Black thunder!!!

Every generation of kids has its own favourite superheros, some with more staying power than others. The only kids' targeted superhero I remember from my time is Ultraman. Strangely, there were more superhero shows targeted at adults at that time, such as Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman and Green Hornet. Over time, there has gotten to be more and more TV programmes for children and with that, more and more character merchandise. I've told Tai Pi that this is all a ploy that manufacturers use to make money from consumers, creating cartoon characters in order to sell merchandise. And now I am a victim myself.

After weeks of eyeing the Pretty Cure merchandise at the store, Pumpkin has now got an early birthday present from me - a Pretty Cure costume and a Pretty Cure Rainbow Bracelet. Pumpkin is Cure Black, one half of Pretty Cure, who yells "Black thunder" when she unleashes her power. The other member of Pretty Cure is Cure White who yells "White thunder" (what else?) and is played by Tai Pi (at least in our home).

The merchandise is not cheap. Those two items cost me $100. And there's lots more Pretty Cure accessories they "need" - handphone, handphone pouch, card commune, etc. I'll be another $100 poorer next month when I get Tai Pi her Cure White costume and Rainbow Bracelet for her birthday. But this is only if she doesn't lose any more of her school socks and shoes. She had to dig into her savings to buy some school socks and shoes a while back to replace the ones she lost. I've warned her that if she loses any more of them, I'm getting her socks and shoes for her birthday. She's worried and so is Pumpkin. If Tai Pi doesn't get the Cure White costume, Cure Black will be without her partner. Pumpkin reminds Tai Pi everyday to take care of her socks and shoes. Will Cure White join Cure Black in the fight against the evil forces? Stay tuned to find out.