Pirate Christmas Ideas from Tom Mason, More Drawings from Owen, and Other Random Notes

I was just looking for something on youtube from Tom Mason's Christmas album...and then this shows up.  Delightful.  The album IS really wonderful---as is all his stuff!

2.  Ernie was going through some of Owen's returned homework yesterday and yet again we laughed ourselves silly with delight over his little explanatory drawings.  They're simple stick figures....but he seems to pack SO much expression into them....

I like this one because, from the downed stick figure and the "gulp," evidently he did now follow the orders...

the one below is almost a chilling picture of child vs. authority, huh?

I kinda like the eclamation point over my head on this one.... and because in my head it sounded just like him bellowing "MOM!"

And I liked this picture just because it looks as though his boat is remote controlled....

3.  Ernie's new guitar

4.  This spot at the antique show yesterday had a display that seemed to be from my childhood.  My father loved Nat King Cole and used to play his records on the old record player he kept in his little workshed.  And reportedly, I used to sing Hello Dolly when I was very little and playing on my swingset. 

5.  Owen's Christmas tree is stunning.  The boys carefully decorated it yesterday.  Classic globe shaped ornaments, except for Owen's new guitar ornament which is front and center, augmented by lights, beads, candy canes and one of the angels we always used on the top of my childhood Christmas tree.  As Owen said, "it's the most beautiful Christmas tree ever."  Here it is, lighting the room for us as we watch tv late last night.  The two big trees get decorated tonight.

5.  On the alley wall across the street from City Hall.

6.  Onward to Monday....