too short), a onesie snapped OVER the leggings, and thick fleece jammies with the feet cut off and put on backwards so they are harder to unzip. We call him Harry Hou-weenie.

We have a set of grandparents like that. We last saw them 4 years ago, so they haven't met my almost 3 year old or my 10 month old. They don't remember DH's birthday (he's the oldest of 4), though usually several months later we'll get what I think of as the guilt check. They're not into us, and we're not really into them. DH was never close with them before (not a negative relationship, just distant) and that didn't change after we had kids. About once a year or so DH will call them and get the load of guilt about not calling more/sooner/whatever, as if the phone doesn't work both ways. It's DH's responsibility to maintain the relationship with his family, I'm not a social secretary. If he chooses not to pursue it then so be it.

It's not a book, but Harpy's Child is a good resource. https://sites.google.com/site/harpyschild/

Oh yes, definitely this! My life insurance rates were 2-3x higher than we initially thought they would be, because of my migraines & neuralgia. After DH was out of the military we went ahead and got me life insurance through our normal insurance company. Then, just over a year later, I had a massive pulmonary embolism. I can't imagine what my life insurance would cost now.

I was pulled over and ticketed for disorderly conduct for something that is now (and probably then) covered under freedom of speech. The judge threw it out. Hey, I was 16, and the car was unmarked and had passed in what I considered to be an unsafe manner, I considered it non-verbal communication. :leaving:

I take methylated B-12 (I have the MTHFR mutation), however I haven't tried it with my kids. My 5 year old with speech issues takes fish oil, but I haven't looked into B-12.

This may be more of a product of too much time watching his siblings play Minecraft than homeschooling. A few months ago, DS2 (had just turned 5) was petting our cat and asked "Mommy, did we get Dax as a kitten or did we tame her from an ocelot?"

Oh, those would be a huge hit here! Sounds like I need a trip to Target. (Any excuse!)

Congratulations!

For my kids, it pretty much came down to choosing an instrument that was easily available and fit in the budget & schedule. We have a very affordable homeschool strings program, so DS1 and DD1 both did a year or two of violin before switching to viola and cello, respectively. It would have been nice to have a broader range of instruments available for them to choose from (other than just strings), but the band program is limited and not as well organized. They both enjoy it, especially DS1, and my others will also start a stringed instrument when they turn 8. There is a local youth orchestra available if they are interested when they are 12+.

DS1 and DS2 are both going as Ezra from the Star Wars Rebels animated series. DD1 and DD2 are storm troopers. (Aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?) I knitted DD3 a Princess Leia hat. DS3 has a Yoda costume from last year, but he's most likely going as a PITA 2 year old.

I spilled Procion fabric dye (so a bit different), but we had to regrout that area.

I'm 40 and just had a Mirena placed after the Caboose was born, so I'll be in a similar spot in about 5 years (also have limited options due to a history of blood clots). I'll probably go ahead and go with another Mirena if I have too, though I really don't want to have to deal with the insertion again.

I make this one and then blend with a stick blender. Add more seasonings at the end and serve with toppings on tortillas for quick bean burritos. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/70312/refried-beans-without-the-refry/