Christmas morning brought the highly-anticipated 2013 Lego request: Coast Guard boat and rescue helicopter. (This is also, apparently, the best photo of our tree this year.) I've been reluctant to add more Lego to our collection since each new set ultimately ends up in pieces. There is lots of creativity at work in turning all the pieces in to new creations, but we really have no need of any more pieces! However...

... Santa did not disappoint.

A few weeks before Christmas, Daniel asked for help creating a superhero mask out of construction paper. While John was very resourceful and patient, the results lacked a certain sturdiness required of an item that must be taken off and on multiple times depending on whether a superhero is his mild-mannered self or his alter-ego. There may have been some tears over ripped masks (not John!) so we found these and wrapped them as one with stern Santa instructions that the set was for both boys to share, not one mask for each (and subsequent fighting.) So far so good.

Even with an hour-long interruption to attend Christmas Mass, all the Lego was assembled by lunch time, but then there were lots of rescue scenarios to play out. And of course the day wasn't over yet.

On to the 8th birthday celebration!