In the Jungles of Puiseux

We had some visitors to the house today.

Finale Avenirs - Jeunes at Chateau-Thierry

Today was the final swim meet of the 2018-2019 season. Benjamin improved his time in every single race today, and Noah finished 3rd in 50-meter backstroke.

We parents celebrated by bringing a full-on potluck lunch complete with watermelon and chocolate mousse instead of our usual sandwiches. 

Noah

Noah, ready to go

Benjamin in breaststroke

Benjamin

Noah, 3rd in 50-meter backstroke

Inauguration of the Route d'Artagnan

The Route d'Artagnan is an equestrian route that runs from Belgium, through France, down to Spain. The part that goes through our area was inaugurated today, so we went to the party on the castle grounds in Villers-Cotterêts.

Musketeers everywhere!

End of Season Club Swim Meet

The swim club had its end-of-season meet yesterday, and we parents managed to organize a barbecue afterwards together. The weather cooperated, so a fun time was had by all!

Benjamin, during warm-ups

Noah, during warm-ups

Benjamin in butterfly

Noah getting ready

Noah in backstroke

Noah, champion!

Benjamin, champion! 

Proof we were there, too.

Always thinking about food

Noah: Mom, did I tell you what I dreamed about last night?

Me: No.

Noah: I dreamed my math teacher was going to tell us how humanity was created. And he said, "Humanity was created thanks to carbonara pasta." I'm always thinking about food!

Aisne Departmental Championships

Benjamin and Noah swam about 10 races each at the Aisne Departmental Championships today.

Benjamin came in 1st in 100-meter backstroke for 11-14 year olds and 4th all ages, 2nd in 200-meter backstroke for 11-14 year olds, and 3rd all ages, 3rd in 50-meter backstroke for 11-14 year olds, and 3rd in 200-meter freestyle for 11-14 year olds.

Noah was 1st in 100-meter breaststroke for 11 year olds. 

Benjamin, ready to go

Benjamin after the race

Benjamin in backstroke

Noah, getting ready

Noah in breaststroke

Benjamin, champion!

Benjamin and Noah, preparing for the team relay

Noah, after a race

Noah during 100-meter medley

Benjamin in breaststroke

Noah in backstroke

Noah finished his quilt top

Less computer time means more time for creativity! Noah gathered fabric scraps at Grandma's house, and started this quilt top probably two years ago. 

He's a busy kid, what with school, swim practice, guitar lessons, computer, playing outside, and working in the yard - but with limited computer time recently, he decided to pull out his quilt top and finish it.

 

Just the right size!

Just in time to take it to the US so Grandma can help him quilt it!

Swim meet at Crépy-en-Valois

Benjamin came in 2nd in 100-meter backstroke today with a time of 1'21.06, 2 seconds better than his previous best time.

He cut 3 minutes and 36 seconds off of his 1500-freestyle, and finished in 20'59.31 (his coach wanted him to shoot for 21 minutes... done!).

He also trimmed 27 seconds off his 400-freestyle, for 5'30, and shaved 2 seconds off his 50-meter freestyle. Great day all around!

After the 1500-meter freestyle!