Superman to Dad o' Kitchen

A while ago, I wrote about Sonwun's obsession with Superheroes. Specifically, he'd latched on to the Justice League and, naturally, had renamed the family. He had decided that he was Batman, "the gweatest Superhero ever."

I, of course, was dubbed Superman, while Neomom picked up the title of Batgirl and Sontoo was renamed Robin. (At Halloween, however, Sontoo renamed himself "Robinson" as it apparently seemed more appropriate.)

Now, that being said, we have a new obsession in the house and we have all, once again, been renamed.

This time, it's Sontoo. And he's addicted to the Disney movie Cars. He could literally watch it over and over 24 hours a day if we let him.

So, Sontoo is introducing himself to the world as Sontoo McQueen, the World Famous Race Car. Honest. At the doctor's office yesterday, an older gentleman in the waiting room asked him his name. "I'm Sontoo McQueen, the World Famous Race car," he replied, very seriously. Always gets a smile.

I have picked up the title of Dad Doc Hudson. When he says it, however, it sounds like Dad o' Kitchen. Either one works, I guess. Doc Hudson, in the movie, is the once-great race car, now a cantankerous old fart, judge and doctor. I guess I can live with that. As for Dad o' Kitchen, well, I do make some mean pancakes.

Neomom is Momma Sally. Again, it works. The Sally car in the movie is the beautiful, intelligent little Porsche lawyer and hotel owner.

Now, there is a little controversy when it comes to Sonwun. Sontoo has decided he's Tow Mater, the backwoods, gap-toothed, tractor-tipping goofball (played by Larry the Cable Guy). But to his credit, he's also a loyal friend. I choose to think that is why Sontoo labelled Sonwun as such.

This particular naming, however, has led to a number of arguments at the dinner table, all reminiscent of the "Tastes Great/Less Filling" debate of the 80s.

"I'm McQueen, the famous race car."

"No you're not, I'm McQueen."

"I'm McQueen, the famous race car."

"No you're not, I'm McQueen."

"I'm McQueen, the famous race car."

"No you're not, I'm McQueen."

Lather, rinse, repeat ad nauseum.

This, I know, will pass. And I gotta admit, I kind of enjoy the roles my boys assign to me. I mean, c'mon, I've been Superman and now I'm a judge, a doctor and one of the most famous and successful race cars in Piston Cup history.

Who could ask for more?

Happy December, Happy Wednesday!

I'm Superman

Congratulate me. I'm Superman.

The title was bestowed upon me recently by "the gweatest Superhero ever," Batman.

Batman, it seems, has replaced my eldest son. He has become the Caped Cwusader and the Dark Knight. He's quite adamant about it. He has Batman pajamas, complete with cape, Batman socks and he insists on reading Batman books at bed time. His "school shirt," which must be clean each and every preschool day, is, of course, a Batman shirt.

Until recently, Sonwun was Spiderman and the rest of the family remained mortal but, for reasons known only to the Dark Knight, he switched loyalties, personas and pajamas around Christmas.

It's a little confusing for Sontoo, who has just mastered everyone's name and was quite proud of it. I've heard him being chastised at the dinner table for saying "Hewo Sonwun."

"I'm not Sonwun, I'm Batman."

"Hewo Sonwun." (He's big into repeating stuff.)

"I'M BATMAN!"

Neomom, by the way, has been dubbed Batwoman and Sontoo has been promoted to Robin.

I'm the only one outside of the Bat family, but I think Superman is a pretty good title. I just wish Batman would stop questioning my superpowers.

"Can you lift that bus daddy?"

"Just one?"

"Can you lift that hotel daddy."

"Not sure, never tried."

"Can you lift 10 busses daddy?"

"Look, a puppy."

I picked up a few Batman videos recently for my Caped Cwusader, and he's been enjoying them. I got the cartoon ones, as I figured the live-action ones would be a little too scary just yet. But even the cartoons are a little spooky. He seems to be handling them okay, although he does want Superman by his side when he views them. Batwoman is on night shift this week and we wait until Robin has gone to bed before viewing.

The next evolution, I'm sure, will be a request for a bat utility belt and I'm not sure it's a good idea. Sonwun has always been a big fan of throwing things around the house, and tying things together (Sontoo included) so I'm a little leery about handing over a belt with a grappling hook and Batarangs.

Anyhoo, it's playgroup day today. Batwoman has a lot of homework to do, so it will just be Batman, Robin and Superman attending.

Right now, I must concentrate on being faster than a speeding bullet, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and making pancakes for breakfast.

Such is the life of a superhero.

Happy Hump Day. Celebrate as you see fit.