The myriad of colorful toys for kids is staggering. I’m a big fan of toys in my own right and collect Transformers and Cars movie die cast cars. Now that I am a dad it is my responsibility to put together the latest and greatest toy that we have for Eva. We were given a Graco Baby Einstein Discover & Play Activity Center by some very generous friends. We were also given a jumparoo by my brother-in-law and his wife. Both toys do essentially the same thing, one allows Eva to jump and bounce while playing with colorful toys that make fun sounds, the other lets Eva rock from side to side and play with colorful toys that make fun sounds.

Both toys would not be able to fit in our condo so we took the Little Einstein one to the Cape house. This is where we spend weekends in the summer. This weekend is our first one there this season. So today we loaded up the car with everything we would need for the weekend and many things that we would leave for future visits. When we got to the house it was my job to get the rocker set up.

When you put together toys you need to follow some simple rules.

• Read the directions
  There is nothing wrong with this despite what the bumbling TV dads tell you. Reading directions is very important. It saves you time and aggravation.
• Make sure you have all the tools that you will need.
  If the job requires a screwdriver go and get it before you start, doing this part way through could be more trouble than it is worth as you may find yourself holding the toy together and walking through the house with it. That is just a recipe for frustration.
• Make sure you have batteries.
  Most of the time if batteries are needed you will know by looking at the box. Avoid the frustration of having put together a toy that should make sounds and then having to explain why the sounds aren’t working to a screaming child.
• Have confidence in your abilities.
  I swear, those TV dads have made us real dads think it is okay to be clueless. This is not okay, you are not a mindless idiot who gets into wacky situations and comes out on top. Being a real dad takes work. So have some confidence in yourself that you can complete this task.
• Clear the room of extra people.
  I hate nothing so much as someone breathing down my neck when I am working on a task. Find yourself a quiet place to work on assembly for your own mental well being.

So that is about it. Assemble the toy according to these rules and you will have a smiling and happy kid in no time.