Lego's 50th Anniversary is a Reminder of the Classic Toy's Place in Our Family's History

We have a long history with Lego blocks, going back nearly to the birth of Legos. By the way, just in case you are wondering, they were created fifty years ago. Their 50th birthday is in January of 2008.

I know this because (gulp) I am actually older than Lego blocks. This isn't something I realized until today and I'm not exactly embracing that notion but it hasn't stopped me from loving Legos. I have an odd mix of nostalgia and other feelings associated with Legos. There is a little pain in there, too (ever stepped on a stray Lego block as you navigate down a dark hallway to the bathroom?).

As the mother of several boys, I have never been too far away from Legos. Why? Because children who love Legos tend to cherish them with nearly the same passion as they do their favorite blankets and faded Teddy Bears. It isn't the kind of love that tends to disappear over time, although I admit I've been guilty of trying to pass on some of their old Legos to new homes (unsuccessfully, once my sons caught wind of the idea).

So we still have boxes of Lego blocks and sets, many still in their original cases, a point my guys noted is important. I am often reminded of this fact when I hear them say, "This Lego Millennium Falcon is still in its original case!" in the reverential tone of a guy who has just gotten a date with the girl of his dreams.

According to the site, Lego.com at cache.lego.com/2057/anniversary.htm , Lego comes from two Danish words which mean "play well." Based on our experience, they certainly knew their target audience, children, and made sure that kids would love Legos. Our kids certainly did!

I'd rank them as among the top toys of all time, if not the top toy. Why? Because even though many Legos come in sets, including Star Wars as well as Knights, castles and other themes, they can also be taken apart and used to make new creations. I'm not alone in my opinon about Legos as they are ranked among the most trusted toys of all time. In an age when recalls of children's toys are pretty common, those vintage Legos are looking better and better.