Jumping for Joy

 
     Yesterday I "worked out" with my kids and we had tons of FUN - I taught them how to jump rope.  It had been a long time and I had them all fired up, counting how many times I could jump.  It's sad to say, that I couldn't get more than 14 jumps in before I got tangled up in the rope.  Then we played "snake", where you try to jump over the rope while two people are shaking it back and forth on the ground - even my two year old got involved.  Next, I pulled out an old game from my days in the 70's - "School".  The rope holders start with it on the ground and say "kindergarten" while the jumper jumps.  The rope gets elevated each time the jumper successfully makes it over, and the holders move on to "first grade", "2nd grade", "3rd grade"...you get it.  I think I only made it to 4th grade because the kids were a bit overzealous in raising up the rope.  We even tried double-dutch but that was far too complicated.

     Anyway, we had a lot of fun and I think I burned at least 300 calories.  Supposedly ever 10 minutes you burn about 120.  It was a good alternative to the gym and everyone in the family could join in.  We were able to consolidate tasks of getting ourselves outside, exercising and laughing and spending time together.