June has definitely changed for me living in America. For starters it a whole heap hotter than June in the Isle of Man and I mean 90 degrees heat. It is also when school ends for the year. When I first moved it seemed a bit of a mad idea. Now I have lived here (nearly 8 years) it seems like quite a fine idea, especially given the afore mentioned temperatures. Plus the school year here is one long drag, literally it seems to be quite unrelenting and arduous for all concerned. So that said I'm glad that June is the start of summer but with all things there is a trying to get everything done before the end, so to speak and the school year is no exception. That means graduations, exams, dance recitals just actually everything happens at once and often on the same day. Although we lead a boring life, we have been affected by this and too get caught in the frenzy of having to get everything done....and so we decided that June would be the perfect time to launch Isaac's book. !
We also managed to get to Cape May and the sea and a break from all that preceded it....
The Launch!!!
I think that the quote is "and here we are writer looking crazed and I'm his minder" No actually they were having lots of fun as it is pre launch party. They know that their house is about to be invaded with guests...
as you can see the thought clearly doesn't worry Isaac....I was having doubts at this point that maybe I had over whelmed him. But the t shirt looked good! (The character is out of the book and a favorite of Isaac's)
In typical fashion I had gone into over drive and made a little "pop up shop"
a "signing Book area" or "meet and greet" with the author
In case as the guests are passing in the hallway and need to pick up an extra copy for signing...
and this is what they were greeted with. Bunting galore. I can safely say this was a brilliant day. Isaac had a ball and talked to all the people that came and sold a lot of books and it was wonderful to see his enthusiasm and people just being happy for him and being part of it. It really is completely one of the best and most meaningful parties I've ever had been to or done. Thank you Isaac!
Not to leave out the little un ....prize day at school and Louie received the prize for the sea glide project....taking over from Isaac on the team and doing a fantastic job and making a place for himself.
Recital
Oh that's right there is more and this is dress rehearsal....for recital.
There's the opening number
Big finish and if you just jerk that umbrella at the right moment, no one will see the delay in that automatic opening.....he did it bang on! Great job
Oh and then another run through of that number
This was a Bolloywood tap dance and Louie looked a dream in his costume made by a most lovely friend
Really it was fantastic and this is tap
All action and swirling
and onto Ballet and off we go
running and leaping
and big finish
Now that was just the rehearsal....all four hours and then the next day there would be two shows and over 40 dances performed in each show. Louie would be doing four of those dances twice over. It was a long day
But being a pro we are ready and here he is waiting for the opening number
I love being back stage and seeing the expressions on the dancer's faces and this is a favorite sneak shot
The atmosphere back stage and the angle of Louie's back, he's totally mesmerized by what is happening on stage
DOTTIE FOLEY
All of the following dance pictures were taken during the performances and Dottie captured so much I couldn't.
This dance made me cry each time on que.
So graceful
Then the sucker punch. The dance was dedicated to all the mums and yes that is me and a young Louie. He trawled the computer to find pictures of me...and found so few. But this one was his favorite and mine too....I cried so much, all the love is right there and there is the boy grown up facing it...look at that with dry eyes..it takes something not to. Even now I can't help but fill up. Such a lovely gesture and something I will not forget.
Wow and there they are..
It was an amazing day and really Louie surprised me again with his dedication and focus. You have earned a good rest!
Break!
So after a few days of wind down after all that excitement, we're going to one of the places on earth that I love and going over the Commodore Barry Bridge means that it's Cape May and we are heading into New Jersey!
Sweeping past corn fields
and into our local coffee shop in Cape May
Cool dude in a cool shop
Very cool retro truck
the view from the apartment. Serisouly didn't even need to get my feet wet
But it is a little breezy
But the sun is shiny
and everything is beach fantastic
This pose lasted for about a second!
But the tournament is on and we are pitch and put or crazy golf (which ever you prefer) ready!
That my firend is a hole in one! Yes indeedy and it's my hole in one!
By now it's quite the windy day
But moto cycle cop is ready and making his shots
Did I mention surf is up?
So that would be no one on the beach right now
But these day lillies aren't bothered
This has to be a typical Jersey shore shot....really
Sometimes they melt the heart
I did say sometimes
Dusk on the beach
Just idyllic
Made the Louie all energetic
He loved it!
Now everyone knows I hate pictures of my self but as stated earlier...I have been told that it has to end and the family have demanded....Louie...that I take more
So here is a begining of the dreaded selfie
We almost fit and to think we actually told a stranger we didn't need help...well..pride and fall and all that
Half a face is better to fit in the Dames!
I love this picture, they're off and Damian is just behind...definitely feeling we are seeing grown up peoples now
and the caption reads..."Cyril will you quit hiding from me! I can actually see you! "
The sea was still high this day too
Grasses blowing
but nonone ventured out as this was storm...and it was powering in
The next morning you could see how powerful it had been. I went to the beach looking for flotsom...fat chance that surf had got rid of it and cleaned that beach right up
Morning over the bird sanctuary
This plant grows right on the shore...pretty amazing
Yes that's right time for a hug, both these lads have done so much and that hug sums it up. Dog tired they are. But we aren't even half way through the summer yet...there is more to come. Hopefully cooler!!!!
