Memorial Day Weekend

We had such a wonderful, fun weekend! It was warm enough to fill up the kiddie pool, and even the big kids had fun jumping through it. L got to try out the new super soakers he got for his birthday ~ this provided MUCH fun and changing of wet clothes. We had friends over for a barbeque on Monday evening. Our big project that took the whole weekend and still isn't quite finished was assembling our new wooden play structure! I have been praying for and dreaming of this for several years, but the money always had to be earmarked for something else. I am so thankful that this was the year to get it!! Thank you Lord, for a large federal income tax refund!

First we had to disassemble the old metal one that had died long ago. We were able to bless a young couple just starting their family with our baby swing, and we blessed the scrap metal collector with all the metal parts, so only the few plastic pieces went in the garbage (sorry, earth).
Our neighbor graciously let us use her truck to go pick up the new swing.

Whew! That was such a big purchase, it was time for cooling off.

Then began the caravan ~ the boxes were too heavy to carry to the backyard, so we opened them on our driveway and carried all the pieces to the backyard a few at a time. Fortunately we had lots of helpers for this!

Step one ~ sort and count all the parts. This took, oh, about 5 hours (not kidding!).

The children were pretty impatient for actual construction to begin, but it finally did.

About 28 man hours later....... no swings up yet, but at least they can play in the fort!

Another day, and the swings are up!!!!! Still left to assemble, the rock wall, the little cafe table and counter and stools underneath the fort, and the slide.

Later this summer we plan to add a tire swing to this. It was cheaper to buy a tire swing kit online and add it ourselves than buy a whole swing set kit that included the tire swing. This will be fun for all the children, but especially for our son who lives with SPD. He loves to spin!

~

And I just have to share what a meaningful Memorial Day this was for me, personally. I have always been grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, and for the sacrifices made by others in order to grant and protect those freedoms. But our current study of the founding of America and my own reading of the book John Adams, conspired to make this Memorial Day especially significant. I sortof embarrassed myself at church on Sunday. We had lovely older ladies and gents from the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars with us during the service, and afterwards I went up to them to thank them for their service to our country. I wasn't able to stop the tears, so those poor souls had to greet a stranger who was practically sobbing. They were very gracious. :-)

~

Do you know any vets?? THANK THEM!! I have made a personal commitment to thank every single person who I learn is a veteran. At any time of the year. We owe them so much.