Happy Birthday Max - a little late as usual

Max turned 5 at the end of April.  He opted for a superhero party.  The night before we went to bulk barn to buy a superhero pinata and then to the dollar store to look for some things to fill it with.  Darwyn wandered through the store pulling everything off the shelves and telling us that she wanted each item for her party.  Finally, Gus asked her if she would just start telling us what she didn't want as that would be more efficient.  She looked confused.  Anyway, she has settled on a "frozen" theme for her next party and asks us continually how long it will be until her next birthday.

Max, whose birthday we were actually shopping for, was much quieter through the whole affair.  He finally settled on getting some power rings (actually candy rings) and glow sticks to fill the pinata.  We also added superhero masks for the kids to decorate, but I couldn't get them to calm down enough to actually do it.  We made a spider man cake that I failed to take a good picture of, but you can sort of make it out in the "Happy birthday" video.  Unfortunately, the video also had technical issues.

The highlight of the birthday party was definitely when Gus pretended to be a super villain.  I came down stairs and told him that my plan was that he would act out the villain role so the kids could chase him.  He gave me a "you have got to be joking" look.  I got defensive.

Greta: Look, I would do it, but I'm too pregnant to run.

The pregnancy card works for everything.  Gus finally agreed.

Greta: (holding up a black mask, bright blue wig and black cape) Oh and while you are at it, I thought you could wear this villain costume.

The look I got was withering at best.

I have to admit though, Gus really rose to the occasion.  He was an amazing super villain.  The kids went out to search for the escaped villain in the yard.  When he was discovered he launched from his hiding place scaring them all and then took off.  He hopped fences and put up an amazing chase.  I've included some videos, but they don't do the scene justice.  The kids absolutely loved it.  They begged him to do it again and again and again and most parents reported that their kids were talking about it for a week afterward.  I told Gus he might as well keep the costume in his closet and quit his day job :)

Anyway, I've included a few select videos and pictures for you to enjoy.  You can see more pictures here.

Max attacks the pinata

Max's superhero costume

Max discovers Gus hidden in the empty compost bin

A close up of Gus's new look

Blast from the past - Max is not the only little boy that liked to dress up as a superhero

And here he is again with a tea towel costume

[Edit: That "tea towel costume" is supposed to be Man At Arms. -Gus]

Video evidence of the demise of the pinata:

Gus's career as a super villain:

A really crappy happy birthday video...but it does at least show the cake.