We just decided to do a major splurge and booked our first-ever cruise. We are going to Alaska. Usually, we take a few camping trips around our state.

I agree with Panda - Large starts at 5, and Mega starts around 10. We currently have 4 kids, but have had 7 (we do foster care). I'm pretty comfortable in the 5-6 kid range. We live in a more rural area and it is very very common for families to have 4 or more kids (even when accounting for the large mormon population). When we lived in-city Seattle though, you got strange looks with any more than 2 kids. I have a friend who is in China right now bringing home her 29th & 30th children (22 total adoptions, 14 kids still at home, most special needs) and is in process for #31. Now that is a Mega family!

If we are talking wood STOVE vs. wood FIREPLACE vs. gas FIREPLACE, they really are very different things. i would choose a wood STOVE for emergency heat, emergency cooking, heating large areas. Wood/Gas FIREPLACES are good only for mostly ambiance and heating one room, but gas is much much more convenient. If you are mainly going for ambiance, I would chose gas every time.

As a foster parent, I would say report it to CPS. It IS very unlikely that they would be able to do anything. But, it might be a wake-up call for the parent. Also, if you report it, and Grandma reports it, and anyone else who notices reports it, at some point, CPS is going to be able to do something about it.

For a 3-day trip, ask your Dr. about the behind-the-ear patches. I used them all the time when I was in my teens for flying and they were amazing! She could use one the whole trip. They are hard to find these days for some reason. Lots of fresh air, no warm air blowing on her face, no reading. Everything everyone else has mentioned!

If you are planning on driving to multiple places, you may as well buy the $4 undies. We buy DH's undies at Costco. Kids are usually from Target/Walmart - usually $10 for 4-6 pairs.

It does depend on how you define minimalism as well. Most larger families have much fewer possessions per person than a smaller family. It may still look like more, but can still be the bare minimum. Very simple example: A set of 12 dishes for a family of 8 is very close to the minimum needed (8 plates for dinner, a few extras for serving/prep). A family of 4 with a set of 12 dishes clearly have more than they need. Yet, it looks exactly the same in the cupboard. Large families also tend to get much more use out of each item before passing it along. Several kids will wear or play with something before it's outgrown. Now, if we start talking clutter, no matter the family size, most of us could remove 10 things from a room and really not miss them.

Absolutely. Both my kids love checking off the boxes as they finish. Here is an early version: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmUsFdXVXIPQdGlaS2diUGllcDVTMTZ3cHFsY3J3QXc#gid=0 I just print off the columns I need for that week

My DD has a similar problem. Jeans never fit her. Her booty is a bit round, but she also has a bit of a tummy. Not big enough for plus size, but too big for regular size. I have resigned myself to only buying her sweats and knit pants until she is a teenager. At that point, if she wants jeans, she will be willing to work off the extra inch of waist that makes all the pants not fit.

When I had dental insurance - twice a year. I currently have no dental insurance - once every 2-3 years.

I think 6-8 people *can* live together in 1200 sq. feet. But, I wouldn't do it if you are planning on adopting/fostering that many kids. We do foster care and the kids are just different. You often often often can not have them sleeping in the same room with other kids. Or, you simply need space for kids to get away from each other during the day. After they are all adopted and adjusted, you could downsize, but I wouldn't do it before you adopt. Also, in our state, you are required to have 50 sq. feet of bedroom space per kid. Now, if you are going to be watching your best friends kids, or your nieces/nephews, kids you have known since forever, then it might work. I would strongly advise against it for foster/adopt kids.

I love MOPS. I've been to 3 different groups, the second was definitely my favorite. My current group is super tiny - only about 10 women. I don't fit into the groups - I am easily the oldest by several years, and any kids that qualify me are now my foster kids. I go anyway as I like just hanging out with other women. If you are totally not connecting with the women in your group, it certainly doesn't hurt to try MomsNext (since you'd be there next year anyway) or even a more regular bible study. But, if you stick with MOPS, if you do have the oldest kids in your table, you may be able to help them along with the "this too shall pass" and "you will get through this stage" advice.

We ditched it about 18 months ago. I watch exactly 2 shows online (Amazing Race and Survivor) everything else, we live without. I really really really missed not being able to see the Olympics. Other than that, we are fine with the movies we have and Netflix.

How do you feel about your choice to homeschool? Good Are you happy you started homeschooling? Yes, definitely Are your children happy to be homeschooled? Mostly, DD wants to go back to PS, but loves all the extra playtime. (She misses her friends.) What do you feel is your favorite part of the school day? Kids sleeping in, schooling in PJ's. least favorite? When they don't want to finish, needing to cajole. What is your favorite part of the school year? least favorite? Haven't HS'ed long enough to answer What is your favorite subject to teach? Your children's favorites? History, I think. How do you feel inside when you tell people you homeschool? Part of the In Crowd. This exact moment in time....what are you feeling when you look back on your day (or yesterday if your day hasn't started yet)? Lazy mom didn't do science again today.

Either their sick or vacation or personal days (if they have any of the above) followed by unpaid days.