End of June Faves

So, I missed last week's FFF due to traveling/college visits with our youngest gal.

This week's FFF will include photos/videos of the last couple of weeks.  Sadly, I have no photos of Father's Day!!  But my husband got his wish:  a new Kindle from me and a movie date with the girls. I join in to this weekly meme by linking up at Susanne's site.

• DANCE SHOW!  Claire had her annual dance show with the Academy of Dance on Friday evening June 17th. The theme this year was "The Magic of Dance". She did 2 Lyrical Ballet pieces and 3 advanced ballet numbers, two of which were on pointe.  Unfortunately I still don't have the long pointe one uploaded.  It was a pas de trois.  This is Claire's 5th year on pointe. It is her 14th year of taking ballet.  

This first video is her lyrical class.  There were 3 of them.  Claire is the 2nd girl to come out on stage. The piece is titled "Precious Things".  For those of you who are interested I have also included links to 3 of the other 4 dance numbers.  Make sure you turn your sound up.

Please click on the following link to watch Claire's 2nd Lyrical dance

"Beyond the Stars" Lyrical duet

Please click on this link to watch Claire on pointe

"The Ballet Class"

Please click the following link to watch the advanced ballet class.

This dance is in regular ballet shoes only...no pointe.

"Coppelia" (one selection)

• SUMMER!  On June 20th we celebrated the first day of the Summer Season and on June 22 we had our last day of school/work.  I love being home for the summer and Claire is happy to be done with exams and homework.  She is going to volunteer for the next 3 weeks at an inner city rescue mission working at their VBS program for young children.  Other than that, we plan on going to the lakes alot, kayaking,  having bonfires, hiking, resting, and reading.  

• COLLEGE VISITS!  On June 23 and 24th we visited two different colleges with Claire in beloved Boston.  We left early Thursday morning to get to Boston University by 1:30.  Here are some fave photos from that day:

Boston University on the Charles River side
walking down towards Undergrad Admissions

Dave and Claire on "the beach" of BU

the Whale Tail on "the beach" at BU

The next day (Friday) we had a mid-morning til mid-afternoon tour and info session at Boston College.  (opposite direction on the green line of the T from BU for those of you familiar with Boston).  BC was only a mile from our hotel.  We were most impressed with this tour and info session.  Here are some fave pics from that day:

Dave and the BC undergrad admissions office
with the Eagle (mascot) sculpture

Claire enjoys the fountain on the walk to Boston College Admissions

• BROWSING BOSTON!  So, of course after the college visits, we hopped back on the T to browse Boston in the evenings.  Thursday evening we went to the south side and ate dinner at a little Ethiopian restaurant.  Great service, but we discovered we are NOT fans of the food.  We LOVED the coffee. Friday late afternoon/evening saw us exploring Newbury Street (a fave of ours).  We did some browsing in some fave stores, listened to jazz musicians on the street for a couple of songs, went to the Pru (Prudential Center) to do some exploring there, and then back to Newbury for a wonderful Italian dinner at this place.  There were tables available outdoors so since it was a perfect summer evening, we ate outside.  Perfect ending to a great day!  The next day we met Dave's brother and wife at Castle Island to hang out on the beach for a bit and then did the free tour at Fort Independence.  Here are some fave photos from these excursions:

Fort Independence Monument

Claire on Castle Island beach
Boston, MA

Flags on Fort Independence

jazz trio on Newbury St/Boston

• HIKING!  I had the chance to hike yesterday in the Central Adirondacks on a new-to-me trail (built just 2 years ago by NYS/DEC) to one of the most remote and tallest waterfalls in the mountains.  It was 3 miles one way but the terrain was relatively flat with a few rolling ridges.  My back has been giving me trouble and yesterday didn't help but it DID feel good to be in the wilderness again with a friend from church who also happens to be a co-worker at the school!  We had a really good time.  After the hike, I came home to shower and then Dave and I went out to this restaurant to celebrate our anniversary!  Yesterday marked #26!!  

OK Slip Falls
Central ADKS
North Creek, NY

on the ledge overlooking the falls
30 June 2016

That wraps up my last 2 weeks.

I hope you are enjoying the start of summer and all that you have planned.

Happy Weekend!