LOL (Love Our Legos)


They're small.  They're colorful.  They're everywhere.  They are the boys' version of Barbie and her accessories.  One set, one box, one closetful is not enough.  My older son is obsessed with Danish plastic bricks.  He will build for hours.  At six, I think he is on the young end of the company's demographic but I could be wrong.  And speaking of demographics, now that their pink and purple Lego Friends are so popular, I really hope they don't stop making the primary color pieces. 

Lego Drawers

Ever since he started playing with Legos, I've encourage Henry to build with his imagination.  He would much prefer to follow the step by step directions that come with a themed kit.  He has finished projects with more than 600 pieces before lunch.

Can you spot the Easter Basket fail?

Even with my nudging, Henry only builds "freestyle" about 25% of the time.  I bought him the Lego Ideas Book for Easter because he enjoys looking at it when we are at the library and bookstore.  At home, he's been only slightly interested in the photos.  He's asked me twice now "why don't they show the steps?"  It's hard to explain the difference between inspiration and instructions to a six year old. 

On top of being just six, Henry is also a rule follower.  He loves knowing that if he does x, y will happen, each and every time.  If he follows steps 1 through 32, he will get a three dimensional object that looks exactly like the picture on the box.  That's his idea of fun.  I can encourage him to spread his creative wings but in the end he will play the way he wants to play.  And I'm pretty sure that's the way it's supposed to be.

Christmas morning, 2012

Not surprisingly Henry enjoys visiting the Lego store every time we are at the mega-mall.  I must admit, it's a wonderful place but I'm not sure we can continue to shop there and save for college at the same time.  Henry does not want to go to the indoor Legoland "museum".  He found out that the attractions include a roller coaster ride and was quite frightened by the prospect.  I wonder if he believes the engineers just snapped it together.

One thing he does enjoy is  Lego We Do Robotics classes.  Lego has an entire curriculum for educators.  In the summer he attended a four week class that focused on simple and complex machines made from Legos.  The eight week Robotics class teaches kids how to use software to operate their motorized Lego models. 

I'd like to describe more and maybe even write that email that's long overdue to a friend but I have to pick up the plastic bricks strewn down the hallway before one or all of three of us step on them in the middle of the night.  Then I have to tackle the Matchbox cars in the dining room.  Nope, don't even get me started on Liam's obsession.  Let's just say that it's best to wear slippers and turn on all the lights if you're going to wander around this house in the evening.