Right now the two big adventures we're pursuing are switching from disposable to cloth diapers and homeschooling Jamie, our 2 (almost 3) year old daughter. About 3 weeks ago we decided to purchase cloth diapers and since then I've gotten on a huge anti-disposable-anything kick. I hate seeing money go into the garbage like that!
Cloth Diapers
We started out buying a dozen All-In-One, size Large cloth diapers from BumWare.com. These were recommended by a friend who has used them on all 5 of her children. We also bought 5 pocket diapers, one size, made by Diaper Rite. We also bought some additional soakers for night time use. I made some cloth wipes by cutting up one of Jason's old T-shirts. I launder them with the diapers. So far, they are awesome! I love them! Jamie wears the pocket diapers for naps and night time (instead of Pull-Ups), and Jessica wears both pocket diapers and the AIOs. They have only leaked twice in three weeks. That's 80% better than the disposables we were using! The laundry doesn't bother me, and they don't smell any worse in the diaper pail then the Diaper Genie did with the disposables. I just purchased two cloth diaper pail liners so we won't go through as many garbage bags. So far, I am totally in love with the cloth diapers. :)
Homeschooling
Around the first of the year I realized than my 2 1/2 year old daughter, Jamie, was learning stuff! Big DUH, I know, but it never occured to me how much or how fast she was learning! She can identify all of the Disney Princesses and knows all the words to every song Elmo and Barney have ever sang. That's when I realized that I needed to start directing her learning. We researched and bought a homeschool curriculum for 2-year-olds from Hands On Homeschooling. So far, I really like the curriculum. We are doing school 5 days a week, Tuesday through Saturday. Our situation is a little unique, however. Because I still work part time, Jamie gets homeschooling from her babysitter on Tuesdays, Mommy on Wednesdays and Fridays, one of her grandmothers on Thursdays, and recently, Daddy on Saturdays. I put the lesson plans together, maintain her binder, check her work at the end of each day, and provide all of the supplies. She has really taken off with this! And all of the adults who do it with her say they are enjoying it. I like the fact that everyone in her life is doing school with her because we can all reinforce the lessons she's learning. For example, her color for the month of January was white, her number was 5, and her shape was square. Her bible lesson was creation and her verse was "God made everything". Her manners were "please" and "thank you", and her chore was cleaning up her toys before leaving or bedtime. Because we are all aware of these, we can all intentionally reinforce her learning.
Home-made Granola
As part of my "make everything at home" kick right now, I've started making all of our breakfast cereal at home. I found a wonderful and simple recipe for granola that is addictive!
3 c. oats
1 c. slivered almonds
1 c. cashews
1 c. sweetened shreaded coconut
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. maple syrup
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 t. salt
Mix the dry ingredients together (oats, almonds, cashews, coconut and brown sugar). Mix the wet ingredients together (syrup, oil and salt). Pour the wet into the dry and mix unitl well coated. Put on 2 trays lined with parchment paper in a 250 degree oven for 1 hr 15 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes. After it's cooked you can add dried fruit if you like.
Home-made Baby Food
I am going to attempt to make my own baby food this week at some point. I'll let you know how it turns out!
Jessica is 9 1/2 months old now, and has become mobile! She isn't crawling (Jamie never crawled either), but is swimming on her tummy around the room. She is also saying Dada, Mama, and various other sounds. She is such a happy baby!
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