We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post, which is at no additional cost to you. :)
WOOHOO! My grandkids and I have discovered a new ball game that is easy on grandma and keeps the grandboys in giggles. It's a fun way to give them some exercise and keep my metabolism moving, especially good on days my arthritis pain might be trying to slow me down.
First, they hop on their swings and pump away. Then, I grab one of their plastic play balls for kids (I especially like the big ones, but the small plastic balls work OK too.) As they pump towards me, with their feet out in front, I toss the ball and try to get it so they can "kick" it back to me. Sometimes it works well; sometimes, it's their head that butts it; sometimes the other swinger is the one to connect; and sometimes we just plain miss. They enjoy that almost as much as when they connect with the ball.
My favorite is when I can catch that ball after they've kicked it and it's quite a bit of fun and challenging for me to try. That, and retrieving the ball, are where I get my fun and physical "senior citizen" exercise, while theirs comes from the actual swinging activities. One caveat – be careful when you are catching and retrieving. I managed to take one nasty tumble in the process. It definitely hurt a bit, and not just my pride, but I was back "in the game" within a couple of minutes.
Keeping all our grandchildren active on a regular basis is a great way to keep them healthy, fight childhood obesity, help those with special needs such as being on the high end of the autism spectrum, and just plain keep them busy in a productive manner. All great goals! And since any kind of exercise is a vital way how people over 50 can raise their metabolism, it's excellent and healthy fun for all us grandparents as well – in AND out of the Sandwich Generation! Of course, soon it will be snow time for us and then that whole exercise thing gets a bit more challenging. But for right now, we're keep enjoying the lovely back yard, complete with gorgeous leaves, fun swings, and bright red and blue balls. How about you?
P.S. Happy Rednesday AND Sweet Shot Tuesday to all of us in the Sandwich Generation.
Optimized with PageSpeed Ninja
Sounds like a fun way for you and the grandkids to get exercise! I think that if I tried something like that, I’d probably twist an ankle!
Happy REDnesday,
Carol
Even if the ball weren’t red, chasing it would be great exercise!
DITTY IN RED
Just a pinch of scarlet
To liven up the place;
Just a hint of ruby
Brushed upon your face;
Just a bit of cherry
Dancing round your toes;
Just some sanguine colors—
That’s the way it goes!
© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Autumn’s rubies here and here
Hi…not sure how I got here but glad I’m meeting a new blogger.
I’m bj from Sweet Nothings…and with 10 grands and 1 great-grand, I know all about keeping moving with them. 🙂
The grands are all about grown now…well, several of them are grown and married….our youngest is 9…going on 29.
We, like you, had a great time running and playing, flying kites and etc when they were little. Now, most of them are on basketball teams so they still get lots of exercise…I have to rely on my treadmill or my walks in the park. :))
Come on over…I am having a great little giveaway that you might like.
xo bj