I don’t know if we’re going to find a solution to the nation’s economic woes, a way to bring Iran to the table of sanity or ever reach bottom on the stock market or housing prices, but by golly we’ve managed to get a new swing set installed at the White House and it’s only March 5.

First daughters Malia and Sasha Obama got a big surprise after school Wednesday: a brand-new swing set.

They squealed with delight upon seeing it, a spokeswoman for the first lady said.

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, went to work while the girls were at school, having the set installed on the south grounds of the White House within sight of the Oval Office, where their father spends plenty of time.

Before any of my conservative and Republican friends ask, yes… the Obama’s paid for the purchase, delivery and installation out of their own pockets, so the bill doesn’t go to the taxpayers. It certainly looks like a nice set… far better than the one I had as a kid. Also, it’s worth noting that I don’t find anything objectionable about this at all. I imagine that it’s pretty difficult growing up as a child in the White House with the entire world watching your every move and reporting on MSNBC what grade you got in English this semester. The West Wing is also a place of business with lots of serious, important adults running about at all hours. It doesn’t seem all that kid friendly. It’s nice to see that the kids will have someplace to play while dad is working.

Congratulations, girls. Hope you enjoy the new toy.