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What a great swing set! So cool! I hope the girls have a great time on it.

It brings back memories of the wonderful swing that my dad made for my brother and I out of salvaged pipes. He and a work friend made it with strong fittings and welding. We enjoyed it so much for years. The best moments were swinging up as high as possible on great sunny summer days in a backyard with vegetables, grape arbors and lots of room.

A swing set on the White House lawn? That rocks!

Any "green" aspect of the playset was thrown out the window when the chief usher flew to South Dakota to check out a swing set that's available for sale at any Toys R Us just across the river.

I didn't know 7 and 10 year old kids still played with swing sets. Or maybe I've had a deprived childhood.

jems, my thoughts exactly.

as a teacher i can tell you that 7 and 10 year olds play on swingsets....i've even seen middle and high school students on them....my apologies to your deprived childhood, gems.

jems - Kids these days take their time about growing up, I've noticed. (For instance, when I was 12, I wouldn't have been caught dead listening to something akin to the Jonas Brothers.) But that's the 90's babies for ya.

Geeze, when I was 7 and 10, I would have totally been on that!

If I were 7 or 10, I'd be dreaming of something from Barbara Barry. In fact, I *am* dreaming of one of her playhouses for my 5 and 2 year olds...

I'm a teacher and a parent. My 11 year old girl would not play on this. My eight year old boy might--for another few years. I wouldn't spend that much on a toy likely to be used so little.

I had a similar (though a bit smaller) swingset and I used to love it (even after falling off and scraping the skin off of a large portion of my back and arms). at age 7, I definitely played on it and all my friends loved it. age 10, not so much, but occassionally-- mostly sitting on the swings or in the fort and chatting. but then again, i can still have fun on a swingset today. everyone should try it: it's a simple joy that's ageless (and really quite serene) if you don't take yourself too seriously to partake of such a 'childish' activity.

(our old swingset has since move on to family #2, at least, to be enjoyed by many more.)

I'm disappointed. They could have had such a competition for artisans and craftspeople to design something really amazing. And the usher's trip is absurd.

"My 11 year old girl would not play on this."

That's too bad - I'm in my 40's and when I go to my Sis' house in Virginia I love playing on the swings w/ my Niece and Nephew...

I'm with bepsf --- I love swings. Any 11 year old that won't play outside . . . well that's just plain sad.

It has actually been announced that the swing set is not just for the Obama girls but for other staffs' children. The first lady wants to make the White House family-friendly.

I do love me a good swing set. And 'tis very cool that Mrs. O is looking out for her staff. I'm a proponent of workplace daycare, and I don't even have kids.

i am in my 50s and still love swings. :-P

and i guess this is not just for the use of the "first daughters".

No kids, but our next door neighbor bought something similar (but much smaller) for their kids. They were told to get something with a "room" in it, because once the kids got older they would hang out their with friends. It really stretches the age use on a set. Don't know if Sasha and Malia will be having sleep-overs out on theirs.

As for the guy flying to the factory - everything in the White House has to meet all sorts of military/security specs. Suppose the President or some foreign dignitary hurt themselves on the thing. Somebody had to sign off on it being safe and approved.

There is a security protocol for the White House groceries. They shop off the shelves in various suburban stores that have been checked out, but the actual store for the day's shopping is chosen at random immediately before they leave. Don't know what they do about stuff you can't buy at Safeway or Giant Food.

Actual funny story - when John Kerry was running for president, his Beacon hill house was, of course, under 24-7 Secret Service protection. Which meant the little park across the street was too. Secret Service let the local kids "camp" overnight in the park.

feathers is absolutely right about the play set stretching out over the a child's growing years. Just because they are teenagers doesn't mean they don't want a cool place to sit with friends, with an awning and swings. Also, anything that encourages kids to exercize and spend time outside is a good thing!

Lastly, to those who believe that 10, 11, 12 year old kids are "taking their time growing up", I don't think that is always a bad thing. Sure, kids should learn responsibility and mature, but maybe things would be better if people hung on to some appreciation of simple pleasures. Personally, I'm tired of seeing all the tweens and teenagers hanging out at the mall...

What a great swing set, even better that its Green. Environmentally friendly!



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Maybe this is not appropriate to some,but my 13 year old daughter and her friend love to go on the the swings on the weekend at the elementary school near our home! I'd rather have them do that then hanging out at the malls or getting into trouble... she says, I'm grown up when I need to be! I still find this fun! Is that wrong? The Obama girls will grow up fast enough!