A - Z Challenge: J

J is for Jacks.

No, not this kind.  This usually means trouble - and work.

I'm talking about these fun little metal spikes that you play with.  We found a lovely set the other day and I attempted to show my granddaughter (7) and grandson (5) how to play.  Embarrassing.  I thought it would be like riding a bike.  However, I forgot that there was a bit of rustiness in that department at first, too.

So, we had a lot of fun learning how to bounce the ball.  Boys like to make the ball really bounce.  Grammy discovered cobwebs in very odd places while retrieving the ball.  When I demonstrated the toss and pick up part, I discovered that I am nowhere near as fast as I was when I was seven.  So, with my memory and reflexes totally compromised,  we all took turns bouncing and flinging jacks in the air.  It was great fun.

I was not an athletic kid...active, yes, but never an athlete.  My favorite games were ball-bouncing games, skipping and jacks.  I was very good at all three.  These games can all be played in groups or with a friend but they are also ideal solo pastimes.  There weren't always a lot of kids around for me to play with.  So I perfected my skills and played in groups in the schoolyard.  I remember so many happy hours sitting on the sidewalk, bouncing the ball and flipping the jacks in the air.

Here's how the well- practiced kids do it.