The Building Blocks of Life

Last weekend we decided to give BB the Lego set we bought for him over a year ago, and have been saving for a “rainy day”. Well, several hundred rainy days and one wind-storm later, and despite the “Age 2 upwards” clearly marked on the box, we caved in. I was doubtful about giving an “Age 2 upwards” toy to a 17-month old, but then I thought, what the heck, let’s live dangerously for once! Anyway, he seems to have a real passion for taking things apart and putting them together again, so the signs were good.

As FH struggled to open the box, BB’s excitement reached new heights. Gasping, his whole body trembled, and as each new package emerged from the box, he exclaimed “Wow! Wow! Wow!” (I wonder where he learnt to be so over-dramatic??!).

Well, we were not disappointed. The Lego provided hours of fun. Frowning in concentration, BB stuck square blocks together, observed them, pulled them apart block by block, spread out the pieces, began all over again…
It is the first time he has shown more than a passing interest in any bought toy. Most of the aesthetic, hand-crafted, highly educational and expensive toys he has been presented with so far have met with nothing more than a phlegmatic raised eyebrow.
And nothing has ever captivated him more than the three old ballpoint pens he likes to study. Or the empty (plastic) milk bottle he favours. I don’t know how long his interest in Lego will last, but at the moment I am basking in the pleasure of having chosen the “right” toy.