PROJECT phase 5

We had a "painting" party yesterday for FHE and finally finished the tree house!!!!! I had lots of Great helpers and all I can say is that its a good thing I decided to go with natural wood color. My helpers were eager but not always careful. The kids you don't recognise is the neighbor boy.
I would personally like to thank my Dad for taking me to all those jobs and teaching me how to use tools. Thanks Dad for making me work, I can now say I like to work. (on the occasional project)
I want to thank my Mom for teaching me that there is nothing we can't do. Even if we don't know what we are doing we can figure it out. Thanks Mom I used a lot of that. I had a lot of fun. I just hope my kids have as much fun playing on it.

PROJECT phase 4

I have a new appreciation for net makers!! I wanted to do something a little more elaborate with the rope on the railing than just a criss cross pattern. I tried and failed many times to make a knotted diamond pattern that would be small enough that Peter couldn't wiggle through. After 2 hours I gave up and went with the basic criss cross pattern. It works, although for my final side I think I will put the eye hooks closer together.
I also installed the the pulley system (probably the easiest part of this project). The kids LOVE this feature. I made sure to install a pulley that can handle 150lbs in case they get the idea to haul each other up in the bucket. Not recommended but they will probable try it.
I also finished the trap door. Nothing super fancy but it does the job. Today I made a rope loop ladder that they can use to get up or down the trap door. Basically I tied a bunch of big loops in a single line of rope so they could put their feet through the loops to boost themselves up or lower down, again extreamely basic but very utilitarian. I should finish the entire project tomorrow. We are going to have a "painting" (water sealant, the wood will stay its natural color) party for FHE to complete the treehouse.

PROJECT phase 3

Okay I don't really know how many phases this is going to take me (probably 20)so just stay posted. I am doing this little be little and trying to figure out solutions, problems, plans etc. as I go. It takes a little ingenuity because I am trying to use as much reclaimed wood I got from a construction site as I can.
So, yesterday I completed the ladder and a good portion of the railing. The ladder took me some time because I had to figure out the angles and I had no extra wood. Who would have thought I needed that geometry class? I guess I should have paid more attention when they said I would use this someday. I do have a square which my children love to point out that it is a triangle and NOT a square. However not really using one for its designated purpose before, it took me about 15 min to figure out the whole angle measure, marking thing. The ladder steps look a little sloped in the pic but that is because of how I was standing when I took it. I can assure you they are fabulous.
I think I am going to do crisscross rope on 3 sides of the railing. In part because it would be cheaper, and because it would be easier. Either way I am still having fun. I just wish I could work on it as much as I wanted and not have to worry about dance class, tennis, gymnastics, school, meal times etc. etc.

PROJECT phase 2

So my tree house is coming along pretty good. I am back to doing everything on my own. I only got Scott to help with with the things that actually take 2 people to do. I guess I'm okay with that, it is my project after all. I realized as I hung my floor boards that I am not completely square but that's okay because I am going to put a trap door in the corner of the floor, so I can fudge the angles a little. I took one of my extra slides off of my hill and set it up on the tree house.
I will need to put a couple of feet on the slide so it is at a better angle but that should be easy. I have to make another trip to the hardware store to get a few more things. Isn't that always the case?
I worried about what I should do with the gaps around the tree that would be too small or awkward to put wood, but they would be big enough that if Peter was up there he could get stuck. Until I had some inspiration. I am going to use that small squared chicken wire and screw it underneath the planks and over the gap so no little legs can fall through but the tree could still grow with out opposition.
My family probably feels neglected because I am spending all my time with the tree house that I keep forgetting to make them food. So sorry, isn't that what a microwave is for? Hang in there guys it wont be long.

ITS A PROJECT. . phase 1

For awhile now I have been wanting to build a tree house in our backyard. I think it was actually me that talked everyone into it. Scott would really rather me leave him out of the whole thing but as you can see, I roped him into helping. I know it is quite a project but I really want to do it. I don't know if it is because I want the kids to use the backyard more, or because I always wanted one myself, or because I remember all the awesome times we spent as kids building forts in general.
I used to love to plan it all out.
Find the scraps around the property, and even the dump. Ahhh the dump so many great treasures found their but that's another story. I decided if I post my progress it will actually get done.
To fund this "little" project we held a yard sale. We earned $130 after tithing was taken out. I went to the hardware store the same day and purchased all the materials I thought I needed. The total came out to $131. If that's not divine help I don't know what is.

Of course I needed a few more materials but I decided I could put up the extra cash.

So first things first. I had to dig the holes for the posts. This turned out the be the hardest job and my little minions did not want to help. Once I placed 2 out of the 3 post supports I realized I had to move them to the left about 8 inches. What's that saying measure twice cut once? I guess that applies to holes as well. Another hour later I got the post supports in the proper place. . . . I hope. . Here's a before picture of the project. With a few pics of some of my helpers. I know they mean well but man it takes a lot of patience and a lot of extra time when they want to help. Hopefully they will learn to love work if I let them help. Or maybe it will just kill me.

wish me luck