Though we've had it a few weeks, today was the first day that the boys really got to enjoy the "new" play set out back. One of Josh's good friends was moving and offered to let us have it for our boys since his girls had outgrown it, and luckily a few good neighbors were around to help us hoist it over the fence and into our back yard.
Our boys are loving it! Connor cannot drive past a park or playground without wistfully offering "Onnor's slides?" from the back seat. To have one in his very own yard is almost more than he can stand, especially since it's either rained or been too cold every single day since we put it back together! And, of course, he was gone all last week during the nice weather - not that he wasn't enjoying his vacation or anything - but he missed out on the chance to try out his new play set, until today.
As soon as I opened the gate into this part of the yard, Connor and Alexander charged straight for it. Connor, bigger and not very nice, pushed little brother out of the way to be first up the ladder. Xander, fearless and just as feisty, followed right behind. And, if you're wondering, I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified that he can already climb the straight four rung ladder to the platform.
Sawyer, on the other hand, didn't seem too interested in climbing or sliding at first. He was fascinated by the swings - first in watching Mommy sit down on one and start to swing, and then in climbing into my lap and wanting to swing with me. We didn't do it long though, because Mommy may be small, but she's not that small. Adult swings, these are not.
After watching Connor and Xander enjoying the slide so much, he finally wanted in on the action. He stuck his little arms up to me and wanted me to put him on the platform - no climbing for him, thank you. And then all three were taking turns (sort of, if you ignore the fact that Connor constantly pushed and shoved his way to slide about twice as often as the little guys). But that's also to be expected. Big brothers are never very nice at this age, and he is no exception.
Hours and hours of summer fun - if we can keep Connor in line and I can get Sawyer to start climbing like his brothers. Did I actually just wish for him to climb? Perhaps I'd just like him to apply the same effort and climbing on an approved area that he does on an unapproved area - the dining room table, anyone? Clearly the boy can climb, it's just a matter of him wanting to!