Wednesday, April 11, 2012

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.  


5 comments:

Rudee said...

I played jacks for hours when I was a young girl. My kids never did like jacks.

Empty Nester said...

I NEVER got the hang of jacks. NEVER EVER. I tried and tried but just could not do it! I still can't do it. I love that you gave a shot with the grands! I bet they had a blast!

Ladydragonfly1958 said...

I have such a big smile on my face right now. Thank you for taking me back to some great memories. What a fun post. :)

Inger said...

I have never played Jacks, but what fun for you and your grandkids.

Tonja said...

I remember playing. Somehow one always gets loose and ends up under someone's foot.

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