We started the weekend off at home with the intention of visiting Nana and Papa in Aberdeen. It’s a heroic effort packing up alone. Michael went in to work early and Jo was asleep. We were actually up since 5:30, but we didn’t get on the road until 10:30. Lake is very good about remembering to eat breakfast. 

Stepwise, we did ultimately accomplish all our departing tasks. We got all the dishes washed, we packed up, showered and changed with everything and everyone loaded into the car, and the house locked. A few tears of protest were shed every time I’d set Lake down to forge ahead with the next step that required two free hands. It was quite a theater production. 

When we got successfully settled in the car, Lake cheered immediately. He began talking to himself. He kept his self entertainment going for much of first leg of the journey south down I-5. then he thankfully fell asleep for the trafficky bits. Out near Satsop we had to call Michael at work. Lake had gotten himself into a corner and we needed an interruptor, a game changer. When Lake heard Michael on the phone he instantly calmed. I think cell phone driving law needs to take into consideration the alternative. Holding the phone up in the air behind me On speaker was still safer on my concentration than the full-on screaming mode. 

After the short phone call Lake’s reset button had been set and we thankfully arrived uneventfully at the Aberdeen Murphy home. It was a joyful reunion. I’ve never seen my dad with a smile so big in my life as when he greeted Lake. 

We happily played at home. Lake sharing his discoveries since their last visit. Sitting up. Table top. Downward dog. Plank. Self-directed ambulation. We began the beginning of instruction for Lake on the concept of the hot fire. A bucolic Saturday scene. 

In the evening we took Lake to the theater. The local theater troupe, the Driftwood Players, put on the production Outside Mulligar. It was delightful! …and… Lake managed his first theater! He was rather the youngest audience member there. He partipated in mostly all the right places (timing is everything), and he scored a lot of extra dinner out of the deal. 

We ran into some old friends from Quinault. Shirley meet Lake! Lake, meet Shirley! …and Lake, as always, made some new friends, too. Charming the pants off everyone seated near us. A good strategy because then when he exclaims his appreciation during a piece of critical dialogue, no one minds as much. Maybe the important thing to hear was the joy felt by Lake just then in response to the play and the people and the milkies and the entire experience. Community Theater in action. A perfect day.