Learning Spanish

Edith and Atticus aren't quite bilingual, but they are on their way toward learning language No. 2.

The recreation centers throughout the city of Columbus offer a wide range of classes for kids and adults, and we've signed up for a few -- a couple of gymnastics classes and a clay class in particular. This fall I saw a class that excited me: Spanish for preschoolers. Atticus was too young to formally enroll, but he came along for the ride during Edith's classes. And to sweeten the deal, the classes were free.

They ended up being the only ones there. After less than two months of classes (half an hour apiece, generally twice a week), Edith knows Spanish colors, numbers, shapes, body parts, greetings, a handful of animals and is working on days of the week. Even Atticus has picked up most of the colors!

It's fun to hear them use it when I least expect it. ("Look at that naranja car!") And the class is refreshing the Spanish basics that I haven't used much since my last Spanish class in high school. We're starting a new session of classes in November.