They no longer include appetizers or gratuities. Disney does not allow you to purchase for only certain members of your party (I asked). You have to purchase a meal plan for each member of your party over 3 years old.

We write thank-you notes for all gifts received. Even if we thanked the giver in person, we still send hand-written (and illustrated) thank-you notes. We also send notes if we went to someone's house for dinner (usually) or to someone who took a child somewhere (golfing, to the movies, to a sporting event). I am sure we forget on occasion, but my kids know they have to do it and usually do it on their own (the older ones). I still help the younger ones.

I cut the hair of dh and both of my boys. If they prefer buzz cuts anyway, you can't mess up too badly. Hair grows. You will get the hang of it quickly. Just don't cut dh's hair while you are angry and venting about something...:ohmy:

I bought some really nice bedroom furniture (Ethan Allen) out of the newspaper classifieds. I love it, but it wasn't something I would have splurged on new. There are great deals on used furniture, but it does take more time to find it.

If you can afford it, it is money well spent. We have used one in every one of our three local moves. It is hard to rely on relatives and friends (unless you have a lot more younger, stronger ones than I seem to). Every one is so busy these days and it really is HARD work. Plus there is less chance of your furniture being damaged (in my case anyway) if you have professionals move you. I tend to be very frugal, but this is one expense that I feel is almost necessary. We didn't do convenience foods or anything like that.

I agree with you Erica. I wouldn't move either. I would find some other way to make it work.

trying to figure out what to do with my dd (9-almost 10).

I don't buy canned or prepared food, and I only spend about $60/week for a family of six. I use coupons to get all of our toiletries (including diapers, wipes, shampoo,etc) basically free. I used coupons last week to get 20 bags of frozen veggies free. I bought sour cream for $.29 per container last week too. The key is to buy foods and products you use at the lowest possible price (combining sales and store coupons with manufacturer coupons). Stock up when you get a good deal. What stores are in your area? Mine aren't all that great as far as deals go, but I can still do well. Google looking for blogs that post the deals at those stores. It takes a lot of time and effort, especially at the beginning. You have to decide if it is worth it for you. You can probably get the best deals on toiletries at a drug-store like CVS or Walgreens. It works better if you shop at multiple stores just getting the best deals at each store. It does take some time.

It is really encouraging to me. I contemplate sending ds(12) to ps daily because I often feel he would be better off in school. However, like your son, he is incredibly self-motivated. He really wants to be home. I showed him your post. It was helpful to both of us.

Thank you for letting me know that. One combo pack comes with the TWSS seminar workbook and one does not. Do I need that? Thanks again.

I am looking at IEW to start with my 6th grader. We have not done a lot of formal writing yet. He writes in a journal daily, but we have not done many reports, etc. I was thinking of ordering Teaching Writing/Student Writing Intensive Combo Pack Level A. Do I need the TWSS Seminar Workbook? Thanks for any input you can give me.

That is exactly what I was looking for!

Does any one know if the online quizzes are still out there somewhere? I can't seem to find them. TIA.

Our most common meals are: pasta pizza (home-made) soft tacos soup stir fry chili

I don't have a lot of faith in them, in general. I have been to one once and yes, it was a waste of time. But if my marriage was in trouble, and I couldn't work it out with my husband, I would definitely give it a try. What is there to lose at this point? ( a little time/money?) It is definitely better than trying to hash it out with family members. That is not a wise move as many other posters have already pointed out.

I would be really, really angry if my husband talked to his family about me in any negative way AT ALL. That is very private. Marriage is sacred. You talk to each other, you think about things on your own. If necessary, read books, try new approaches, seek counseling. I am glad you have managed to accomplish all you do as a team. However, criticizing in the way that your brother does, is not going to help his marriage. For some of us, it is a struggle.

I have never kept a house well, even when I only had one child and didn't work outside the home. I wonder now why I couldn't manage it then. But for whatever reason, I couldn't. My husband never saw it as disrespectful to him. We all have our faults. It seems like he is just pointing out hers and making everything worse. He needs to lighten up and clean the house himself if it really bothers him. Without criticizing her while he's doing it.

I don't know why. Anyway, yes, we are going for one week. Jan. 27-Feb 3. We will actually be there for my dd's b-day (she is turning 10). The little one (she) is just two. I will spend some time checking the menus. I have done a little of that, but so far, I have mostly been concentrating on dates, hotels, flights, etc. Now I can look into the stuff at the actual parks.

We ended up making reservations at the Port Orleans Riverside Jan.27-March 3. I am somewhat nervous about it. I went when I was little, and my husband has never been there. It is more than we have ever spent on a vacation. Plus it all seems like so much work to plan out the days. It didn't help that my sister was telling me right after we made the reservations how she couldn't understand why anyone would ever want to go there (I guess it wasn't her thing) and especially with a baby! Oh well. I would really appreciate any tips on where to eat good counter service food. We most likely won't be getting the meal plan. We haven't decided for sure, but I kind of doubt it. I am still trying to figure that one out. Thanks again for all your help.

That was really funny. I'll let you know when we hget back how much junk we ended up with.

I think it is $29.99 per adult and $8.99 per child. I still have to find out for sure if I can just buy it for the occupants of just one room and not for all of us. The meal plan for everyone and $400 in gift cards might be overkill. We are not much into souvenirs. I will have to look into the value resorts more. I have heard a lot that the Port Orleans Riverside is really great. I am a little nervous about the other ones.

An added consideration is that we would get 2 of the $200 gift cards because we would be renting 2 rooms. We will most likely not go with the meal plan so they would come in handy. Also with 2 separate reservations, we would be able to purchase the new meal plan which I understand to be slightly less expensive and including 2 counter-service meals and 2 snacks per day. But we could buy it for just one adult and 2 kids, leaving us more flexibility with meals. But yet, I am nervous about the atmosphere in the value resorts. Did the Port Orleans come with a mini-fridge? I am not sure if you have to pay extra for them in the value resorts. I still have some research to do!

You have all convinced me to go along with the family and two-year old. My other question is whether to stay in two connecting value rooms or one larger room at the Port Orleans Riverside. Any information about these different options would be helpful. Thanks so much.

We are looking at the Port Orleans Riverside for the hotel. We are thinking of going in January so it might be too cold to swim. The meal plan just seems so expensive, but yet, food is expensive there too. I don't know if we should go now or hold out until September. Let me know if you find out how they got a better deal.

We are considering going to Disney. I was thinking that this current "Buy 4, get 3 nights" is a great deal. Then I read what some of you paid including the free meal plan in Sept. and it seems better than what we are getting. Should we wait until next Sept and go for the free dining? It seems like food there could cost a fortune. Also, should I send dh with the 3 older kids (5, 9, 11) and stay home myself with the 2 year old? That might save money and frustration. My dh and kids have never been there. Thanks for any advice you can give.