Sliding Doors

Phase 1 of the club house is complete! I finished it before A.'s birthday as promised.

I added the last pieces of the sides. It was unfinished last week.



I also added shutters that close and



open

I then built a sliding door for the club house to act as shade in the afternoon. Without the door, the afternoon Southern sun made it incredibly hot.

I had to build out the top and bottom of the clubhouse for an even surface for the sliding door.

I was going to route out a groove, but found lattice fence edge pieces that were perfect. I used a piece of luan that I had left over in from my board and battan project and I finished the edges with 1" x 1" cedar pieces.

It slides perfectly. I sprayed the other side of the sliding door with chalkboard paint.

I know what you are thinking, another chalk board? We had sharing issues with the smaller board so now there is plenty space for all the kids. I also like the black color against the dark wood. It breaks up all that brown.

The last thing I decided to add was a little shelf to store the chalk and extra pillows.

In phase 2, I plan on making some curtains for that window. I may or may not close out the triangle windows at the top with working shutters.

Phase 2 will also consist of building the first floor of the club house. It will have to wait.. I've been working on this project for four weekends straight and need a little time off. I have many other outside projects to work on, but it may rain so we'll see what this weekend holds.

Looking at what I started with, I've come a long way,

but there is still more to go.

The kids have been living outside from the moment they get home from school so it has definitely been worth it.

Swingset Progress

I've been slowly working on the swing set.



I've restained it, moved the slide, and moved the window. The window is now on the right.

I've added a chalk board inside.



There is also a window with window sill on the other side.




Here's where I'm at right now.

I may or may not add trim around the edges. I am undecided if I want it to look more rustic. The kids want to put flooring down on the first floor, but my hubby does not. I'll decide later if I want to build a removable floor or not. It will be heavy, but it will be win win for both.

It's slowly progressing. I need to stain the inside of the new pieces, build the roof, install new handle bars, install the rope ladder (maybe), change out the toddler swing with a hanging bar or glider. I think the kids have vetoed the glider, but we'll see. I also envision a pulley system, doors on the windows, a mailbox, and railing around the first floor if I decide to add flooring.

Much to do so it will be a while before I finish.

Building a Clubhouse

Here's our swing set. Against the newly stained fence on the right, it looks a bit scruffy. I had always believed that this swing set would be gone in a couple of years since I hadn't seen the kids use it all that much.

Of course, they proved me wrong this week when I forced them to be outside with me as I stained the fence. Sorry, but I just couldn't trust three kids under the age of 7 all by themselves for too long, even if I were just right outside.

The roof tore off so their "fort" is roofless. As I was staining the fence, I decided to give their swing set a face lift by re-staining it as well.

It was a bit of an eye sore before.

Three hours later with a coat of stain, it looks new again (well, as much as it could without a roof).

The swing set has never looked like the picture on the box. We've moved the slide around, never installed the rope ladder or the glider swing because the kids were always too young, but now, I'll have fun taking all those things out, but at the same time, we are converting the second story to a club house. I plan on enclosing the open areas, moving the window to the other side and re-roofing. The kids have decided they no longer want the sand box as well. If the second story goes well, I may install a new floor and walls for the first floor as well. I have the wood, just need to find the time. I am excited about this project.