I think I spent longer putting my son's swingset together than he spent playing on it once I was done. (I'm, admittedly, not the most mechanical person in the world...it took me several days.)

That said, he had a swingset...an A-frame with a couple of swings and a slide. I think if his had had a log cabin built into it like that one, he would have spent more time in it.

If he didn't, I would have. Think of this as a retirement project: an adult treehouse. With a bar. And cable. And wi-fi.

I am a little shocked by the timing of this. I have not seen reported anywhere if this was taxpayer $ or paid for by the Obamas. If it was taxpayer $ it was done right insensitive, but even if was paid for by the Obamas, they should consider the mood of the rest of the country at this point.

It seems a little odd that the Obamas are living in a bubble of wealth as the rest of the country struggles to pay thier bills.

I would have love to buy this swingset for my kids, but, I have held back on any big purchases, including a swing set.

I wonder if any other moms were feeling the same way...

Near the bottom of the Tribune story, it says the Obamas paid for the set themselves.

Dena,

You may not be aware but the government does not buy clothes, swing sets and other personal effects for anyone, including the President. They purchased it from their own income. You may also not be aware but both Obamas worked prior to Mr. Obama being elected President. He wrote a best-seller book which earned him a fair decent amount than enabled him to afford a swing set. The Obamas are not exactly super rich like many other politicians who inherited millions from their parents but they go out of their way to make their children's lives wholesome.

Sharing is quickly becoming our renewed mantra - so hopefully neighbors would get together and go-in on a playset in someones yard. That also encourages more interactions as kids travel to each others homes to play outside. It's crazy seeing every house in a development with a swingset, pool and other expensive items for thier exclusive use. Share it and we'll all be richer for the experience and savings!

Hey, Bucky! Sounds like my kids had the same metal A-frme swing set. From Sears? They actually spent a lot of time on it, but we lived out in farm territory then, so they had only each other and the beagle for company. As I remember, I caught them working on a "tightrope" act involving the top pole...

I lived on my swingset, at about 6 - 8 years of age. Let the Obama girls enjoy this. They live in isolation at the White House, and wouldn't be going to neighborhood parks for security reasons. Other White House families had ponies, and other barnyard animals. Big Deal!

I had a swingset as a kid and my brother and I used it incessantly. It didn't look like that one though!

My kids don't have one, partly because we have a small yard, and partly because there is a perfectly good playground around the corner from our house. Unfortunately, I have to check around for used condoms and needles before I let my kids play there, but such is life when you live in the city.

I had an old rusty swingset in my backyard growing up with swings that pinched and support legs that rocked off the ground if you swung too high. But boy, we played on that thing all day. Even so, all three of my kids have made due with the playground down the street and seem no worse for it.

Being that the Obama girls cannot just run down to the neighborhood playground, it stands to reason that their parents would buy them a swing set for their yard. Also, the economy is suffering because people are holding back on large purchases. The Obama's purchase helps the economy. At least, that's what I tell myself every time we have to spend large amounts of money these days.

DEAR OBAMA FAMILY I GLAD TO SEE I SWINGSET AT THE WHITE HOUSE SO THE KIDS AND BE KIDS SASHA MALIA NEED A DOG AND A PONY AND THEIR OWN BEACH HOPE YOUR FAMILY ARE HAPPY HI SASHA AND MALIA I HOPE YOU ARE VERY HAPPY AND HAVE A GREAT TIME AT THE WHITE HOUSE LOVE YA

Donna,
Inside voice please.

Best money I ever spent. Ours is down-scaled quite a bit from the Obama's. I think it cost more like $1500, but it has 3 swings and a slide, etc. The kids play on it constantly in the warmer weather.