The table manners I'm referring to are my own, not my kids. I've been thinking lately about how much they've changed over the last three years. Before the kids, my husband and I would go out to dinner fairly often. We'd savor every bite and talk about our day, what's going on...yada, yada, yada. It's a whole new ballgame now when we take the kids out to eat. Before the food arrives, my husband and I are just trying to find ways to entertain two hungry kids. Numerous straws have been sacrificed for this purpose. Once the food gets to the table a couple of things happen. First we develop lightning quick hands to block the kids from putting their hands in all the food. (Although Sunday my son dunked his twice in the chili.) Then it's a race to cut the food into small pieces and cool it off before the kids start wailing for it. So now everyone's got their food and we can start eating. My husband's got one hand on Caiden's plate to keep him from pulling it off the table. I'm trying to keep Campbell from reaching across the table, spilling everything. Not to mention trying to keep her in her booster chair and her elbows out of her food. I manage to get one bite of salad in my mouth before Caiden starts crying. Yep, he's already out of food. I've got to cut more. I tell ya, that boy's a healthy eater! I start shoveling more food in my mouth. Yes, shoveling. It doesn't even matter that it doesn't all fit! I'll just push it in with my fork! I stop, look around and realize I'm eating like a caveman! Is anyone looking? Here I am, bent over my plate, my fork HEAPED with food and mouth wide open ready to cram it all in! I don't taste my meals anymore. I just try to get it all down before the kids are done. You know how it is. If they finish before you, you might as well write off the rest of your meal. I've even been known to still be eating while packing up the kids to leave. I'll even still be chewing while I'm picking up their mess off the floor! Will I change my ways? Hopefully, but probably not until the kids are a little older. After all, moms got to eat!!!