smirkhouse's Profile

I don't know how much storage you will have otherwise, but I would advise against using the upper bunks for storage. I would install a rail and have her sleep on the top and turn the lower bed into a very pillowy reading nook. From my experience in our camper-- which has a smaller bunkhouse layout-- little ones will play on the lower bunk constantly so the bed will be constantly unmade. And, in a small space messy bedding can be a real headache, visually. Overall, you and she will be happier where things are as open and uncluttered as possible, with everything having its proper place.

I am sorry that you must turn to RV living in crisis, but hope you get to enjoy the simplicity and intimacy of living in this smaller space with your family.

Examples from my sons' menu for the month:
Whole wheat noodles mixed with cottage cheese
white bean chicken chili
tuna broccoli and noodles
baked fish with side of fruit
spinach lasagna
goat cheese and tomato gnocchi ( I expect to hear about this one from my boys, but overall they eat happily b/c they have no choice. I have a strict no packing rule as the school has a number of religious and allergy-related restrictions.)

I love the post it idea! My boys loved a little notepad with a pen or crayon on a string. As 2 year olds delight in grown up activities, a small set of cleaning supplies like a chamois, spray bottle for vinegar and water or maybe a small soft scrub brush can be a hit. A lot of the child-scaled kitchen gear sold at Montessori supply houses would fit the stocking and the price point. I recommend a crinkle chopper.

Doesn't everyone put an orange in the toe?

Not to be a stick in the mud. Wouldn't it be better to donate 13.20 to UNICEF directly and use that old plastic pumpkin. I didn't know people bought them, they seem to have come along with the house and kids...

I was about to die from jealousy over all the wonderful preschool classroom furniture, before I figured out that this is a classroom. This is pretty much exactly what I want my younger sons' bedroom to be like...sigh.

Ouch, That seemed like a harsh dismissal of thrift stores as a source. I have put together a substantial library for my three sons and several relatives relying heavily on this source. Thrift stores are great for board books, and standards-- the entire Dr. Seuss catalog and classics like Goodnight Moon, as well as lots of Scholstic titles, etc. And, I have been able to share some "classics" from my childhood with the boys, too-- does anyone else remember wishing the Sweet Pickles Bus was real?

@ Jeff S: Thank you!

I had an infant seat with all three of mine, but seldom unhooked it. We wore all of the boys the better part of the time, and also had little use for the stroller that came with it!

That said, I had no ideain advance what the boys or I would prefer so this is a hard decision. I always mention to expecting mommies that you _can_ skip it, and they are often surprised.

We took an inflatable wading pool with us to a music festival this weekend, and, four days in a row, splash time was bathtime. So much fun.

@PAErin, I consider the scratch and dent groceries a benefit of living in SoCentralPa!

Feeling guilty though for feeding my family the questionable refrigerated and frozen foods (for years now!). This had never occurred to me and I was actually eating a Kashi frozen meal-- from Amelia's-- when I clicked this post!

I have one of the Euro II chairs from Leaps and Bounds/One Step Ahead. These are actually manufactured by Badger Basket.
I discovered this when I needed replacement parts on our second conversion from youth chair to high chair. They were very helpful, but the bar that holds the baby on the chair cracked the other day. Since it was second hand (I bought it at the Salvation Army for $10, yay), I don't know what kind of use it got before me, and we worked the heck out of it with 2 boys, so I wouldn't want to question Badger Basket quality without a full explanation.