We've not actually been yet, so I'm not sure about the format for the testing. But there are a couple of belt levels testing per evening - so I totally understand that they can't run the evening classes at the same time. Cancelling the other classes is what seems odd to me, since we're paying both the regular membership costs AND additional $$ for the belt testing. Maybe they're thinking nobody would come, since they're hypothetically turning up for the testing?

As far as shrinkage, I'd rather buy used clothes that have already gone through the laundry! When you try on something brand new, you have to consider whether the garment will shrink in the wash or not, and try to allow for that. But when you're buying used, any shrinkage would've already happened and the fit is true. Everything I've gotten (and it's been quite a bit, really - 4 girls and my own self) has been in great shape. They actually have a lot of new with tags items, too. And if I wasn't happy with the condition, I would totally send it back. I send a lot of thing back as it is - we'll order several pairs of jeans for my skinny kid and hope one fits. I always opt for the store credit when returning, that way shipping is free. I know that I'll order from them again and use my credit, so it's an easy choice for me.

Hey y'all. I'm curious about your martial arts costs. We've just started with Taekwondo, and I'm surprised at the cost of belt testing! I had no idea that it would even be a separate cost from the monthly membership, but there it is. What do you pay for belt testing? And is it weird to have almost no other classes during the week of testing?

Have you seen ThredUp? It's online resale. Most of the things we've bought there look new, and it's around 70% off of the retail price. My 10 and 11 year old girls *love* ThredUp. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

I love ThredUp. It's super easy to use, and I have gotten several nice things from there. Just remember to be prompt sending the things back that you do not love. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Picky people definitely have to manage their own lunch around here. Just sayin'. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Absolutely! Unless I were planning on lots of updates or serious changes in the house I'd be selling, moving in 5 months would be a breeze. I would not even pack anything more than a month out. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Ooh, good thinking! Thank you. We totally have a parks card. I will look into the state park . Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Oh! No kidding!? I had not imagined it would be too late. :( Thanks for the tips, though, I'll keep looking.

We are eyeing Big Bend for a trip in March. Have y'all been? I'm open to camping, but it looks like the park's campsites are full - any tips a out where to stay? Favorite hikes? Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

No tips, but I wish I were going! I have one kid with a lifelong (she's 7.5) fixation on elephants, and I would so love to take that girl to Thailand. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Dear Parents-in-law, Y'all are lovely, but two weeks is too long. Seriously. Love, Wilma Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

That is so lovely! What a sweet gift request, and bless you for going so far to honor his wish. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Yes! Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Don't rule out the photography! A cool book a out photography, a cute camera strap from etsy, maybe a camera bag, a gift certificate for a photography workshop or online class... I think showing a teen that you see value in their hobby is cool. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

I have always wanted to put my four girls in the master bedroom, have the hubs and me in one of the two small bedrooms and have a guest room / office situation. He's always balked at giving up the master bath, though. So for a while it was baby in one room, three others in the other room. And whenever the baby got big enough to be a good roommate (2ish?) we put a big kid and a little kid in each room for bunk bed purposes. Nowadays it's two bigs in one room and two Littles in the other (though the "littles" are now bigger than the bigs used to be...). Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

We put 3 together (they were 6, 4 and 2) for a while when the baby was too little to be a good roommate. The bedroom was smallish, but it worked out! Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

I just kept sticking them in their beds. I put a small lamp on a timer, such that it turned on at the time I selected (usually an hour). The kid was welcome to get up when the light turned on, but not before. And the light didn't wake a sleeping tot, so that was great. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

I do laundry in sets of two people, as per the bedrooms. So mine and the hubs', the two big girls, and the two little girls each have a separate load. I do not sort or put away (except mine and the hubs'). Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

This is all so wise and good! Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Okay, y'all. I talked her out of the clown. We have seen the news stories and things, but this kid was sure everyone would know she was the nice kind of clown. So. Is a Jester too close? That's her next pick! I'm lobbying for a banana costume we already own. :) Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

At this point would you let your 9 year old kid choose a clown costume for Halloween, or encourage a different choice? Is the clown mess adequately over to make this a not-insensative option? Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Run. And pray. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

Alas, so am I. (so far)

I have been oogling them, too! So cute! I'm imagining silver, to go with everything. But good grief, that's a lotta money for a pair of shoes. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk