Not the 1951 or 1982 movies of the same name but the comic book superhero, a cousin, perhaps, to The Hulk. Herein lies a backpack stalemate. Mr. Boy adamantly wants a Thing backpack for first grade, retiring his Ninja Turtles backpack of kindergarten. Mom agrees that the turtles have run their course, but thinks the Thing backpack is too gross and she’s holding out for Batman. I lean towards Batman, as well, but do not wish to intervene. Let it shake itself out. Patience is my motto.
Birthday party Sunday at Deep Eddy pool in Austin for Daniel M., a kindergarten friend, was instructive. DM’s mom’s choice of party favors was Play-Doh, which drew scornful looks. Most of the attendees spent their time talking about Yu Gi Oh cards, and the details of violent death. Six-year-old boys favor blood and guts, pirates, superheroes, monsters, etc. Only poop and pee-pee jokes get equal time. Dinosaurs? Passe.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
My grandson is a spiderman freak.
The boy divides his admiration between Spiderman, Batman, Power Rangers, Yu Gi Oh, Pokeman, The Thing, The Hulk, and a creature of his devising, some sort of mutant spider-vampire combination. Fortunately, the good guys always win. And he also like Sponge Bob (but declined a Sponge Bob backpack).