The incredibly shrinking household

A few weeks back, after my middle son left for college during the Labor Day weekend, I told my husband how strange it felt to have his room empty -- and neat -- once again. It was strange, too, to not have him sitting at the table whining with his brothers about the food. And it was strange that he wasn't hogging the washing machine, either.
I realized I'm used to a noisy and full household, and as each of my five kids flies the coop, it gets quieter and emptier. I continue to buy in bulk because I don't know how else to shop. I also tell friends, "Now I only have two at home," and people ask, "Only?"
So it was with some amusement that I read a story about the shrinking U.S. family. As our houses get bigger, our families get smaller. A matter of lower birthrates, more money and fewer generations living together, it seems.
My household remains on the large side, though -- two kids, three adults (husband, father and moi.) That, strangely enough, gives me a little satisfaction.