Building of the Play Structure

I couldn't justify the pre-made play structures they have available at Lowe's or Toys R Us. They are pretty expensive for something I could build on my own. So I ordered 4 12ft 4x4's to begin the play structure. Then I began to dig......

Alex making sure they are 12ft

Standing in the 4th and final whole( looking grizzly). The holes are 42in deep with pre-made cement footings\bases at the bottom. No mixing or waiting for the cement to harden.

First post in. The yard only has about 3in of top soil the rest is clay that changes color the deeper you get. It is not easy to dig. The roots didn't help either.


Frame is made up of 3 12ft 2x10's that I cut up. With two 2x10's cut for the floor support. Bought the slide at Lowe's. I decided to get the nicer one because it could mount 5ft high instead of 4ft for the cheaper one and is 10 ft long. It also has higher sides for safety. I am also adding a cargo net to climb and a climbing wall. I am building a swing set from it but that will begin probably early fall. Alex isn't a big fan of swings right now. He only swings for a few minutes then he is done.

My friend at work told me he used composite wood for the floor in his kids structure because it wont splinter and lasts 20 years. So back to Lowe's to buy 5 16ft boards of flooring. Alex my little helper was trying to assist as much as he could. Here he is helping me hold the board.

Looks good but lets check with the level

Alex getting me the level

The very watchful eye of dad making sure he is not getting to close to the edges. We are about 5ft up.


I had about 12ft of flooring left over. I used most of it to build this ladder. Alex loves the ladder and goes flying up it. It is now against the play structure. Due to the rain i have not been able to get more done. This weekend is supposed to be nice so I am going to begin framing the roof. I have left over shingles in the garage and if I have enough I will use them.

Happy Easter

We had a busy Easter day, but the boys enjoyed themselves and were definitely tired when the day was done. We went to 9 o'clock mass and did not need to be to bunch until later. So, we stopped to take some pictures. I wish the leaves were in, but at least it was warm enough and not raining.












We went to brunch at Great Grandma McDonald's and the boys looked for eggs.





Alex watching golf (one of the few things he likes to watch on TV) with Great Grandma Phibbs


Luke with his toy from Great Grandpa Phibbs

Buhr Park- Spring Extraveganza

A Visit From the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came a day early because we are going to be busy on Easter going to mass, brunch at Great Grandma McDonalds and dinner at Grandpa Phibbs. So this morning we found eggs while mom made breakfast, had a leisurely breakfast and then brought up the idea that there were still baskets to be found. The toys in the basket were all outdoor toys (bubble toys, kites, etc.) so we went to the park afterward and tried them out. They were having Easter activities there and we saw the Easter bunny from a distance. Alex was not into seeing him too close, which I understood, I was never into that stuff as a kid either. Alex is a bit too scientific and a concrete thinker to enjoy that type of thing.


Found the first Easter egg


and of course right to the mouth

put found eggs into the carton

keeping the eggs away from his brother, annoyed that tries to eat them all

found the basket

Dying Eggs

Alex dyed eggs almost completely on his own this year. It got a little crazy at the end as then he decided instead of moving the eggs from cup to cup to mix the colors he would just pour the colors into one glass. He forgot to think ahead about the fact that you can not unmix the colors and wondered what happened to the yellow and orange and ended up with only green and blue colors. So, he preserved the pink for a bit longer, but then it all went in one over flowing glass. Lucky mommy is very smart and put it on this tray. No mess and he got to have all the fun he wanted. I didn't even care it was all over his fingers because we were going to the pool that night anyway. Luke was not quite ready for the project. All he wanted to do was eat and throw the eggs.

Pictures by Alex of Sillyness in the Play Room

Alex took these pictures while we were playing in the play room. He had to have a turn when he noticed I had the camera. But, first I got about five minutes of video of him and Luke playing. I'm sure I will cherish these videos sooner than I can imagine. Now I'm in desperate need of an external hard drive to store them all on.

New Carseat

Alex loves his new carseat. Complete with a cupholder and a pocket for his sunglasses, what could be better?

Jump City

We went to Jump City last weekend. Alex finally decided that it was pretty fun and even went on the big slide all by himself multiple times.

Lego Tower

Michelle was giving Luke a bath. So Alex had time to build a large tower out of legos. Luke usually comes by and knocks them over. I usually have to move the towers next to the chair behind the ballpit so Luke cant reach it. He would allow me to help him more when he was younger but now any input i add to the things he builds are quickly changed by him. I just now help him fish all the 2x4 pieces out of the lego box.

Sandbox Play