For the last year, we have walked to a local park an average of two times a day (that's a average...some days it was more!). Yes, all year. In the middle of winter, we were out there sliding and swinging in the snow drifts.
When I saw a used swing set on Craigslist, we decided that getting a "park" in our backyard might be the perfect way to meet all of Elsie's swinging and climbing needs (and maybe, by wearing her out, get Andy and me a little more sleep in the process). The only challenge was how to transport it from Verona to our backyard.
Last weekend, in record-breaking 105 degree heat, Uncle Greg graciously agreed to help us partially dismantle and move the play structure while Kristin generously watched Elsie at our house. Three hours later, Elsie was ecstatic to see her Mama, Daddy, and Uncle G drive home in a huge truck filled with swing set parts.
Unfortunately, the heat, our diminishing strength, and a general lack of power tools meant that we gave up and left the majority of the swing set in our front yard to deal with later. We were just not ready to tackle lifting it over our backyard fence in the heat. As G so gently put it, "Well, I wouldn't exactly want to do that again just for fun...."
Which brings us here. On Saturday, Papa Todd and Grandma Julie drove to Madison determined to help us get a little girl a swing set to play on. They also came with a car full of power tools, which helped, too! In a matter of a couple hours, Andy and Papa had almost completely reconstructed the play set. The light was leaving and dinner was calling, though, so the project was abandoned for one more day.
On Sunday morning, all four of the adults headed outside to put the finishing touches on the structure. Swings were installed, bolts greased, screws tightened, and boards rearranged for maximum fun. While Elsie took a nap, Papa checked out her spy-scope to make sure it worked and verified that everything was safe.
When Elsie finally woke up from a very long nap and was told her swing set was done, she was too happy to speak. She approached the swing set slowly and with awe...
She immediately climbed up...to the top of the tower on her first try, without assistance!
A little peak at the view from her new kingdom...
And her first gleeful ride down the slide
(which Andy had previously made sure was properly waxed for maximum speed).
Weee!
Back up again to check the spy-scope with Daddy.
And down. Rinse. Repeat. A hundred times.
Trying out the rings with Daddy to help.
Driving "to Grandma's house" with Andy in the "back seat".
After lunch, Elsie decided to try the swing set in her Fairy Princess costume.
It wasn't long before we saw this, though.
After a little bit of naked bear time, Daddy decided to do a quick change in the tower.
Then we were all set to play again!
The proud builders and a very happy girl.
Daddy enjoyed relaxing on the slide...
...but Elsie had other ideas.
And one last picture of our very happy girl.
Last of all, we'd like to give a big shout-out to this guy, whose ox-like strength, determination, and general handiness made this possible. Thanks, Papa, and happy birthday next week!
No comments:
Post a Comment