Monday, November 12, 2007

At capacity














Now that little Peyton can sit in a high chair, we've had to adjust meal-time seating arrangements yet again. The estate sale table I bought and had refurbished B.C.(before children) now comprises both its leafs and several borrowed mix-matched chairs from an old set. Everyone in the family has a spot and there is room for no more.

This old table is a true part of my family; an antique piece with letters pressed into the wood from my children's first attempts at writing, knife scrapes and marker smudges permanently embedded, and years worth of spilled milk in its grooves. Our cups rarely match when we dine as each child comes with a different type of cup, plate and fork, depending on their skill level and age.

Yet, these meals together at this table are as necessary and precious to us as the food it holds. I'll gladly sacrifice the perfect place setting for a table full of children, laughter, love, and just enough room to squeeze us all in.

8 comments:

Melanie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
C said...

That looks absolutely ... perfect.

I am hoping we'll adopt a sibling group in the near future. If we adopt two, then we won't have to get a new car. But ...

The last time we purchased a dining room table, I bought one that could seat eight adults! :) I've had high hopes!!!

Unknown said...

There's no better place to be on most days, right? :)

I love nostalgia, which is part of the reason I'm a pack rat. I'm currently retraining myself to not be a pack rat, which is where the blogging comes in handy.

Cynthia said...

What a great way to look at it. I hate our dining room table. It has all the same scratches and dents, now I am looking at it in a new light!

Annikke said...

I was thinking the same thing... I wish my table was nicer and didn't have the marks embedded in the wood from the writing and crafting, or the spilled milk in the grooves (and whatever else is in there that I can't get off)-- thank you for helping me remember that these are all memories....

KATE said...

Have you heard the song "No Empty Chairs Around our Table" It's precious & that totally reminds me of it!
What gorgeous kids you have!!
My husband travels too!

june cleaver said...

The kids are excited because I finally had enough with us all scruntching ourselves at the kitchen table. We are civilized now and bring our 7-11 Big Gulp china to the dining room table. Ahhh, this is the good life.

Brittani said...

Such a beautiful family!