Craigslist Score for Joseph's Play Space

The work in the backyard continued today, and I can honestly say we are almost finished! Well, as close as we're gonna get this year, at least. We still need to clear out the dead growth from the northeast corner of the yard and possibly plant a few evergreen trees in Joseph's corner, but beyond that, I'm satisfied with where things are now.

I've been watching craigslist for a big kid slide for Joseph for a few weeks now, and haven't seen anything positive show up. Until yesterday - I noticed a listing for a little tikes mountain climber and slide, that normally retails for over $400. The seller wanted $80 but was willing to negotiate, and by the time I contacted them, they just had a no show so it was still available. Joe and I both agreed that the various climbing aspects would be great for Joseph, as he's turned into a little monkey, climbing everything he can. Joe went to the seller's house after dinner, did a little negotiating, and brought the climber home last night! It was seriously filthy, so we brought out the hose and scrub brushes, and set to cleaning it up this morning.

Luckily it didn't take very long to assemble (and it was fully assembled when Joe picked it up, so he had a chance to see how it all went together) and we dragged it to Joseph's corner. The ground back there isn't very level, so Joe dug out a small trench to sink the edges into, both to make it level and keep it more stable when Joseph is climbing all over it.

It has a rope ladder, upright ladder and then an adjustable rock climbing wall that can be concave or convex, with different footholds it make it easier or more difficult for climbing. I also love that it's in the neutral colors and matches his playhouse, so we don't have super bright plastic scattered throughout the back yard!

After we moved it back into place, I decided it was time to take Joseph to Lowe's to buy the mulch to finish the ground cover. We had put some in place a couple months ago when we put his playhouse in the yard, but needed lots more. In the last few weeks I also planted 3 azalea plants and 5 hostas, and wanted to get mulch on those so they stood out against the dirt - Joseph and Molly had serious issues realizing that there were new plants back there that shouldn't be walked on.

Once we spread the mulch, it was time to play! Joseph had a blast climbing up and down, and the only thing he hasn't tried to climb is the rope section, which is fine by us as that is probably above his abilities for now.

Soon he realized he could also climb up the slide, and would climb up and then drop to his belly and slide back down.

Such a happy little guy! I'm so thankful we were able to find this climber and slide, and pay less than we would for a simple slide brand new. It has tons of life left in it, and it seems that Joseph (and future siblings) will be able to enjoy it for years to come.