I would highly recommend reading Ina May Gaskin's books 'Birth Matters' and 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.' She can be kind of "hippy-ish" but I love the positivity of her books and the stories she weaves in. That said I've never had an epidural but I had pain meds during my third labor and I hated them. I much prefer being able to focus and relax myself than be all woozy and out of it. I would also recommend the Bradley Method book if you've never read it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

King of Tokyo, Sheriff of Nottingham, Qwirkle, Incan Gold and Labryinth are what come to my mind that we can all enjoy but my 5 yr old can play. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is me as well. I hate surprises and much prefer the anticipation of getting something I know I want. My family learned early on when I was a kid to get me exactly what I asked for lol because I was an ungrateful brat sometimes as a kid. I think I've matured out of that to some degree but I still much prefer to get what I want and not be surprised. And surprising me with things is very hard to do because even if I'm not trying I tend to figure it out. I've rarely been honestly surprised. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dominion Ticket to Ride Splendor Castles of Burgundy King of Tokyo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Costco or we go the day after Christmas and buy rolls of premium paper from Target at 70% off. It has the grids and is always really thick Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That looks like what I got as a kid and it was plenty! We don't even do that much for our kids and Christmas is still fun and special! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I grew up in Orange County, CA and loved it. I could not move back now because it is too crowded but I love the beach and if I could live anywhere I would probably consider Ventura/Santa Barbara or Camarillo ish possibly Templeton, SLO or close to the central coast (but not on the coast up there... too foggy and windy). All of those places have a much higher cost of living than here in central CA where I live now. I love every season here except summer because we do get rain and live right next to the Sierras it's just SO hot in the summer and I hate it. I would probably consider moving up north too to Oregon, Idaho, Washington if there was a reason to but both of our families are here so I don't see that happening anytime soon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My almost 8 yo DD asked for: Books Ticket to Ride First Journey game Play cash register and food Set of Narnia audiobooks Tangled game Clothes for her American Girl type doll A purse My almost 6 yo DS: Magnatiles A Lego dragon set Books about dinosaurs Fireman and policeman dress up outfits Sum Swamp game Monsters Inc. movie My 2 yo DD: Anything Winnie the Pooh related Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have fond memories of Christmas' growing up. My parents weren't rich but got us a few things we wanted and stockings and it was special. They probably spent more than I spend on my kids, although I'm more particular on the types of toys and things my kids have. My Mom's parents spent a lot of money on us though, so we got a ton of stuff between them. My Dad's parents had a lot more grandkids and would get us something nice but not extravagant. For my kids we spend about $50- $75 each between the three of them. I'm sure when they're older the amount will go up but we stick to Christmas pajamas, a fun toy or something, books and their stocking. It's very simple but my family (I have three sisters that aren't married who buy my kids gifts along with my parents and the aforementioned Grandma who still spends a lot of money at Christmas) gets my kids a LOT of stuff between them all and I can't handle tons of junk and toys. Plus two of my kids have birthdays the same week as Christmas so it's gift overload! And then DH's parents get them usually something around $30 each so they're plenty spoiled in my opinion and they don't seem to feel like they're lacking from what I can see! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Europe isn't the same as US, there are a few different rules and train route configurations that make the game different (and more fun IMO). I'm sure Dice Tower reviews has a YouTube video going through it if you want specifics! I know I am getting the Prosperity expansion for Dominion and we bought ourselves Sheriff of Nottingham and Blokus during the 30% off sale at Target. We've had a lot of fun playing SoN with our 7 and 5 year olds. DH is getting a Catan expansion and Puerto Rico as well as No Thanks. We bought Ticket to Ride First Journey for our kids.

If your son likes games that are entertaining and not too complicated Catan wouldn't be a good fit. It's not really what I would term a "fun" euro game. There are other, much better ones in my opinion (Castles of Burgundy being one). He might enjoy Dominion, although it isn't a party type game either. Sheriff of Nottingham is pretty fun because of the bluffing element. I've never played Quelf myself (I prefer strategy over party games) but I know a lot of people who love it. He also might enjoy King of Tokyo or New York. ETA: Ticket to Ride would probably be a good option as well, it's simpler and quicker than Catan. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We've always played by arranging them however they ended up, similar to Catan the board game. The randomness is part of the challenge. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I never got one either even though I went on the site to sign up and it said if you'd ordered in the past year it wasn't necessary to sign up as they'd mail one to you automatically so I didn't. I'd ordered multiple times over the past year and haven't gotten one and I was disappointed as my kids love that catalog (and I don't mind it as much as some of the junky toy ones)! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's definitely safe if it has a fat layer on top. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We live in a town of 1,200 (about 2,000 in the area though) and our school works with the fire department and local community club to set needy families up with meals for Christmas and gifts for the children. I would definitely post on the town FB page and maybe check in with the school or other community organizations. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ThriftBooks is my first choice for my book purchases. Their quality control seems better, the website is easier to use and as long as you're purchasing more than $10 you get free shipping so it's comparable price wise to Abebooks. Plus they have their rewards program where you get a $5 coupon for every $50 you spend and I love those. I also use Abebooks if I can't find what I'm looking for though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We have the same style with the third rack for silverware and love it!! So quiet, works really well and I've been impressed with how easy it is to clean the filter. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They've been on sale for several days, it might have started Monday or Tuesday, I think? You can check camelcamelcamel.com to see the price history. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When I was 12 or 13 my family took my Grandparents 5th wheel and went camping a couple hours away for Christmas. It was one of the best Christmas' I remember! We had a great time opening our gifts, playing games and hiking. We also went away to a cabin once with my Mom's side of the family but that wasn't quite as "unique" and ended up not being as fun. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I want an 8qt Instant Pot (I already have a 6qt), a bunch of different books and Tieks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have you ever read Nurture by Nature? It might be helpful in understanding your daughters personality better. Your relationship with her sounds very similar to my Mom's and I. There is hope as I've gotten older we are much closer and get along most of the time but sometimes we still butt heads or unintentionally misunderstand one another just because our personalities are so different. Hang in there and keep trying! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This will be the 3rd year we've done the barcodes. Two years ago they went to Mongolia and last year the Philippines! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Labyrinth Set Junior Hey, That's My Fish Catan Junior Incan Gold (not a *kids* game but super simple and straightforward... does have some pictures on cards that might be scary but my kids have never had an issue) King of Tokyo might be one he could grow into. My 5 year old son loves it (the graphics help [emoji12]) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We had 3 day park to park passes (went in February of this year) and felt like that was perfect. Make sure you get park to park because otherwise you won't be able to take the Hogwarts Express! I don't know about staying on site as we stayed at the Holiday Inn outside the park. We loved it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's a phase. Both of my kids have gone through that around then. Elijah just did something totally similar last night when we got home from our trip and gave him a book as a surprise (one he had been wanting but apparently not as much as other things :P). Knowing how mature your DD is it makes sense that she would be doing it a little earlier. You did a good job (I would have been mean and taken the movie back lol) and she'll figure it out eventually! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk