We "do the next thing" with a goal of doing each "thing" x # of times per week. Then I write down what we did. Trying to plan a little more for next year, as I am adding in kid #2 to the HS mix. I might need a little more direction.

A 2nd floor laundry is a big deal-breaker for me (after having one and dealing with 2 separate flooding issues. Huge, awful problem) I'm amazed at how many people don't like HOAs. We've always had one and have had nothing but positive experiences.....it's nice to have an extra way to keep crazy neighbors in check. Like the guy that lives behind us, for example. It helps that our yearly dues are extremely reasonable and they do provide a number of niceties for the neighborhood. We have volunteered several times for board positions, and I think that has helped has have a more positive view of the whole HOA experience. I would never buy a house that smelled damp or mildewed, smelled like pets, had a first floor master....add hat to most of what others already said about schools, safety, structural soundness, etc. I would love a detached garage. I would love a REAL mudroom. I would love a walk-out basement. I would love a huge walk-in pantry. I have to have at least 4 bedrooms.

Yes, but the kids can open it with a penny....so, no?

Wow, that's a good deal! We have the Egypt sets and they are a huge hit with my kids.

Ditto this. I've worn danskos for about 10 years and I've never had problems standing (I did with regular sneakers and crocs, though.) FWIW, danskos can last a looooong time. I'm only on my 2nd pair in 10 years and they are holding up just fine.

Very much so. I'm still a reader. So far, I'm the only one in my family....I keep hoping one of the kids will catch the bug....

When we lived in NoVa, we almost always took the metro (unless we were going to the zoo.) Now that we live in PA, I usually park at Union Station....a little walk from the mall but parking is reasonable (around $20) and there are always spots available. And no security search. And if you need a snack there's a nice food court.

Oh, this makes me sad. TJ used to be such a top-notch school. (I didn't get in, in any case....)

When I was in college I used to dog-sit occasionally for friends of ours at their house....do you have anyone you'd trust to house/dog sit for you? Otherwise, I'd just leave them at home with someone letting them out.

Theoretically you could do the trip in less time if you stayed in a hotel....no need to set up a tent...not that driving more hours in a day is great, but we've done equivalent-distance road trips in 3 days (2 nights in a hotel.) The thought of sleeping on the ground at night and sitting in a car all day makes my back hurt. Add in dirt and no A/C and it's a no-go.

Chicken bellagio, crispy chicken costoletta, santa fe salad, or the grilled chicken and avocado club.

Today! I see them often, though, as we have a large population of farmers. Lots of overalls.

We have weekly den meetings and a monthly pack meeting, with various Saturday activities throughout the year, many of which are optional (day camps, pinewood derby, Blue & Gold banquet, family camp-outs, hockey games, etc.) We also have monthly activities throughout the summer. Some families participate in everything, some just do the basic weekly meetings. In our pack, parents are encouraged to participate but it is not mandatory. We have really enjoyed getting to know the families in our cub scout den. As far as cost goes, we pay $50/year in annual dues. Uniform had to be bought up front with yearly updates (hat, scarf, book, etc.) We do pay for camps but again, those are optional costs. We probably spend a total of $250-300 per year on cub scouts, which includes both a sleep-away camp (for both DS and DH) and a day camp in the summer....our costs may be higher due to the fact that my husband is a scouting fanatic and we participate in every.single.activity that is offered.

I was really lucky growing up. Our schools had amazing field trips (I grew up in Northern VA, so we had DC really close.) We had a trip to DC nearly every year, including high school, to see the zoo, museums, Nat'l Cathedral, etc. We also did trips to NYC, Williamsburg/Jamestown, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, some orchestra trips out of town....it was really nice. I am a field-trip junkie. It's one of the top 3 reasons I wanted to start homeschooling. I love getting out and seeing things with the kids. They like it, too. We've been to nearly everything worth seeing in our immediate area (and many that weren't worth seeing but were kind of fun in their own way....) I don't care if they don't remember it. I remember, that's good enough for me! I figure we can do it all again when they are older.

One in homeschool, one in preschool. Don't know what to vote. :tongue_smilie:

I'm not sure that I would be capable of making the same choice, but I admire them both for the way they've handled a really horrible situation. They seem happy. And yeah, they won't have a "normal" (?) life, but how many do? I wish them the best.

Giving you a bump....I've been looking at tests, as next year will be our first testing year (required in PA.) I've been leaning toward the SAT, curious as to what others who've BTDT think....

Tide. After trying nearly every "diaper safe" detergent out there, I switched to Tide and finally got rid of ammonia-stink and stains. No rashes or issues with Tide, and I've always used a full scoop (with an extra rinse cycle.) Diapers lasted through 3 kids and were passed on and are being used for a fourth.

I'd go south....I love King's Dominion and Busch Gardens!

Ditto the Letter Factory video. "The Frog" worked wonders at our house.

Tide...I specifically use Tide HE powder. Don't know why, but the powder works better for us than the liquid. I tried Charlie's soap and didn't have any luck with using it. It left our whites dingy.

I don't have a budget, so to speak, but my "wants" list is running about $450 for next year for 2 kids (K and 3rd.) There are a few more things I want to get, then consumables like art supplies, paper, etc. I'm buying a bit at a time over the next couple months. This is the end of our 1st year homeschooling, I expect that as we build up our home library, our needs list for the youngers will dwindle a bit. At least, that's my theory.....hope it works out....

We have someone come every other week. We do the tidying, she does the cleaning. It's been well worth the cost for our family....I work weekends, DH works during the week, and this gives us more time together on those rare occasions that we are all at home without thinking about cleaning the house. I love knowing that every two weeks, the entire house is all clean AT THE SAME TIME. Priceless. I still do clean during the week, light cleaning, mostly a quick vacuum or sweep. I figure that as long as I work out of the home, we can work this into our budget.

Ditto this. I hadn't heard of many of these things until I went to BYU. And now, back on the east coast, we see very little "Utah Mormon" food at potlucks, etc. Except for funeral potatoes....I've adopted that recipe in a big way. I love "church food." From any church, really. My kind of stuff. :)

The more kids I had, the less I used. If I had #4 I'd need a carseat and that's about it. Carseat. Baby carrier of some variety (I used a wrap when they were tiny and moved up to an ergo when they grew.) Nursing pillow (I used a Boston Billow pillow that the lactation consultant in the NICU gave me. Like a beanbag boppy.) Baby gowns. Blankets. Good pump (for when I went back to work.) Diapers (used cloth and disposable.)