Kyndall's 3rd Birthday Surprise!

With all we've had going on this summer, Matthew and I decided not to do a big, huge, over-the-top, break-the-bank birthday party this year.  We've been there, done that the past two years and although it's fun, it's EXHAUSTING for a perfectionist planner like myself!  Besides, I highly doubt she will even remember the first three or four years of her life in decades to come, so now is my chance to take the easy way out.....right?!

WRONG.  Mommy guilt started setting in a few weeks ago and I decided that if we weren't having a party, we needed to at least get her a really good, memorable gift.  I started thinking and wondering what we could do that would REALLY thrill her.  I thought about a swing set, but I need more time to research those and shop around.  I considered a trip to Disney, but we are already planning our first one for the end of the year.  Then, it hit me.....a TRAMPOLINE!  I can't think of a single thing I wanted MORE as a kid, but sadly I never got it.  (My Mom just knew we would kill ourselves)

I started looking at them online and just as I was about to make my decision, I saw that a friend of ours (Cruzie's Mom, actually!) was selling theirs since they are getting ready to move to Dallas!  PERFECT!!  It's only a year old and she wanted far less for it than what I would've paid for a new one.  I got the "ok" from Matthew and then yesterday morning he went and picked it up.

I told Kyndall the night before that she was going to have a BIG birthday surprise the next day, hoping to really get her excited!  Her eyes grew wide, her mouth dropped open and in the most hopeful voice she exclaimed "Maybe it will be Mickey Mouse!!!!!!"  Oh, dear.  I feared she would be sorely disappointed!

Saturday came and Matthew began the process of setting up the surprise in the backyard.  (All by himself, may I add!  I love my handy man!!)

I added a bow as a special touch!  =) 

During the building process, my friend Brooke came over to drop something off.  She wanted to see the surprise, and Kyndall followed her to the back door.  She got a glimpse of what was going on and quickly started asking questions.  At this point it wasn't recognizable as a trampoline, so we quickly scrambled for an explanation and ended up telling her Daddy was building a dog house!  (?????)  She totally bought it!  Thank goodness!

After her nap, I went running into her room and got her up.  I think I was WAY more excited than she was!  

Here she is seeing her surprise for the first time........

Here's the video that I took of her seeing it for the first time.  It was a little more anti-climactic than what I expected but I guess you just never know with toddlers!  

And a few more pictures of her trying it out.......

We quickly found out that Daddy is NOT a good jumping partner.  He ends up acting like a 5 year old, jumping way too high which in turn makes her fall down and then crying ensues.

Exhibit A :

Daddy is completely oblivious, having the time of his life while Kyndall pouts

Mommy is (unfortunately) a much better jumping partner which means I am the lucky one who gets to sweat it out with her for hours on end

(Didn't expect to be in any pictures this day, OBVIOUSLY!)

Once she got the hang of it, she LOVED it and the two of us stayed out there until we were both exhausted!

We let Daddy back on, but only if he promised to behave!

I told her to show me her "surprised face" and this is what I got!  Funny!

Another video of her bouncing......

She's been asking again today to get on her "jumpy", but we've made a deal----We only do the "jumpy" once the sun goes down and it's not 1,000 degrees outside!!  She seemed ok with that plan.

I hope that this "splurge" of a birthday gift will be one that provides countless special memories for our family throughout the years.  Afterall, it's something we can all enjoy!  

And for those who have already been asking, YES, we are ordering a safety net!!!  I may be crazy for getting my 3 year old a trampoline, but I do not have a death wish for her!  Until it arrives, we are being very careful!  =)

We'll be celebrating her real birthday in less than two weeks on September 20th.  Kyndall and I are leaving to head down to Tallahassee this Wednesday and we'll be there all the way through her birthday so we will think of something fun to do with the Grandparents.  Not to worry, I won't let her big day go by without some sort of celebration!

I will return in a few weeks with lots of pictures to share of my Englewood girls beach trip and of course our time in Tallahassee!