And only four + a half hours later...
The giant Lego Star Wars box was opened as soon as Simon arrived home yesterday. It was definitely the first thing he wanted to do after he came in the door.
It was about that point in time when I looked on the box and noticed it said ages 9-14. Um, yep, I knew I was in for it.
Upon opening the box I was greeted to somewhere around 14 bags filled
with lego supplies. Lots and lots of small and smaller pieces. My first
task was to go in the kitchen and grab a couple muffin tins, cookie
sheets, and some blue cups because there was no way this task was going
to be tackled without some serious organization.
There were over 1300 pieces and two booklets. This photo right here was step 10. I think there were 60 some steps.
Simon's job in all this was simply not to whine and to help where he could. Amazingly, over the four + hours it took to put this ship together he did not break down once. He did ask if I was "done yet" a few times but no drama. He put all the little droids together - and practiced some counting as there were 23 in all. We had a nice little conversation as the afternoon and evening went along, talking about the legos, the baby, his birthday party, and school yesterday (they made a Chinese dragon that he was pretty excited about).
We took a little break for dinner and to put on jammies. And then it was finally done. It looks like this:
He didn't have much time to play with it before it was bed time, but it was a good start. I imagine tomorrow afternoon will be filled with some serious playtime. It's a pretty cool ship with lots of doors that open and close and three other small ships that go in and out (one carries all the droids).
I have to say that I liked the process. It's methodical and balanced and you just follow the directions...one small step at a time. As I was putting it together I was thinking that it's someones job to design these things and to figure out how all the pieces go together just right. Totally amazing.
Here's to a playful weekend at home and to 37 weeks tomorrow.
Coming next week: a Valentine minibook, a superhero giveaway, and a tour of the baby's room.
Whoa, Mama :)
Ali, you did a GREAT job putting the set together. I love how you organized the pieces with the muffin tins and blue cups-GREAT idea. I think you put the set together faster then my 11 year old (who is, in his opinion, THE lego genius-munchkin!!). It was the #1 thing he wanted for Christmas.
I hope that Simon has a GREAT time playing with his new toy!!! :)
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Bravo - I went to same process with my son for a plane (since he turned 5 january 2- well like you I had to do most of the job myself - he did help) He loves LEGO's so much - and don't get me started on the Bionicle... geeeeee
happy b-day Simon!!!
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Huge pat on the back for building that Legos kit! Also had to share that I wear Hanna jammies and love them!!
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Awsome! Both the finished ship and the organized assembly :) Simon is one lucky boy!
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That's exactly how we do Legos at our house... they first all get sorted (usually into bowls or paper plates) and everything goes smoothly from there. I learned that about 5 years ago when we got the first "big" set. And it's nice when my son now sorts them all on his own (with an occasional "mom, can you help?" because it's just a daunting, time-consuming task).
We have this same Lego and it's very cool! Simon will have a blast playing with it. And yay for him for the droid assembly... that's a time-consuming task with all those arms & legs!
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Oooh... very smart, Ali! Organization is key!
Whether your boy is 7 or 40, the fascination with Star Wars lego never seems to wane.
http://nubcakes.blogspot.com/2007/10/millenium-falcon.html
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I have spent many hours putting together Legos, was a very happy day when my son could do them himself. But had I had the forsight to actually orginize the peices what a different process it would have been. My son turned 18 a couple of weeks ago and the Lego days are behind us(still have every set and books) the memories are priceless, can't wait to share with his kids, way in the future!!! Hope Simon enjoys.
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As the mom of two Star Wars loving boys, I have put together lots of lego ships and such. I have always been amazed at how they come up with the designs. Truly amazing. And time consuming. But fun indeed.
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Hi Ali--
Where did you get the brown bed cover in Simon's room? I love it.
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Fantastic!
Wonderful idea with the muffin tins!
Simon is So Lucky!
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That is very cool. And props to you, O Patient One :)
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How fun! I miss legos and can't wait until I have a little one to play with.
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oh you brave, brave mama. i agree the directions make it almost meditative...it's the waiting child(ren) that fuel the pressure. we have the same experience with playmobil.
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Been there, done that, too - how I love Legos. My boy is 18 and we have two huge rubbermaid bins full...can't quite force myself to part with them.
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Ah...yes. Lego ships are not for the faint of heart....
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I remember how throughout my childhood, every Saturday afternoon, my father and I would sit on the big wool carpet in the living room and play Lego (He had taken my big sister's place). It was our ritual. To go through all the little pieces and build houses and make cover stories for what we have built.
And, hey, I am 28 now and I still remember it. I have a big warm place for this story in my heart. I'm sure Simon has one too!
Happy belated b-day for Simon.
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OMG! Memories came flooding back as I looked at your pictures and read the story. I have two boys that are now 21 (married) and almost 18 (senior in high school). They were both huge lego fans and we still have all of the legos that they received across the years. They will pass them down to their kids one day. Thank goodness for plastic bins and zip lock bags!
You are doing such a great job and Simon is a lucky little boy! God knew exactly the right couple to bless by becoming Simon's parents. He is so special. And now he will have a sister to share it all with!
Thanks for sharing with us. Enjoy the journey!
Blessings,
Faith
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You are such a patient woman :-) To do that while pregnant... I would have quit about a half hour into it. I cannot sit still that long while pregnant! Simon sure is lucky and I bet he'll have such fun with it this weekend.
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Go Ali!
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I was thinking the same thing this week as I was helping my soon-to-be 7-year old put together a Lego set. Imagine how crazy creative, with a heavy dose of engineering, you would have to be to come up with these designs. We also love Legos at our house - Star Wars and Indian Jones rate the highest - but get very frustrated when we try to play with them and they begin to come apart. Haven't quite figured out how to deal with this - because at this age it is to hard not to play with them when they are complete! Happy Seventh Birthday to Simon - we will be celebrating our seventh b-day on February 22nd!
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I've done my time with a few major LEGO projects as well. LOL. Totally worth it though as you know. My son still loves LEGOS and he is 15 now.
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WOW! So impressed w/your organization and patience *muffin tins - brilliant!* WTG Mom...and WTG Simon for waiting 'til Mom was done. Hope Simon enjoys playtime w/ that new toy!!
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Oh, I loved legos growing up!! I spent countless hours and sometimes days building and creating...probably why I went into architecture and love design so much!!
-Sarah
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OMG! WOW! I can't believe you were able to make that ship in one day! I know my husband really, really wants one of those Lego sets....I just keep thinking of Legos all over the house!
Have a great weekend!
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WOW. YOu are my new hero. My 5 year old autist is obsessed with birds and came to me the other day having found a bird in an origami book. That was pushing me to my limit. I have no idea how I would do with a four hour lego ship. That's usually my brilliant husband's territory!
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