And only four + a half hours later...
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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.
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221 comments
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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Ali,
Here is a little suggestion with the legos: If Simon really likes this assembled piece and you think he will want to keep it and play with it as is, you can superglue the pieces together. I know it makes them unusable for taking apart and rebuilding into other things, but if (and when) the ship starts to come apart, it is SOOOO hard to put back together. My husband did this for my boys on some of the big expensive pieces they got when they were little and at first I was not too happy about it, but as time went on (and they played with some of the pieces for 6-8 years), I was really happy that he had glued them! They were indestructible. We still had plenty of "pieces" that were not part of the kit that they could build with...just a thought! Also makes a nice piece to have around the new baby because it won't come apart so easily.
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That's so funny.... I saw the title of your post on my Bloglines, but the photos hadn't loaded as yet, and I was soooooo sure there would be a little pic of a beautiful baby girl!! I was thiking "man, how lucky are you.... a 4 and a half hour labour!!".
Those Star Wars kits are just amazing. I guess this is what I have to look forward to when my little man gets a bit bigger.
All the best for the next few weeks Ali.
Warm regards,
Cass H
Western Australia
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how fun! I love this story. My boys are 14 and 10 and it brought back fond memories of me building Lego sets for them. I used to love it!! and always found it amazing how someone figured out the whole process of fitting pieces here and there. Happy 37 weeks!!
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Well I've got a 19 yr old son that would love to be the one designing these sets. It's been a dream for him since he was 6 or 7. Not sure if it will happen but it is good to have dreams.
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Great job Simon and Ali! I'm sure there will be hours and hours of playing with that nifty lego set.
Sue
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Oh, Ali. We're put through the same torture (ha# but my husband is the designated Lego builder#yeah). Just don't let them "play" with it :) and all will remain well. That's really nice!!!
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What a sweet memory you lived with your son. Good on him for being so patient too! And wow that's a heck of a lot of pieces. I remember my Lego playing days with great fondness.
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I SIMPLY CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE BABY'S ROOM!! And great job putting the ship together, by the way! ;)
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Wow that is amazing. I don't know if I would have the patience to put that together. I am proud of Simon for sitting that long and patiently waiting for you to finish.
Can't wait to see the baby's room next week.
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Great job to both of you. My boys loved Legos and we purchased many sets. They would play for hours on the dining room table (the only place they were allowed!) Every January, after the boys returned to school, I would drag out all the sets and put them together in their original sets. I sometimes had to purchase extra pieces to complete what they had misplaced. What a wonderful memory for me! Thank-you Ali! By the way, I still have all the Lego sets, just waiting for the grandchildren to get older. Fun once again!
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