Lego advent calendar--Update in post #22.

[spokanemom]

My son is 14 and he still gets his old sets out at Christmas and opens one everyday. They are still put together from year's past, but out they come. He has a little Christmas tree that each one gets hung on when the day's doors are opened. It is a tradition that I am sure he will carry on once he is a father too!

 

[ranthony]

That DS LOVES his Lego advent calendar!

I was in a bit of a panic because I had stashed it away when it came for "safe keeping" and I couldn't find it on December 1st...that dreaded 'Mommynesia'!!

Well, we had just returned from a trip to HHI on the 30th and DH was stowing the emptied out luggage up in the storage area and he found it about 8pm on the 1st. What the heck was I thinking?

Anyways, I settled down with DS7 to read his bedtime books and showed it to him. He was almost salivating.

It's been a great motivator for getting ready for school in the morning because I told him he could open a new door after he was ready to go each morning.

He loves putting the little things together but he is also enjoying the anticipation of what tomorrow will bring. I've found him scanning the box in his room in the afternoon searching for the next door.

I got him the Lego City one and I think I'll keep an eye out for the Lego Castle one on clearance for next year...although I'll probably never remember where I stash it if I get it a year ahead.

 

[Neesy228]

Okay, so for those of you with the Lego City one for this year...the past two days are a little confusing to me. Is the figure with the balls holding ice cream and then todays is the ice cream cart?? Yesterday we thought the figure was holding snowballs...and I thought todays was a table and a lamp at first...then I started connecting the dots. Can you tell that Mom isn't a morning person?

 

[tjkraz]

Okay, so for those of you with the Lego City one for this year...the past two days are a little confusing to me. Is the figure with the balls holding ice cream and then todays is the ice cream cart?? Yesterday we thought the figure was holding snowballs...and I thought todays was a table and a lamp at first...then I started connecting the dots. Can you tell that Mom isn't a morning person?

Yup...it's an ice cream cart. Took me a minute to figure that out, too.

This is our second year with the LEGO calendars and I think they're great. The kids know they aren't going to get ANYTHING in December with Christmas coming (not even with their own allowance), so at least they have something small to open each day.

Last year they also had a LEGO Belville set for the girls. So both of our kids had something to open each morning. No Belville this year so we had to go with Littlest Pet Shop for DD. The LPS calendar was 1/2 the price of LEGO, but doesn't hold a candle to it. Fortunately DD still LOVES to open the doors each morning.

Back to LEGO, there should be a total of 8 minifigs in the calendar. Every 3 days there will be a new fig followed by two related sets. Tomorrow should be another accessory to go with the girl & ice cream cart.

The 2007 City calendar had more standard city figures...fireman, policeman, pilot, construction worker, dockworker, etc. That's probably why this year's figures are a little more esoteric. Selfishly I'm glad because I wouldn't have bought the calendar if it was just a near-rehash of 2007. Don't really need another fireman, policeman, etc.

They are great little sets to add to any city development. Put the ice cream cart on a streetcorner, grill in a backyard, trash dumpster behind a building, etc.

 

[jessica52877]

I am so jealous hearing what is in this year's. We have always been a year behind in opening, but the 2007 version is boring to me, mainly because we did the few years before it and they are all more or less the same.

I think I might dig out this year's and switch them out. Save the rest of this one for down the road some time.

 

[Neesy228]

Yup...it's an ice cream cart. Took me a minute to figure that out, too.

Last year they also had a LEGO Belville set for the girls. So both of our kids had something to open each morning. No Belville this year so we had to go with Littlest Pet Shop for DD. The LPS calendar was 1/2 the price of LEGO, but doesn't hold a candle to it. Fortunately DD still LOVES to open the doors each morning.

Back to LEGO, there should be a total of 8 minifigs in the calendar. Every 3 days there will be a new fig followed by two related sets. Tomorrow should be another accessory to go with the girl & ice cream cart.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was confused for a second. And it's good to know that that figure will be followed by two related items. That will definitely help me put the puzzle together!! Thanks for the info!

I thought I saw a My Little Pony calender for this year? Maybe it was last years...I was looking for something for DD, but never got anything.

 

[tjkraz]

Found a picture of some of the 2008 sets. Spoiler alert for anyone who wants to be surprised. Most of the stuff is on full display in this image.

Click here to view.

The first three days' worth of sets are in the lower-left of that image.

In fairness, the 2007 set did end up being pretty good...it just takes a while to get going. Here are most of the 2007 sets:

The trash dumpster (right around the middle of the image) was a neat idea. I think after this year LEGO released the dumpster and figure as a small $3 set.

The construction sets were nice. One is a barrier and the other (hard to see) is looks like a flashing arrow that would direct traffic into another lane.

The service station sets have a little self-service car wash stand

 

[tjkraz]

I thought I saw a My Little Pony calender for this year? Maybe it was last years...I was looking for something for DD, but never got anything.

Yeah I think I did see the My Little Pony. I know WalMart stores have this years Littlest Pet Shop (around $12) and at Target I saw a Barbie calendar which I believe has an article of clothing or accessory for the doll each day. That was $20.

The LPS isn't great but fortunately my daughter loves it. First day was a pet. The next four days were scarf (about a 3" piece of cloth with velcro on it), stocking cap, small present and today's was a small 1" doll. Pretty mediocre stuff compared to the LEGO calendar, but DD still gets a kick out of it. There are only 3 pets total in this calendar. I peeked thru the back and I think they fall on Days 1, 14 and 24.