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Home is where the heart is. It's where we hang our hats, raise our children, and spend the better part of our lives. We want to keep it running smoothly, looking nice, and organized. With kids, particularly lots of kids, that can be a challenge. This board is here for you to share your tips, tricks, advice, ask questions, and generally chat with others about keeping our homes, and all its many extensions, in order. All visitors of Lotsofkids are welcome to post on this forum, regardless of family size!

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1. */*/*/*/* Welcome to the LOK Household for April, 2012 *\*\*\*\* (nt) - Denise1066 6 weeks ago (1)

2. */*/*/*/* RTAs and Repost *\*\*\*\* (nt) - Denise1066 6 weeks ago (1)

3. */*/*/*/* ROLL CALL -- Who's DONE with Spring Cleaning? If not DONE, what stage are you currently in? *\*\*\*\* (nt) - Denise1066 6 weeks ago (3)

Denise w/4 still at home. We've started & are currently at the stage where there is so much stuff pulled out I wish we had just left it dusty & stale. (nt) - Denise1066 6 weeks ago

beth w/6 and my dd friend makes 7 at home and my spring cleaning is packing everything up. I will say I have donated two bags to goodwill and three garbage cans full of garbage. (nt) - proudmommy5 6 weeks ago

4. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - Denise1066 6 weeks ago (3)

Spring break and pretending we're going world traveling(m) - joyofsix 6 weeks ago

sounds yummy (nt) - proudmommy5 6 weeks ago

5. *~*~*~*~* Health and Illness - Talk about what keeps you healthy and what gets you back on track when you are sick *~*~*~*~* (nt) - Denise1066 6 weeks ago (6)

We've had very few illnesses this year. I think it is a combination of being in a much healthier house & the kids not being in public school. We've had a couple stomach bugs go through just about everyone, but no major colds. **Knock wood that this trend lasts!!!** (nt) - Denise1066 6 weeks ago

God's blessing of good genes and strong immunity I think. We rarely get sick. Most of the kids get one or two minor cases of cough/runny nose per year. I usually get a couple of sinus things per year. Matai (like all my boys) has had recurring ear infections, but only two of them have been bad enough to treat with antibiotics. (nt) - ckmom 6 weeks ago

so far I have been more sick then anyone else in the house, the kids got a slight cold which I got and I could barely even talk now I have alergies which are driving me crazy (nt) - proudmommy5 6 weeks ago

We've been fortunate this year (M) - samcarter 6 weeks ago

We're pretty healthy. I have a theory that tons of playing outdoors/physical activity and lots of sleep keep the kids healthy. Of course we try to eat fairly well. And evidently getting really dirty helps, LOL. (nt) - joyofsix 6 weeks ago

6. *~*~*~*~* Free for All Friday -- Talk about anything that comes to mind. OTs welcomed! *~*~*~*~* (nt) - Denise1066 5 weeks ago (5)

If you celebrate Blessed Easter! (nt) - joyofsix 5 weeks ago

Happy Easter Everbody!!! (nt) - Denise1066 5 weeks ago

Happy Easter! Spent the morning at church for an earlier than usual service at 9 and then an Easter drama at 10:30. Kids have been play hide the eggs and painting eggs that they blew the yolks out of while I cook dinner at my own pace. Hopefully we'll be ready to eat by 7. (nt) - ckmom 5 weeks ago

Sounds like lots of fun!!! (nt) - Denise1066 5 weeks ago

7. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - Denise1066 5 weeks ago (4)

I'm still working on it (m) - Denise1066 5 weeks ago

DH did the cooking over the weekend so - dixeh 5 weeks ago

It's all going to seem dull after last week so I'm going to try to find more 'international' stuff that's cheap, LOL (m) - joyofsix 5 weeks ago

8. *~*~*~*~* Frugal Corner -- Are you noticing drastic increases in food staples in your area? How do you compensate or are you just spending more money on food?*~*~*~*~* (nt) - Denise1066 5 weeks ago (4)

Yes! I'm trying to offer less. No seconds here. No one is starving, we're just used to eating 'farm' portions. I'm offering bread and butter as my filler. (nt) - joyofsix 5 weeks ago

I have stopped with the 2nd helpings as well. - Luv2bmom 5 weeks ago

I can't seem to train myself to cook less, so I'm not limiting servings yet but... - ckmom 5 weeks ago

9. *~*~*~*~* Got a Problem? Ask for help here! *~*~*~*~* (nt) - Denise1066 5 weeks ago (1)

10. Happy Friday the 13th. (nt) - joyofsix 4 weeks ago (1)

11. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - joyofsix 4 weeks ago (2)

This week (m) - joyofsix 4 weeks ago

12. Somebody find me some ambition. There are so many things I need to do and just don't feel like it at all. (nt) - joyofsix 4 weeks ago (3)

Good luck...I hate days like that. (nt) - Luv2bmom 3 weeks ago

Did you find any? I'm looking for it this week too. (nt) - Denise1066 3 weeks ago

13. Desperate need of cheap meal ideas.... - Luv2bmom 3 weeks ago (7)

Lets see (m) - joyofsix 3 weeks ago

A few things I do (m) - Denise1066 3 weeks ago

beans and cornbread - chanelireli 3 weeks ago

Thanks for the ideas. I'll post my menu so you can see what I came up with just for fun. (nt) - Luv2bmom 3 weeks ago

I'm glad we were able to help. Please do post your menu, I'd love to see what you came up with. (nt) - Denise1066 3 weeks ago

I would love to know your menu too. It may give me some ideas. (nt) - Twisted Cinderella 3 weeks ago

14. Does anyone here make red beans and rice? I've always thought I would really like them. I had a box of the Zatarain's brand given to me last week, and I loved it. Was hoping to make it myself but wanted to get the seasoning right. I also have a few cans of cannellini beans and wasn't sure what to do with them. The kids aren't really fans of ham and beans or just plain beans. The only ones they like that way are black eyed peas. TIA for any suggestions/recipes :) (nt) - ckmom 3 weeks ago (3)

I buy a little gold foil packet from Kroger that has the beans, the rice & the seasonings mixed together. I like it a lot better than the Zatarain's. We add smoked sausage to it & hot sauce & one packet makes lunch for 6 people. I haven't tried to make it from scratch. What are cannellini beans? I've never heard of those. (nt) - Denise1066 3 weeks ago

They're a white bean. I'm not sure how or even if they're different from navy or great northern. I'm not very knowledgable on the whole bean thing. Lol! I think they are an Italian variety and traditionally used in some kind of Italian soup. Maybe Italian wedding soup? (nt) - ckmom 2 weeks ago

15. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - joyofsix 3 weeks ago (3)

Looking through freezer (m) - joyofsix 3 weeks ago

Determined to get back on track with menu planning! - laurazim 3 weeks ago

16. *~*~*~*~* Free for All Friday -- Talk about anything that comes to mind. OTs welcomed! *~*~*~*~* (nt) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago (2)

Just a whine that I am sooooo tired I can hardly keep my eyes open but I've still got tons to do today. (nt) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago

17. Trying to plan a menu for a two-week cross country trip... - ckmom 2 weeks ago (6)

Have you tried the dry ice before? (m) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago

I haven't used it before, but I did research using it.... - ckmom 2 weeks ago

Sounds like you are definitely better prepared than we were. (nt) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago

I think your menu ideas are pretty decent, considering how long you'll be on the road. Have you given thought to how to package the block ice? When we camp, we fill empty milk jugs with water and put them in the chest freezer for a week. That way as it melts, it doesn't make a mess--and it provides us with extra drinking water. You could use smaller containers too (like Gatorade-type bottles), to intersperse the cold a little bit. (nt) - laurazim 2 weeks ago

Yes Laura that's exactly how I do my block ice too. I'm hoping I'll be able to refreeze the bottles if needed on the nights we stay with friends and at the casino (where my aunt has rented a hospitality room for us to use for gathering and meal preparation). (nt) - ckmom 2 weeks ago

18. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago (3)

This week is going to be rough (m) - Denise1066 2 weeks ago

I think we're having the same week(m) - joyofsix 2 weeks ago

19. vomitting issues - muffin 2 weeks ago (7)

I have a frequent vomitter...or two... - dixeh 2 weeks ago

I wish I had some great advice to offer... - Luv2bmom 2 weeks ago

I will just send you hugs and a huge pat on the back for dealing with that. I cannot imagine. I have what I think is a psychological block to vomiting, so I do not deal well with anyone else's vomit either. Thankfully God has blessed me with children that rarely vomit. They clean it up themselves if they're old enough, and DH cleans it up if they're too little to do it themselves. (nt) - ckmom 2 weeks ago

My oldest had that issue as a baby, and grew out of it (M) - samcarter 2 weeks ago

I was in a hurry yesterday... - dixeh 2 weeks ago

Thank you all so much :) I feel better just knowing I'm not the only one, we have a appt with the doc for mid may. Hopefully things will progress nicely from now one. Again, thank you all so much :) (nt) - muffin 13 days ago

20. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - Denise1066 11 days ago (3)

Not sure which days for everything, but here's the plan... - dixeh 10 days ago

Um, let's see (m) - joyofsix 10 days ago

21. Moving advice... - Kimana888 9 days ago (2)

Patience, patience, patience..... - Luv2bmom 8 days ago

22. Thrifty South Dakota vacation spots/ideas? - Luv2bmom 8 days ago (11)

If you're into camping make sure to check out the national parks. We're staying at national parks on our big trip out west this summer. I had no idea how cheap camping in national parks is. It's way cheaper than even our state park campgrounds. (nt) - ckmom 8 days ago

I had no idea that national parks were cheaper. Thanks for the tip. - Luv2bmom 8 days ago

So excited! This time next month we will be on our trip! - ckmom 8 days ago

So excited for you Caroline! And a bit jealous too, sounds like it will be an amazing trip. I admire all your planning around the meals too! (nt) - orangemomma 7 days ago

Thanks Joyce! I feel very blessed to be able to make the trip. Two years ago when the family reunion was announced I knew I wanted to go, but it did not really sink in that we're really going to get to go until this year when I took money out of the tax return and opened a savings account for the trip expenses. I can't wait to share pictures and stories with all of you! (nt) - ckmom 7 days ago

You are going to have such an amazing time. - Luv2bmom 6 days ago

Yep Natalie the kids are so excited! Yesterday we took some of our suitcases and the coolers we're taking on the trip to the van rental place so we could decide between the 12 pass and 15 pass van. If it weren't for the gas cost, I would love to have one of those big boys all the time! All the kids had so much fun moving from row to row trying out all the seats, and the little kids thought we were going on the trip NOW. Lol! (nt) - ckmom 2 days ago

We bought our 15 passenger van from a University auction. - Luv2bmom 2 days ago

I always hear about people buying big vans from rental car places or individuals and now you buying from a university... - ckmom 2 days ago

We went to our credit union.... - Luv2bmom 2 days ago

23. 2 parter: 1-Dh going to be gone for 1-2months 2.Adjusting bed times? - muffin 8 days ago (3)

Hmm... - dixeh 7 days ago

My husband travels frequently - chanelireli 21 hours ago

24. *+*+*+*+* Meal Planners - What's planned for this week? *+*+*+*+* (nt) - joyofsix 3 days ago (2)

This week (m) - joyofsix 3 days ago