Let's Play Blocks!

January 7th, 2007

Having been a father for the last 5+ years, I can attest that parenting does not come naturally to some people. I am a case in point: extreme individualist, lover of the outdoors, generally shy in unknown company and very comfortable in any solo activity. The transition from individual to daddy has not been smooth, but in the last few months I have made some small progress interacting with my children on a more regular basis.

I have rediscovered the art of play. It all started with our set of blocks, which Jeremiah received for a birthday one year. I have great memories of the Christmas when Santa (Dad) delivered a huge set of homemade blocks. I think I was 15 or 16 that year, but probably made more use of the blocks than any of my younger siblings. I've always been a build-aholic, playing in the sandbox well into my late teens. Anyway, the blocks were probably the best thing we ever got for Christmas, so a couple of years ago we got a set for Jeremiah. I wasn't quite up to the task of cutting and sanding them all myself (sorry Dad) but the set we got was very nice. One night when I came home from my office job, I sat down and played blocks with the kids. Nothing big. But it's been totally addicting! Ever since that night, when I come home Jeremiah asks what we are going to play that night. Usually it involves blocks (Santa delivered a second box this Christmas with more blocks, per my request) and our wooden train set. Hyrum is game too, though he requires a little more sophistication in our structures.

I have been experimenting with different designs, and tonight I hit on two new ones: a tower house that uses counterweights to hold up a platform on a single column, and an Ur-style ziggurat. I've also recreated a challenge from my teenage years of building a block tower to the ceiling. The only problem with our block playtime is this: the kids hog all the good blocks! I've taken to waiting until they are asleep, then sneaking downstairs and playing on my own, just so I can get all the blocks!