Bionicles.

Beginners. Black, red, green, light blue, silver, orange, swords, lazers, helmets, shields, flying machines, underwater vehicles. The list could go on. What do these words refer to? Bionicles. They are a type of lego. You can buy them in boxes to put together and admire. The idea is based on an advanced civilization in which are found good and bad creatures. There are a couple of films about them, and, of course books. There is even an encyclopedia of the bionicles and bionicle terms. It is really quite fascinating. I have a son who is crazy about them. He started building legos when he was very young, and has worked his way up to these guys. When he gets a lego set, he will build it immediately. But, then he takes it all to pieces and builds something different. I think he is very creative. Sometimes he will put all of his bionicle figures together in a row, his brothers will do the same, and they will have a huge battle. Who knows who will win? They all have super powers, special protection, extra senses and cool weapons. It is fantasy at its most powerful. Grammar notes. Related vocabulary: lazers, helmets, shields, vehicles, creatures, encyclopedia, fascinating, pieces, a row, battle, powers. Verbs: to take to pieces. Exs: He took the train set to pieces. He was devastated; the critics had taken his work of art to pieces. (fig.) Advanced. "Ouch!" I yelped the other night as I was climbing the stairs. I had stepped on a hard piece of who-knows-what that was tough enough to not break underfoot. It was a familiar experience, and one that had been generated by my kids. It was the same kind of object that suddenly makes its presence known by clattering up the vacuum when I am trying to clean the carpet. Legos. Everybody loves them. My children are crazy about them, to the point of obsession. I suppose it's a healthy hobby, so I can't complain. There is a particular type of lego that is my oldest boy's prefered. Bionicles. This set of advanced, technologically savvy, mechanical beings, is what lights his candle and keeps him up at night. They are pretty impressive, I must admit. The two films are very inspiring:  great special effects, a very bad baddy, and goodies who are flawed enough to be approachable. I tried to build Bionicles with my son once, just to be a good, involved mother, but after a few minutes he told me that he'd rather do it himself. It's obviously not my domaine or expertise. My job is to admire them, and, of course, remove them from my kitchen countertop, my lamps, and even the Christmas tree, after my son has waged his battles against the bad guys, but forgotten to put them back in his bedroom. Advanced. Verbs: to yelp (reg.), to generate (reg.), to clatter (reg.), to admit (reg. but double the t: admit, admitted, admitted). Related vocabulary: to climb the stairs/ to go up stairs, who-knows-what, underfoot, special effects, approachable, domaine, expertise, countertop.