Memorial Day at Seringes-et-Nesles

When we can, we try to visit one of the nearby American cemeteries for the Memorial Day ceremony. This year, we went to Seringes-et-Nesles. Its ceremony is a bit smaller than the one in Belleau, but it's still very good for helping the boys appreciate their American roots and the Franco-American relationship.

We listened to the Star Spangled Banner and the Marseillaise, heard some short speeches, and some poems read by French high school students.

Many flowers presented by various groups, both French & American.

American and French flags, flown together.

Wherein Benjamin not only swims the 200-meter butterfly, but wins a medal!

Benjamin had his last official swim meet yesterday. He only had races in the morning, but we stayed all day to cheer on his teammate, who had races in the afternoon. We thought his coach was crazy, signing him up for the 200-meter butterfly, but he showed us!

Here he is, waiting for his race.

Benjamin doing the 200-meter butterfly.
Not only was it technically correct, so he wasn't disqualified, but he also won 2nd place!

About to do his turn in the backstroke.

200-meter butterfly - second place!

And... we got to follow Columbo through the forest on our way home.

Happy Birthday!

Someone had a birthday!

And he did not even have to make his own cake!

Ever-improving in swimming

I think this might have been Benjamin's best swim meet yet. He's now swimming with the 11-14 year old category. This time, he swam: 100 meter butterfly, 100 meter freestyle, 50 meter freestyle, 200 meter breaststroke, and 400 meter freestyle - and he improved on every single time!

Noah got to warm up with the team, and cheer them on.

His butterfly has improved by leaps and bounds this year!