A friend of mine in Toronto was showing me pictures of a new swing set she got for her kids (aged 3 and 5).  My first thought was that of pure jealousy.  For me to be able to have a personal and customized swing set for my children would mean that I would have to either illegally put it in the grass at the Hong Kong Jockey Club  or some government land or purchase a piece of land (and be paying the mortgage for 5 generations to come).

These swing sets kits are super cool though.  Even me, as an adult would love to play on them (although I’m not sure whether they are designed to sustain adult weight or not).  My friend got it purchased from the states and her super man husband managed to assemble it, but when in Toronto, with a yard, you’re entitled to these types of luxuries (for your kids).  They have wooden swing sets and metal ones available, all with a variety of slides and swings.  In truth, kids need to burn energy and what better way to do it in the saftey of your own backyard!!   But with regards to parks and play sets, you have to still keep them safe.  It’s not like you throw your kids in the background and let them do what they want unsupervised (but maybe that’s what the helper’s for? haha).  I encourage swing set saftey too - which ironically enough is a science in itself. 

Anyways, one day, I will be back in Toronto and then I can get myself one of these.  Or better yet, when I do move back, I will move next door to my friend and cut a hole in the back yard fence so the swing set she has is a shared resource!!   But I certainly do miss those hot summer days with a deck and bbq’s.  You certainly can’t get that in Hong Kong (at least not free) and whatever grass is available is either dog-peed to death or no-step zones.  *SiGH*