Posted: 7/30/2010 8:00 AM
There aren’t many things all of my sons can do together that give them all the same amount of enjoyment. Having 4 sons, ages 5, 4, 3, and 2… they are constantly on-the-go. If we go to our pool club, my oldest son can’t go into the “big” pool without me. He must stay put in the kiddie pool (not too much fun when you’re 5 years old). If we go to the beach, my youngest son must tag along with us. If his older brothers are digging and building sand castles or jumping waves, he must be glued to my side watching them (not too much fun if you’re 2 years old and just want to “run free” on the beach). My youngest 2 guys are too young for a waterpark. Not much fun for their older brothers who have been hounding us to go all summer! And as much as my husband would love to bring them camping or hiking, it’s too tough for us right now with the boys.
But there is something…
The ONE thing my sons can do together all summer long (and beyond!) is play on their Highlander Playset. William, Alex, Ben and Henry ALL love it! There’s something for each of them to enjoy, explore and find amusement in! From the second the boxes were dropped off in our driveway… the boys were beyond excited for us to get it up! I’m not exaggerating one bit when I say… from the second they wake up, till the second they go to bed, they ask to play outside. They absolutely LOVE it, and for me – that’s perfection.
They love the three levels (they pretend it’s a tree house). They love the swings (they try to see who can swing higher!). We even were able to purchase a “baby” swing for Henry and add it on. They love the horse swing (and even take turns letting Henry swing). They absolutely LOVE the slide. They love the little picnic table under the slide (we’ve had many picnics already under there!). And they love that they have a “clubhouse,” as they have been calling it. Or better said, “The McClelland Boys Clubhouse.” They have told me that I am the only girl allowed in.
My sons wanted to have some of their friends over to check out their new playset. They really have felt like the coolest kids on the street with it… and I have to say, they really have a pretty incredible set-up! So I let them invite over 8 other boys. Yes… that means 12 total here! We had so much fun with them! The day was 90 degrees, but the boys wanted to play outside on the swingset. And let me say… the 12 boys played (and I’m including Henry in that group!) for an hour and a ½ straight on the Higlander! Chasing, climbing, swinging, jumping, laughing and talking – they really put some USE into it!
The one game that they absolutely had a blast playing was “Obstacle Course!” I kept coming up with “obstacles” for them to do on the Highlander. Fun things like swing 3 times on the first swing, 2 times on the second swing, touch the horse swing, climb up to the second level and give me high-five and then go down the slide. The boys were having so much fun! I kept changing on the obstacles after each boy went through the course. It completely occupied their attention – and believe me, with 12 boys – 6 and under – that’s a pretty incredible feat!
I cannot say enough about how incredible the Highlander was for our first playdate of the summer! I was able to take some video of us all outside, just to show you just how much fun was being had!