The Little Mermaid

Phoebe shows off the swim bracelet she earned for passing the swimming test at our local pool.

Most Determined

Zach was recognized at his Swim Team Banquet (if hot dogs and burgers on the lawn by the pool counts as a banquet) last weekend. He got the award for Most Determined.

Given that we have been emphasizing the importance of hard work with Zach since reading this (highly recommended) article several months ago, his Most Determined award is most welcome.

Swimming lesson

As I was watching Phoebe and Ben during their swimming lesson, they seemed to be having an impassioned discussion. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but here is how I imagined their conversation:

Phoebe: Tell me, Benjamin, why is it that Mom and Dad are compelled to have us learn to swim? Is not swimming an inherently dangerous activity?

Ben: Oh, it is! Did you know that Cryptosporidiosis is an extremely contagious parasite that is immune to chlorine-based treatments and requires a specific antibiotic to treat?

Phoebe: People are not made to dwell in the waters, but on the dry land, as God intended.

Ben: Perhaps not. Tom Sietas of Hamburg, Germany holds the records for holding his breath underwater, doing so for 9 minutes and 8 seconds.

Phoebe: This man you speak of, he is no mere human! He is a member of the Merfolk race, that is, humanoids that live underwater. A merfolk has the upper body, arms, and head of a fair-featured human, and instead of legs it has the scaled tail of a great fish.

Ben: Why must you speak of such nonsense? I refuse to listen any longer!