One of the thing's Andrew wanted for his birthday was a robot. This was initially slightly confusing as he said something about wanting to do what Dad did, and I don't do anything with robots. Programming yes, robots no. Anyway, it turned out he did want a robot, a "real" robot. So we found the Astronaut (finished product pictured at right.) It was a fun adventure getting it assembled with Andy, and here's what I learned.

• Optional tools are not really Optional.
  Kind of like optional books in a college course, you better have them or else. Ever tried fitting your fingers into a crevice that is less than half an inch wide and about that deep? Long nose pliers were a must.
• Help from a 7 year old is very dedicated, even when it shouldn't be
  Poor Andy really couldn't do much putting this together, we didn't notice when we bought the robot that it's recommended for 8+ (and I'd personally lean to the + side after assembling this. So putting it together became more of a lesson in patience for the both of us as I tried to guide him and he tried to hold a nut with the needle nosed pliers while I attempted to insert the screw, or vice-versa. He tried very hard, and kept trying up until I sent him to bed as it was pushing 9PM. He really tried hard to be helpful.
• I need better tools!
• Nothing is as fun as being finished
  

All in all this was a fun adventure.

Labels: Family

¶ 9:30 PM