Julie Stauffer

We also try to eat dinner together. There are 7 of us and we all have many
and diverse interests. About the only time all of us are home together is
during dinner. It isn't a formal thing (other than trying to convince the 3
yo to ask for things to be passed rather than to climb on to the table to
help himself). We have running jokes (like how many minutes it will take
someone to mention a bodily function--one of grandma's pet peeves). The
kids don't seem to feel coerced about it (it is like a stampede when the 2yo
hollers "Time E-e-e-a-a-at.") When each is done, they wander off, back to
what they were doing before.

We do almost all of our eating at the kitchen table. Numerous spills,
ruined carpets, etc. have given us a lesson.

Julie