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.
Congrats on finishing the assembly in one go around, that's awesome. Thank you for sharing Simon's room, it inspired me to 'shop within my home' and now my son has a magical, space room. Thank you for inspiring me and many others. :)
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I can still remember my first lego for my then 4 year old. (He is now 18!) It was a helicopter and it was traumatic as I had never Legoed before. But you do get used to it, and oddly enough, it was always me and not my husband that built w/ both my boys!!! I loved your organized approach. I began to store the pieces by type, too, i those little plastic sets of drawers, worked great. Enjoy!!! He too will be 18 before you know it!!
aloha ;) glee
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LOL! My hubby loves Star Wars therefore so does my almost 7 yr old! My son has 6 of the Star Wars Lego ships hanging from the ceiling in his bedroom! I remember putting those together, before our son was even conceived! I love putting them together! LOL!
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Wow, I am seriously impressed! Great idea with the muffin tins. Happy belated birthday to Simon! XX's
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We just love LEGOS at our house ... but my boys would never have the patience to sort them all first! We have now reached the level of battery-operated LEGO creations, complete with remote control units. Christmas was a blast - and the new kits kept them busy (and happy) for the next several days. Enjoy!! Pretty soon you'll be watching for all the little pieces that could end up in your new baby's mouth!! :)
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My oldest is also a Lego fanatic!! He plays with them everyday. And I LOVE helping him build the big ones...although he is now old enough that he wants to do them himself now :(
I really enjoyed your post...
Have a great weekend!
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Wow...you are a saint to have tackled that at 37 weeks! Does that count as nesting?!
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I envy your patience lady! That is a lot of work. So glad that it is done and Simon can enjoy it now. Have fun!
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what an awesome memory and time well spent with Simon before baby comes! i love your muffin tin organizing method. that's how i sort some of my scrappy supplies. :o) actually, my whole studio is full of repurposed kitchen items holding the supplies.
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only you would be so organized! :)
what a task!
hurray for simon!
can't wait until all the mentioned things for next week!
a
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hell to the no:)
and congrats ali - can't wait to see he - so excited for your family.
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My son is Star Wars AND Lego obsessed... And all I have to say is THANK GOODNESS for the picture instruction rather than written! I always make him find me the right piece by counting the bumps and such. It's time consuming, but at least he thinks we're playing, and I think we're learning.
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As a mom of two Star Wars fanatics, I can totally relate to putting together the large kits and they are really fun to do. My brother in law has a great tip to help with the falling apart part of this adventure. You will find that certain pieces just keep falling off. So he keeps a tube of Super Glue handy and makes a permanent fix. It really does help avoid upset kiddos and hours of rebuilding.
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All in one night? wow, I would have lost patience. I'm so excited to see next week's topics. Good luck in your final weeks of pregnancy Ali.
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Girl - YOU WIN!! I am totally impressed with your mechanical skills - a whole LEGO craft by yourself! I have 3 boys....if they could only be so lucky!
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We have that ship!! That was a Dad ship tho!! I'm glad to see someone else separates, altho we only go as far as colors. I'm glad he enjoys his ship - and i'm sure he will for a long time to come. Will still plays with his a year later!!
And here's to 37 weeks!! Have a great weekend.
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We have the same Star Wars Ship. It's great to put together with the kids, indeed, but imagine when they accidentally drop it!!! Happened to me. Not that happy I was to put it together a second time :)
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Kudos to you. I might have bribed my son to wait til dad was home to help. That is one long process.
I'll bet Simon will find lots of ways to play with it.
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You are such a fun mom!
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Happy 37 weeks tomorrow - and congratulations for the completion of the lego set! I must admit, that totally overwhelmed me before I saw it completed!
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I love love Lego! My daughter never really liked it, I hope I can get my little one into it when he gets older, so I can play along! Best wishes for the arrivel of the baby!
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Good GRIEF you are one patient mama!! Props to YOU!
Amber
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I do believe this qualifies you for a PHD in engineering!! (and sainthood...OY!! 1300 pieces
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Ali thanks for making me see and appreciate some of the special things my son and I do together.
My 6 year old has been into Legos for a few years now and it seems that building the sets together has now become a tradition for us (one I didn't really recognize until I read your post) - my son sorts (he loves sorting) and then we work through the projects page by page. It seems that I am the only one in our household that is allowed to build with him. If he tires of it we put it away for a few days and pick up where we left off.
Right now we are working on the 'Republic Attack Gunship'(definitely too hard for a 6year old) The carrier you have is on our list for his next birthday - it looks pretty cool.
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you. are. amazing. (& a little bit crazy:)
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