Superheroes and Sweetness

About half the time around here, Collin will not answer to his name.  Instead he is Scar from Lion King or Superman or Thor.  We are enjoying his imagination and listening to the stories he makes up, which was part of the inspiration of the blog name. 

Flying high with the of Uncle Tony -

He's no dare-devil, needing quite a bit of encouragement to release his death grip of his uncle's arms and spread his arms to fly -

But he needs no encouragement to pick up a sword, stick, or any object that can be crafted into a weapon (fly swatter, remote control, even the boppy pillow).  Outside the front and back door we normally have a stock-pile of sticks that are used to fight bad guys outside but are not welcome indoors.  Collin in his Iron Man costume -

And he's already introducing his 11-month old cousin, Nico, to super-hero costumes, in the Hulk outfit.

A few months ago, Collin was introduced to the Hulk Hands at Amber's house and was a big fan.  A few days afterwards, I was trying to get him to be braver at gymnastics, and I mistakenly bribed him with the hands from Wal-mart if he'd participate in the child-only activities (rather than sit by me on the wall, which is what he had done the previous week).  It never dawned on me that the Hulk movie was out years ago and the Hulk Hands might be difficult to find.  After an unsuccessful trip to the store, I found them on-line for $80!  What a rookie mistake, I could have bribed him with a Hershey Kiss and it would have been equally effective!

My mom was telling the story to our friend Stephanie, and she gifted Collin with Hulk Hands that her husband had received as a gag gift.  They have been a huge hit at our house!

One of the many nicknames we've given to Maya is "Sweetness."  We use it throughout the day except from 7-9pm, when we call her "Fussypants."  Here she is sporting her red, white and blue on her first Memorial Day - 

A half smile as she rests in my arms -

Big blue eyes in her first monogrammed shirt from Cas' office -

Dressed up in an outfit that my mom gifted my friend Amber, was then passed down to my friend Kelly, and now is being worn by my daughter -

And finally our girl in her first swimsuit.  Our sweet neighbors invited us to swim and then we had dinner together.  Maya dressed the part, though she only splashed her toes in the pool - 

And finally the biggest source of sweetness at our house is watching my children play together.  Collin loves when Maya is awake, bringing me books to read her, asking to hold her, or cheering for her as she raises her head in the infant play gym.