Getting the Willis girls to the table for any meal has always been a real challenge. We have to lure them using strategies they’ll perceive as some sort of game. “Who will get to the table first?” “There’s a special book on the table!” “You have some special visitors sitting with you for lunch today. Come, come!” Cue the Disney figurines and fairies. I’m always one step ahead to get them to the table without a meltdown. May I just say, it’s exhausting? But it’s something I refuse to budge on. I think teaching my kids manners and how to sit properly at the table to eat is vitally important. But that’s a WHOLE other post I’ll save for another time!

There are times when I need to let go of the reins a bit. I can be quite rigid (to a fault) when it comes to their routine, but only because I know how important it is for our family as a whole to have our set schedule. So it’s nice to change it up for everyone periodically and sprinkle in some extra fun in when possible. I don’t want it to feel like the film Ground Hog Day, where the weatherman finds himself living the same day over and over again!

Late spring is in the air on the east coast and I’m welcoming the idea of shifting our indoor eating to the outdoors. We have a lovely backyard that we aren’t able to use all year round living out east. A little stay-cation is well in order and with Evelyn out of her highchair, we are picnic ready.