LEGO Birthday Cake (#40048)

We recently traveled to our closest LEGO store and picked up a few things, like the new Heroica set Ilrion and a Core Hunter for LEGOBoy.  Right now when you spend $50 or more at a LEGO store or LEGO.com you get a cute birthday cake set to celebrate LEGO's 80th birthday!  We had some VIP rewards to use, too, so we made out pretty well.

But getting back to the cake... it's set #40048 - 24 pieces.  I really like the plate they have it sitting on.

It's a cute little set with some fun pieces in it.  We also got to check out a lot of new LEGO sets while we were at the store.  There wasn't much new in the build-a-mini or pick-a-brick wall, though.

That's all for now!

New Ninjago Spinner Packs - 9569, 9572

The new Ninjago spinner packs are starting to arrive in stores.  LEGOBoy came home the other day with news that a boy on the playground had NRG Kai.  I was surprised that another LEGOParent had apparently acquired new LEGOs before us!  Sure enough, we found the new stuff, too.

Then just yesterday I found Spitta (9569) and NRG Cole (9572).

I really do like the spinner packs, which is unfortunate because it means that as soon as I see one I grab it. Both of these guys came from the local Target.  *Finally* poor Lasha has a friend.

Review - LEGO Mini Modulars - VIP Exclusive (10230)

As promised, here's a little info about set #10230, the Mini Modulars Exclusive Set.  Each building comes in its own bag, which is kind of cool.  I learned a lot of techniques and new uses for pieces by building these little guys.  The detail is just amazing.

I really think the only way to truly appreciate this set is to build it for yourself.  I also built this just after finishing the Fire Brigade, and it was neat to build the mini of it while the full-size version was still fresh in my mind.

If you are a fan of the Modular Buildings, then this set is a no-brainer.  You need it.  It's inspired me to try and create a mini-mod as cool as these.  So far I've been having a rough time of it, which just gives me an even greater appreciation for the LEGO designers who come up with a set as cool as this.  It's really tough to make intricate buildings on a scale this small.

I will say, however, that I'm about sick of piling 1x1 plates on top of each other.  The darn things bother me if they aren't perfectly lined up with each other, and it's just so easy for them to be slightly twisted out of place.  I'm sure there are a lot of folks who don't have that particular hang-up, and will find this build more enjoyable as a result!

Side note:  My seven-year-old built the Green Grocer, despite the fact that this set is 12+.  You do have to have a good eye for detail, though.  A lot of pieces get thrown down in a single step, and they're all so tiny!

A LEGO Exclusive - 3300003

This weekend we attended our first ever LEGO Store Grand Opening.  We went to the store in Victor, NY about 20 minutes before it opened.  The line was a bit long, but not terrifying.  The main purpose of our trip was to try and get one of the exclusive LEGO Brand Retail Store models they were giving away. Fortunately, they had a decent supply on hand, so we were able to get one!

It's a really cute set.  The door handles are attached to transparent clear headlight bricks, which is the first time we've run into those.

There's a Pick-a-Brick wall in the back, and a stack of cups next to the register.

On the sides are LEGO sets, with technics acting as the displays.

We also finally caved in and bought the VIP-Members only Mini Modulars set.  I'll try to post about that soon.  It's still a work in progress.

Review - LEGO Friends City Park Cafe (3061)

For those LEGO fans in Western New York, our Amherst Toys R Us was putting out the LEGO Friends Sets today.  I had a bunch of coupons to use, so I picked up this set for free, which is good since Toys R Us marks up their prices.  Anyway, I chose this set because it had a bunch of cute new elements - cupcake wrappers, utensils, a very nice cash register.  I was pleasantly surprised by the blue plates - there are 3, and one of them is one of the new, larger square ones they've started making.

Also, the minifigs are not that much larger than traditional LEGO minifies.  I thought they'd sort of bother me, but they really don't.  Overall I really like the new parts and colors in this set.  I'm interested in getting a few more of the Friends sets because of the unique parts and colors.

If you can get it for a discount price, this is a nice purchase.  $34.99 (Toys R Us MSRP) for 222 pieces is a bit steep, otherwise.