What have I learned??

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

  

T showing her love of "shooooes!!!!' while shopping

Our cute flats in covers 

More cuteness

What exactly have I learned so far from this? Well..... I have learned that sometimes doing something out of the norm is kinda fun. I have learned I could totally survive without power for a while, although then I would not have a water heater or stove to boil water on.....  Scratch that.... I could totally survive without my washing machine and dryer if I needed to. I have learned that just because someone views something as "old fashioned" doesn't mean it doesn't work or even work better than what we have today!! I know I was diapered with pre fold and those plastic pull on pants. I'm honestly not sure what form of cloth diaper my Mom was diapered in or my Grandma.... I'll have to ask. I have seen pictures of my Mom and Uncle when they were little with cloth and my Grandma and I have talked about them before. My Grandma (and rest of the family) has been supportive of us using cloth. :) My Mom isn't with us anymore but did get to go window shopping for fluff while I was pregnant, so I'm pretty sure she would have been too.  I have learned that my muscles have gotten soft in the time I have been off the fire department. :D  I have learned I have a whole new respect for the generations that went before us who did ALL THEIR LAUNDRY by hand. I always knew it was a tough job.... I just respect and appreciate the amount of work and what they did to take care of their families more now. This seems fitting with this weekend being Memorial Day. I have learned that if washing by hand using your camp washer as your "wet bag" works pretty well and that having them soak aka a wet pail instead of a dry pail system helps get them clean easier. I have learned that when you go out and NEED to use a wet bag that a simple PUL one really works better than a cute fabric covered wet/ dry bag. I love my wet/ dry bag for my diaper bag but the dry time is horrendous!!! We went shopping for several hours and then met Daddy and went out for supper to celebrate the last day of school!!!!  As a homeschool family this was as much a celebration for C as it was for me!! ;)