When my boys were very little we had the whole set of wooden blocks--you know, the hardwood ones based on 2x4 pieces and their derivatives. Also had the special arches and turned ones. Well, the big "Y" piece was known as the "chooch"--finally figured out that to them it was the steeple of a church, you know, "Here's the chooch and here's the steeple."

My folks also had a set of blocks for when the boys were over. There were my two and also my brother's, within 6 months of each other, mine the middle pair. So my mother found a complete used set--I mean, major blocks. Did I tell you about the construction they built in my parents' empty dining room? It was so grand! We big people helped with the upper section, and the final piece was a wedge that secured it tightly to the ceiling. Sorry if I'm telling this twice--you know how us old folks get with our stories. Anyway, this was in the Fall of 1971. Remember that big earthquake we had here early in the morning that took out most of San Fernando Valley, the V.A. hospital and a whole chunk of freeway? My folks were still in bed when it went off, and they just lay there and laughed at the sound of an entire deluxe set of wooden blocks crashing to the hardwood floor!