Does fabric content seem to make a difference? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Could you buy two of the same dress and make a ruffle or fashionable extension for the hem? It's easier than sewing a whole new dress. If she has time, several designers/companies will let you order a longer length. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I SO know what you're saying. Been there, done that and will have to do it again. You need to get more creative with your answers! "You know, I'd love some ice cream, but it really messes with my digestive system...." said while your head is slightly cocked. "Believe me, my kids would love some, but the sugar will have them up allll night and I'M not dealing with that." Give a look that says "are YOU willing to deal with that". "I tried folding t like that, but this is the Martha Stewart does it..." Just examples. I'm not saying lie through your teeth. Just embellish in ways that really make an impact. I mean, if they won't take no for an answer give them reasons to. Should you have to do that? No, but this is where you are. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

At our last house we refinished the basement and replaced the drop ceiling tiles with drywall. Dh put it up and we hired out the mudding and taping. It looked so much better, much more finished. I will say, though - a positive to a drop ceiling is having easier access to pipes, ducting and whatnot. Pulling down a tiles is way easier than having to cut a hole and fix the damage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The concern was that he was interested in my children, my son in particular. It's so sad to hear stories about what happened to some of you guys. No child should have those memories. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fruit Gluten free pizza (there are frozen varieties and some delivery places offer it) Thankfully, these days almost anything that contains gluten has a GF alternative. I would bet the allergy free market has GF options for the crackers and pretzels. GF cookies will probably be easier to find than cake. It's thoughtful of you to plan for it. My girls were GF for a while and it was always a pleasant surprise to find safe snacks provided for them, usually we just brought our own. Also, its helpful to label the serving bowls/platters so that unknowing guests don't eat up the allergy friendly options on accident. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This guy was mostly focused on my son. Dh is out of the country until mid week...[emoji51] I'd feel better if he were home. This employee was the one who helped me get my bags in the trunk (it didn't get too too weird till we were outside), so can he get any info from (possibly) knowing my license plate number? I could be blowing this all out of proportion. I mean, chances are. Just out of all the times I've been asked about the children I've never felt this weird. Of course there was the time a lady told us (while clothes shopping) that she had bags and bags of almost new clothes her grandchildren have outgrown at her house if we wanted them. For free. "You go down ____ road, turn right and we're the last house on the dead end street..." Uh, no way Jose. But thanks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have you ever had an experience that left you feeling creeped out in a child trafficking sort of way? Without many details, I was left with that feeling at the grocery store tonight. We get asked questions a lot because our kids are so close in age and people take an interest in our 3 girl/1 boy combo. No biggie. But a young male employee took an odd interest in the situation. Very very odd. I phoned and spoke with a manager after getting home. I don't think I will be taking my children with me to that particular location any more. We have too many grocery stores in the area to bother with this one. I told the situation to a few family members and friends to see if I was over reacting but everyone agreed (including the store manager) that it would have made them uncomfortable too. I'm having a hard time shaking this feeling. Has this happened to you before? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm sure if I looked hard enough and long enough I'd find a thread about this, but it's late and I'm on my phone. We may be moving in the near future so that we can be closer to dh's office and dd11's dance studio. We've only been in our house 2 years. Our house prior to this was 3600 sqft and this one is just shy of 3100. I know so much of a house is layout, but at the end of the day a small house with a good layout is still a small house. We've had small houses/apartments and I hate feeling like we're crammed in. I *think* I don't mind downsizing a bit as long as we don't feel like sardines and our needs are met. I also know "location, location, location" and around here it's based on school district. So our agent (we've used her before, super nice and trustworthy) is encouraging us to look in certain districts because of future resale. So my questions are: 1. If you don't mind sharing, how many people live in your house and what is the size? Do you find it too big/too small/just right? What might you prefer? 2. Would you stick to the preferred school districts? We could get more house for our money in other districts (not bad ones, just not ranked as high). Or would you ignore that and hope someone is in the same position when you need to sell in the future? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes! It was very odd the first few times! Did you notice as well that in MN you don't "cut" in line, you "budge"? That took a bit to get used to hearing from kids. [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lots of girls at our old studio used VB bags. I have an acquaintance that sells Thirty-One stuff and her daughter has smaller bags for each pair of shoes that goes into her larger bag. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My degree is in Family and Consumer Sciences Education (home ec). I took the Praxis and did my student teaching, got pregnant with first dd and never taught. I did not enjoy my time teaching. Sadly, at the school I student taught at FACS was pretty much a joke and I had to work very hard to be taken seriously. FACS Ed was such a fun major for anyone whose child is looking for one! [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Use Mod Podge and scrapbook paper to decoupage something - small boxes, flower pots, lots of things. Hobby lobby has all those supplies. Side note - we used to go every Tuesday to a local nursing home. I asked one time if my kids and I could make some crafts and hand them out to the residents. Well, the activities director misunderstood me and thought I wanted to bring crafts to make WITH the residents. [emoji15] I cleared that up right away! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Things my girls like(d) at that age: Cute purse Hair things Gum Jewelry Gift cards (Disney, American Girl Doll, etc) Plush blanket Scented hand sanitizer Coloring books Age appropriate magazine subscription Pjs with a favorite character Doll accessories Fun themed calendar Movie tickets/event tickets Candy or some other treat Kindle Woodzees animals from Target (like calico critters) Gel pens Dd9 has a favorite stuffed dog and loves accessories for him (collar, sweaters) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, my hubby would sometimes reply like, "everyone needs a hobby," or, "if you're good at something you just keep doing it." [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

She would like to teach ballet. She also would like to have a family, but again, with her being 11 we have not discussed if she plans on staying home with them or working after children. In terms of finances, we're Dave Ramsey folk and she's grown up listening to his podcasts and has attended some FPU classes (we've taught before). So debt, budgeting and the like are not foreign to her. I'm sure as she gets older we'll get into more detail. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I appreciate all of the responses. I wanted to see what everyone thought before getting specific. [emoji4] Our oldest wants to dance professionally (ballet). She's good. And it's not just us as parents thinking our baby is special, we're being told she is good (teachers, directors, studio owners, etc). She's young still and has several years before we need to hammer down a college choice, but we're setting her on a path that will help her achieve her goals. Unless she's part of a crazy nice company and a prima ballerina, she won't be earning anything close to $50,000. She understands that this career is short lived and hopes to teach after she's "done". We've thought a business degree would be extremely beneficial, especially if she were to open her own studio. Who knows. She's 11. [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

... a career that you know does not pay well statistically, how do you feel about that? It's their dream, but most of the rewards will be praise from others and self satisfaction, not monetary compensation. Money is not everything in life, but it can be helpful. [emoji6] I would never discourage this career, but it also seems like setting this child up for struggles. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Our 3 girls were 3 and under when I was expecting our son and I got asked about it a lot. Once in Costco I was asked (for the dozenth time that pregnancy) if we knew what caused it (hardy har har) but in a more serious tone, "What birth control are you going to use after this one? Vasectomies are your best bet..." and proceeded to tell me about their very personal family experience with the procedure. In Costco. In front of my girls. And all the other shoppers. ??!! Another favorite that I heard surprisingly often - what, are you like the Duggars? Yes. Because 4 is the same as over a dozen. Also, "Are those two twins?" No. "Really? Are you sure?" Pretty sure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For us, going from 3 to 4 was way easier than going from 2 to 3. Congratulations!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I my health classroom in jr high (so a while ago...) there was a sign that said something like "I don't drink because I like to remember when I've had a good time." I found it amusing and an easy way to say no thank you in college. As an adult I don't think you owe anyone an explanation as to why you don't like to drink. I agree with the suggestion in response of pushy drinkers, "Why do YOU want me drink so badly...?" Perhaps followed with a snarky comment about high school and peer pressure. Of course, snark doesn't usually dissolve conflict. [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have you seen skirt extenders? They are for this very concern. They usually have some on the Jane website and they're decently inexpensive. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Our new couch is upholstered in Revolution fabric. Supposedly it's indestructible. Our puppy peed on it [emoji849]and I called the manufacturer and they told me how to clean it. You can't see where she peed, but you can see the outline of where I sprayed water to clean it (it was a whole process). Does anyone else know anything about this fabric? I don't know if I need to give it more time or do it again? I plan on calling the manufacturer again in the morning. It's brand new. [emoji26] I could just flip the cushion except for two things: one, it's NEW and I don't want to... two, a bit got on the arm and I can't flip that. [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My girls were 4, 2 and 1. No inductions, all early. My son? Not sure. He was my only epidural and I took a lovely nap. It was the best sleep I'd had in months. I do know it was the longest, but definitely the least painful of the 4. He was the earliest of them all (in order - 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks 5 days and 5 1/2 weeks early). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My oldest watched as they put it in the truck. She said they crushed it up. Then she cried. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk