Normandy Trip

We had a great trip. The car rides went very well - no blown tires, we didn't run out of euros and no one puked in the car - we are making progress. Normandy has been on Kens list of places to go while we live here. This trip made both of us have a new appreciation for what the soldiers in the war went through. It is hard to describe what it is like being at the war memorials. It is both emotional and almost bittersweet.

The best part of the trip for me was on the first day. I struggled before the trip as to what to tell Ava we were going to see. I figured I would start as vague as possible and go from there. So, we started with "we are going to see an important place where people fought over who was the boss". I should have maybe read up on how to talk to a 4 year old about war! While we were at the American Cemetery and Memorial on Omaha Beach, it was very clear that our little explanation was not going to appease her and the questions started. "Why were they fighting?", "Did people die?", "Why do some people have crosses and some have stars?", "Is Hitler in heaven?". I give our answers a B-, definitely room for improvement. I know that she will probably not remember being here, but I am happy that we were able to have some good conversations about what went on and that she was taking things in and asking meaningful questions. When we got back to our apartment at night, she wanted to draw (she is very into drawing right now!). I asked her to draw anything that she remembered from the day and this is what she came up with.

The cross on the left has a flower on it and the purple thing in the middle is a star. Of course, as a typical 4 year old, the star ones were her favorite! Such a great moment as a parent!

Our first day started at Arromanches. This was the harbor that the Allies used to transport vehicles, troops and goods after the initial attack. 

She had to write her name in the sand. We learned that she is a beach girl 

and could play in the sand for a long time!

 Overlooking Arromanches.

Arromaches with the tide out. The rusted floats on the beach supported the roads that they used to transport the vehicles, troops and goods. 

We then went to Omaha beach where we went to the American Cemetery and Memorial - so difficult to describe. The memorial was pretty emotional, listening to the personal stories and hearing them name each individual that gave their life.

So peaceful and beautiful now.

The chapel in the middle of the graves. 

The second day we went to Mont St. Michel and then took a scenic drive to St. Malo.

 Mont St. Michel from afar.

 Ava got to take a special tour of the abbey with Daddy. She always loves when she gets to do special things that her brother has to stay back on!

Inside the abbey.

They are redoing the entrance, so there was a bunch of construction!

On our drive to St. Malo. The tide was out, so the boats were a bit stuck.

"Pointe du Grouin"- absolutely beautiful

Beckett was over the pictures.

Beautiful sunset

My pretty girl.

The next day we went to Utah Beach. Ava loved playing in the sand and jumping over the waves.

Showing Beckett what the American flag looks like. 

Showing some muscle.

Loving her beach time. 

 Loving the beach, just like her Mom.

 Jumping waves. Unfortunately for her, she also has her Mothers coordination skills.

Has to do everything his sister does.

On the fourth day, we went to Etrétat and then stopped in a fishing town called Honfleur. 

Throwing pebbles at Etrétat.

Ava got to do the hike to the top of the cliff with Daddy.

The golf course at the top of the cliff. Ken was jealous.

Handsome boy.

Trying to convince Beckett to take a nap and just let me lay there. Didn't work.

Honfleur

Saint Catherines Church in Honfleur.

The church was all wood, so they built the bell tower across the 

square to lighten the load of the wooden roof.

Honfleur at night. 

On the last day, Ken took Ava to the Tapestry Museum in Bayeux where we were staying. Rick Steves gave it a top rating, but Ken was not very interested in it. Ava still managed to get him to buy a postcard - who will be the lucky recipient of the tapestry postcard?