Flats Challenge 2013 Day 1: Why take the challenge?

The 3rd annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge starts today! This challenge is hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  This is my 3rd year doing the flats challenge.  The idea is to use flat diapers and handwash them for one week.  

So, I'll just admit, I'm just not as excited about the challenge has I have been in the past.  I don't know if the cloth diaper nerd in me is not as strong, or if its that I have 4 kids now and I just don't need any more 'challenges' in my life at this moment.  Whatever the reason, I decided to do the challenge anyway as I'm sure it was not normal to be excited about handwashing old-school cloth diapers anyway.  I'm also not as excited because my favorite part of the challenge is... (drum roll) ... photographing line drying flats.. yup, huge dork here.  Anyway - it is suppose to be cloudy/rainy for most of the week.  Come on, weather, you're taking all of the fun out of this! (and the high humidity is going to make drying more challenging)    

So, why am I doing the challenge this year?  

•  My 7 year old wants to do it and loves hand washing diapers and I really like that.  It is a good history lesson (life before washing machines, however inaccurate) and also helps her to understand (and us to talk about) how not everyone can afford necessities like diapers. 
• As much as I'm not in the mood for extra work right now - I am the type of person who likes to be challenged and who also can't handle saying 'I can't.' 
• As always, I believe in the cause - cloth diapers are more available than people think - they are also a good option for emergencies, if you have a baby you should be prepared to cloth diaper in case of an emergency situation (natural disaster etc.)

I'm sure there are other reasons, but typing with a 15+lb baby on my chest is difficult and I've been working on this post ALL DAY (literally) so, its just time to call it good.

2nd flat of the day! (first was pad folded, so not much to photograph)