Labor of Love -- part 2

A couple years ago we bought the kids a swing set for Christmas-- Daniel and our friend, Brett, were up to the wee hours of the night constructing it. When Deloitte offered Daniel a job in Nashville and we knew a move was inevitable, I told him, "you know I want to take the swing set, right?" To which he replied with no hesitation, "not gonna happen." I was saddened, of course, but didn't really have ground to stand on since I didn't put it together and was unlikely to contribute to its move either. As the move got closer, Daniel started to soften and mentioned we could possibly take it (he was probably getting nostalgic too:)) We had two trucks the day of the move, but we had not yet taken it apart and there was no time to do it while loading those trucks so it didn't happen.
Then my FIL was kind enough to follow us to Birmingham last Tuesday with his trailer to get it. Well, I say follow but he actually arrived in B'ham before we even left! Daniel had a meeting 'til 9:30 and Donny made it to our house around 10. By the time we arrived, he already tore the swing set down, loaded it in the trailer and cleaned half the house! We got off easy for sure. He came over a few days later- December 1st to help Daniel re-construct it. Will helped too :)

 Will is happy to have his swing set back! He barely had

time to smile for the pic...

I think Daniel would agree the labor of love was much easier than its predecesor...mostly because it was taken apart in chunks so less to construct but also it was a warm mid-day rather than a cold, dark night. :) Thanks again, Donny!

Will's dream

Here's the conversation we had when Will woke up today:

W: Mommy, I threw my flip flops in the snow and they flew away and now I have no flip flops to wear outside!
M: Is this a dream you had?
W: Yeah!
W: I threw them and the bugs took them away.
M: Oh no! Those bad buggies, tell them not to take your flip flops.
W: I can't, they already took them!
M: Oh, well tell them to bring your flip flops back.
W: But they ate them! They were very hungry.
M: That is some huuuungry buggies to eat flip flops!
 But since that was a dream and you're awake now, maybe you still have them.
W: They looove flip flops. They already took them. Sorry.

A short time later I found his shoes in the bathroom and brought them out
M: Hey look, I found your flip flops!
W: And bugs didn't eat them! Told you.

-Oh, did you really? haha. Love this kid's imagination-

Labor of Love

We gave Will & Maggie a swing set for Christmas and I thought the gift deserved its own post considering all the hard work that went into it. I've wanted to get Will a swing set for a long time because he loves playing at the park -- climbing, running, jumping. Daniel thought it was a good idea before but with a second baby on the way (and now here) he agreed it would be beneficial to watch Will from the kitchen while I fix lunch, etc. Maggie won't use it for a couple years, but it's still here for her.

I found an unbeatable deal on Walmart.com including free shipping with site to store. Daniel and our (good) friend, Brett picked up the boxes Christmas week and inventoried the pieces, put together the slide and ladder in one night. The following evening they finished everything else. Since they didn't start 'til after dinner, it was already dark and very cold! I brought coffee and hot chocolate to warm them up but it probably didn't help much. They worked and worked until about 1:30am. Lucikly none of the neighbors complained, but they weren't very loud until the very end when adding the stablizing piece. In fact, I peeked out the door to tell them to finish the following day b/c it was getting loud only to learn it was the last piece and they just wrapped up. Thanks so much to our friend Brett for helping!! Will loves it and I know one day Maggie will too.

 the slide-- Will's favorite part for sure

finished!

I knew it! He went straight for the slide

 he also very much enjoys the picnic table and has

said let's "drink, eat, play, play"

This is sure to keep our movin', groovin', Wild Will occupied and exercised for many hours! And one day, Maggie too. :)