Hommel Mangas
I’m ready for Christmas.
And, no, I absolutely do not have all my presents wrapped with red plaid ribbons, carefully arranged under the tree. But what I do have is the 1990-era DUPLO train track set up circling the multi-colored lighted silver Christmas tree — sans a single ornament currently.
I stayed up later than my usual bedtime to configure the oval track, which I deduced would be most effective and conducive to the chubby little hands of my 20-month-old grandson.
DUPLOs are the “next-size up” LEGO, and focuses on children 18-months- to five-years-old. We have LEGOs, but maybe since our three daughters received the DUPLO train and zoo set as toddlers for Christmas and played with them quite often, I’m still partial to stepping on the larger ones (DUPLOs, not my children.)
I’m sure I was more safety conscious 30 years ago, but the bigger size also reduces choking hazards to which I can honestly attest, to my knowledge, not one of my three daughters ever swallowed or tried to eat a DUPLO. We did have a round, magnetic Barbie earring go up one daughter’s nose on the way to church (she was trying to be fancy making her own DIY nose ring) Alas, Dr. Dad came to the rescue using physics, reverse magnetic principles and relieved the fear of said elementary-aged daughter that she would have to live her life with a magnetic Barbie earring up her nasal vestibule.
It is quite possible that I still like the DUPLO blocks because they’re easier to build, requiring less precision and coordination to make than LEGOs — and they’re easier to pick up.
I’ve been setting up the DUPLO train under the Christmas Tree for the past 10 years — beginning about the time the girls were graduating from high school and beginning university. For 10 years, the train and track lay quiet in a storage container, unless the little cousins came over to play.
John, also known as “the grandson,” beamed when he spotted the train circling the Christmas tree after arriving this morning. He added DUPLO people, bears and giraffes to the train cars, but after 30-minutes of circling and derailing (on purpose), John discovered the DUPLO train could run quite well throughout the living room, kitchen and hallway without the train track. He followed the train until he realized he could also walk in front of it — a leader in the making.
It’s after lunch and John is down for his nap.
I, (also known as GJ — short for Granny Janny) is feeling creative and headed to design the most magnificent DUPLO zoo under the tree.
May your next nine days before the joy of celebrating Christmas be filled with a few hours of hope, love and creativity.
Janet Hommel Mangas grew up on the east side of Greenwood. The Center Grove area resident and her husband are the parents of three daughters. Send comments to [email protected].
