Brilliant Boys!

So the moral of the story is save before you close! Yup had just started writing and got so excited with the addition of the photos that I didn't save my previous ramblings...........no bother. I was explaining that Isaac previously know as someone allergic to any outside work or just helping has gone through a miraculous transformation and now is so wonderful and helpful person ever and I do catch myself doing a double take. This has been slowly evolving and then while I was away in Oregon...........Isaac being instigator and main team leader, built and placed Chimnea on flags and cemented around said Chimnea in garden and now we have the most amazing area to sit and enjoy the spring, summer, autumn evenings...........all because of the most wonderfully helpful Issy.

I know that he looks like he is in pain but that is smiling. Maybe this is a better shot.

Plus you can see the front of the chimnea.!

 

The other thing that we have been doing is Dance Competition training. This has been full on for weeks and this last week tipped into totally intense. Louie was going to do a dance solo (a completely new number learned in about 4 weeks) tap number and a duo ballet (he has previously learnt and two team dances. So lots of work. The competition was in Harrisburg and we decided that we would stay over.

 

So to Harrisburg...........this story goes to the fact that I live my life in a constant state of surprise.....Harrisburg was not the urbanite super capital of PA but rather boring and as it was Sunday everything was closed.!!!! By going further into the state, I was getting less cosmo and more farming hicksville. Erm sorry anyone that loves Harrisburg. But there you go. I was completely surprised and amazed by that but I will know for next time.

 

The hotel was really noisy and so I didn't get more than 2 hours sleep..............well so surprisingly I was knackered and grumpy. But Louie did get sleep thank goodness. Showered dressed and ready to perform. It was duo first with Elizabeth and then followed by solo tap. After lunch it was the team numbers.

 

Louie did really well and did get some prizes, the second that he scooped for the solo was hard won and the audience loved him so that to me is a double win. The team number that had been performed previously at the University won a second prize and that too was very well done.

 

Some of Louie's highlights were seeing the lip sync slot of the competition and someone said to Isaac it was the lowest form of performance being performed in this competition and Isaac replied as they moved onto the 'costume section' of the judging.......yes people posing in a costume bought from a catalogue that maybe that section was lower! Yes it was a bit cabaret but really this is my cynical grumpy side speaking. Because the girls without exception did so well they danced to such a high standard and should be so proud, they really are a great set of people and Louie really tried so hard and was a complete dancing professional in his demeanour and how he conducted himself. He felt that without the competition he wouldn't have learnt all the new steps that he has and he enjoyed it and loved doing his numbers and being part of the dance team is something that he is immensely proud of. He would do it all again. So looks like I will be going back then....................

 

Last run through Friday and all those going to Harrisburg

 

Harrisburg Saturday night

Breakfast Sunday morning 6.30am

Ballet Duo, Shall We Dance, Louie and Elizabeth (honest she was the same height as him at Christmas..........)









 

Relief and trophy

 Mambo Number 5 team tap just before entering the Ballroom

 

 Isaac smiling!

for second breakfast

 

 

Solo Outfit for Singing in the Rain Remix

 

 

Just one more comment.........Isaac was amazing this weekend as a supportive brother and just being there and putting up with a long boring time. He really is a lovely big brother and we thank him for being so considerate............his competition is coming up...............to build a  Robotic Submarine...............more later.