In the afternoon I finally let them play the new Lego Star Wars video game that they had been asking about all day. The day started out well, as most days around here do. My kids made their beds and got dressed and happily played together for most of the morning. I wanted to run on the treadmill and I figured that keeping them occupied with the video game — the one they really wanted to play — was the most efficient way to give everyone what they wanted. So, I can hear the washing machine behind me, but I can’t hear the kids in the next room over. Our family of four spent a low-key, uneventful holiday weekend together before my husband returned to work Tuesday and left me alone with the kids. After a week spent with my in-laws, my kids returned to us on Saturday. I watch Netflixed TV shows when I run on the treadmill. With my headphones in, I can hear very little beyond what is happening in the immediate vicinity.

It’s not a custom build job at all, but an official LEGO kit that any of us can build. This LEGO Star Wars Imperial Shuttle is my current favorite. You’ve gotta hand it to serious LEGO builders that they can really create impressive stuff with those little bricks. LEGO released this 2500+ piece Lambda-Class T-4a shuttlecraft a few months back, and it’s truly a feast for the eyes. Oh, and if you don’t have any Minifigs, don’t fret, your investment includes Darth Vader, Shuttle Pilot, Imperial Officer, Stromtrooper, and Luke Skywalker in the box. Yeah, the wings open and close, and even have rotating wing cannons. When completely assembled, it measures 28″ tall (on its stand), and 22″ wide with its moveable wings fully opened.