Oh, you guys are great! I really appreciate all the feedback. One thing that appealed to me about staying on site is that we wouldn't have to rent a car. I have looked at staying off site in a vacation rental, and I think we may do that some time in the future if we go with a bigger group. Now I am totally undecided! I would love to go some time when they have free dining, but I kind of wonder if they will be phasing that out. If we didn't go this year before summer, we probably wouldn't even think about going until 2015, as we already have a disney trip planned next year. So much to think about!

Background: I have always wanted to go to Disney World and stay in a Disney hotel, but have never been. I have been to Disneyland several times, and my husband has been to Disneyland once. We are planning a trip to Disneyland with my parents next year, in January or May. We have 4 kids, and their ages are 7, 4.5, 2.5, and 9 months. In the process of planning our 10th anniversary trip for next year (I like to plan trips) I realized that if we went to Disney World before my 2 year old turns three, we wouldn't have to purchase a ticket for her and we would be able to stay in the Port Orleans-Riverside resort in the rooms with a max occupancy of 5 plus one infant. They currently have a promotion going, and we could get airfare from the pacific northwest, room, and tickets for about 3800. This seems to be a pretty good deal. We can afford it, but of course the money could be used for other things. Do you think it is worth going with such young children? If we don't go now, it will probably be 3 or 4 years before we think about going. I'm pretty thrifty and like to get a lot of bang for my buck. Thoughts?

I've had a blendtec for a little over 4 years. I wish I had gone with a Vitamix. A couple of weeks after we bought our blendtec we were making an avocado smoothie and something happened with the bearing in the jar part. The machine started shaking and jumping and it stopped blending. When I googled the problem it seemed to be rather common. I was only about 15 minutes away from their headquarters and brought the jar in and was able to exchange it. However, I think the warranty is only a year or two for the top part, and two or three for the motor. I can't remember off the top of my head. When I purchased my Blendtec, the Vitamix had a seven year warranty for both parts. I haven't had to replace the jar again, but there are a couple cracks in the bottom of my jar and my machine does get jumpy at times. I also think the stirrer thing would come in handy. I use mine frequently for smoothies and about three times a week to grind wheat for bread. I go through two cycles to grind the wheat so it is not so coarse.

I'm just finishing up my freezer cooking before my baby that's due any day now. I made several things, and I'll link to the recipes, but I usually adjust them a bit to fit our taste and/or make them healthier. Also, I don't think I bake any of these before I freeze them. Black Bean, Brown Rice, and Cheese Burritos Breakfast burritos made with baked eggs (I added spinach, then just cut the eggs into rectangles and added a bit more cheese) Meat Pies White Chicken Chili Real Broccoli and Chicken Casserole Favorite Casserole Lasagna Baked Ziti Spaghetti Pie Creamy Taquitos Beef Goulash (Based off of America's Test Kitchen Recipe) Best Ever Beef Dip Sandwich Meat Crustless Quiche Winter Energy Cookies I'm sure your friend will appreciate the meals!

That must be really hard. Congratulations on the pregnancy! I have told her, but I think she must think that I really do want a shower as she just says that she's going to do it regardless of what I want. I know it sounds completely ridiculous, and it sure feels that way. I'm not sure why she is so insistent.

Thanks for the suggestions! I would really rather have nothing at all, but perhaps a small get together to see the baby and chat would be a good compromise for her.

I am due with my fourth baby this week. I have three girls, and this baby is a boy. There is a very nice lady at my church that wants to have a baby shower for me after the baby is born. I told her that it wasn't really necessary and I really don't need or want one, but she insists that she wants to have one because it is our first boy. I am extremely introverted, and I also don't feel close enough to more than 1 or 2 people to even want to invite them. She wants me to make her a list of people to invite, and I am so uncomfortable with the whole thing. When I tried to talk to her about it yesterday, she insisted that she would have one for me, even if I didn't show up. I think she thinks that I really want one but I just don't want to inconvenience her, but that's not the case at all. Am I being rude in telling her I really don't want one? I don't like showers to begin with, and I think it's especially unnecessary as this is my fourth baby. What should I do?

Thanks you guys! I was hoping it would be fun with just two, since it's sometimes hard to come up with more players. I think we'll try playing with two decks each. It's just really frustrating that it doesn't say anything about it in the rules.

So we got this game for Christmas after I read about it on this board awhile back. My husband and I played a couple of games today, but during both games we got to a point where we were stuck. Neither one of us could play a card. I couldn't see anything in the rules about this, and I tried googling it but couldn't find with a rule for this situation. We ended up just shuffling the cards in our hands, but it seemed kind of lame. Are we doing something wrong? What do you do in this situation?

Growing up my family had a free-for-all. We had 6 kids and we all got quite a few presents. My husband's family opened one at a time with everyone watching. We have decided to take turns opening presents with our kids. I like it.

I like this idea. I would take the dollhouse back. What your daughter is doing is so much better.

As someone else said, you have to go in and ask. They won't automatically give you the difference.

My 3 year old daughter is getting the Playmobil take-along hospital. She plays with my older daughter's Playmobil and loves it. The grandparents are getting the girls Magnatiles. I don't know if you have a boy or girl, but I saw this Little Red Riding Hood doll on a blog today and thought it was really cute. It's just one doll that you turn over. Klutz makes a series of books for younger children called Chicken Socks. You might find something different that your 3 year old would be interested in. What about a huge sticker book, something like this or this from Melissa & Doug? When my oldest was three she got a Bilibo. It has seen a lot of use.

We don't have a microwave. We use the toaster oven a lot for reheating things. The stovetop works well for a lot of things too. I leave a lot of our food in the original pot or pan that I cooked it in, so I just have to take it out of the fridge and plop it on the stove to reheat.

Barnes & Noble doesn't have a ton of Playmobil, but it is 10% off and they have a code for an additional 30% off any one item. They also have a deal for $5 off a toy purchase of $10 or more. You can't use the 30% discount and the $5 off on the same item though. Free shipping for orders over $25, or you can sign up for a free trial membership and get free shipping with no minimum purchase. ETA: I meant to quote the person that was asking about Playmobil deals. I hit quick reply instead. :)