. . . jump . . .

. . . christmas 1984 . . .

. . . almost twenty-eight years ago . . .

. . . the year after 

santa brought a swing set, 

he somehow managed 

to fit a trampoline 

in his sleigh 

and drop it off 

at our house . . . 

. . . for billy . . .

. . . and the kids . . . 

. . . including amelia, 

alisse and maggie . . .

{may she rest in peace}

. . . and drew and brad . . . 

{in the interest of full disclosure, i just realized this photo was, in fact, 

taken on the sherwood's trampoline. not ours. 

but it very easily could have been taken on ours.}

. . . there is family history

in the trampoline . . .

. . . this is the trampoline 

where amelia 

took an unfortunate bounce 

and ended up 

with pins in her elbow . . .

. . . chris and amber 

were jumping on this trampoline 

when he proposed . . . 

. . . but my little children 

have all grown up . . .

. . . they all have little children 

of their own . . . 

. . . and they are 

the meanest parents! . . .

. . . they will not let my grandkids 

jump on the trampoline . . .

. . . something about it 

making their feet all black . . .

. . . are you kidding me? . . .

. . . do they know 

how many little dirty feet 

have had a great time jumping? . . .

. . . they are so not fun . . .

. . . so this awesome vintage trampoline

 sits unused 

on the side of our house . . . 

. . . gathering leaves . . . 

. . . and pine needles . . . 

. . . so, i decided i'd just show 

those mean kids of mine . . . 

. . . i offered it to a fun family . . . 

. . . a family who doesn't care 

if feet get dirty . . . 

. . . a family who understands 

that dirty feet can be washed . . .

. . . but vintage trampolines 

are heavy . . . 

. . . vintage trampolines 

take a village to relocate . . .

. . . a village including 

our neighborhood police officer 

and his son . . . 

. . . and our primary care physician 

and his two sons . . . 

. . . and a helpful 

next door neighbor . . . 

{who should definitely not have been helping 

- what with his recent heart valve replacement surgery and all - 

but we have an awesome neighborhood village!}

 . . . thank heaven there was 

a sassy little glove-wearing blonde 

to carry the ladder . . . 

. . . she should carry the ladder . . . 

. . . the trampoline is going 

to her house . . . 

. . . and you can bet your boots . . . 

. . . that she will be 

the boss of that trampoline . . .