As I promised in my big announcement earlier this week, our new Backyard Discovery wooden playset was installed and is just beautiful! Just like the photo to the right.
It didn’t take long for the news that we have a new playset to spread like wildfire through the neighborhood… lots of kids came over to play yesterday afternoon! It’s raining today, but I’m hoping it’ll clear up and we’ll be able to spend lots of time outdoors this weekend.
My first impressions
- The four-level playhouse/fort is huge! With lots of pre-cut parts and a detailed instruction manual, it took two professional installers almost 5 hours to complete. Most of the small boards went towards the viewing walls, which let me see just what the kids are doing. (They can run but, they can’t hide!)
- The entire thing is really sturdy. I pushed, pulled, and prodded, yet nothing moved. The swing beam doesn’t rock when 4 kids are swinging, either. I just wish there wasn’t a weight limit! These playsets are for children 3-10 years old. 😉
- The attention to detail is amazing! The arched entryways and sunburst details on the roof, for example.
- The slide is smooth and fast! The installer suggested it be placed a little further back than our previous slide, and I’m glad I consented. The kids just fly off and love it!
Sliding and swinging!
And gliding!
While I sat and observed from the cute four-person picnic table…
Mental note: Take the baby monitor outside with me, as I turned towards the house and saw this…
Oops! I prompty ran inside and scooped her up… and she went straight for the slide!
What’s coming up next?
- I need to treat the playset with a water sealant soon… I want this set to last us a long time! I’m thinking Thompson’s WaterSeal, but I’ll check into a few other brands and see what the safest option is.
- Surround the play area with mulch, too. Ideally I’d love to use rubber mulch, but I think that’s a little beyond our budget. It’s been a while since I last checked prices, so I may revisit that option.
And for my readers – next week I’ll share with you how to ‘PLAY SAFELY.’ This is an acronym, created by Backyard Discovery, which outlines 10 points parents should consider when researching and shopping for outdoor playsets. It’s a must-read if you’re thinking about buying a playset for your kids anytime soon! If you can’t wait, you can also visit Backyard Discovery’s Facebook page, where you can find these tips, too!
I’ll leave you with my favorite photo from yesterday…
Disclosure: As part of an ongoing relationship, Backyard Discovery provided my family with the wooden playset pictured above, and will be covering my BlogHer ’10 conference expenses.
Wow, that does look really high up there from the top. I’m amazed with how many fun things are packed into the set.
.-= Cat – 3 Kids and Us´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday Local View – The Windy City =-.
This is so awesome Mariana! I couldn’t be happier for your little girls. What a great relationship you have created….the kids get to play for years to come and MOM gets to “play” in NYC in August! Yippee!
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..Review of Larabars – Super Healthfood in a Bar =-.
My mom got my daughter a Backyard discovery playset for her birthday last year. It’s not as big as this one ~ I love that big fort. My little one loves the slide and the picnic area. It’s her restaurant and she expects everyone to place orders. 🙂 I guess I should have read the weight limit on the swing ~ I swing on them all the time with my little one lol. oops.
.-= Jackie Lee´s last blog ..Start Your Own Food Revolution =-.
What a wonderful treat for the girls…not too mention the trip for Mom too! 🙂 Enjoy it….wish I lived closer to you!
.-= Debra @ A Frugal Friend´s last blog ..Sesame Street iPhone Apps – Love ‘em =-.
What an awesome playset! Looks sturdy which is one of the things I would be most concerned with (and fun too!).
.-= Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Menu Planning- Eathing Healthy =-.
What an awesome playset!! Yay for mommy for getting that sponsorship, both playset and Blogher expenses! Oh, I can tell your girls are loving it! Mine would!
.-= Grace @ Sandier Pastures´s last blog ..Book Review: The Recipe Club =-.
Looks like an AWESOME playset!! When we did our backyard, we chose rubber mulch for the play area and it wasn’t too expensive – then again, we didn’t want anything but it for the safety of the kids…look into it! Plus you can get different colors 🙂 Keep the updates comin’!!!
.-= Nicolle B.´s last blog ..Safeway & Betty Crocker “Sweet Spring Treats” {Giveaway} =-.
This looks like so much fun! I wish we would have had something like this for my son when he was little. You and the girls are going to have so much fun and memories with this.
.-= Robyn’s Online World´s last blog ..V8 V-Fusion Picnic at the Beach (giveaway) =-.
I just came across to your old blog and I find it very nice. I love your great website too. Those are the happy moments. The last picture is breathtaking.
-Cooper