Memories of Our Playset in the Fall Season
When we were growing up, more than any other holiday, Thanksgiving was all about family. As the leaves began to change colors and fall in the yellow sunlight, sweet memories of our kids playing at Mom’s house begin flooding my mind.
My Dad installed a wonderful playset on the lot next to Mom and Dad’s house years ago. Upon pulling into the driveway, our kids would be fighting seatbelts, eagerly vying to be the first to climb to the top of this solid redwood world of adventure.
As one child boarded his pirate ship, another sought the tower of her Cinderella castle. Amid this lively play, little imaginations ran amok; dimpled cheeks would smile and shout out to cousins, inviting them to join the fun. First, second, even distant cousins seamlessly transformed into different beautiful, colorful flowers in the same redwood garden.
Simultaneously, the family dogs would be running around with the children, tails wagging, many keeping watch over the kids as they joyfully sniffed around. Quite a few family pets even took their first ride down the slide before the holiday was over. This unique experience became the foundation of connections that caused all our children to become lifelong friends.
Children learn through play!
Cousins, the barometer of family gathering fun for little children, consistently evoke exclamations of anticipation and excitement each year.
As car doors slammed, signaling people’s arrival and the unloading of warm dishes from our ovens, our attention seamlessly shifted to the kids and their cousins playing safely—a heartening tableau of laughter and smiles.
The combination of smiles, laughter, and hugs painted a vivid picture of familial warmth amidst the joyful chaos. Grateful that the kids weren’t underfoot, we’d head inside to prepare for dinner, all the while knowing they were joyfully engaged in play with their cousins.
Each fall becomes a time for reconnection, watching football, engaging in conversations with family catching up. Simultaneously, adolescents and teens share secrets and plans around the upgraded playset, enhancing the sense of camaraderie.
Fun is Our Middle Name
How we loved coming out after dinner and a ballgame. Perhaps even after a nap, to watch our children play and show us tricks. Watching as they climb the rope swing, their tiny feet with dirty toes splayed out as they begin to slide. The teens patiently wait for the young ones to tire so they can lay out sleeping bags on the deck and gaze at the stars. My, how they grow, and oh, how time carries on.
Today isn’t that much different. Our family enjoys the new deck porch swing, providing a comfortable vantage point to watch our grandchildren explore the world their parents loved a generation ago. As we observe, our children delight in watching their children, witnessing the close bond among the cousins.
Cherishing the sight of our little grand-monkeys with dirty faces and tangled hair, running in a frenzy around the huge structure. The grandchildren’s parents, unafraid to demonstrate their expertise on the monkey bars and climbing wall when needed, always bring giggles to the crowd.
“Play is the work of childhood” Jean Piaget
Now, childhood playmates can grow up to be forever friends, mirroring the strong bonds their parents forged. Despite their parents scattering to various life paths, they persistently strive to gather for Thanksgiving. Here, they fondly share stories of their fantastical childhoods with their own children, taking time to reminisce about the enchanting past Thanksgivings spent with cousins among the Redwood Giants.
The joy we derive from witnessing our creations of wood, plastic, and metal becoming integral parts of families is immeasurable. Call Backyard Fun Factory today to create a playset that will serve as the timeless backdrop for your family memories in the years to come!
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