Monday, March 5, 2012

Medieval Times

Jill's Journal: If there’s one part of their history studies the girls have enjoyed almost as much as Ancient Egypt, it’s the Middle Ages. We really delved in deeply in second grade history this year, complete with several books in our literature classes to back it up, and skimmed over it pretty nicely in kindergarten as well. Of course, the great thing about homeschooling is that when one child in the family learns it, the others also absorb quite a bit without even meaning to. And so, with visions of knights and castles dancing in the girls’ heads, I knew just the perfect place for us to visit…

…Medieval Times! To our delight, the five other members of our immediate family on my side drove the many hours to join us. We so love getting the whole family together anyway and then Grandpa and Beppy made it even more special by being kind enough to treat us all. There’s eight or nine Medieval Times in North America, including this one in Buena Park, California, and it is so fun to indulge and get lost in another time. If you’ve never been to Medieval Times, it goes something like this... You come to a feast at the castle as a guest of the king. You’re treated to a three-course Medieval-era meal, which of course means no utensils. You eat with your hands, drink your soup, and are served by serfs and wenches. While eating you enjoy Medieval-era entertainment, including some spectacular horsemanship and falconry. Finally, a tournament ensues, with knights jousting and fighting to the “death” with lances, swords, alabaradas, bolas, and all the other deadly weapons of the time. Each section of the castle has its own knight to cheer for and he plays to the crowd, tossing out flowers to selected ladies and choosing one to be his “queen of the tournament.” Beppy got a flower, as did Erika and Madelyn. Poor little Victoria was feeling mighty left out until our knight chose her to be his special lady and gifted her with a keepsake banner. The entire experience is such a grand time. Sure, maybe it’s a little goofy, but that’s part of the fun. I knew Erika would love it – and oh, she LOVED it and is wishing time travel were possible – but Madelyn surprised us all by proclaiming repeatedly it was even better than Disneyland. She wants to go again for her birthday. All our girls can’t wait for another chance to visit.

Have I mentioned the horses? Andalusians, Friesians, Lipizzans, and more. These stunning, beautiful equines are the true stars of the show. Is it any wonder we all loved it?

Of course, pictures and a description don’t do the experience justice and my camera didn’t appreciate the lighting so the snapshots are all a little blurry. No matter; I think the girls will look back at these photos and the joy they felt at the time will all come rushing back to them.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a fun day it was!!! Your first picture looks like something out of a dream. Your pics are perfect, telling of the wonderful day we had. Long drive, but so worth it for all of us to be together. Love, MOM

Anonymous said...

PS And the yellow knight!! Need I say more!

Jill said...

Ha ha, Mom -- we DID love our yellow knight, didn't we?! LOL! Such a fun, fun day. I love my family. :)

gretchenhs said...

I went when I was in Las Vegas once, and I LOVED it too. Totally corny, but so fun. I can't wait to take Liz sometime. =)

Anonymous said...

Awww... I LOVE Medeival Times! Have some nice memories of going there with you, too, my Lady.

~Jennifer

Jill said...

Aw Jen, those were the days!!

Annigjen said...

Ahh Medielal times, that brings back some memories :)
So great to hear the girls had a blast, I think Andy would love this too!

Jill said...

Annigje, that's right -- I had forgotten! Oh my goodness, I think I need to pull out some old photo albums and revisit those days...that was a LONG time ago! And yes, I'll bet Andy would love it. :)

Annigjen said...

How could you, we had the handsome black and white knight back then :) I pull the pics out every now and then and Andy loves to watch them with me and revisit those days. He wants to go to all the places I went, so cute :)

And he is a bit jealous because we got to see "real" knights in shining armor, so I know he woul love to see it :)

Jill said...

Holy cow -- I remember that black and white knight! Swoon!! Ha ha!

Unlike us, you're lucky to have real-life castles not too far away...sounds like Andy would love to pay some a visit. Isn't it neat for these kids to find a time period in history that fascinates them? I love it.

Annigjen said...

We have castles here, but I only got to visit the one here in Apeldoorn, it is called het Loo.

Andy is fascinated by history especially thinks like knights, castles, dinosaurs and Egyptian history. Recently there is a sort of Medieval Times os the Netherlands as well, I have to figure out where it is and just take Andy there, I just wanna see the joy and the exitement on his little face :)

Jill said...

Annigje, it sounds like Erika and Andy would make good friends...they have the same interests! Really neat.