Reblogging this from 3 years ago. Originally dated December 15, 1981 (I was 11), this story was a school assignment. We were given a Map of Christmas Island (above, click image to magnify) and told to write a story about it. I don’t recall if we were specifically told to include every feature identified on the map, but apparently that’s how I decided to interpret the instructions. I’ve transcribed my story below exactly as written, including spelling and grammar mistakes. (I couldn’t believe it, either). A Christmas Island TragedyChristmas Island is a nice peaceful unknown island 70 miles south of the North Pole. It lies in an uncharted ocean.Today everyone on Christmas Island woke up in a miserable mood. They had a strange tense feeling inside them. For the past three days severe tremors. Three snowchildren in Snow People’s Town split into three snowballs each. Candy canes in Candy Cane Orchard fell apart. Ornaments on the Christmas Trees in Christmas Tree Forest fell off the Christmas Trees. In the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe, the walls came tumbling down. Nobody knew why these strange tremors were happening.Just before these strange tremors started, people from the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe started going down to Poinsetta Point too gather poinsettas for their family. They also started to collect ripe candy canes from Candy Cane Orchard, and they started chopping down Christmas Trees from Christmas Tree Forest.All of a sudden the volcanos at the Fireworks Mountain Range went wild. They started spitting out fireworks and hot lava. The fireworks mostly went to Stow People’s Town and melted the igloos. The rest went into the Ocean Of Presents and burned most of the presents.The lava started to cover the entrance to the Cave Of The Crazyquilt Dragon. They fled to Poinsetta Point and hid under the largest poinsetta there.In the meantime the lava concealed the cave, and it started to flow eastward toward Snow People’s Town. It started to melt most of the snowmen. The remaining snowmen jumped into the Ocean Of Presents, and they hid in the Snoopy Snowcone Machines. They drifted past the Island Of Christmas Seals and landed just north of a penninsula near Chrstmas Tree Forest. They climbed up the Magic Mountains and stayed there.Now the lava continued south to the Walled City Of Queen Mistletoe. The queen said, “everyone is safe; the walls will protect us.”The lava continued south and burned all the poinsettas in Poinsetta Point. The dragon who was hiding in Poinsetta Point climbed Holly Hills, crossed the bridge at Ribbon River, pushed apart Magic Mountains, and hid in between them.The lava settled at Holly Hills. Holly Hills separate the Western part of Christmas Island from the Eastern part. It will take about 1½ hours for the lava to get over Holly Hills.All of a sudden the Christmas Seals on the Island Of Christmas Seals heard bells ringing, and they saw a red light. “It’s Santa Claus!” yelled the toys at Toy Village. “Santa Claus has come to pick up some candy canes, some toys, and some presents for the children of the world. He’s also come to get some seals for the aquariums of the world,” remarked Sir Snowsquire. Santa stayed at Sir Snowsquire’s Estate.Now the lava poured over Holly Hills and burned Candy Cane Orchard. “Oh my!” exclaimed Santa, “What’s happening?” “Did I forget to tell you?” answered Sir Snowsquire, “Fireworks mountains are overflowing.” “We must do something.” “But we can’t,” remarked Sir Snowsquire.Now Toy Village was being thrown up in smoke. “Oh no!” cried Santa, “The children will be disappointed.” But the toys swam to the Island Of Christmas Seals. When they got there only 20 toys rusted very severely. “Hurray!” exclaimed Santa Claus.The lava broke the bridge quickly. Because the cooling lava turns hard, it formed a dam, but because of the continuously flowing lava, the dam broke. “Let’s get out of here!” screamed Sir Snowsquire. Sir Snowsquire headed for the Boat Landing. He got in his boat and headed down Ribbon River. The lava was catching up with him! Can he make it in time? He does, he makes in to the Ocean Of Presents by the skin of his teeth!Since the dam broke, the lava is headed for Christmas Tree Forest. The trees are catching on fire. Cinnamon Bear surrounds his cottage with cinnamon in hopes that it will stop the fire and lava. Instead the lava and fire consume the cinnamon, and Cinnamon Bear is surrounded.Cinnamon Bear is surrounded, and the walls of the Walled City are allmost completely melted. It’s Santa Claus to the rescue. “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donor, and Blitzen, and Rudolph.” First Santa saved Cinnamon Bear, and then he rescued all the people in the Walled City, and he put them on the Magic Mountains.The magicians in Magicians Valley got an idea. They climbed to the top of all the Magic Mountains. They waited until noon for ther potient too work. Then they pointed their wands at the peaks of the mountains. Sparks flew, spectacular colors showed, and a ray shot out from each mountain. The ray hit the Fireworks Mountains. All the lava poured back into the mountains.Everything on Christmas Island was back to normal, and everyone on the earth had a very nice Christmas.The End.
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Reblogging this from 3 years ago.

Originally dated December 15, 1981 (I was 11), this story was a school assignment. We were given a Map of Christmas Island (above, click image to magnify) and told to write a story about it. I don’t recall if we were specifically told to include every feature identified on the map, but apparently that’s how I decided to interpret the instructions.

I’ve transcribed my story below exactly as written, including spelling and grammar mistakes. (I couldn’t believe it, either).

A Christmas Island Tragedy

Christmas Island is a nice peaceful unknown island 70 miles south of the North Pole. It lies in an uncharted ocean.

Today everyone on Christmas Island woke up in a miserable mood. They had a strange tense feeling inside them. For the past three days severe tremors. Three snowchildren in Snow People’s Town split into three snowballs each. Candy canes in Candy Cane Orchard fell apart. Ornaments on the Christmas Trees in Christmas Tree Forest fell off the Christmas Trees. In the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe, the walls came tumbling down. Nobody knew why these strange tremors were happening.

Just before these strange tremors started, people from the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe started going down to Poinsetta Point too gather poinsettas for their family. They also started to collect ripe candy canes from Candy Cane Orchard, and they started chopping down Christmas Trees from Christmas Tree Forest.

All of a sudden the volcanos at the Fireworks Mountain Range went wild. They started spitting out fireworks and hot lava. The fireworks mostly went to Stow People’s Town and melted the igloos. The rest went into the Ocean Of Presents and burned most of the presents.

The lava started to cover the entrance to the Cave Of The Crazyquilt Dragon. They fled to Poinsetta Point and hid under the largest poinsetta there.

In the meantime the lava concealed the cave, and it started to flow eastward toward Snow People’s Town. It started to melt most of the snowmen. The remaining snowmen jumped into the Ocean Of Presents, and they hid in the Snoopy Snowcone Machines. They drifted past the Island Of Christmas Seals and landed just north of a penninsula near Chrstmas Tree Forest. They climbed up the Magic Mountains and stayed there.

Now the lava continued south to the Walled City Of Queen Mistletoe. The queen said, “everyone is safe; the walls will protect us.”

The lava continued south and burned all the poinsettas in Poinsetta Point. The dragon who was hiding in Poinsetta Point climbed Holly Hills, crossed the bridge at Ribbon River, pushed apart Magic Mountains, and hid in between them.

The lava settled at Holly Hills. Holly Hills separate the Western part of Christmas Island from the Eastern part. It will take about 1½ hours for the lava to get over Holly Hills.

All of a sudden the Christmas Seals on the Island Of Christmas Seals heard bells ringing, and they saw a red light. “It’s Santa Claus!” yelled the toys at Toy Village. “Santa Claus has come to pick up some candy canes, some toys, and some presents for the children of the world. He’s also come to get some seals for the aquariums of the world,” remarked Sir Snowsquire. Santa stayed at Sir Snowsquire’s Estate.

Now the lava poured over Holly Hills and burned Candy Cane Orchard. “Oh my!” exclaimed Santa, “What’s happening?” “Did I forget to tell you?” answered Sir Snowsquire, “Fireworks mountains are overflowing.” “We must do something.” “But we can’t,” remarked Sir Snowsquire.

Now Toy Village was being thrown up in smoke. “Oh no!” cried Santa, “The children will be disappointed.” But the toys swam to the Island Of Christmas Seals. When they got there only 20 toys rusted very severely. “Hurray!” exclaimed Santa Claus.

The lava broke the bridge quickly. Because the cooling lava turns hard, it formed a dam, but because of the continuously flowing lava, the dam broke. “Let’s get out of here!” screamed Sir Snowsquire. Sir Snowsquire headed for the Boat Landing. He got in his boat and headed down Ribbon River. The lava was catching up with him! Can he make it in time? He does, he makes in to the Ocean Of Presents by the skin of his teeth!

Since the dam broke, the lava is headed for Christmas Tree Forest. The trees are catching on fire. Cinnamon Bear surrounds his cottage with cinnamon in hopes that it will stop the fire and lava. Instead the lava and fire consume the cinnamon, and Cinnamon Bear is surrounded.

Cinnamon Bear is surrounded, and the walls of the Walled City are allmost completely melted. It’s Santa Claus to the rescue. “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donor, and Blitzen, and Rudolph.” First Santa saved Cinnamon Bear, and then he rescued all the people in the Walled City, and he put them on the Magic Mountains.

The magicians in Magicians Valley got an idea. They climbed to the top of all the Magic Mountains. They waited until noon for ther potient too work. Then they pointed their wands at the peaks of the mountains. Sparks flew, spectacular colors showed, and a ray shot out from each mountain. The ray hit the Fireworks Mountains. All the lava poured back into the mountains.

Everything on Christmas Island was back to normal, and everyone on the earth had a very nice Christmas.

The End.

It was Christmas Tree Day at our house.

We were easily able to keep within our 5-minute time limit for tree selection, choosing the first 6-foot (1.8-meter) tree we came upon at the farm, a nice balsam fir. Aidan hedged a bit, uncomfortable with picking the first tree we saw, but after looking at the neighboring trees for a couple of minutes he agreed that the first one was best.

Santa Claus brought my 5-year-old got the Batcave that he had been asking for. However, Santa displayed a stunning lack of foresight in not realizing that the Batcave did not come with any bad guys. Because the Batcave is completely useless if there are no bad guys. Fortunately, though, Santa did also bring a Star Wars Battle Pack of Commando Droids. So the droids invaded the Batcave, and an epic battle ensued. I would like to tell you that the Dynamic Duo came out victorious, but unfortunately the battle was still at a stalemate as darkness fell. Both sides have fallen back to regroup. Hostilities will begin anew at dawn.
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Santa Claus brought my 5-year-old got the Batcave that he had been asking for.

However, Santa displayed a stunning lack of foresight in not realizing that the Batcave did not come with any bad guys. Because the Batcave is completely useless if there are no bad guys.

Fortunately, though, Santa did also bring a Star Wars Battle Pack of Commando Droids. So the droids invaded the Batcave, and an epic battle ensued.

I would like to tell you that the Dynamic Duo came out victorious, but unfortunately the battle was still at a stalemate as darkness fell. Both sides have fallen back to regroup.

Hostilities will begin anew at dawn.

Source: fisher-price.com

Why NORAD Tracks Santa

Interesting back story as to why NORAD started tracking Santa:

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations “hotline.” The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

[Via]

Source: noradsanta.org

While searching through boxes for my greyhound memorabilia, I came across a story I had written back in elementary school. Since it’s a Christmas-themed story, I thought that I’d share it with you. You’re welcome. I remember that for the assignment we were given the Map of Christmas Island shown above (click image to magnify) and told to write a story about it. I don’t recall if we were specifically told to include every feature identified on the map, but apparently that’s how I decided to interpret the instructions. Below is my story, which is dated December 15, 1981. I was 11. I transcribed it exactly as written, including spelling and grammar mistakes. (I couldn’t believe it, either). A Christmas Island TragedyChristmas Island is a nice peaceful unknown island 70 miles south of the North Pole. It lies in an uncharted ocean.Today everyone on Christmas Island woke up in a miserable mood. They had a strange tense feeling inside them. For the past three days severe tremors. Three snowchildren in Snow People’s Town split into three snowballs each. Candy canes in Candy Cane Orchard fell apart. Ornaments on the Christmas Trees in Christmas Tree Forest fell off the Christmas Trees. In the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe, the walls came tumbling down. Nobody knew why these strange tremors were happening.Just before these strange tremors started, people from the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe started going down to Poinsetta Point too gather poinsettas for their family. They also started to collect ripe candy canes from Candy Cane Orchard, and they started chopping down Christmas Trees from Christmas Tree Forest.All of a sudden the volcanos at the Fireworks Mountain Range went wild. They started spitting out fireworks and hot lava. The fireworks mostly went to Stow People’s Town and melted the igloos. The rest went into the Ocean Of Presents and burned most of the presents.The lava started to cover the entrance to the Cave Of The Crazyquilt Dragon. They fled to Poinsetta Point and hid under the largest poinsetta there.In the meantime the lava concealed the cave, and it started to flow eastward toward Snow People’s Town. It started to melt most of the snowmen. The remaining snowmen jumped into the Ocean Of Presents, and they hid in the Snoopy Snowcone Machines. They drifted past the Island Of Christmas Seals and landed just north of a penninsula near Chrstmas Tree Forest. They climbed up the Magic Mountains and stayed there.Now the lava continued south to the Walled City Of Queen Mistletoe. The queen said, “everyone is safe; the walls will protect us.”The lava continued south and burned all the poinsettas in Poinsetta Point. The dragon who was hiding in Poinsetta Point climbed Holly Hills, crossed the bridge at Ribbon River, pushed apart Magic Mountains, and hid in between them.The lava settled at Holly Hills. Holly Hills separate the Western part of Christmas Island from the Eastern part. It will take about 1½ hours for the lava to get over Holly Hills.All of a sudden the Christmas Seals on the Island Of Christmas Seals heard bells ringing, and they saw a red light. “It’s Santa Claus!” yelled the toys at Toy Village. “Santa Claus has come to pick up some candy canes, some toys, and some presents for the children of the world. He’s also come to get some seals for the aquariums of the world,” remarked Sir Snowsquire. Santa stayed at Sir Snowsquire’s Estate.Now the lava poured over Holly Hills and burned Candy Cane Orchard. “Oh my!” exclaimed Santa, “What’s happening?” “Did I forget to tell you?” answered Sir Snowsquire, “Fireworks mountains are overflowing.” “We must do something.” “But we can’t,” remarked Sir Snowsquire.Now Toy Village was being thrown up in smoke. “Oh no!” cried Santa, “The children will be disappointed.” But the toys swam to the Island Of Christmas Seals. When they got there only 20 toys rusted very severely. “Hurray!” exclaimed Santa Claus.The lava broke the bridge quickly. Because the cooling lava turns hard, it formed a dam, but because of the continuously flowing lava, the dam broke. “Let’s get out of here!” screamed Sir Snowsquire. Sir Snowsquire headed for the Boat Landing. He got in his boat and headed down Ribbon River. The lava was catching up with him! Can he make it in time? He does, he makes in to the Ocean Of Presents by the skin of his teeth!Since the dam broke, the lava is headed for Christmas Tree Forest. The trees are catching on fire. Cinnamon Bear surrounds his cottage with cinnamon in hopes that it will stop the fire and lava. Instead the lava and fire consume the cinnamon, and Cinnamon Bear is surrounded.Cinnamon Bear is surrounded, and the walls of the Walled City are allmost completely melted. It’s Santa Claus to the rescue. “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donor, and Blitzen, and Rudolph.” First Santa saved Cinnamon Bear, and then he rescued all the people in the Walled City, and he put them on the Magic Mountains.The magicians in Magicians Valley got an idea. They climbed to the top of all the Magic Mountains. They waited until noon for ther potient too work. Then they pointed their wands at the peaks of the mountains. Sparks flew, spectacular colors showed, and a ray shot out from each mountain. The ray hit the Fireworks Mountains. All the lava poured back into the mountains.Everything on Christmas Island was back to normal, and everyone on the earth had a very nice Christmas.The End.
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While searching through boxes for my greyhound memorabilia, I came across a story I had written back in elementary school. Since it’s a Christmas-themed story, I thought that I’d share it with you. You’re welcome.

I remember that for the assignment we were given the Map of Christmas Island shown above (click image to magnify) and told to write a story about it. I don’t recall if we were specifically told to include every feature identified on the map, but apparently that’s how I decided to interpret the instructions.

Below is my story, which is dated December 15, 1981. I was 11.

I transcribed it exactly as written, including spelling and grammar mistakes. (I couldn’t believe it, either).

A Christmas Island Tragedy

Christmas Island is a nice peaceful unknown island 70 miles south of the North Pole. It lies in an uncharted ocean.

Today everyone on Christmas Island woke up in a miserable mood. They had a strange tense feeling inside them. For the past three days severe tremors. Three snowchildren in Snow People’s Town split into three snowballs each. Candy canes in Candy Cane Orchard fell apart. Ornaments on the Christmas Trees in Christmas Tree Forest fell off the Christmas Trees. In the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe, the walls came tumbling down. Nobody knew why these strange tremors were happening.

Just before these strange tremors started, people from the Walled City of Queen Mistletoe started going down to Poinsetta Point too gather poinsettas for their family. They also started to collect ripe candy canes from Candy Cane Orchard, and they started chopping down Christmas Trees from Christmas Tree Forest.

All of a sudden the volcanos at the Fireworks Mountain Range went wild. They started spitting out fireworks and hot lava. The fireworks mostly went to Stow People’s Town and melted the igloos. The rest went into the Ocean Of Presents and burned most of the presents.

The lava started to cover the entrance to the Cave Of The Crazyquilt Dragon. They fled to Poinsetta Point and hid under the largest poinsetta there.

In the meantime the lava concealed the cave, and it started to flow eastward toward Snow People’s Town. It started to melt most of the snowmen. The remaining snowmen jumped into the Ocean Of Presents, and they hid in the Snoopy Snowcone Machines. They drifted past the Island Of Christmas Seals and landed just north of a penninsula near Chrstmas Tree Forest. They climbed up the Magic Mountains and stayed there.

Now the lava continued south to the Walled City Of Queen Mistletoe. The queen said, “everyone is safe; the walls will protect us.”

The lava continued south and burned all the poinsettas in Poinsetta Point. The dragon who was hiding in Poinsetta Point climbed Holly Hills, crossed the bridge at Ribbon River, pushed apart Magic Mountains, and hid in between them.

The lava settled at Holly Hills. Holly Hills separate the Western part of Christmas Island from the Eastern part. It will take about 1½ hours for the lava to get over Holly Hills.

All of a sudden the Christmas Seals on the Island Of Christmas Seals heard bells ringing, and they saw a red light. “It’s Santa Claus!” yelled the toys at Toy Village. “Santa Claus has come to pick up some candy canes, some toys, and some presents for the children of the world. He’s also come to get some seals for the aquariums of the world,” remarked Sir Snowsquire. Santa stayed at Sir Snowsquire’s Estate.

Now the lava poured over Holly Hills and burned Candy Cane Orchard. “Oh my!” exclaimed Santa, “What’s happening?” “Did I forget to tell you?” answered Sir Snowsquire, “Fireworks mountains are overflowing.” “We must do something.” “But we can’t,” remarked Sir Snowsquire.

Now Toy Village was being thrown up in smoke. “Oh no!” cried Santa, “The children will be disappointed.” But the toys swam to the Island Of Christmas Seals. When they got there only 20 toys rusted very severely. “Hurray!” exclaimed Santa Claus.

The lava broke the bridge quickly. Because the cooling lava turns hard, it formed a dam, but because of the continuously flowing lava, the dam broke. “Let’s get out of here!” screamed Sir Snowsquire. Sir Snowsquire headed for the Boat Landing. He got in his boat and headed down Ribbon River. The lava was catching up with him! Can he make it in time? He does, he makes in to the Ocean Of Presents by the skin of his teeth!

Since the dam broke, the lava is headed for Christmas Tree Forest. The trees are catching on fire. Cinnamon Bear surrounds his cottage with cinnamon in hopes that it will stop the fire and lava. Instead the lava and fire consume the cinnamon, and Cinnamon Bear is surrounded.

Cinnamon Bear is surrounded, and the walls of the Walled City are allmost completely melted. It’s Santa Claus to the rescue. “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donor, and Blitzen, and Rudolph.” First Santa saved Cinnamon Bear, and then he rescued all the people in the Walled City, and he put them on the Magic Mountains.

The magicians in Magicians Valley got an idea. They climbed to the top of all the Magic Mountains. They waited until noon for ther potient too work. Then they pointed their wands at the peaks of the mountains. Sparks flew, spectacular colors showed, and a ray shot out from each mountain. The ray hit the Fireworks Mountains. All the lava poured back into the mountains.

Everything on Christmas Island was back to normal, and everyone on the earth had a very nice Christmas.

The End.

Source: photos.smugmug.com

Here's a Dumb-Ass Web Site

At StandForChristmas.com, consumers can rate retailers on their “Christmas-Friendliness”. You might be asking yourself what that means. It means how well they incorporate the actual word “Christmas” instead of Satan-inspired phrases such as “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” in their advertisements, promotions, signs, messages, greetings, etc.

They have a flyer (pdf) that they send out to retailers urging them to be more “Christmas-Friendly”. A couple excerpts:

What’s more, beyond the holiday itself, citizens who value free speech and religious freedoms feel legitimate concern about overzealous “politicalcorrectness” which censors any mention of God
from our public lives. However well-intentioned, this is simply not American.

Huh?

We hope we can count you among those whose marketing demonstrates clear regard for the traditions and purchasing motivations of the vast majority of Americans who spend their dollars at Christmas.

Yes, because it’s important that the retailer have a bond with the customer about the motivation behind why he/she is spending their money for this sacred religious holiday. You know, the way Jesus intended. Even if the customer doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

Consumers can leave comments on their experience. Some of them are eye-opening.

For example, at Toys R Us:

Comment Date: Dec 5 2009 4:28 PM
Rating: Christmas-Negligent
Comment: Only one mention of countdown to Christmas on the very back of their sale flier

American Eagle Outfitters:

Comment Date: Dec 9 2009 4:34 PM
Rating: Christmas-Offensive
Comment: With a name like “American Eagle,” one would think the company owners would be more AMERICAN-FRIENDLY. …

Old Navy: [sic’d]

Comment Date: Dec 9 2009 12:22 AM
Rating: Christmas-Offensive
Comment: The staff is friendly, but they do not have Christmas word anywhere and did not say “Merry Christmas” either. Their bags have a deer on one side and an ornament on the other, but they are filled with randoom symbols that have notheing  to do with Christmas. They contain peace signs, arrows, cherries, the recycle symbol, etc.

Peace Signs!

My company is having a collection for Toys for Tots this month. The toys are being kept in a large box in the office kitchen until next week, when they will be delivered to a drop-off location. One of my coworkers brought in the toy shotgun shown in the photo above. It has “realistic” shotgun sounds. It comes with 4 shells that can be loaded, and that actually eject when the trigger is pulled. There’s quite a controversy in the office as to whether this is an appropriate toy to be donating. My sense is that the divisions are mainly along gender lines, with men saying it’s ok and women opposing it. What do you, Tumblr, think? Is the gun OK, or should it be un-donated?
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My company is having a collection for Toys for Tots this month. The toys are being kept in a large box in the office kitchen until next week, when they will be delivered to a drop-off location.

One of my coworkers brought in the toy shotgun shown in the photo above. It has “realistic” shotgun sounds. It comes with 4 shells that can be loaded, and that actually eject when the trigger is pulled.

There’s quite a controversy in the office as to whether this is an appropriate toy to be donating. My sense is that the divisions are mainly along gender lines, with men saying it’s ok and women opposing it.

What do you, Tumblr, think? Is the gun OK, or should it be un-donated?

The photo on the right of my sons with Santa was taken last year. Notice my then-16-month-old son’s face. The scream that came from that mouth was about as loud as you probably imagine. Now compare that to the face of my wife in the photo on the left, taken when she was approximately the same age. Is he his mother’s son or what? (click photo to magnify)
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The photo on the right of my sons with Santa was taken last year. Notice my then-16-month-old son’s face. The scream that came from that mouth was about as loud as you probably imagine. Now compare that to the face of my wife in the photo on the left, taken when she was approximately the same age.

Is he his mother’s son or what?

(click photo to magnify)

Source: photos.smugmug.com