I use the same method as you bzmommy. I'm also a small FCC so 6 colors works for me too. I also get the plates, bowls, cups and utencils from Ikea. They're dirt cheap and come in 6 colors. Keeping track of who has what color isn't hard for me since each color matches the child's cubby color. I have several sets of everything to last me all day and then at the end of the day I wash everything in one dishwasher load.
PS If you are Michaels neighbor then so am I ... sort of. I'm in Ventura
