Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I told you so

Jason and I had this on going debate the whole month before Christmas.  We knew the safety hazard swingset had to go.  Besides awkwardly leaning at a 45 degree angle to the left, the missing boards and exposed nails were just one big lawsuit waiting to happen.  I thought we should get a new swingset, for the obvious reasons...it's fun for all ages because not only can Maddox play on it but of course when they're 12 years old their friends will still be dying to come over and play on the monkey bars, right?  Jason thought it was time we advanced to the trampoline stage of life but I had visions of Maddox and his fabulous hair getting bounced all over and hurt with the big kids, and emergency trips to the ER with broken bones. The kids sided with Jason so a trampoline it was. Sometimes Jason is right and this time I'll admit it.  Not only do the kids love it, but the entire neighborhood loves it AND they even let Maddox jump with them too. Watching them out the window today just put a smile on my face. I have a lot to be grateful for and today the trampoline that I was so adamantly against just happens to be at the top of the list. I love living in a neighborhood with so many kids their age.  I love that Kylie doesn't think she's too cool to let Jayden and his friends tag along.  I love this gorgeous weather.  I love that they stay outside from the minute they come home from school until the sun goes down.  When they're not in the back yard jumping then I LOVE that all the kids in the cul-de-sac come out and play on the greenbelt.  At any given time there will be around 15 kids out there riding scooters, playing football, chasing each other, making up dances and playing games (I tried to take a picture of them all out there one day, but I didn't want to emberass Kylie so instead I tried taking it from my upstairs window but I decided I looked like a creepy neighbor with my zoom lens peaking through the blinds snapping pictures of kids, so I decided against it).  I've always imagined a neighborhood like this for my kids to grow up in.  Grateful.  Very Grateful.

5 comments:

Michelle Y. said...

I keep telling Craig that we really need a trampoline before the baby comes. That really is funny that we both did a similar pregnant tummy post and we didn't know :)

Chelsea said...

yes, its true, not only a great neighborhood, but the little corner you are on is awesome. I love that greenbelt right in front. I also love our trampoline, but also voted for a swingset, glad I was outvoted too. Whenever we have friends over, they all end up on it, and I love seeing how much fun & laughter goes on out there!

Tyson and Dawn Jolley said...

You are definately the cool mom in the neighborhood...I've always wanted a trampoline!

Janessa said...

I'm so glad they are loving it and that there haven't been any ER trips. Talking to you about all of your trampoline joy has made us decide to get another one. I do feel guilty that we promisee our kids a new trampoline since we left our old one in Iowa - a year and a half ago! We'll keep good on the promise. Hopefully soon! I'm so very jealous of the perfect neighborhood set up that you guys have. What fun and wonderful memories your kids are making. That was probably a good call on not being the creepy neighbor taking pictures from upstairs. You might have started some neighborhood gossip:)

Jodee said...

I grew up loving our trampoline and Ronnie is the one who hates them (or is that just Ronnies mom?)
Even though Beckham's first broken bone was from a trampoline, I still swear by them! Great exercise and great fun! We are totally getting one when we get some more backyardage!