XP: anyone own a little tikes double easel?

rnin02

this: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-4428-Double-Easel/dp/B00000IRTI

i bought one off of craigslist that supposedly was never used, never put together, etc,etc,  when i picked it up it seemed to meet that description so i didn't ask any questions. i downloaded the instructions when i got home and i think i am missing parts...i checked the website and bought what i thought was the correct replacement part (they don't show a picture, only name), but its not. so now i have 2 extra parts i don't need, but i am still at a loss on how to put this thing together.

if you look at the picture, where the yellow arm things connect to the easel itself, should there be a metal rod running thru the easel? does my question even make sense? i can't figure out how to connect the arms to the easel, and the part i see in the directions doesn't seem to be listed on the items list. help!