Swim Meet and St Martin

We had a very full weekend.  Friday night we helped a new friends surprise their husband/dad for his birthday.  The night was filled with good food,  great conversation and fun laughter.
On Saturday morning Josie and Marty left early for her swim meet.  Marty had volunteered to be the announcer so he had to get there early to help set up.

Benjamin and I showed up an hour or so later.  Turns out that Marty didn't need to do any announcing and that a 3rd grader took his job.  Oh, well.  He gets points for being willing to do it. And by the time we showed up he had already made a couple of new friends.
Josie has improved SO much since her first meet just 5 weeks or so ago.  She was dead last in each race last time.  This time she was first each race for the first length. 

Benjamin cheering her end from
the end of the lane

She lost a bit of her edge as she headed back each time but I think came in 2nd in each race and was not disqualified at all.  Huge improvement and this time she actually seemed to be enjoying herself.  So cool to watch her grow and improve - both physically and emotionally. After her meet Josie and I had the chance to go grocery shopping and eat lunch together just the two of us.  I need to remember to set more time aside just for the two of us.  With Benjamin getting out 2 hours before Josie I feel like we connect more one on one than I have the chance to do with Josie.  I'm always impressed by her attitude and poise.  She always has been mature beyond her years.

Benjamin was SO excited because he had a scheduled play date with his buddy, Clayton.  At the end of Josie's meet Clayton and his dad came to the pool to pick up Benjamin.  This was his first play date at someone else's house (other than neighbors) since arriving.
During the playdate Clayton's mom invited us to join them at the St. Martin's play at the Berlin Cathedral.  We rarely leave our little town of Zehlendorf so it was a good excuse to get out and into the city center.
The Berliner Dome (Cathedral) was gorgeous.  The entire play about St Martin was in German and because we

Benjamin and Clayton in
Christmas green and red coats. 

arrived on the later side we were up in the nosebleeds but it was an awe inspiring experience just to be inside the beautiful cathedral.
After the St. Martin's mass/play all the kids took their homemade lanterns and had a parade down the street.  Our kids didn't have lanterns but it was fun to watch as the rest of the kids marched proudly with their colorful masterpieces.
We had decided to try a new to us Indian restaurant so we invited Clayton's family to join us much to Benjamin's pleasure.  We didn't know exactly where the restaurant was and ended up

making many wrong turns and several near misses on wrong buses which really added to the fun of the evening.
We eventually find the restaurant and all eat our fill (and then some) on some tasty Indian food.  VERY fulfilling weekend, food, friend and fun wise.

Terrible photo of the lantern parade

Eating yummy Indian food