Our new place settings

Here's some pics of the kids with their new placemats. They're called Skip Hop Mate and they can be found on Amazon. Celeste asked how I get the kids to keep their plates on the table and not on the floor! I have no idea. I think Jackson knocked his plate on the floor once when they first got them but neither of them have done it since then (knock on wood!) If they start to pick up the edges of the placemat, we tell them no and put it back down. If they continue to do it (or push the plate away) we assume they're mostly done eating and move the plate out of arm's reach. I'll often offer the plate back to them, though, if I think they may still be hungry. They're busy learning to use forks so I think that distracts them a little.

They usually eat pretty well but they can be picky as I think most toddlers are. I like the theory that you offer them good choices and they'll eat what they eat. If they don't, I try not to fret. I also keep trying with the same foods they may not have liked the first time. For instance, this past week I gave them cheese tortelloni with marinara sauce. They didn't care for it. Today, they loved it. Go figure. (Yep, those are beets Jackson's eating. The next day, didn't want them.)