In which we witness the devastation of Bethlehem.
'Twas the week before Christmas and all through our place, presents and ornaments are launched into space...
By my count, the casualties so far include:
One guitar ornament (de-strung)
A mouse ornament (beheaded)
A Tow-Mater Truck ornament (de-wheeled)
One gift (shredded)
And, worst of all, a shepherd from the manger scene (drawn and quartered).
Now, in fairness to Owen, he wasn't responsible for the last two. Like all only children, however, he is guilty until proven innocent. He served a little time-out sentence for these offenses but was given parole when we caught Toonces going to town on a second gift and Murray seated, Godzilla like, on the manger.
Still, Owen is merrily enjoy the destruction of Christmas. He wreaked havoc at the season opener, Kathy Wren's famous holiday party, which included not only visits from long-time fan Cindy Bauml (with Owen, top), but also a meeting with St. Nick.
Owen cheerfully knocked the windows out of Kathy's Christmas cottage decoration and then de-railed her husband's model train. Meanwhile, I got into the spirit by handing out I.O.U.'s and blank checks to the hosts.
We had to leave before the insurance adjusters were called.
Later, at his school's Holiday Pageant (and why 2-year olds have a pageant, I don't know), the grandparents, Robin and I enjoyed roughly nine seconds of entertainment before Owen spotted his Mama, burst into tears and came flying off the stage. You can see the exact moment he spotted Robin photographed at left.
It was a pity, his teachers tell us. Apparently, in the rehearsals, Owen was by far the biggest ham and the most dramatic.
Go figure.
Still, by leaving early Owen got quality solo time with St. Nick who was also visiting the Pageant (Santa really gets around!) In the end, he was happy enough to plant a kiss on Grandma Pat who has completed her third round of chemo and looks and feels pretty good.
Driving home, Owen enjoyed watching the four minutes of footage I took on the video camera over and over again. "Look," he would say. "Owen Robert Hess is singing! Owen Robert Hess is sad. Owen Robert Hess's FRIENDS are singing! Watch it again!"
Gearing up for the Grand Finale, Owen enjoyed dinner with Godmother Norma and Aunt Barbara. Actually, Owen didn't really eat, but he did have a good time putting his fingers in their food.
This afternoon, we'll visit my uncle in the hospital. Uncle T discovered a subcutaneous hemo-something or rather which required surgery right before the holidays. He's recovering, but won't be home for Christmas.
Afterwards, we'll go to my aunt's for presents and snacks. Then, tomorrow, we'll visit Tightwad, Missouri, for Christmas with Robin's family.
I hope the troops survive.
