I didn't mean a criticism! I was just surprised that it's something that is still done. I mean, it could be that what happened when she was a baby/toddler had nothing to do with the way she eats/ate now.

(Heck, I was a skinny kid and teenager and now I'm obese -- in a family of lean people. One thing may have nothing to do with the other.)

Plus, given the amount of press we get about obesity in young children . . . well, actually -- probably the REASON we have so much obesity in young children is this idea that all kids should look a certain way. I guess it does all tie in together.

I've always thought that Em looked like a perfect combination of her parents.

Raq, those pictures are aww-inspiring. My particular favorites are United, pursuit, , wrassle, and love.

ND is eagerly awaiting the moment he has the money to buy a Roomba.

R surprised me with it as a prezzie, although he's mainly been the one playing with it. It's very cute. I can see why people name them; very easy to anthropomorphosize.

Yay for waking up in your new house!

I dread the day Mal starts getting picky about food. So far the only thing he's refused (other than pre-made Gerber baby food) is a raspberry that I picked for him. He even ate dried fish, which grosses me out.

Of course, it's possible that rather than getting picky, the future will be more like "Mom! My fridge is empty again!"

Oh sumi, I didn't think you were criticising at all!! I promise, it's all those Jackholes OUT THERE. That are Not Us.

I've always thought that Em looked like a perfect combination of her parents.

Exactly. It would be different if a child were not healthy. But both Lillian and Emma are active happy children. As little attention as I'd pay to the charts I would pay even less to people's comments.

The children are given ample opportunities to eat healthy foods. We are told as adults to not eat when not hungry. It doesn't make sense to me to force kids to do this.

I think that a lot of childhood obesity has to do with stressed out parents, the use of high frustose corn syrup in EVERYTHING, and other junk food. In no particular order. We try very very hard to make sure Em doesn't get a lot of high fructose corn syrup. I was relieved to find out that Cheez-It's don't as they are one of her favorite snacks.

Morning, all. Nothing to add to the kids eating argument -- I never had a problem as a kid. Mom and Dad never pressured us into liking anything, but made us try all kinds of things, and there was never any picky eating. If we hated something (like I hate beets, but everyone else likes them) we didn't have to eat them...but there were no special meals. If we were having pot roast with potatoes and carrots, that was dinner. If you didn't like it, tough shit.

By the time I was seven, I'd eaten almost every kind of veg (only didn't like beets and brussels sprouts -- and NO ONE in the fam liked brussels sprouts), rabbit, venison, raccoon, squirrel, rattlesnake, and frog. Oh, and brain and liver. Liked liver, hated brain. Oh, hated tongue too. Those were experimental foods, when we lived on the farm and my dad was going through his Country Farmer/Outdoorsman Phase.

Grew up on iced tea; still only rarely drink soda, but there's always a pitcher of unsweetened brewed tea in the fridge, summer or winter.

ION, took my car to the shop yesterday. I have to get the whole left rear wheel suspension replaced. $470, and I won't get the car back till Thursday or Friday. And teachers report back to school Monday. Bleargh.

What great pictures Raq! Also melted with Love.

I am a bad camera person. I just don't have the habit. Need to work on that.

How are you doing Beverly? I think of you and yours countless times each day.

wrassle, and love.

Those are two very beautiful pictures.

We try very very hard to make sure Em doesn't get a lot of high fructose corn syrup.

I think that will go a very long way towards keeping her trim. It's a little obscene how many products we consume in this country that are mostly high fructose corn syrup.

One of my freinds is allergic to corn, which means no high fructose corn syrup either--and she has a REALLY hard time finding stuff--it's ridiculous! sausages have HFCS in them! Crazy stuff you wouldn't expect.