Building the Play Structure

This weekend we started building a play structure in our backyard. We purchased this set at ToysRUs after reading several warning reviews. We knew from the warnings that we would need to spend hours sorting the wood and hardware, that the directions were sometimes misleading and had misprints, and that it would take many more hours than the book stated it would. The book states two people need 10-14 hours to complete the play structure.
Everything we have read in the reviews has proved to be correct and good advice. We have had 5 people helping. I calculate that we have had 5 people donate a combined 54 hours of time (at least) so far to get to the last picture in this post...so-we still have quite a bit to do!

Sorting wood like the reviews & directions suggest:


Sorted screws


The first few steps built this frame:


Joshua finally falls asleep on the kitchen floor while cuddling with the bjorn, foot propped up on the exercise mat. Everything else didn't work, he was too excited & a quiet room away from everyone else was not the answer for him Saturday:


Stephen involved:


Saturday night, wrapping up the day:


Sunday Morning, checking out the work done the previous day before going to church:


Stephen helping me build the top thing...I can't spell it's name...cupola??


Installing the top thing:


Beasley getting a nap on Sean's tool belt while it's not in use:


This is where the play structure is at today, Wednesday, after a full weekend of work & a couple of things done on it during the week:


We have to finish the roof on the porch, add the slide and add the swing frame and swings.