Brio train sets are a big hit at age 5. They're fun and simple and extremely durable. It's a bit of an investment but they have a cheaply priced starter set (figure 8) where you can try it and see if he likes it.

These are the wooden tracks that fit together

At five, Mac might need Duplos still. Little fingers have a hard time snaping the smaller Legos together.

I still love Legos, but not stepping on them in bare feet. OW!

There's an ad in one of my parents' magazines for some kind of Mom pampering product. It's a huge photo of a woman's foot with the imprint of a lego on the sole. So. Perfect.

Tim Gunn interview from Jane Magazine.

train set sounds big and space-taking-up.

colored blocks are the best toys ever. I wonder if they make sets now that are that pressed foam, rather than wood.

Aw, Duplos. (Not sure why I feel nostalgic about Duplos, but there you go.)

You're going to be a great mom, and part of the wonder of parenting is getting to know all that stuff. Its so exciting! I tear up every time mac comes up.

In my office of 18, there are 4 people who have adopted children; 3 of the 4 have adopted internationally (2 Guatemala; 1 India).

msbelle, I mentioned your good news about mac to them, and, even though they don't know you, they were SO thrilled for you.

play-doh, crayons, colored pencils, and construction paper - that's what I have in the house.

Weren't you going to paint a wall with chalkboard paint?

I still love Legos, but not stepping on them in bare feet. OW!

My dad hated legos with a passion for this (but he liked playing with them too!) We learned a lot of creative obscenities courtesy of those little plastic blocks. I remember the Christmas my brother got the space station. Dad turned to mom and said "You ARE trying to kill me."

Thank y'all, so nice.

I was gonna paint the back of the door. That may still happen, I am just not sure when.