Summer Fun - Part 1

What's the best part of summer. Doin' stuff (whether the sun comes out or not)! Here's a few of things we've been up to this summer:

• Picking and eating strawberries and raspberries
• 4th of July - parade, s'mores, friends, BBQ & fireworks
• Playing with snails
• Swimming at the pool and the lake
• Bike riding
• Picnics
• Playing at the park
• Slumber parties in the "library", as the kids call it

Check out Allie's glamour shot with the snail. Priceless.

Daddy took Trevor, Allie and Kara to the new Lego store in Alderwood when it opened and the kids got to help a Lego Master Builder build an 8 foot tall Yoda! Trev is a little bit obsessed with Star Wars so he was excited to get his pic with some of the characters at the mall!

Jedi Training Academy

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... Trevor decided to have a Star Wars theme for his 7th birthday party. He wanted it complete with lightsabers and Jedi training. He invited a few padawan pals over for some intense training, battling and fun!

Traditional Star Wars fanfare along with words of wisdom from Yoda greeted the padawan partygoers. They were met and guided by Jedi Masters Scott, Jackie and Jason. The younglings received the traditional Jedi garb of a brown robe. Of course, no Jedi is without his/her trusty lightsaber. The Jedi training consisted of activities to prove your worthiness and skill with your mind and your lightsaber.

A disturbance in the force was felt by the Jedi Masters. The young padawans had proven there skills and were ready to battle the dark side. Darth Maul (in shorts and flip flops) showed up at the the party to try and turn the younglings to the dark side. An epic battle ensued between Darth Maul and the Jedis, but the force was too strong in them and they defeated Darth Maul.

The training was completed by destroying the Death Star, then refreshments of Yoda Soda and Wookie cookie ice cream sandwiches. Each Jedi was given a certificate showing that they were now an official Jedi. May the force be with you.

 

Happy Birthday Trevor. We love you.

Kids love swings, Daddy loves building them

Our plan was to get the kids a swingset this spring. We looked at Toys R' Us and Costco and one thing was clear...they are pricey. That alone made my brain click on and decide to design and build one myself.

Trevor and I starting sketching ideas of what we wanted. Here was our criteria:

1. Big enough that the kids wouldn't quickly outgrow it.
2. Strong enough so I could play on it. Duh.
3. Swings.
4. Slide.
5. Better than "crappy store bought" ones.
6. It must be super cool, rad, stellar, epic and awesome all at the same time.

 Here is the pictorial adventure:

Daddy's original sketch (left) & Trevor's sketch (right)
Trevor's sketch has a place for lightsabers, a Lego table and a TV.
It did have to be awesome, right?

This beast is built to last. Look at those beefy hex bolts. [grunt arr-arr-arr]

Phase I - structural framing, railing & slide. Done.

A-frame for the swingset. Allie says, "Is it done yet, Daddy."

View from our kitchen window with swing beam and a few rafters in place.

Not exactly sure what I'm doing here. My motto...when in doubt, just add more wood.

That's my head sticking out of the roof. Custom wavy rock wall installed. Final shingles going up...way up.

Success.

Glamour shots. Ka-chow.

After countless trips to Lowes and countless hours designing, measuring, cutting, MacGyvering and hauling tools around, this project is done. It was a 3-month project from start to finish with many, many days of rain in between. It turned out to be more expensive than just buying a crappy one from the store, but in my opinion, it was well worth it. The kids absolutely LOVE it and I found it to be very rewarding to build.

Trevor calls the swingset, "The Death Star". The girls call it, "The Clubhouse". I call it "Super cool, rad, stellar, epic and awesome"

Project materials:
4 x 4 - legs
2 x 6 - framing
4 x 6 - swing beam
1/2" and 3/8" galvanized bolts
5/4 x 4 cedar decking - railing
2 x 4 cedar - railing
5/4 x 6 cedar decking - floor
2 x 4 studs - rafters
3/8" sheathing
asphalt shingles