I Love You Because...: Ethan

Because these two seem to dream in Legos... even the Pinewood Derby car this year had to have an Ethan twist. Presenting the 2013 Imperial Intruder...

It started out as a Batmobile Kit... then the modifications started. They ALL loved every minute of building it. This process just about did Owen in because he wanted to make his own and race sooo badly.

and even though it didn't exactly win the most races (15th place out of 16) it was still worth the effort. (at least that's what I keep telling Husbandface to comfort him.)

Ethan still misses the trophies/awards of our last den (2011) but he still had sooo much fun. Plans for next year's car are already underway.

-J

Posted at 06:35 PM in Doug, Ethan, Lego's, Scouting, Star Wars | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 18, 2013

Star Wars Legos

THE HISTORY aka- How I got sucked into this world...

When I got married I had no idea what a big part of Lego's were actually going to be in my life or in the lives of my kids. I didn't grow up playing with Legos, I doubt there was even one single Lego in our entire house. Then I got engaged and as many engaged couples do... we registered. I took the little scanner to barcode for things like towels and plates. Husbandface? He scanned legos... and got them as wedding gifts!

Thus began our family's Lego journey. Shortly after we moved into our first apartment. The piece of furniture I was most excited about was my curio cabinet. I had gotten it as a graduation gift from my parents but hadn't lived anywhere long enough to even take it out of the box. My wonderful Husband built it the first day we moved in... I started lovingly unpacking my Grandmother's Teacups and within minutes he was just as tenderly setting up his Star Wars Lego Collection inside as well. It was definitely something that I had to learn to compromise about. I certainly never thought I'd be the Mom researching Lego storage, buying sets of TOYS worth hundred of dollars for my husband or fighting the kids for computer time because they're too busy watching Lego videos on YouTube to share but, it is our world and oddly, I'm pretty happy with it...seeing them have something that they all enjoy doing and creating TOGETHER is my idea of a perfect Friday night.

(photo; My Nephew Courtland. Pawtucket, RI, December 2002)

Fast forward to our oldest son developing the fine motor skills for Legos and a new obsession in Star Wars and well... I'm pretty sure the Lego's are going to out live me. Apparently the Lego Birthday Party from a few years ago was just the begining! Let's be honest here, one of the main reasons Ethan got 'the big room' when we moved in was because Doug saw in his head the ultimate Lego space. After12 years the passion for these little toys has slowly spread from Doug to Ethan and now it's infected the middle two kids and it's only a matter of time before it's an all out fever in Cam and I. So I promised Ethan I'd put 'on the computer' (i.e. Blog) his Lego space... Here's how it stands now (I've finally come to realize that this space for them is ever changing and that's part of the process...)

THE BUILDING SPACE aka The Main Table....

I'm sure this won't stay here forever because it's already too small for 4 builders but it's short enough for the 4 and 7 year old so it's staying for now. Daddy usually sits in the comfy chair and builds with the bins and kids spread all around him.

The STORAGE aka It rarely looks this put away...

After searching the internet for ideas we combined our two favorite storage systems (Lego Storage Labels are available for free download from Heather Jones' Cute Blog, we just adjusted them for the way my boys organize and separate.) and the awesome Ikea Trofast storage idea I got from i heart organizing. Before I headed to the maze of an ikea store I had the boys come up with a list of ways they would separate is space wasn't an issue, what would go in each bin and what size they would need based on thier current inventory (frankly, a MAJOR flaw in the design, because they're always adding to it!) They decided they don't sort or search by color but by shape and size and function so that's what they got. Then it was about sorting it and deciding small/medium or large. Since I knew we wanted different sizes and since I knew the collection was so large already I bought two Trofast Frames and the storage bins to fit. Two of the small boxes don't fit in the width of the tower so we just matched them up and made them one unit....

(we've had it for over 8 months and it's holding up perfectly.) Now, we've already outgrown this set up so I'll be adding 2 more units exactly like this next time I am brave enough to head to the mega store. There's also a great idea from Jenn at Clean and Scentsible using a play table and since I have one of those currently not being used that might be re-vamped soon too. Basically now Lorali has a bunch of Lego Friends/Architecture stuff that is currently homeless, they now have started into Harry Potter and Ethan's Christmas/Birthday presents added a lot of new Star Wars stuff. The drawers Husbandface built last fall have some legos and instruction books in them but also house other toys, it may get ear marked for Lego storage as well.

THE DISPLAY aka This is what separates the hoarders from the collectors (aka how Doug justifies the expense)...

The most recent sets usually get put onto of the Ikea Towers. They are also the ones that are deemed 'Playable' once it hits the other shelves the little kids can't touch...

We put up this 12 foot long shelf last November thinking it would hold everything... little did I know how big everything really was.... So Ethan's current school bookshelf is undergoing a few *major* changes and the school books are being kicked out... they'll have that Lego ready as soon as Ethan's done building Hoth.

Ethan has also had these wonderful mini fig display shelves for years and while we all love them they only hold about 1/3 of his men... so the favorites go here and the rest the kids can play with. They're really well built and can be built to whatever size you need from Dan HERE.

So there it is... for now... guess the fun part for me has been watching the evolution of the passion.

Sincerly and Never Barefoot,
Joanna

Posted at 08:47 AM in Cousins, Doug, Ethan, Lego's, Organization, Star Wars | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 17, 2013

10 years today....

Dear Ethan

I say this almost every year but this year you really have grown up so much. You've become more responsible and aware of others. You've learn how to care for and love Aspen unconditionally and you've learned how to take care of babies. You are soo very loving to all your siblings. I think that makes for the perfect big brother because ultimately that is what you guys will always need from eachother. You've developed a lot of patience and recognized what you need to control your emotions and autism. It's awesome! I'm proud of how much you overcome the hard things in your life. You are an amazing kid, who can take the hard things in life, put your mind to them and overcome anything. The last year and a half were rough on you in school but, in homeschooling you have found your place and I can honestly say that it is the highlight of my life right now to teach you, watch you learn and discover and see your passions come to life. I hope you never loose that. You've learned how to read independently this year and now you can always be found sneaking a book into bed with you. I love it!
This past year you made such a big boy decision to be baptised too... It was a beautiful day and a good choice that you made all by yourself and I am so pround of you. You have become such a spiritual example to me this past year, reminding the kids to say prayers, asking me to pray in times of trouble or even reminding me after Ive lost my temper that 'this isn't what Heavenly Father wants for us'. It's soo cute and tender and youre always absolutely right.
Lately, I've noticed that you've been hard on yourself. I think you need to remember that it's okay to make mistakes. That is part of Heavenly Father's plan for us... to Learn and Mess up, to Make Mistakes and screw up. Do you know what the best part of it all is though? It's ok. Because YOU CAN ALWAYS LEARN FROM THEM! You can always improve and try again. You are allowed to fail first and then succeed. That is the beautiful plan that Heavenly Father wants us to follow. So enjoy it. Don't beat yourself up. Trust your heart and turn to The Lord because He will never leave you alone. Things might seem hard or bad for the moment but it's only temporary, it will always get better. You have so many people in this world that love and care for you. Some many people that adore you and look up to you, even if you can't aways feel it at the moment or the way you need, we are all here for you. We believe in you.
You bring me so much joy and happiness. I love you with all my heart, Sunshine.

Love,
Mommy

More Birthday Letters....