Making it Lovely

Tag: dinner

  • Getting the Kids to Eat Well

    Getting the Kids to Eat Well

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    Brandon used to eat buttered noodles as a separate dinner from the rest of his family. I was of course a darling, perfect child who ate the same thing as the rest of my family: pizza/burgers/hot dogs. So yeah, when I became a mom, I wanted to do better. We’re not perfect at all, but Brandon and I have done a pretty good job when it comes to getting our kids to eat well. Here’s what worked for us.

    1. They eat the same foods we eat. Sometimes they don’t want to eat much of what they’ve been given (even when it’s something we already know they like) and that’s fine, but they don’t get a separate meal.

    2. The kids drink a lot of water. They like their milk and juice too, but I offer water more often than not. I even gave up soda a couple of years ago so I’d be a better role model, and Eleanor likes to “cheers!” with me and we clink our water glasses.

    3. We do insist that they at least try everything. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to eat it, but they have to give it a fair shot. And we gladly enlist the help of Yo Gabba Gabba tunes on this one. (“Try it. You’ll like it!”)

    And yeah, we still do the pizza/burgers/hot dogs thing sometimes too. But hey, I get some water in there for the girl at least!

  • First Barbecue of the Summer

    First Barbecue of the Summer

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    Yesterday for lunch, we barbecued for the first time this year. It was so good we grilled again for dinner! This was the scene.

    Ah, those leaf plates. I’ve had them for years and I still love them. It was Brandon’s idea to add them to the table, and a good one at that, though somewhat surprising (because he hates them!).

    We need to get out there and clean up the garden. I ignored it last year (excuse: I had a baby and a toddler), and this year things are bad out there. It is, however, much easier to overlook the garden being overgrown and overtaken by weeds if your peonies are in bloom.

    A patterned tablecloth probably helps too. This is the same one I used for Eleanor’s birthday party, but I think I like it outside even better.

    My family always used paper plates and plastic cups and cutlery outside, but I like to use our regular dishware. We do use plastic/melamine plates and cups sometimes (we did for dinner yesterday), but I still like those better than disposables. Plus the wind doesn’t toss a real plate like it does a paper one.

    How do you set the table outside? I like to set out stacks of plates too, and let everyone help themselves, buffet-style.

    Eleanor was so excited about being able to eat outside. I think we all were.

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