The Trampoline

We bought this trampoline almost a year ago when John was working at the new LD in Westbank. It was a brand new store and the door crasher specials for the grand opening included a 13 foot trampoline with a net for an amazingly cheap price. We managed to get our hands on the LAST one.

So a few weeks ago, John decided that we should set it up. We have a tiny yard, so the thing takes up pretty much the whole yard, but what a great toy to have. Zech absolutely LOVES IT!!! I don't think we have ever seen him go so nuts before. He just screams, squeals and laughs non-stop. We can't get him off of it and it really is a great way to burn off some of the endless amounts of energy he always seems to have. We will have to enjoy it while we can, as it will have to come down soon.

The one thing we did not count on when we set up the trampoline, was having the whole neighbourhood come and ask to jump. It started with a couple of kids coming and ringing the doorbell. We didn't feel comfortable letting them on without the parents permission, so John nicely told them that they would have to get their parents to come over and talk to us and give permission. We really don't have the money to pay for a law suit!. The next night after we had just put Zech down, the doorbell rings and there is banging on the door and 5 other kids show up asking to jump. I was a little upset that they came so late and were so loud, but John talked to them and told them that we need parents consent. The next day, we come home and the kids are watching us to see when we leave and when we return, so 10 min. after we get home, we get yet another knock, but this time the kid is with an adult. So John talks with the "uncle" (they lied and told us it was his Dad, but then later we found out it wasn't) and told him that we don't want to be sued if anything happens and that if we are on the trampoline, the kids could come over and jump, but never when we are not around.

By this time we put a lock on the trampoline. A bit later in the day, we get yet another knock on the door and three kids were asking to jump, so finally with the parents consent John grabbed Zech and they jumped. Well it didn't last long and the kids were really rough and one kid in particular was purposely bouncing Zech around and trying to knock him down after we asked him a few times to stop. John just grabbed Zech off and let the older kids jump a bit. They got called home and you know that not one kid thanked us or showed any sort of appreciation for the fact that we let them jump. Where are the manners now days?

Of course the next day, we get home from work and walk through the gate. Zech wants to jump so John stays outside with him, while I make supper. All of a sudden a herd of about 4-5 kids come running and screaming through the parking lot, "can we jump, can we jump". We politely told them "no" that it will not happen anymore because they are just too rough with Zech and after all it is his trampoline. So thankfully there have been no more kids asking to jump. Zech enjoys it, but we will have to take it down here soon. One day we will have a big enough yard that we can set it up and not have to worry about the whole neighbourhood wanting to jump--God willing.