We picked up Michael at the “hostible” on our way to John Riley’s piano concert in Somerset, Bellevue earlier this month. He played Brahms and Rachmaninoff beautifully. He and his duet partner each introduced one of the pieces and then they played for an hour while the sun went low on the horizon. Lake sat for the first piece and went outside to explore the neighboring green belt for the second. Afterwards Lake took a turn at the piano. Jay stepped in to provide accompaniment. The crowd gathered and when he finished everyone clapped. Lake took a bow.

“You’re going to be famous someday, you know that?” They were saying to him. He had very nice form and style. He was pretending to read the music and would intermittently turn the page at appropriate intervals. His playing was surprisingly solid. Later that night at home in our pajama lounge Lake was introducing his dance performance antics.

“Goodnight. Sweet dreams. I will see you on the morning!”

On 6/19/19 yogi Lake masters the somersault!

He’s head over heels thrilled!

Sunday for Father’s Day we had an urban family adventure. We went on a bicycle adventure to Ballard and Fremont… both neighborhoods have a Sunday market! As a gift to me Michael pulled Lake in the Burley trailer up and over all the hills between here and there and back again. Our day surely included lots of presents and pie for Michael! Michael is a wonderful father! We all love him so much and he keeps things fresh and fun! A perfect day, I’m glad we celebrated with you!

Lake likes to name the city parks nearby, giving them new names. Cowen Park is Tom Park named after the day Tom took him there for some early memories on the swing set engaged in the mindblowing activities of swinging and under dogs. Then the Ravenna Park playground is called Kerry Park, not to be confused with the Kerry Park on Queen Anne which he probably hears the au pairs talking about for picture taking opportunities, like this one.

Last Sunday afternoon Tom Youderian, our family friend of aforementioned “Tom Park” fame came over with his wife Mandy to pay Lake a visit. After having some “chotlate” soy milk and refreshments on the back deck, we all went out for a walk.

Langley led us on a walk down into Ravenna Park… right down into the creek! It was a very hot day and the water was cool and refreshing.

That also looked like a swell idea to Lake, so off came the shoes and socks and a toe was dipped.

After that full-on live streaming commenced! That entailed throwing rocks while wading back and forth and upstream and downstream through the water. Tom Park Tom joined right in!

Live streaming is awesome! A perfect Sunday, I’m glad I spent it with you!

Such a special joyous day three years ago… a true celebration!

Three years later, still a day to celebrate! Now Lake shrieks and squeals and shouts “Happy Birthday!” He has a great time.

“I want to go on that jumpoline!” Lake says tonight as we walk by some neighbor’s yards. Yes, Lake that is so sweet! We do have some neighbors right across the street that have actually extended you an invitation to jump on their trampoline all summer long.

Sounds like a perfect summer day for a jumpoline!

Lake’s grandparents the illustrious NanaBaba came to sweep Lake for a week away. It came at a great time since Lake is “not yet three” but nearly so and has fully entered his exuberant phase. Sometimes too much exuberance for mama to handle! Thank goodness for the unstoppable energy of Nana and the solid foundation of the Baba and the boundless love among Lake and those two. We celebrated a quick belated Mother’s Day for my incredible mother “the Nana!”

Then it was time for piling into the car with destination Pier 91 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. I waved goodbye as the three of them embarked on a week of cruising up and around southeast Alaska with Holland America. The big boat!

Bon Voyage Lake! You’re in good hands! Enjoy your adventure!

And enjoy it he commenced to fully and immediately embrace the cruising lifestyle!

Right up to Juneau! Looks like perfect days! I’m glad you’re spending it together!

Lake is a boy who loves being in the boat and on the water! Reading Boys in the Boat while pregnant with Lake Michael and I had grand aspirations for Lake being a big tall strapping crew member at UW and rowing to Olympic Gold. Then after a couple years he started to develop his own personality and it becomes harder to project our own fantasies and imaginations onto him. Now we just are along for the ride. And what a ride it is!

Lake had a thrill renting kayaks from Agua Verde Paddle Club with Luisa when Jo was visiting last week. Boy in the kayak on Lake Union.

And paddling around with us and Jo earlier this month in Eastern Washington. Boy in the Canoe on Newman Lake!

Were aoften our and about on the Washington State Ferries. Here’s a happy Boy in the Ferry Boat on the Salish Sea!

And now Lake is getting all packed up and ready to set sail to Alaska on the cruise boat with NanaBaba! Thank you in advance NanaBaba for the upcoming Alaskan adventures. So exciting to be sleeping in the boat and on the water for a whole week.

We celebrated Luisa’s 20th Birthday with an evening of joy filled antics. To start we sang “Happy Birthday, dear Luisa” and opened presents… Lake helping. Then we bicycle caravanned down to Greenlake and had dinner at Rosita’s where Luisa was serenaded by the mariachi band. After dinner we rode our bicycles around the lake, Luisa pulling Lake in the trailer. Michael and I were riding the tandem bicycle and it was quite a thrill! Such a beautiful evening. There was even a rainbow! We horsed around on the beach for Luisa’s amusement. You’re only turning 20 once! But we can all relive the feeling. So much fun! Happy Birthday Luisa! A perfect day, a perfect age… we’re glad you’re spending it with us!

Lake loves to visit Nora and Ed on “Nora’s Farm” where they have nine sheep, 12 chickens, two dogs, a barn cat, and one ten year old angora rabbit (Robert). It pleases me that Lake loves it so, as I’ve been loving coming here myself to visit Nora on her “fiber farm” for over twenty years now. We like to eat fresh farm food and have long deep conversations.

It was good to be back in the lovely spring weather, everything so bright green, Lake learning how to pee in the bushes, and us all eating kale and arugula blossoms out of the garden. Our last visit here was a memorable Groundhogs’ Day visit filled with Snow, Sea, and (naturally) Sheep. We were visiting Nora’s Farm right at the beginning of the infamous Seattle Snowpocylypse of February 2019. We were there when the first flakes began to fall. It was magical and we didn’t want to leave. But we did get out before being snowed in. It turned out they were snowed in for a week! It was cute that this Mother’s Day weekend, Lake remembered their sheep dog Buddy fondly as “Snow Dog”. He was keeping a close eye on Snow Dog so as to minimize getting snooped!

Lake and I find the sheep to be so interesting. It’s fun to get up close and say hello! They have really big coats now, so they were panting in the heat, even in the shade. Shearing time is coming soon, friends!

We were invited out to especially to visit the six new baby chicks. We thought we might be able to pet them, but at only 3 weeks old, they weren’t so very sociable yet. Really fun to watch their little chick antics though and listen to them cheeping.

The weather was heavenly and the pace was deliciously leisurely making for a lovely visit on Nora’s Farm. On Sunday we went into town to Fort Worden State Park and visited the Port Townsend Marine Science Center Aquarium. Nora wanted to introduce us to the octopus. How beautiful and smart and gracefully she moved.

We all had fun “petting” the sea anemones, sea stars and worms with their delicate fans so reactive to our touch!

And in the end we were really tuckered out and it felt good to have a cuddle and read our books!

Thank you Nora and Ed for the rejuvenating visit on your farm! We hope we didn’t wear you out overly much and wish you and all the farm residents well… until we meet again!