Toy Assembly

Last year, our first Christmas after Chris died, I bought Jackson a puppet show tent and a puppet storage tree.  These gifts required some assembly, but nothing too difficult.  Needless to say, I was quite proud of myself for being able to assemble both items without Chris' help.  As, of course, he had been the "Toy Assembler" in Jackson's prior 3 Christmases.  But, being the stubborn and self-sufficient girl that I am...I was going to get them done.  And I did.  On my own.

Enter...Christmas 2009.  This year's toy, a mini-trampoline.  The box says "adult assembly required."  No problem, I think.  I'm a smart girl.  I can read directions.  And, I'm getting pretty good with a screw driver...

I start reading the directions and using the
allen wrench to put the bolts in...

The Bungee cord had some fancy-schmancy knot I had to tie,

but I figured it out

And then, I set out lacing that thing up.  It's not like sewing with Grandma.

Nor is it like leather lacing in OT school.  It was a league all of it's own.

But, I got it.  I did it.  I have blisters on my hands to prove it.

Hooray!!  Almost done!  It only took an hour...not bad!

Wait.  Why won't this padding go around the sides?

They put these holes in the padding in the wrong place!

Ohhh, noooooo!!  I put the pieces together in the wrong order!

How frustrating, since I read the directions and everything....

Okay, so another 30 minutes later, I've taken it ALL apart

(because the wrong pieces happened to be the first ones put together).

Yes.  That means I had to unlace that bungee.

And lace it AGAIN.  More blisters.

YIPPEE!!  I did it!  I'm so proud...Christmas #2...successful toy assembly!

(trust me, it's a BIG deal).

And, we're ready for tomorrow morning...