Oct

17

Can you tell I’m having a hard time with this growing up thing?




 

 

 

 I’ve posted pictures of my dog on our swing set before. The sad thing about that is that he is the only one who goes up in that swing set anymore.  It’s his favorite place to sleep.

My father in law gave us that when we first moved here. He picked it out and brought it here, then put it together for us. It was such a labor of love from him, and my sons absolutely loved it. They were 2 and 4 at the time. They spent hours out there playing, and when they got a little older they built elaborate forts with pillow and blankets out there. On long summer days we would climb up there and have picnics outside. They’d bring their toys and play out there all day.  And then when we got our dog and he loved to get up there too, it was definitely the favorite place to play.

There was also the time when my oldest came in the house and informed us that he had strung his brother to the swing set by his feet, with a rope. We jumped up and saw Nolan hanging there, upside down, laughing, while we rushed out to untie him. Good times.

My kids haven’t played up there or used the swing set for a long time. I can’t remember the last time.  My husband works with someone who has small children, they’ve asked about buying our swing set. I think we’re going to sell it, so at least someones children can enjoy it. But it’s very sad.

The swing set phase of my life is over. In fact, a huge phase of my life is over. Going to parks, the zoo, water sprinkler parks, play museums for small children, all gone. I loved those things, loved spending hours at the park or zoo. Such a sweet time.

Life is still sweet, it’s just different. And part of me will probably always miss the swing set, and the park.  I’ll probably never think that the Wii is as much fun as climbing up there and having a picnic. My kids don’t agree, of course.  But they will, one day, when my husband buys a swing set for our grandchildren.

Which will not be for a very, very long time. Just pointing that out.

 

 

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    Filed Under Family, My boys | 7 Comments 

    7 Responses to “Can you tell I’m having a hard time with this growing up thing?”

      1
        janis soule on October 17th, 2008 11:07 pm

        Even though my children are still very young I can already feel some of the sweet sorrow of growing up. It was hard to pack up the activity mat once my daughter stopped using it, hard to pack up the teething toys when they were no longer needed. I can’t imagine a time where the swing set has to go!

        Janis

      2
        Sheri on October 18th, 2008 12:22 am

        I held onto their baby things way longer than I should have,lol. It was just so hard to get rid of the cute little toys and outfits.

      3
        Zen Mama Wannabe on October 18th, 2008 10:04 am

        Oh-hhhh, how I feel your pain — even though we are not QUITE there. The way your boys used their swing set was how I envisioned ours to be used (forts, picnics, the whole thing). Ours sits lonely and usually untouched too. We threatened to get rid of it, they scream NO and so it stays – to get used only when friends come over.

        It is so hard to get rid of the physical markers of a stage of their lives, isn’t it? (the activity mat and crib, the train table and trains – which we just did, the swing set). Like the ladies at my mom’s retirement home say: growing up is NOT for sissies. (But who knew it would be this hard along the way?!) :)

      4
        mary on October 18th, 2008 4:34 pm

        Aw, I can imagine that this must be a little bittersweet for you to deal with! Your baby boys are growing up :)

      5
        Marjo on October 19th, 2008 12:26 am

        I guess time doesn’t stand still for anything, as much as we would like it to. I’ll miss those days as well when the time comes. But for now, you open my eyes to enjoy each second.

      6
        sharon on October 29th, 2008 11:07 am

        outside just feels heartier and fuller than inside play…

      7
        Sheri on October 29th, 2008 1:05 pm

        Sharon, I definitely agree. They still play outside, thank goodness, it’s just bikes and skateboards instead of swing sets or parks. Still fun, and good for them, it’s just mama that misses going to the park,lol.