Laughing in the Backyard!

We think we'll be spending a lot more time laughing in the backyard this year due to our newly erected SWING SET! Thanks to our wonderful friend who snagged the swing set for us via a posting on Freecycle, we are now the proud owners of an already-loved wooden swing set. This swing set is in great shape, with sturdy wooden beams, three swings and a fun slide, sitting at least 4 feet off the group.

During the visit from Steve's family in December, we rented a UHaul and recruited his brother, sister-in-law, Mom and Dad to trek (in zero degree weather) across town... break down the swing set... stuff into the UHaul and transport back to our house. Still a wonderful deal since we paid less than $80 for the truck rental.

Steve was able to assemble the swing set on his own last weekend. Rosemary watched all the proceedings from the deck while Elliott assisted by wielding his own handfuls of screwdrivers, pliers and hammers right alongside Daddy.

Once the swing set was assembled, Elliott and Rosemary LOVED going down the slide! Elliott quickly mastered climbing up the wooden ladder "by himself". The three swings are lots of fun, too. At one point, all four of us were swinging higher and higher (with Rosemary on Alina's lap). Best part -- the swing set legs did not budge! This is one sturdy apparatus!

There is room for one more swing. We're planning to pick up a baby swing soon. In the future, we could upgrade to a rope ladder, tire swing, trapeeze handle, the possibilities are limitless.

We all laughed and played outside on the swing set, in the warm weather and the sunshine. It was a great day and a great way to spend time together!