Day 305: Trick-or-Treating 2012

The big day (Halloween) finally came today, and the kids were very excited, to put it mildly, to dress up in their costumes and to go out trick-or-treating earlier tonight. When I say "kids," of course, I include myself among that group, because Halloween is one of those holidays that certainly brings out the kid in me - which is really not that difficult of a task.

At any rate, I again dressed up as Bane, Batman's nemesis in the summer blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises, while Kylee (zombie), McKenna (ghost), Dallin (Boy Scout who has been attacked by a bear - pretty clever, really), and Jackson (Batman), along with one of the kids' cousins, joined me in this group photo out front, as well as some closeups of their costumes:

Since Jackson and I were characters from the same movie franchise, we took a few other photos together . . . and I was more than happy to let Batman triumph again in a mock fistfight:

And so, the post-Halloween doldrums may set in once again tomorrow morning, but at least for the next few minutes, it's still Halloween. I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday.

Day 300: Angry Boy

Jackson is definitely getting into the Halloween spirit, and the other day he tried on a potential costume, featuring one of the Angry Birds, which his Aunt Amy gave him as a gift.

Though he enjoyed the costume a great deal, I think he is going to stick with his original choice of Batman. He also wants me to dress up as Robin and accompany him trick-or-treating. We'll have to see about that.

Day 290: Catman Rises

Jackson, ever the entertainer, keeps experimenting with new Halloween costumes, including this one which he demonstrated to me recently:

He calls it "Cat Man," which I think is a clever variation on both Batman and his nemesis/love interest (depending on whether you've seen The Dark Knight Rises, of course) Catwoman.

Day 252: Batman to the Rescue!

I recently introduced Jackson to LEGO Batman 2, my latest favorite video game release for the Xbox 360. Jana tells me that he didn't really know anything about Batman before now, but now he's really getting into the character.

He even dressed up in (almost) full costume to play a few levels today.

"It's Me, Batman!"

I met a superhero today. It happened in an unlikely place.

My day did not get off to a great start. Already feeling a sore throat coming on last night, I felt it even more so when I woke up this morning. I felt terrible, and I was convinced that I had strep throat. So, my doctor squeezed me in for an appointment.

The strep test was negative. I was told that I probably have a viral infection and that I should ride out the storm at home with Vitamin C, Tylenol, and by drinking lots of water. Before going home to rest, I had one other errand to run. I needed to to put a small package in the mail at the post office.

That's when I met Batman. I don't mean Christian Bale or Adam West, but Batman himself. This particular Batman must have been four or five years old and did not wear a mask, but he did have on a dark blue cape. He ran up to me as soon as I walked through the doors.

"It's me, Batman!" was his enthusiastic greeting.

Who was I to argue? He said he was Batman, and I believed him.


"You sure look like him," I replied.

Batman was accompanied at the post office on this day by his grandfather, who may have been there as Batman's guardian and butler, Alfred, for all I know.

As I waited in line, Batman, with great energy, ran around the post office, flapping his cape and greeting everyone he saw with the same line: "It's me, Batman!"

Funny thing is, that was me at about the same age. I don't remember too much about what life was like when I was four or five. But I do remember (mainly due to my mother reminding me about it) that I frequently dressed up in my Superman costume and wore it around the house, all over the neighborhood, at the grocery store - everywhere but church. Fortunately, I didn't do anything too stupid, like thinking that I could fly and then jumping off of the roof.

Batman didn't cure my sore throat. But he reminded me of a cherished part of my childhood I sometimes forget about. He got me excited for Halloween, which is really one of the few times each year that most of us unabashedly get back in touch with that inner child.

When we have . . . become as a child in our capacity to love and obey, we are on the sure foundation.
-President Henry B. Eyring

Batman also made me smile, which was something I didn't think I was going to be able to do today. And that made me feel a bit better.

You rescued me when I needed it, Batman. And that makes you a true hero.