Legos

Z loves Legos.  He has been getting much better about making stuff, and using his imagination to create things.  He loves the little minifigures that come with the Legos, and he happily will play with them as he builds space stuff and bad guy things and aliens.  I don't even know what all he does.  Most of the time, if he wants help, Nate plays with him. 
And the little boys are getting really good with them too.  They love the minifigures, but are getting good at putting the blocks together as well.  They love to get into Z's stuff, which throws him over the edge, but we are making it. 
All this to say, Nate had kind of been keeping an eye out on Craigs List to see if there were any cheap Legos.  He found 2 shopping bags full of Legos for $100 (which is actually really cheap), so we now own a TON of Legos, and over 60 "guys".  And let's just say that everyone loves them.  I am embarrassed to admit the amount of time Nate and I have spent sorting the Legos.  The kid who sold them didn't have any instructions, but there are apparently Lego geeks out there who sort them and have all the pieces and instructions online...we love those sites now.  Nate has found at least 12 sets, one of which sold on Ebay used and without the instructions or box for $130.  I think we will sell that one and recoup our costs.  Point is, we have spent a ton of time sorting and organizing.  Nate has always loved them, and he is sure I love them because they fulfill the OCD in me...we can start the job, sort them, and have a finished product.  Not much in my life is that way currently! :)
Z has loved all the fun and unique pieces...chains, dinosaurs, treasure...his imagination is on overload.  We also let him help us sort, which he was happy to do for a short while.  And since there are so many guys, Z doesn't even mind sharing with the little boys.