Yes Latin!

Latin is a great language to study and I am surprised by the backlash as to why study Latin. Latin is the base of all Romance languages and therefore makes learning those languages easier. Studying Latin also makes learning English grammar at a young age much easier because English grammar is much more complex.

In fact this year I think my boys learned as much English grammar in our Latin curriculum as they did in their English grammar studies.

Now does any one actually speak Latin in the world- no, not officially. It is an unspoken language at this point in history but half of all English words come from Latin and knowing Latin words actually expands English vocabulary because of all the derivatives that we use.

 For example- my sons learned the Latin word patria- which means fatherland, or country. From that word you find our word patriarch, and patriot! After the boys memorize what patria in Latin they will be able to recognize more complicated vocabulary as they are reading.

Another wonderful benefit is that our Latin curriculum teaches us prayers in Latin and they are beautiful to hear at the table or anywhere!

For example-

The Sanctus
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus
Dominus Deus Sabaoath
Pleni sunt caeli et terra, gloria tua
Hosanna in excelsis
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini
Hosana in excelsis

Translation:
Holy, holy, holy
Lord, God of hosts
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed in he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest

As you read through the Latin I am sure you will recognize many words and can figure out other derivatives. Sanctus means holy- sanctified, sanctuary. Terra- terracotta pots, terra means earth. Gloria means glory. Benedictus- blessed- blessing, benediction.  Learning Latin is truly beneficial and I am finding that learning it as an adult is even more fun because naturally my vocabulary is much larger than my boys vocabulary so I immediately recognize and can name derivatives.

The Latin curriculum I chose to start with is from Memoria Press. Memoria Press is a classical christian education curriculum company (should I have a comma in there somewhere? punctuation is not my strength,;.-.). Their beginning Latin program is called Prima Latina and it is for grades 1-4 and is designed for students and teachers with NO Latin background! We ordered the student guide (x2), teacher guide, the DVD set, the flash cards (which are also for Latina Christiana the next level), and the pronunciation CD. I don't know if I'm allowed to use this picture- new to blogging- but if I'm not then it will disappear at some point.



The DVDs are great and essential to the success of the program! They are expensive but worth it! I imagine you can resell them for at least half the value when you are done. I will be hanging on to mine for the girls to use when they are ready.  Leigh Lowe who is the creator of the series along with her mother Cheryl Lowe teaches each lesson on the DVDs. She goes beyond the lesson that is printed with more explanation of the material and help with pronunciation. She also reviews material previously learned. The lessons are short- 15/20 minutes max. 

There are 25 lessons total and after 5 lessons there is a review lesson so you can make sure your student has mastered all the material to that point. I will tell you that the flash cards are really for the next level and so there are more than you need and there are some missing that you do need. We did not use the pronunciation CD but I think we will listen to it over the summer as we eat lunch.

After we watch the lesson on DVD we turn the page and do a few of the review questions that are provided. Typically we would watch and do some review on Tuesday and then review for mastery and finish the workbook review on Thursday. I kept the flashcards (I ended up making my own for Prima Latina) on a ring in the kitchen and would quiz the boys at meals. We only did one lesson a week and sometimes would take longer to review so the boys had the lessons down. The first two prayers the boys memorized but then we got to the Our Father in the spring and between the slightly complex nature of it and spring fever, we do not have that down. So we will likely take longer to finish the curriculum than we should but that's okay and we can be flexible with our schedule because we homeschool!

If you do not homeschool but want your child to have the benefit of learning Latin you could easily do this program in the afternoon or evening.

I would be lying if I said that Latin was the boys favorite subject. It's not but we do it because I know it's beneficial for them. I have made it more "palatable" for them by using treats. We had Latin Lollies at one time which were lollipops that were to be consumed only during Latin. We made Latin time snack time and recently finished up Easter candy while watching our Latin video. I think they have manipulated me into providing food and sweets at off times :) but that's okay, whatever works!

Another layer to our Latin is that we are returning to Classical Conversations next year and in that program we memorize Latin each year. So I think they will be glad that we spent the year studying when we get back to CC next year and they breeze through the Latin memorization.

If you are interested in purchasing Prima Latina you can do so at the Memoria Press website. You can also find the curriculum on Amazon and Christianbooks.com among others. If you order from Memoria Press though they send you a nice Christmas card with a discount towards a purchase and you get a free subscription to their magazine The Classical Teacher- it's fabulous! I love the articles and feel smarter after I've read it :)

Overall, I am so glad we added Latin to our curriculum and we will keep up with it for as long as we are led to!

Cloth Diapers Anyone?

So we are already breaking so many norms... we have four kids, we home school, I still nurse my almost 12 -month- old.... why not break one more and start using cloth diapers?

I was reading a link at Home school Freebies about saving money cloth diapering. Considering we have spent a small fortune on disposable diapers and wipes with our children and considering that two of the four have required (one currently) fancy chlorine-free, all natural type diapers why not look into cloth for the remaining few months of our diaper time? Chloe is almost 12 months and will probably be in diapers for another year. Hence, I clicked a link and then had a headache for two days as my mind was blown by the complicated nature of cloth diapering. Long gone are the burp cloths and pins!

Capitalism has struck the world of cloth diapers. For those who are familiar with classical education- I had to learn the grammar (or vocabulary) of cloth diapering. Yes cloth diapering has it's own grammar believe it or not.



I am going to attempt to make your cloth diapering query easier by going through a brief summary of the options (some not all) and provide links (some not all) to websites and videos that were immensely helpful to me.

After learning my cloth diapering grammar and taking two Advil I ultimately had to just dive in and order a few to try them out. And I will tell you in advance, regardless of how complicated the following information may seem, we are going to be using cloth diapers in the house probably 80% of the time. So that's an 80% or more diaper saving! I think that money can be used elsewhere!

But on to the links and vocab!

Okay, so when you are considering cloth diapers you want to learn about all the different types and then consider the cost of each option. I was happy to learn that some of the least expensive options- those closest to the true old fashioned way- are overall not only the most economic but also easier and cleaner and easier on baby's skin.



The Types: (this is not a joke)

1. Old school- cloth diaper (bleached cotton, unbleached cotton, unbleached organic cotton, Indian cotton, Chinese cotton) This option comes in what's called a prefold diaper- which looks most like the diaper burp cloths your friends monogram for you when you have a baby and the larger swaddle type. There are YOU TUBE videos that show you how to fold both types. The prefolds and you-fold type can be used with a diaper pin (not really used anymore) and this cool invention called Snappi which looks like a plastic y with hooks on each of three tips that hold the diaper together at the groin. Again, you tube videos!

2. These cloth diapers and snappi's can be used with a basic diaper cover. Some diaper covers have snaps and some have hook and loop (Velcro- but they can't use the word  Velcro so they all say hook and loop or other various code words which at first just confuse the mind!) Some of the diaper covers are sized and some are one- size with snaps along the rise (code for groin) that can be adjusted to fit newborn to toddler. The basic diaper cover can be made of many types of material from cotton, to polyester/cotton and are waterproof. The better ones have gussets at the leg which offer another layer of protection from potential leaks.

3. Fitted diapers- imagine a burp cloth diaper cut and sewn to look like a diaper. These are small and you can use snappi's or pins to secure and then cover with a diaper cover or forgo the snappi and just secure it with a diaper cover. These come in cotton, hemp and other blends. You have to have a diaper cover with these unless you want to change their clothes, your clothes, the sheets, the carpet...

4. The inserts - There are also cotton, microfiber, and hemp (and combinations)inserts that are essentially and I'm sorry to gross out male readers but they look like large, thick, maxi-pads. These inserts may be sized, or one sized (in that case you fold the top or bottom to fit in the cover if need be)with snaps, without snaps, curved, or rectangular and depending on the cover may just lay inside, or may lay in a separate plastic piece which is snapped or sewn inside of the cover. These can be removed when soiled and another put in it's place assuming the cover is still clean.



5. All-in-ones- These are essentially a diaper cover and cloth diaper all sewn together so that you can put it on and take it off like a disposable diaper. The interior lining is very soft and made of microfiber and cotton. Some are completely made of hemp. The microfiber wicks away moisture and the hemp is ultra absorbent which is why they are used. Hemp tends to be the most expensive of the materials. When this diaper is soiled you put the whole thing in the diaper pail and get another one! Which can crush your spirit after going through a wash series and dry cycle only to have it soiled- but Hey! that's cloth diapering.






6. All-in-twos- These are your all-in-one diapers with a built in pocket or tunnel underneath the top lining where you can add extra inserts for more absorbency (like for overnight or if you have a heavy wetter). The tunnel also allows the diaper to dry faster in the dryer or on the clothes line outside.

7. Pocket diapers- These diapers consist of a diaper cover with a soft microfiber lining that is sewn into a pocket which you stuff with whatever material you choose. You have to stuff them though as the liner is thin and is not to be used alone.

I believe that is all the options, or the options I studied anyway. Pheww. So, you pick your type. You won't know which will work best and I would not just go with the cheapest option. There are a thousand different opinions when you start to research and I suggest you do your own research! Then just get a few and vary the types. I purchased some prefolds, covers, a pocket diaper, a few all-in-ones and some with snaps and some with hook and loop. I figured after trying the types I could pick up a few more of my favorites, which I may, but I find I like the variety and use the different types at different times.


Cleaning and drying them is a feat at first. When you get your diapers and inserts you have to prewash them several times initially so they are the most absorbent. Cotton needs 5-7 times, hemp up to 10 depending on what you read. All of the diapers and inserts I purchased had instructions. You also cannot use just regular detergent because it can be irritating to baby's skin. So the best option I found was Ecos free and clear which you can purchase at Whole Foods and other type stores. Do not get the lavender scent and do not get any other "free and clear" soap. There are other options listed on the web but this one was most readily available to me.

Another item you need is a wet/dry bag. You can get it in a pail-liner type and line a trash can with it or the one I purchased and like has handles and I hang it from a knob of baby's dresser. It has a zipper to keep in the stink. But I read about a nifty product called Bac-out by Biokleen which I found on Amazon for $7.99 and on sale at WF for $5.99. It is a spray that you spray onto the diaper after you have dumped the solids  (code for poop) into the toilet. The spray takes away any smell and works on the stains. It works. The wet bag has little to no odor compared with my stinky Diaper Genie for disposables.

SO diapers, Ecos soap, Bac-out, wet/dry bag- you're good.

Here is what a diaper change looks like for me.

Chloe needs a change. She has a poopy diaper. I give her something to hold in her hands to play with so her hands immediately don't dive into the diaper area. I remove the insert and fold the poo inside and place to the side. I use cloth wipes and diaper spray (California baby but will use homemade recipe later) to clean her bum. Place cloth wipes aside. Put new insert or new diaper on Chloe. Set Chloe on the floor. Take poo filled diaper and wipes to bathroom. Dump solids in the toilet and flush. Rinse out diaper and wipes in sink (they also have this nifty sprayer you can attach to your toilet and use the toilet water to clean the diaper off). But all our water goes to the septic area anyway. So rinse out wipes and diaper and then spray with Bac-out, toss in wet bag and zip up.

After a day or so I take the partially full wet bag to the washing machine. I do a cold rinse and spin first with no detergent. Then I do a HOT wash with a small amount of Ecos with an extra rinse. Then I do 3-4 cold rinses/spins with no detergent. Then I put them in the dryer. I have been using a high setting as our dryer is elderly. Most everything dries the first cycle. You really can let thin diaper covers with no lining air dry. The all in ones take at least two dryer cycles to dry which for some is the major con. I fold them up, re stuff the types that need stuffing and take them upstairs.

I am very surprised at how relatively easy it is. I'm doing laundry every day anyway and have not found the extra to be a problem.

 We were spending at least $50-60 a month on diapers /wipes just for Chloe ( I also have a potty training 2-year-old). So after 2-2 1/2 months we will be saving a lot of money.

Cloth diapers range in price from $11 for a set of prefolds and one cover to $18 for one all-in-one. You  can certainly pay more (fancy pants on etsy!) and a little less. There are several websites that sell cloth diapers but for me I found that after researching what I wanted to try Amazon had competitive pricing and I get free shipping through my prime membership and no tax- so it was the cheapest way to go. You can also find seconds sales and used cloth diapers. There are whole websites and several of them that are devoted to the resale of cloth diapers! Amazing!

All in all, I am excited to take this step for our family. Wish I had done it three kids ago! Think of all the money we could have saved and think of all the waste that we would not have added to the environment?!

Some great educational links:

www.kellyscloset.com
http://simplemom.net/cloth-diapering/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVo6SMebcX8  (this was the most amazing 7 Part! video series by Jaimee Gleisner)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1TJiFywfC4 (this video series is just plain funny but also answers lots of questions)
www.amazon.com

Google cloth diapers and you will find more than you want to read!

I hope this information gets you started. Have fun and at some point you just have to order something and do it. I do believe you could spin your wheels researching and going no where if you are not careful. Jump in, save money, help the environment!

*some pictures used from www.simplemom.net . she has great info!

A Student of the Bible

Do you study the Bible?

If you do or if you don't or if you do but need some help there is a wonderful free publication called Becoming Magazine that you should check out. The current issue is about becoming a student of the bible and there are lots of really good articles to help get you started! I have been priviledged to be able to write for the magazine and also have an article in this issue so check it out here!

On the website, you can also put your email in to receive updates on new issues and community events that are held at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

Here is a teaser....

What do you think of when you think of your body? Does your mind jump to your thighs or those few extra pounds? Maybe you are training for a marathon... or bathing suit season.  We spend a lot of time toning, trimming and tucking our bodies- taking care of our health and physical bodies can become all consuming!

 Lots of words may pop to the surface of your mind with regards to your body but does the word “temple” ever make the top 10? If you are a Christian, your body, first and foremost, is a temple of the Holy Spirit! 

 

But, why is that important and what was the temple exactly? ... keep reading over at Becoming Magazine!