Lots and lots of excellent ideas posted! I’m just going to also add my vote for treats at certain times. It works great if it’s something in individual bags or baggies, so they each have a special bag to themselves. Yes, it takes tons of extra time and planning when you’re already exhausted, but it seems to help. My kids at that age also liked those small dry erase boards and markers. Definitely those sticker books from DK were a hit too. Lollipops work for little ones who can have one, as long as it doesn’t leave anyone out who will get mad!

Buy a bunch then report back here. ? i think I’m definitely getting strawberry to try with an Italian soda.

Thank you! Years and years ago I worked at a place that had a tiny little coffee shop in it. They served Italian Sodas and I LOVED them! I never asked how they made them and had completely forgotten about them, but now I’m totally getting the stuff to make some!

I can’t compare bc I’ve never lived near a Costco, but I do have a Sam’s membership and wanted to comment on the pizza snack thing. ? I buy Totinos Pizza Rolls at Sam’s. Their price is awesome. It’s a little less than $10 for a 150 count bag. I also get the Bagel Bites. I don’t remember the price, but it’s a lot better than the regular store if you really need a lot. And I do when I’m serving those things to my three boys! I know this varies by region, but my Sam’s also has had absolutely delicious blackberries and raspberries for the last few weeks.

I like the French Vanilla. I get a tall cup, fill with ice, put a little slosh of vanilla in, fill about 3/4 full of Stok Iced Coffee Unsweetened, then finish filling with milk. Stir. It’s delicious. I have one almost every day in the early afternoon.

How do you make these?

I switched to something like this about 2-3 years ago (was wearing a swim skirt). These are a huge step up from the skirt! No more air bubbling up under the skirt in the water! There’s no need to wear anything under them because they have a built in panty. It also feels more ‘sporty’ than ‘frumpy mom’ to me. I always felt like an old lady in the skirt. ?(Full disclosure...I got mine from Sam’s...because, well, cheap.) But I did look at and consider this one from LE https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-swim-shorts-with-tummy-control/id_191498?sku_0=::PZX oh, and I can switch out my top/tankini every summer if I want to make the suit feel ‘new’ again.

On my last move, I went even cheaper than tape and used the broad line sharpies...one color for each room. For example, the master br boxes all had a purple line across the box, kids’ br had a blue line, etc. I decided to try the tape this time. It arrives today. ?

Something like this isn’t necessary, but is really helpful. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MS9MO88/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1526863774&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=moving+labels&dpPl=1&dpID=61aChi9heEL&ref=plSrch I’m also a big fan of the ‘first night/open first’ box. I put sheets/bedding, towels, shower curtain/hooks, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, and anything else you must have immediately. I also like to have a container of cleaning supplies so I can wipe down or clean any areas that need it upon arrival. I’ll also put some hand soap in this tote. Good luck!

I agree! Call the doctor and tell them what’s going on. They will probably prescribe something without the hydrocodone.

I think you’ll like the sunscreen. I’ve noticed on other skin care threads that we use similar products. ? link your curtains!

This is what I was going to recommend too! I just found it about a month ago and it’s the only sunscreen I’ve ever been able to wear on my face every day. They make a non-tinted one that I will probably buy to use on my décolletage , arms, and hands. But the tinted is fine on those places too. I just prefer no tint for arms. I bought mine locally at Ulta, but the current amazon price is better. ETA: I also bought it because of the video linked above! And I only found the video because the Hive recommended her. ?

That sounds awful! I’m so sorry. My only recommendation is that if you need moisturizer, go with the CeraVe cream in the tub. It was recommended by my dermatologist and I made him reassure me more than once that it wouldn’t cause acne...lol. It doesn’t say that it’s *face* cream, which is why I was concerned. But it’s wonderful! Non irritating, non greasy, and just feels good on dry skin. I would probably use that and a very mild cleanser and NOTHING else, just to see if my skin calmed down a bit. If that didn’t work, I’d probably head to the dermatologist to figure out what is going on!

I live in flip flops for any and all warm or hot months, but I really like these for spring and fall. They especially look good if you cuff your jeans or if you’re wearing cropped jeans. I have two pairs. I stalked amazon and got one pair in a camo color for about $35. I found the other pair in a light khaki color at Ross for about $25. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ZFM5Z9E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526430806&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=keen+mary+jane+shoes+women&dpPl=1&dpID=41KoTKCbrxL&ref=plSrch

There are lots of good products and advice from PP, but I just wanted to say that Dr Dray on YouTube has fantastic videos about acne. She gives great product suggestions and they’re mostly budget friendly and easy to find. Plus, she’s a dermatologist. Her videos are just so informative and helpful on what active ingredients are good for what skin problem you’re dealing with With your DS, I’d start by making sure his sunscreen is oil free and non comedogenic. I would add a gentle cleanser with salicylic acid (Zapzyt is good). Only cleanse twice a day. Use an oil free moisturizer. Starting out simple and by only adding a couple of things you’ll be able to tell what helps/doesn’t help and he won’t make his skin go totally crazy and get irritated or extra oily (like PP said...too much cleansing will increase oil production). Using a moisturizer helps with that, and also helps with possible drying irritation. If the above doesn’t work, you can add or switch (for example, add a benzoyl peroxide 2.5% to the mix) But I wouldn’t *start* with more than 1 new active ingredient.

I’m not sure because I do NOT want one of those mirrors lol, but I did just see (about a week ago) Angie at Hot & Flashy (YouTube) recommend two different mirrors on her mother’s day video if you want to check it out.

USAA.

1) If possible, go in and purge without them around. I’m not talking about sneaking in and throwing away their beloved snugglies, but I’ve found I can throw away A LOT of stuff without them noticing/caring. In my experience, if they are standing there, they won’t have the ability to say ‘Sure, toss it’ even if it’s some rock or piece of paper they didn’t even know they had. BUT, if you toss it without their presence, they never remembered they even had it. Obviously this only works with all of that junk that just doesn’t really need to be around. 2) Get one of those big rubbermade totes and tell each one that they can put their most prized possessions in it to keep. But just the one (or two...whatever you need), but when it’s full that’s it. This only works if you’re there with them helping with the sorting. (Otherwise they’ll try to put *everything* in it). This also works best when number 1 above has been done already. My DS might have sacks, backpacks, bags, etc filled in the back of his closet with rocks, sticks, mcds toys, papers, etc. I’d be able to tell it was from long ago and would never be missed. This is what I’m talking about in number 1. Good luck! I know it isn’t easy.

I just bought these in silver about a month ago. I’m still adjusting to them, since they’re my first pair of birks. They are super-cute though. The silver looks kind of dressy and great with everything. What color are you getting?

I’d get these, because I’m a flip-flop lover. They’re nicer than your average flip-flop, the color will elongate the legs (or any shade that best matches your own skin tone), and they’re comfy and appropriate for all the occasions you listed. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HH8O5EY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525618609&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=olukai%2Bwomens%2Bflip%2Bflops&dpPl=1&dpID=31NwVwItG3L&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1 ETA: This would be my second choice, if I just really wanted or needed to avoid a flip flop. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H4XCMQU/ref=mp_s_a_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1525618916&sr=8-27&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=chaco%2Bwomens%2Bsandals&th=1&psc=1

Good grief! That’s crazy! I guess Fluffy was done with it. ?

Crepe Myrtle maybe? Paired with some shrubs?

Poor baby! Teething is rough. Mine always liked to chew on those small, age 0-2 toothbrushes. They’re the ones with the rubber coated handles. They were just the right mix of hard, but with a softer coating, and even a little nubb-y. They were easy to hold and manipulate too. They also liked the wet, frozen washcloth trick, but not as much as the toothbrush!

Definitely check Amazon. They’ve got some that are less than $20, with free returns.

Well, when my youngest was the age of your youngest, we had (still do actually!) most of Sandra Boyton’s board books because he *loved* them. He liked to look at them, carry them, and have them read again and again. I second buying any books that they repeatedly want checked out from the library. It’s just so nice to own your favorites. I’m the same way as an adult. We have also loved owning beautiful Christmas picture books. We only bring them out in December and read the same ones every year. We’ve enjoyed owning the Beatrix Potter stories in little, single book form, and we also like having Little Bear books.