Questions about swing sets answered

I have gotten some questions since my last post about the swing set that Ashley built, so I thought I would give more specifics on it.
The swing set we got was a DIY kit from Wal-mart. It does not have monkey bars. I called around about various swing sets and found many nice ones that started at $1200.00 and went up from there.
Umm, yea. Pigs will fly before we spend that kind of loot on a swing set, not that they are not super cool and all, but seriously.

We got ours at Wal-mart; it was 400 bucks and some change. It took a long, long time to put together. Had Ashley known the work it would have taken, they might have gotten a different present, but I think at the end of it all he is glad that he did it. The appreciation on the boys' faces makes the work worthwhile (easy for me to say since I didn't really help).

It will be with us for a really long time and it makes my heart smile every time I pull into the driveway because when the twins were born we truly didn't know if our boys would have some limitations.

If any husbands are interested in specifics, ask Ashley. He did it all.

Making the List

This morning on the way to work the DJ's on 104.3 were talking about a list (recently published in some magazine) of things that every MAN needs to know how to do. Carve a turkey. Jump start a car. Put a dying animal out of its misery. Change a tire.

Check, check, check (although I can not think of an example), check.
My man can do all that!
However, they left one off: Build a swing set!!

CHECK!!

Ashley built the twins the most wonderful swing set for their third birthday. It boasts a yellow slide, three swings (one for each boy), a fort, a ladder/climbing wall combo, and a mini picnic table. Ashley spent 20+ hours working on it and I have never seen the boys more excited about any present in their lives. But they were not the only ones who were excited. My heart swells with emotion every time I think about the masterpiece sitting in our backyard.

This was my dream of parenthood: Ashley. Me. Our kids. All outside smiling and laughing together playing on a swing set. So far away from the tubes and monitors that defined our experience as parents just three years ago. It's amazing how far they have come. It is also amazing to me how blessed I am to not only have three healthy sons in my life, but to also have a man who cares enough to build them a swing set...making all of our dreams come true.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from the Gilfillan boys!

Articles Schmarticles

According to John and Andrew, what do you call one (1) grown up?

A Dult

Nursery Rhymes

I read part and the twins complete my sentences.

Me (singing): Baa Baa Black sheep, have you any wool?
Boys (half yelling): YES SIR, YES SIR THREE BAGS FULL!
Me: One for the master, one for the dame and one
Boys: FOR THE LITTLE BOY WHO LIVES DOWN THE DRAIN!