My Boogers Are Green
When I was growing up, my neighbor down the street had a trampoline. It was a raised rectangle. Metal springs pinched when we didn’t remember our boundaries and landed on them. A host of childhood accidents waited to happen, especially since we usually used the thing in the dark and jumped as high as we could to grab the thick tree limbs sprouting overhead.
Yeah. That was childhood.
I forgot how much I loved jumping on a trampoline, until I reconnected with my five-year-old friend Joshua over the weekend. I barely hugged his mother Joanna, when he ran up to me with a fetching smile and said, “Will you jump on the trampoline with me?”
He didn’t have to ask twice. I decamped to the backyard and left MTM to be the adult.
I crawled through netted zippers and negotiated bumper pads, finally finding Round Springy Heaven under blue Colorado sky. With shocking immaturity, I squealed, “I bet I can jump higher than you, Joshy.”
“No you can’t!” He shouted as he propelled himself like a rocket, while I eyed the kitchen windows and hoped Joanna wasn’t watching. Instead, awful example that I am, I joined him. We pinged higher and higher, and I remembered what it felt like to be five.
Until Joshy brought me crashing down from that high.
“And don’t do a cannonball, either, because you’re too big. You’ll break the trampoline, and Dad will have to buy another one, and it will cost a lot of money, and he will be real mad.”
Joanna is a spectacular mother. She is tireless in her efforts to imbue her children with all the things they will need to be successful adults. It’s very hard for me to keep a straight face when a child says something funny, regardless of whether that funny is deemed a Teaching Moment.
The next morning, Joshy marched into the kitchen over breakfast and announced, “Mom. My boogers are green.“
Of course, Joanna adopted a parental poker face and tried to explain that his comment was rude. And, all I could do was laugh.
Thank the Lord for the netted zippers and bumper pads…
Heh. I am taking your comment the way you intended it, Ted.
My trampoline days are over. Come to think of it, they never begun:)
Roger, it is quite undignified behavior. But, oh so fun.
It’s the swings that get me, but they make them too low for adults – must be a market opportunity there.
Sounds like it. Why hasn’t some highly entrepreneurial American come up with the concept of an adult playground???
I loved trampolines when I was a kid, amazingly it was one of the few contraptions that I never broke an appendage on. Doctors Hospital in Columbus surely must have a wing named after my many casting experiences.
How many times did you break bones, Lou?
Counting toes, fingers, thumbs, shoulders, arms about 15 times.
Yikes! Reading that sentence made me ache all over.
Ah, trampoline burns…too many to count. Swinging was my favorite…now I get a little…well, queasy. *sigh*
Lori, I get queasy on the swings, too. I did even when I was a kid. Couldn’t do the merry-go-round AT ALL.
The Y in my hometown had a giant trampoline in the gym which I loved to jump on when it was set up and there was “open” gym. It felt pretty close to flying to leap on there and turn somersaults and flips.
The Y was almost another home for me, with the swimming pool, the social room with the juke box that played “Twist and Shout” and the Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and the amazing vending machine that served frozen ice cream treats–when you dropped your coins in, a tiny conveyor with pockets would lift the treat into a window and you’d raise the door and retrieve your treat. The Y was the place I passed on my walk to school every day and where I stopped to slip off that dastardly brassiere that my mother made me wear –how I hated that contraption when I was first forced to wear it. I was a Tom Boy and was far more interested in racing my bike downhill fast, or climbing a tree, or jumping in mud puddles.
Thanks for the memories!
You turned somersaults and flips SANS BRA??
That’s awesome, Cheryl.
Somersaults and flips were before I needed a bra
Haha. Duly noted.
I was never, ever able to execute either a somersault or a flip. I am impressed.
When you’re 9, lots of things are easy. Just tuck your head and throw your arse over and away you go…though, I’d never do it now.
I used to want to be able to do cartwheels, and I’d flop over each and every time without being able to do those like all my friends.
Most of my flips ended up as flops on my seat.
I’d have been like, “Oh, how green? Is it like an overnight green, or a ‘Mom, I have this runny nose I haven’t bothered to mention, and now I’ve gone from cold or allergies to full blown sinus infection green?’ (And then I’d have suddenly realized people were trying to eat.)
Those conversations are just priceless, though.
I was worried when I saw the title that you might have contracted green boogers on your travels. Instead I was treated to the awesome image of you pouncing on a trampoline. Priceless.
Good thing I didn’t leak. When all that starts, it may put an end to my bouncing days……
Sophia turns five tomorrow…there is just something about that age. I know way too much about her bodily functions and colors! Your response in laughter makes me giggle, too. I think it’s impossible not to laugh, and I am frequently chided with, “You’re not helping” comments or stern looks from my daughter. But they are so funny, aren’t they? I’m glad you had fun. And that little guy will always think you’re special for entering in and jumping like a five year old right along with him! What fun! Also glad you weren’t hurt. Ha!
Hurt. Ha. Especially when he decided to turn the thing into a wrestling arena. I had to stop myself from going all WWF on him. I was certain his mother would not appreciate my introducing him to THAT.
Happy Birthday to Sophia!! I hope you will share what you do for her birthday. She is such a lovely little girl.
I love the little kid part of you, Andra! I hope you never lose that!
I will post a little something tomorrow about our weekend birthday party for my special little gal. She seems so grown up to me. That’s why these special play activities are so important. You don’t want to miss an opportunity. I’m glad you don’t.
I’ll look for your post, Debra.
I remember many fun hours spent jumping on the trampoline at my best friend’s house when I was a kid. A couple of years ago I did a little jumping with my cousin’s kids during a family visit, and it was just as much fun as I remembered.
I hope it never stops being fun, Tracie. For either of us.
I know that I must have jumped on a trampoline at some point in my childhood but for the life of me I can’t remember where or when it was. I am thinking that I did have a blast doing it. Those days are long over with for me. I am glad you are still able to do that and have fun Andra.
As long as I can, James. As long as I can.
Always funny, unless you are the parent.
As for trampolines, my gymnastic fetes are known far and wide, as you may recall. The trampoline was one of many apparatus that I managed to fall off in in high school.
I always feel bad for the parents when the kid is screaming on the floor or tearing things up. When they’re just being inquisitive or observant, and they say something like ‘my boogers are green’, it is just one of those delightful things about kids.
And, I’m glad you survived those falls in high school, Penny.
I don’t think I ever went on a trampoline when I was little, Andra, but I did go on a few inflatable castles. I wasn’t very good, though, and always found myself down the tight gap at the sides. It’s funny, the things that come to mind at times!
I wonder what alternate universes lurked in those tight gaps, Tom. They could be their own brand of rabbit hole.
Now there’s a thought, Andra… maybe I’m still trapped in one!
Now there’s a thought, Andra… maybe I’m still trapped in one!
Out of the mouths of babes, Andra
It’s the best way, really.
Pretty much my life right there.
I am certain that I would bond instantly with Felix, hopefully without your wanting to slap me.
Gosh, you’re right about trampolines having changed after all these years. Sounds like tons of fun, Andra.
Hugs,
Kathy
I sort of miss the death traps they were, though.
Yay! Andra’s flying . . . and bouncing . . . and soaring . . . and leaping. What fun!
When he cautioned you against cannonballs, you could have said, “That might have been true P.D. (pre-diet), but no longer. I am a lean, mean cannonball machine!”
I should’ve said that, Nancy, just to see the look on his face.
You would never have broken through the tramp.. but given that with the colorado sun damaging material and a 9 year old next door did just that BEFORE we replaced it. He was not making a weight comment I assure, however I am intrigued at how many times we must have said they are expensive and take care of our things… So glad you connected with Joshy!! He Loved having you and all my kids have asked when you are coming back to jump and play games… It was a treat to have a relaxing morning at home with friends like you
..
I have never done a cannonball on the tramp.. flips and spins yes.. cannonball seems like you are asking to land on your head.
Miss you my friend!
Love,
Joanna
I know he wasn’t. It was just funny. He said so many funny, funny things. It was a great visit. I can’t wait to come again. xo
You know, recently mine have been too. I hate this cold.
Get well soon.