Jackstones

Do you remember playing jackstones as a kid? (More photos of MC and IC playing jackstones ) Oh boy, I almost forgot the thrill of the bouncing ball and the tinkling sound of the ten jackstones when scattered.

I was fiddling with my sack of goodies yesterday, trying to find small gifts for my 'graduating class' of 14 pre-schoolers (I voluntered to hold a playtime English course in the kindergarten); when I found this small sack filled with the jackstone set.

I forgot my search for treasures because I wanted to share to my kids the joy of this play. Too excited to really listen to the instructions on how to play, I gave both kids first enough time to enjoy the feel of the pieces. I chose my little surprises for the class and decided to tidy up before resuming the real game.

And thus here goes -- the rules of the jackstones game. As I remember it, correct me if am wrong, please. Find a place where you have enough space, where the surface is flat and the ball can bounce. Hold the stones in your closed fist and lighty scatter them around. With the ball in your hand, let it bounce; get one stone in time to catch the ball again. This would go on until you have all the stones. Then you would have to start again with getting two stones at a time; proceeding to three until you would need to scoop all ten pieces.
Take note: you would have to give up the play to another person if you didnt catch the ball; and avoid touching the stones, or else the round is also out for you.

When you reach ten, the exciting thing begins -- the exhibition. Gosh, I dont know how to explain these things. I cannot remember the names of the exhibitions but I have an idea. And they are all tickling my funny bones. I would have to practice them first and will try to get back to you :-)

The kids meanwhile are having fun. MC had already succeeded in catching the ball while getting a stone. But she would need to practice more to reach the exhibition part. I refuse to show her this tricky part or else she would be too excited to concentrate on the basics first. IC is contented with playing with a bigger ball; she actually ended up playing shoots, hehe!

The past puffed: I can see my co-employees in U-Freight Phils. lining up to play jackstones. Yes, even the rugged, 'kanto'-types estivadors and drivers wanted to have their turn. We played during break times and even stayed late after work; for jackstones. The most fun I had was the creation of new exhibitions -- I love the body movements and the acrobatic styles! We only stopped playing when the ball got lost in the neighboring glassy acre.

Thus remembering, I asked a friend to send us one more jackstones pack and a new chinese jackstones. We might just start a trend here.