Pattern Block Mania

While in England for our orientation conference, the kids were reunited with a suitcase full of toys that they hadn't seen since before we left Gabon. A few months before we left Gabon, an English friend offered to take the suitcase to save on shipping costs. Since we have yearly conferences in England, we figured it would be easy enough to get it later. Well, not so easy, but our friend has been kind and patient through this process and in the end the suitcase met up with us near Bath.

The reunion of kids and toys was sweet. The suitcase was filled with an assortment of stuffed animals (including Jean the bear from our trip to Yosemite when Justin was one and a half), wooden railroad tracks, a talking baby Elmo, baby dolls (including Anna's first soft doll from Aunt Lisa), a few books, and pattern blocks. I'm not sure where I got the pattern blocks, but they have provided hours upon hours of entertainment.

After every creation, we take a picture. This prevents tears in case the creation is bumped, stepped on, or otherwise messed with before the creator dismantles it himself. So, here's a sampling for your viewing pleasure. Note that virtually every flat surface in the house is represented.