Lucas learns the ancient game of hopscotch.

Lucas learns the ancient game of hopscotch.
Originally uploaded by colorcritical.

Game origin
Hopscotch began in ancient Britain during the early Roman Empire. The original hopscotch courts were over 100 feet long! Can you imagine that? They were used for military training exercises.

"Hey, Claudius! how bout a game of Hopscotch?" "Okay Brutus, but first I have to put my gear on! Hang a minute and wait for me?"

Roman foot soldiers ran the course in full armor and field packs, and it was thought that Hopscotch would improve their foot work. Roman children imitated the soldiers by drawing their own boards, and creating a scoring system, and "Hopscotch" spread through Europe. In France the game is called "Marelles", in Germany, "Templehupfen" (try saying that three times fast!) "Hinklebaan" in the Netherlands (probably played with Heineken beer cans) "Ekaria Dukaria" (played while while watching Daria) in India, "Pico" in Vietnam, and "Rayuela in Argentina."

In order to begin the game, each player must start with a marker. Common stones were used in the days of the Roman Empire, but in more modern times, items such as bean bags, pennies, and other assorted items were used.

Hopscotch boards were usually found in playgrounds, but if there weren't any, a good piece of chalk could easily remedy that.

How to Play Hopscotch
The first player tosses her marker into the first square. The marker must land completely within the designated square and without touching a line or bouncing out. If the marker lands in the wrong square, the player forfeits her turn. If the marker is successful, the player hops through the court beginning on square one. Side by side the squares are straddled, with the left foot landing in the left square, and the right foot landing in the right square. Single squares must be hopped on one foot. For the first single square, either foot may be used. Squares marked "Safe" "Home" or "Rest" are neutral squares, and may be hopped through in any manner without penalty.

When a player reaches the end of the court, she turns around and hops back through the court, moving through the squares in reverse order and stopping to pick up her marker on the way back. Upon successfully completing the sequence, the player continues his turn by tossing his marker into square number two, and repeating the pattern.

If while hopping through the court in either direction, the player steps on a line, misses a square, or loses her balance, her turn ends. The player starts on her next turn where the player last left off. the first player to complete one course for every numbered square on the court wins the game.

Lucas and Justine

Lucas and Justine
Originally uploaded by colorcritical.

I love this shot, which was snapped by Mr. Troy Ohlsson, my best friend. Troy and Marilyn met us for lunch at Wahoo's Fish Tacos which by the way are fantastic. Lucas need at diaper changing and then did not want his shorts back on so we waited patiently by this beautiful fountain in Mission Valley. Lucas was being so funny laughing and running around and around the fountain. If were in Europe we all would have been playing in the fountain for sure.

Lucas Arthur and our 1965 Volvo 122s

Lucas Arthur and our 1965 Volvo 122s
Originally uploaded by colorcritical.

Look at this little boy and his coy smile. This is what I get when I ask him to smile...god it makes our hearts just melt. So, yea, this is it, the 122 and our 3 year old in his Wranglers Richard and Corrine got him and Levi Jacket Grandma Michelle got him. Lucas is changing all the time and his temper is getting a little out of hand. He seems to think he controls the entire universe. It's a good thing he has us a parents, cool on the outside and inside unless you do something wrong we turn into brick walls and will not accept toddler foolery. Lucas, be warned, mom will not give in! And me, I have a point too where the fun stops and the dicipline begins. Of course here he looks like an angel, as cute as he could be.