Our Own Superhero

Kathleen attends a dance class, which we've mentioned. Each week the class has a theme, and last week the teachers mentioned that this week's theme would be "Superheroes." Now, these themes aren't really a big deal. We discovered that the hard way -- when I raced home for a dinosaur toy for dinosaur week and then no one else brought a dinosaur at all. (It was a similar story with the beach towel for beach week.) Still, when I heard "Superhero Week," my mind began turning. And because I am a pathological overachiever stupid occasionally oblivious to the fact I have three small children always up for a crafting challenge, I set about planning a costume for Kathleen.

We had everything we needed. (A no cost project! What could be better?) We already had a leotard -- one we were fortunate enough to have received from a cousin. It needed a little something, though. An intial from leftover wool felt, perhaps? Yes, perfect.

It's a bird... it's a plane... it's Super Kathleen!

What else? A superhero needs a cape! When we'd settled on the red leotard I thought we might be able to use some of the yards and yards of patriotic material I have left over from seven years of making patriotic banners for Jim. Kathleen, though, had a different idea. She requested a rainbow cape. Concerned that it might look like she'd left a San Francisco political rally with a flag draped around her neck, I tried to come up with a slightly different sort of rainbow cape. After some negotiation, we settled on stars. (On a blue background. Left over from -- you guessed it -- banner-making.)

Rainbow stars. All of the rainbow, none of the political overtones.

Both of us were delighted with the results! We think she's a natural superhero. Of course, we've always known she would be!

If you're looking for Kathleen, she's out defending truth, justice, and the American way...