I find that if I buy milk in a half gallon it runs out too fast, I have no problem buying the gallon size containers between me and my girlfriend we usually go through it before it gets old.
Pancakes, waffles, sweedish pancakes and crepes are all very similar. I usually use a mix for cenvenience, but you can also make them from scratch, primarily with flour and water.
If using a mix (there are several common varieties such as Mrs Butterworth's, Bisquik, Kruteaz, and usually a store brand. Common flavors are buttermilk and blueberry) you take 1 part mix and about 1 part water and mix still smooth with a fork. The batter should be kind of runny.
You heat a frying pan or griddle up to medium and lightly grease it. When it's hot you simply pour a pancake size(usually 5-6" in diameter) amount of batter into the middle of the pan and let the batter cook till the edges are dry and the middle is bubbly(about 60 seconds). Flip the pancake and cook another minute or so until browned.
If your batter is too thick you'll notice that your pancakes kind of rise(thicker than normal), and flipping them will be hard. Too thin and your pancakes will be flat. You want somewhere inbetween.. It's just personal preference, there's no right or wrong.
Serve as a stack with hot syrup and butter/margarine on a warm plate.
If making waffles you'll usually use less water and add a bit of oil, if making crepes you'll add egg and let the batter sit for an hour or so before using it. Waffles are made in a waffle iron, crepes are made using the bottom(outside) of a special skillet, sweedish pancackes using the inside of the skillet.
Waffles and crepes are usually best served with whipped cream, warmed strawberries in juice or warmed peaches in their juice. with a pich of powdered sugar.