Finding Denmark
Toby saved up some money, using the helpful method of Daddy forgetting to hand out allowance for 8 weeks (WARNING: Do not try this method of saving if you have actual expenses you are responsible for). He bought a couple of Bionicles from the Sales section of Lego.com.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting their arrival. I relayed information about the package’s estimated arrival, using the handy dandy UPS tracking number.
“Where’s the Lego factory?” Samuel asked.
“Denmark.” I reply.
“Where’s that?”
I send him to get the globe. Everyone shouts encouragement as he starts looking for Denmark.
“Hey! Don’t give me any hints!” Samuel remonstrates.
“It’s in Europe.” I say.
“OK.” He starts looking again, not pausing his search even as he shouts. “I said don’t give me any hints! Where did Europe go?”
After several spins of the globe, and lots of helpful advice from Moriah and Toby about Europe’s recent whereabouts, he finally let Toby help. I tell them about how Grandpa Jens came over from Denmark to the United States when he was just a teenager.
“There it is!” Toby points.
“That’s not it. It’s not big enough.” Samuel is certain.
“It says Denmark, see?” Toby lays out this scrap of proof, and Samuel finally agrees it must be so. He traces a line from Denmark to Illinois, and says in further disbelief “So Toby’s Bionicles have to come here on a ship?”
“Well, kind of. The Bionicles are made at the factory, and thousands are sent by ship or plane to a warehouse in Connecticut. And when we make an order, they get it from the warehouse and send it.”
Samuel looks at me accusingly, as if the factory in Denmark was my red herring and not his. Truly though, I am glad for this bit of learning along the way. How much easier to remember Denmark as the land of Legos and Grandpa Jens, than as a country picked at random to study. My kind of teaching moment!
Toby’s box arrived, the Bionicles assembled with glee and admired greatly. Now I just have to wait for someone to publish a book such as “The Mother’s Guide to Semi-Intelligent Conversation About Bionicles”. Until then, the children patiently correct my pronunciation (repeatedly) and any misconceptions I might have about Zamor Spheres (sp?)….
October 27th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
I’m not really a fan of Bionicles. It seemed like too much of a Lego marketing ploy taking them away from the core of enabling other people’s creativity and moving into the action figure arena. I know that Toby is able to make use of the pieces (as is my Isaac), but still it rubs me the wrong way.
On the other hand, my understanding is that all the terms are in the Maori language. So take that for what it’s worth.