Lake is discovering comics. He studies them fervently, then brings over his selection: “Hey! do you want to read this one?” Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

The next day: “Will you read it [Hägar the horrible] again? This fight one is my fra-vorite!”

The day after: “I’m too happy looking at these comics.”

He’s perceptive and constantly alert, constantly learning. The other day I said, “Honey, you can’t put the mohair blanket on the floor.” He skipped a beat, then asked, “What’s a mo?”

Colluding in Lake’s development in this way is delightful.

I have fond memories of my grandpa reading us the “funnies” when my brother and I were about Lake’s age. There’s something a little daring in reading the comics. Some cater to adult humor, and Lake soaks it all in. He applies his newly aquired language fearlessly, although he is not always fully grasping the meaning. He makes declarations with an amused glint in his eye, guaging his audience for a response–a true comic.

“I love that darn sweet tooth arm”, he says while pulling on Lady Kitty’s arm. I can’t stop laughing. I mean, if there’s an endearment “sweetheart”, why can’t there be “sweet tooth”? And darn sweet tooth, with surely a hint of the illicit, is even better. We laugh hard together. We are both having a good laugh over sharing the “funny papers.”

A perfect day. I’m glad I spent it with you laughing at the lake!