9-year-old student looking for parent, architect preferred

Eric recently came home from his SPARK group at school (gifted program) stating that he had to write a report and build a "to-scale" model of a historic structure. He had lots of choices. This is the one he made. I quickly informed him that even though Mom is the hero of all things to do with homework, providing help, gathering supplies, noting due dates and test schedules, I am NOT a builder, artist or anything of the sort. When questioned why he had chosen this particular building, he answered that he really preferred to have something "complicated" rather than chosing a simple, straightforward like say, the Great Wall of China. No, he was enamored with Castle Neuschwanstein which is the inspiration for one of the Disney castles and is one of the most visited historic buildings in the world. He really liked it because he thought it would be challenging.

The problem is that this is not a fun project. It is a school assignment which means that it gets a grade. Which means that the model should somewhat resemble the actual building. Which means I am the wrong parent for the job. However, I am very good at delegating. Which I did! To an unamused John. Now John, unlike me, can actually create and build things. His problem is not lack of ability but lack of time. At first thought, the project appeared very feasible to John and Eric, with the two of them thinking together that they can wrap it right up. They decided that it would be really cool to construct this building out of sugar cubes. The kind that cost $1.08 at Walmart for the size of box that we'll probably need 50 to build the whole castle.

So the boys are getting ready to start, and I am getting ready to disappear. It is not going to be a pretty sight when they realize that this project is going to take HOURS and that a hot glue gun is not going to be an easy tool to use when trying to stick 1/4-inch cubes together. And I am not even going to try to help on this one.