This 200 lb-8 foot box was very solidly packed, and supposedly carried everything to build the fort and swing set. We wondered how they got the slide in there until we openned it up and saw that we would have to assemble the slide too. It wasn't a solid, single piece.
On the afternoon of the 21st Dad came over. The laid out all the pieces and hardware, and accounted for everything before they began working. The put together the swing beam, the ladder, and the walls to the fort. They worked nearly 4 hours. During this time I shut all the blinds on the backside of the house and deadbolted the door. Britt in Ruth in totally ignorance played with Lilli and watched moves.
On the 22nd, Gary worked alittle more, but we didn't work in earnest until the 24th. Before dark, while the kids napped, we managed to assemble the fort before heading to Memaw and Mister's house to celebrate Christmas with them. After we got back, Gary took the chicken brooder lamp to use to work by, and I snapped a picture of our progress.
Around 11 with the kids finally to bed we resumed work. We had to finish the beams that held the tarps and attach them, build and attach the slide, attach the ladder, and attach the swing beam. We managed to complete it in a remarkable good time. About half asleep, we completed it just after 4 am. I guess this means we had our first Christmas Eve where we stay up all night to assemble a present.
While I staggered inside to get a shower and collapse in bed, Gary went ahead and took some pictures of the completed project. It turned out great and very sturdy. We had two cracked boards in the wall that will need to be replaced (Gary submitted a defective board request and they will be sending replacements). But I was really pleased with how well it turned out.
Above is the slide, and below is the back side of the fort. By the time Gary got done taking pictures and came in and locked up, I had already fallen asleep. We decided to wait until after Church to let the kids see it. I was afraid that it would turn into an all out battle to get Britt back in, dressed, and off to Church. It was a big hit when we took them out Sunday afternoon. But I'll let Britt tell you all about it tomorrow, when he blogs.