36 Comments

  • Toni

    January 5, 2008 at 5:03 am

    I remember this song: “How would you like to go up in a swing? Up in the air so blue? Oh I believe it’s a wonderful thing ever a child can do. Up n the air and over a cloud till I can see so wide.. rivers and trees and valleys and all, over the countrysiiiiide. Till I look down in the grass so green, up in the air and down. Up in the air I go flying again, up in the air and down!”

    I think I messed up the lyrics! It was a childhood song. I suddenly miss being on a swing. Cherish the mother-child moments with it! :)

  • Assertagirl

    January 5, 2008 at 6:01 am

    There are swings up at the lake we visit sometimes in the summer and last summer I rediscovered them. I felt like a little girl again in an instant! Swings are fun.

  • Christina (in mo)

    January 5, 2008 at 7:32 am

    Oh my goodness! I LOVE to go on the swings with Hannah. I still get the tummy jitters if I go too high (I am afraid of heights lol) and I love it!! My daughter (who is eight by the way) and my husband think I’m a nut ball. I get the giggles and just have soo much fun!

    Baby Bug knows what she wants.. Mom to relax and have a good fun time!!

    High five baby bug!!

  • Erin

    January 5, 2008 at 8:26 am

    Swings have always been my favorite too, though I haven’t had the chance to partake in a while…as I have no wee one to encourage me!

    Your illustration is beautiful! I love the colors and the silhouettes!

  • Gingermog

    January 5, 2008 at 9:43 am

    I still love the swings, try the round about next time… but that can make you giddy. Especially when the big kids are on it. I never really grew up properly, I fell out of a tree and skinned my knee badly when I was 27 showing my nephews how to do (or not do) something ;) A wee bit embaressing.

    I’m typing this in a dark, shoulder length wig and Chinese style dress as I’m off to a James Bond Party tonight. Yep I still love the excitment of dressing up too. xxx

  • Gramma

    January 5, 2008 at 10:42 am

    Have you read any more of Robert Louis Stevenson? How about the Lamplighter, The Birdy with the yellow bill, The land of counterpane? Please get “A Child’s Garden of Verses.” If you don’t already have it, I’ll get it for her birthday. Let me know.

  • margalit

    January 5, 2008 at 2:23 pm

    Tony was quoting a Robert Lewis Stevenson poem called “The Swing” It’s one of my favorites. Every time I’m on the sings I say it. It isn’t a song, or if it is, it was words put to music, but it’s just such a perfect sentiment for swinging.

    How do I like to go up in a swing?
    Up in the air so blue
    Oh I do think
    It’s the pleasantest thing
    Ever a child can do

    Up in the air
    And over the wall
    Till I can see so wide

    Rivers and trees
    and cattle and all
    over the countryside

    Till I look down
    on the garden green
    Down on the roofs
    so brown

    Up in the air I go
    flying again
    up in the air
    and down.

  • Lady S

    January 5, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    I still go out at recess in the spring and swing with my students. I love the feeling of weightlessness. I get a little motion sick, but it is still fun.

    And ever the teacher, I always try to teach the kids how to swing themselves, so they won’t need to be pushed as much.

  • bluejaye

    January 5, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    This is my favorite post. They illostration is breath taking. I hope Gramma gets the book for her and instribes it with one of her famous poems.

    I wish I could swing. It is so freeing…..and makes me nausous immediately, but not my kids, they love to swing.

  • BeachMama

    January 5, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    I love the illo!

    And yes, I love to swing. Your description brings tears to my eyes. We installed swings last year on J’s playstructure. I couldn’t go on it because I was so big and pregnant. I can’t wait for spring so I can swing with my J.

  • Nicole

    January 5, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    What a great post! I enjoyed reading that … if it is not raining tomorrow I think I will take Little ‘Ny to the park for some swinging!

  • Laura (aka Laurie)

    January 5, 2008 at 11:01 pm

    Swinging has always been one of my very favorite things to do. The illustration really is great one. We need to get together again soon for some coffee, a walk, and a swing!

  • familymclean

    January 6, 2008 at 1:46 am

    Love it too, we swing in our back yard all summer and of course K insists that mommy swings too. We sing about the trees and leaves and watch the clouds and planes, (sigh) yup, just love it!

  • OMSH

    January 6, 2008 at 10:58 am

    I love to swing.
    Swings were made for adults. You learn when you’re a child, but they were put there so that when you are an adult you can remember the freedom of being a child.

    Beautiful illo – love the sky behind the tree.

  • knitterykate

    January 7, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    Yep! Robert Louis Stevenson. I would get BB a book of his poems.
    She would love it. Or let Gramma do it. My kids loved his poems. (Thanks to Gramma)