Late Thanksgiving

 We've missed our family Thanksgivings in the US since covid struck, but we enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at home over the weekend. 

First club meet of 2022-2023 season

They've come a long way from when they were the little kids watching the big kids with admiration in their eyes - now they are the big kids! 

Benjamin was proud to have won the 200-meter butterfly and the Australian relay, and Noah was proud of his first place in 100-meter medley.

Noah, third from left, Benjamin, fourth from left

Noah trying not to die during the butterfly race

Benjamin, not too tired to smile after the butterfly race

 

Christmas at Disneyland

 Ok, not quite Christmas yet, but it's our family Christmas present from Frédéric's work. So we're not picky about the date. 

Regionals at Abbeville: Tourism

We stayed in a great AirBNB, built by our hosts

We ate "American BBQ" (yeah, not so much)

And we visited St Valery sur Somme

 

with its tame boar, on the beach

 

 

Regionals at Abbeville: the pool

Benjamin, Noah, and their teammate all qualified for regionals at Abbeville, so we spent the weekend there. 

 We spent some of the time at the pool. Benjamin swam the 50, 100, and 200 meter backstroke, and Noah swap the 50 meter freestyle, 50 and 200 meter breaststroke, and 50 meter backstroke. They improved their times, and Benjamin swam in the finals of the 200-meter backstroke.

Noah, Clément, and Benjamin

Benjamin, Clément, and Noah with their coach, Bruno

Noah, warming up

Benjamin, in backstroke

Benjamin, after his race

Noah, ready to go

Coming soon: new swimming judges

Noah and his teammate Clément decided to qualify this year as timekeepers and finish judges. They finished their finish judge qualification yesterday, and will now be able to participate as timekeepers or judges or timekeepers in the younger kids' swim meets.

 

No Bigfoot in Picardy

Unfortunately, Frédéric and I returned home from Normandy with Covid. Per current rules, we're isolating, and wearing masks around the kids, who don't have it - but they are still allowed out as long as they're negative. 

Noah wasn't too sure about being confined in a car with us even for the 10-minute drive to the pool, even masked, though.