More New Duplos

Thanks to Gramma and Grampa Neil, John received a new, big set of basic Duplos today to add to the set we bought him (which was so small, really John could build only a car or single tower). The grandparents had said that we were welcome to save the Duplos for birthday or Christmas or to use them now for added "John distraction time" during my last weeks of pregnancy and early weeks of having a newborn. I hadn't yet decided what I would do, but the box was delivered with photos of the Duplos on the outside. I left the box inside the front door and later heard John discover it and drag it with all his bodily might, huffing and puffing as he brought it to me at the back of the house. How could I deny him then?
"I'm just going to sit here patiently until you open the box."

The somber expressions are typical of John, who was so enthralled that he couldn't be bothered with smiles, social niceties, or talking to his Mama.

"Thank you, Gramma and Grampa Neil." (John is very good at saying "please" now, but is just learning "thank you.")

Chris and I have discovered an allure to building with blocks. There is something therapeutic about working with ones hands that way. Tonight we grown-ups were trying to build cool creations, but each time John saw us start to create an object, he'd yank it away and dismantle it. I found myself becoming quite competitive and only when I kept saying with more emotion in my voice, "No, I'm building a castle! Give me those blocks. I want to build a castle!" that maybe I should put down the toddler toys. Later when John and I were out of the room, Chris was able to build his church in peace. (Lucky guy. I never did get to build my castle . . . .)