Trampoline Project

Jesse Working on Demolition

Last Monday, we did a big project at our house.  We have a subterranean trampoline in back of our house, and the surface was beginning to come apart due to the sun wearing on it for several years.  Also, the earth underneath is retained only with plywood (which doesn't work well, especially when it gets wet).  So, with springs popping off all over the place and the dirt caving in underneath, Jesse and I decided to spend my day off working on getting the tramp back into good condition.  First, we undid all the springs and took the old surface out to the curb for the garbage man to pick up.  Then, we took some measurements and headed to Lowe's to get some retaining wall bricks to hold the dirt back right.

Progressing Project

We had a good time at Lowe's, and backed the van into the backyard right up to the tramp after we got back.  Then, we began to demolish.  This was Jesse's favorite part.  He started with his light saber, but soon realized that wasn't going to do it, and asked for "that big ax," which is my pick ax.  I got it for him, but he quickly decided that was too heavy.  We got him a shovel, which was just right, and he went to town pounding the old plywood into submission.

After clearing out the old plywood, we begin laying in the bricks and backfilling as we went until we had some good, solid walls.  Finally, we put the new surface back on.  I was just getting done with that when Noah and Zach (two of Rhett's friends from the neighborhood) showed up to help me wrap up and try it out.  They were having withdrawals because they are always over playing basketball on the tramp, and we hadn't been able to for some time because it just wasn't safe.

I think all the kids on the block came over that night for the grand re-opening.

Jesse and Isaac Try Out the Revitalized Tramp
While Mom "gabs" with Jennifer