Batman's Secret Identity

Imagine "Willow" meets the Caped Crusader.  That's what's living in my house this week.

Benjamin got -- at his express request from the absolute best most amazing dad in the world -- a complete head-to-toe Batman costume:  Mask, gauntlets, cape, utility belt (with, I'm informed, a container of Shark Repellent Bat Spray), and full-body black suit.

He hasn't taken it off in two days.  We've persuaded him that even Bruce Wayne wears PJ's to bed, so at least he's not sleeping in it.  And he doesn't wear it to preschool, but he does take it in a backpack.  He even talked me into letting him wear the mask and utility belt at the grocery store.  You can imagine the looks we got.  In Costa Rica.

I'm starting to forget what his face looks like:  he eats with his mask on; plays with his mask on; watches Batman re-runs on the computer (another gift from Dad) with his mask on; and yesterday, he even took a bath with his mask on.

This is a new thing for us.  My two older boys are a bit.... weird.... For them, "dress up" consists of either coating themselves in bubbles in the bathtub or cutting large chunks out of their hair.  We're beginning to suspect that Benjamin is the most "normal" of the bunch, but from where we've been with the other two, "normal" looks a bit "strange."

But oh so cute! as he runs down the street with his tiny cape flapping in the wind, tiny bat ears sticking up over his head, tiny bare feet pattering on the asphalt, going off (as he says) to look for his friend Robin.

Gotham City bad guys, watch out:  Batman is coming for you!