This year for the girls’ birthdays (only a month apart) I pulled strings and coordinated both sides of the family together for the first time in order to buy them one, large gift: a trampoline! I am So. Glad. I. Did. We’ve been having so much fun together, as a family, without tv, or anything electronic for that matter, and that is a really good thing.
We’ve been jumping for a bit in the mornings after breakfast and before school and again after dinner before baths and bedtime. Not only is it a great way to spend time together, but it’s also a great way to get some exercise and expend some energy!
I’m sure the excitement of “new” will fade, but I also think that as long as we continue to go outside together as a family, it’ll be fun and entertaining.
I didn’t have a trampoline growing up, and neither did most of my friends, so I’m not an experienced trampoline-jumper. Several of my children’s friends have them and I knew they’d love one from seeing their faces while playing at their friends’ houses.
I’ve already learned a lot about jumping on trampolines. Oh yes, it’s not quite as straight-forward as one might think, there are many intricacies and nuances. You see:
- GUM and TRAMPOLINES do not mix.
- You can get a trampoline-burn on the top of your foot, much like a carpet burn, if you crawl around on all fours chasing your children like a tiger.
- But if you crawl around on all fours chasing them like a tiger, they will automatically burst into a fit of giggles.
- If you’ve borne three children (give or take one or two) it’s important to visit the little girls’ room before jumping on the trampoline.
- If you don’t, you’ll have to get right back off to go visit the little girls’ room.
- If you don’t regularly exercise, and you’re 29 years old, and you have three children, (and your name happens to be Amber,) and you decide to play on the trampoline with your children for half an hour or more,… you’ll probably be a little stiff and sore the next day.
I’m not quite as young and agile as I used to be.
But it sure was fun. 😉
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We had a trampoline as kids, and it was great! We didn’t have the safety net around it, but we were ok, even though we did everything that you’re NOT supposed to do.
I was just talking with my kids last night about saving my money to buy them a big o’ trampoline! I looked on Craigslist this evening to get an idea on cost. Maybe the garage sale I’m having this weekend will speed up my savings?! It sure looks like tons of fun!
Any tips on buying one?
Oh ~ so ~ fun!!!!! I know my kids ( and I) would love a trampoline!!! Some day…some day….
I bet your kids are loving it!!
Katie
We have avoided getting a trampoline through four kids. They’re all pretty much too big for one, but we have two younger ones too. Being licensed for foster care sorta puts away thoughts of trampolines… but a friend of ours’ trampoline ripped last week when her 16yo son and his two friends were jumping on it. It has had 12 years of hard use (5 kids+friends), and it just gave up. Today after I read your post, I found myself searching online to see how much it would cost to buy a new mat for their trampoline, if we were… Read more »
Momma Knows – I see your point about the foster care. Our safety net has these plastic Hook/Latch things on the door to keep small children from climbing in unobserved. Even my 8 year old can’t open it. There’s no way I’d have a trampoline without the net. We also don’t have a ladder set up all the time, we use a step or chair which we have to take out there. These two measures prevent them from going out there and jumping unattended. When they do go out, I sit out and watch them or get in with them… Read more »
Very fun looking and funny writing.
I’m so glad you guys are having so much fun with it! Especially since I had to keep that secret to myself practically FOREVER. ‘Cuz you know if I had told one of my kids…. well, you know. 😀 Maybe that means we’ll be seeing a post about some weight loss soon, as well. Especially since you’re already getting close to your goal! Have fun for me!
Our trampoline blew about 30 yards when we had the storm last Wed. It bent the frame some so it isn’t safe or usable right now. The boys were so disappointed…..We were at church so didn’t see it happen and when we got home it was gone. In all the storms the last 3 years that is the first time it happened.
They are alot of fun and I get more exercise on it too. We will have to try to replace it when we can.
Jennifer
Jennifer – OH NO!
We “lost” a lot of things off our back porch. They blew around to the front of the house. But my uncle made six “stakes” out of re-bar (bent them into horseshoe shapes) and staked the trampoline down for us, so it didn’t go anywhere. I’m really glad he did!!!
The one we got, we got at Wal-Mart.. it’s not on their website, but it’s in their store, and it was a WHOLE lot cheaper than anything we found anywhere else. I was really surprised.