Gearhead Mom

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Swing Into the Sunset

Posted by Missy W. @ 8:48 AM

If you have a big tree and a big blue Ikea near you, you should get yourself on down there and pick up one of these nifty little ladder swings. Micky has one in her backyard and it reminds me of Helen, our shopping cart. As in, Helen of Troy, because this swing used to launch a massive battle every time we’d go over there, just like the cart used to do. It is the most coveted of all things at Kara’s house. Sy often asks me if the swing is still there and if so, perhaps we should go visit Kara? She also tells me we need to get a big tree in our backyard so she can have a swing, too. I tell her that the Rolling Stones sang it best, “You can’t always get what you want...”

The whole Ekorre series is pretty bitchin, actually. There are hand rings (Only $8.99 and also hanging from another cool tree in Kara’s yard), a swing, a rocking moose and balls. The swings and rings are meant for both indoor/outdoor use, so I suppose if we wanted to figure out where the load bearing beams are hiding out, we could install a swing in the house. But call me crazy, I don’t think my living room would look all that fancy with a big swing hitting me in the head every time I sat down to watch “So You Think You Can Dance.” (It’s better than me admitting that I watch the Bachelorette, right? I can’t believe she sent Graham packing.) I digress. If you have a cool playroom or basement, then I think indoor swings would be awesome. Maybe even in the hallway so your kid could swing to bath like Tarzan or Jane? Yeah, probably not, hunh?

The ladder swing is pretty easy for my almost three year old to maneuver. She has a hard time folding her second leg into the swing when she’s getting on, but once she gets there, she never falls off. All the kids sit on it like a regular swing and do not actually climb the ladder. Nowadays Sy and Kara take turns pushing each other (what a concept!) instead of trying to rip each others limbs off for a go on it.

Micky and her husband said installing it on the tree was not all that difficult. The swings come with additional rope which they secured on the tree and then to the swing itself. When you install it inside, you need to buy a two pack of hooks to install into your ceiling first. The ladder swing’s rungs are made of solid, oiled acacia and is quite easy to hold onto. It doesn’t look at all comfortable to sit on, but those kids will swing for an hour if you let ‘em. I think the actual swing would probably be a cozier ride.

Unfortunately, this item is not sold online. I’m so curious as to what the criteria is for what Ikea will and will not sell online. They’ll sell you a sofa online, but not a $15.00 swing. It mystifies me.

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