Our little helpers

Last Sunday, Tim & I decided to start a project together: a backyard playset for the kids. John & Brielle went to Grandma Carol's & Grandpa Ted's house for the afternoon (thank you!), and we had 5 solid hours to devote to the assembly. We worked very well together: I was in charge of reading the directions (of course, since I like to follow all the rules & details) and Tim did all the cutting, drilling, hammering, etc (thanks to Terry for the chop saw & drill). By sunset we had most of the framework done for the tower & the swingset.


Once the work week started, however, we only had about 1 hour each night that we could work before it got too dark. On these nights, we had 2 more helpers :). And THEY wanted to be sure to be helping with every step that they could!


Brielle & John decided to pick up this piece of wood on their own, carry it to the playset, and lay it somewhere where they thought it should go.




Look below to see where they put that long board: leaning on the left side...



John wanted to have a "tool" in his hand at all times. For awhile it was the tape measure he wouldn't put down. And we only have ONE tape measure. (Tim said he will probably need to put "tape measure" on his Christmas list this year, so he & John can each have their own.)

John was also using the hammer every chance he had.

Brielle decided to arrange the extra pieces of wood in this fashion:



Of course, as any 2 & 3 year-olds would be, John & Brielle were so proud that they were able to help out. As the week went on, we added 2 swings, rings, a slide, a ladder, a climbing wall, a telescope, a steering wheel, a fence for the upper level, and closed the lower level in so that it is more like a house. And thanks to this nice October weather, John & Brielle have been able to enjoy it before it gets too cold.