I'd rather be camping

We have been home for less than one week, and already I am getting the itch to get camping again. (Although considering the poison ivy surrounding our last campsite, maybe 'itch' isn't the right word....)

soccer, anyone?

Three-leaved plants aside, camping seems to actually be easier for me than being at home. At first I thought it was just because we were on vacation; maybe we were all more relaxed and at ease with the pace of camping life. But our life at home is pretty cush, too; so I thought about it a little more and realized that there are few reasons why life feels easier when we are camping.

1. There is no struggle to get the kids outside.
We wake up, unzip the tent, and we're outside -- ready to start the day in the sunshine or fresh air. (or rain. but that's what the tarp is for.) At home, there are way too many distractions between the bedroom and the front door.


2.There are not hundreds of toys underfoot.
When we go camping, we do not bring home with us. Sure we grab a couple of shovels and pails, maybe a dumptruck or frontloader and usually a ball or frisbee. But the kids usually occupy themselves pretty well with sticks, rocks, pine cones, tent stakes, various straps and ties, and best of all -- headlamps. Really, what more can a boy ask for than a flashlight and a big stick? It really gets me thinking about the toy box at home.


3. Bacon and coffee both taste better outside.
It's true. Not sure why, but they do.


4. The dishes do not pile up.
When you only bring 5 plates, 5 cups, 5 forks and5 spoons; there are no dishes accumulating in the sink.


And since the ants or the raccoons would flock to your campsite if you left your syrup-coated breakfast dishes sit out all day, the incentive to wash them right away is pretty strong. (Hmmm...maybe that's what I need to get my butt in gear at home. I'll just get a raccoon....)

5. The dog hair simply blows away.
Nothing to vaccuum. 'Nuf said.


And finally...

6. Our standard for cleanliness is much, much lower.

Swimming counts as a bath, right?

But really, how could I not prefer camping life when this is what it looks like?











Only a couple more weeks....