He says "no thank you??" You're already well ahead of the "no!" ...thud as it hits the floor...phase, so nice work!

In all seriousness, we have focused on getting our daughter to "try" everything. If she doesn't eat more than one bite, that's okay. I feel like I read somewhere that kids need to try a food something like 10 times before they decide if they like it. Has anyone else heard that?

I have! It's the first thing our pediatrician told us when we moved to solid foods. It seems to work in our house. It never seems to take long to love the not so healthy foods, but with veggies and fruits we try incessantly until one of us breaks (and it's usually her!). And with a few things it's been a good 10 times or so before she loves it.

We are definitely up to 50 times or more. UGH! I feel like I'm wasting a lot of food (or eating his share myself so that it doesn't have to go to waste, which isn't helping my waist). I guess I'll just keep trying!

You know, another good idea here is to try to make soups, stews, etc - things that hold well. We have been doing that just to take advantage of the cold weather and if the kids eat it, great...if not, we have leftovers that we don't mind eating another night...

Good call.