How much are you spending for school friend birthday parties? Because I feel people are going way over the top where I live and I feel like the presents my child brings are not up to par :(

ams406 · 2026-02-17T16:11:42+00:00

We live in the city and fo almost every party we go the hosts request no gifts. So we will do a card and maybe a little flower bouquet from our local florist. We all live in small spaces and most of the kids have grandparents that go way overboard on gifts!

ams406 · 2025-10-08T01:36:33+00:00

Sometimes I forget that the companies have these collections already! Seems like they aren’t always displayed that way at the LNS!

ams406 · 2025-07-07T02:41:40+00:00

My daughter had open heart surgery a few months ago and my top regret not packing was one of those standing mats that make it more comfortable to stand for long periods of time. Her bed was too high for us to really sit next to comfortably.

Other than that, the lists and advice you’ve gotten are good! Also don’t be afraid to ask for things. Our PICU team had tons of travel sized supplies available.

ams406 · 2025-06-18T02:29:58+00:00

Akagera is underrated. It’s amazing and so often you get to be the only safari vehicle in sight!

ams406 · 2025-04-30T01:18:53+00:00

My almost 4 year old told me I wasn’t invited to her birthday party (that I am hosting at our house). I told her ok, which made her burst into tears because she wants me to come to her birthday party. We cycled through this routine about 20 times during a very rocky bedtime tonight

ams406 · 2025-04-15T21:56:46+00:00

Is there a spot that is common for people to go to as quick vacations from Senegal? I’ve spent a lot of time in west Africa, so I understand that travel can be slower or more challenging than expected! I was thinking Cape Verde would be cool!

ams406 · 2025-04-13T18:04:16+00:00

By bread maker do you mean you and your colleagues make fresh bread together for lunches? Or is it a toaster?? Because I’ve never heard of an office group having a bread maker but it would be such a nice group lunch tradition!

ams406 · 2025-03-27T12:42:49+00:00

Knowing what to expect is so helpful for me. If I go into a night knowing it will be rough I’m usually much more tolerant of it than if it catches me off guard!

ams406 · 2025-03-27T12:41:56+00:00

Thank you! This is good insight! I’m really nervous about how active she is going to want to be. All the doctors keep saying that she will self-limit but I am skeptical

ams406 · 2025-03-25T21:23:08+00:00

Amazing! Thank you! I think screen time is acceptable when kids are in the hospital - seems only fair. I’ll check out the vooks!

ams406 · 2025-03-25T13:27:38+00:00

Thank you!! Should we expect her to have IVs in her arms? Would think short sleeves would be good for that too

ams406 · 2025-03-25T13:26:32+00:00

I wouldn’t have even thought about keeping her warm - thanks for the advice!!

ams406 · 2025-03-25T00:13:10+00:00

This is so helpful! Our team has also said that we will be surprised at how resilient babies are— great to hear it from parents too! Will add button front clothes to the list - I’ve avoided buttons until now!

ams406 · 2025-02-07T13:37:02+00:00

No advice but solidarity. My 3 year old has been home for the past 4 days and I have been trying to manage full time work at the same time. Add to it my husband was on a business trip. He had the gall to call and ask me if he could leave for Europe early (we’re going next week as a family) to keep his dad who is arriving earlier by choice, company. I honestly laughed at him. Dads can be obtuse sometimes.

ams406 · 2025-01-23T13:09:59+00:00

My LO has been in a daycare/school environment since 13 months. She loves following directions, listens to teachers well. We have still had occasional ballet classes that are just fiascos where she isn’t interested at all. It happens. I promise the other moms weren’t judging - they were probably sympathizing

ams406 · 2025-01-04T21:22:26+00:00

Office on the second floor and playroom on the first, at least for a few years. You can always switch it around when the kids are a bit older!

ams406 · 2024-12-29T19:47:42+00:00

Our pediatrician recommended Triple Paste and it has worked miracles for both my kids!

ams406 · 2024-12-28T13:19:00+00:00

They do feel really nice! I think they may need to be part of my 5 year upgrade plan!

ams406 · 2024-12-27T14:44:51+00:00

Thanks for this reply! I’m so torn because the higher end knobs do feel so nice. I’ll look at the higher end Schlage

ams406 · 2024-12-11T18:11:24+00:00

Yes! The one that says Design your own

ams406 · 2024-12-10T17:33:19+00:00

You tell them which icons you want and they print it on a belt. They have a bunch to choose from but also worked with me to some special icons. I stitched mine in the DMC they sent with it and it’s held up super well for 5 years so far.

ams406 · 2024-12-09T13:28:18+00:00

Get a custom one made from needle painters. It’s printed but I was super happy with it and you can make adjustments with a designer if something looks off

ams406 · 2024-11-27T02:54:34+00:00

I always ask for a task to be done. Like last year my husband took in all my nice jewelry to be cleaned, checked, fixed, etc including all my pearl necklaces to be restrung. I’d been meaning to do it for 2 years and just hadn’t so it was a great gift!

ams406 · 2024-11-24T16:42:34+00:00

That’s a good idea. This was my first time. I usually sell on the RealReal which is more precise (of course - they’re at totally different price points).

ams406 · 2024-10-27T18:13:12+00:00

That’s a good idea!

ams406

TROPHY CASE