Anna’s Medieval Day

Last November, the fourth graders at Anna’s school experienced Medieval Day.  I’ve talked about these curriculum days before that our school does – such wonderful ways to experience history and actually remember it.  

Each of the four fourth-grade classrooms were transformed and the kids rotated through each.  One room was a castle where the teacher read a story. 

The next room was the monastery where the kids took a vow of silence in the hall before entering, then copied rules of the monastery with a quill and ink. 

Another room was the marketplace where the kids negotiated prices for various goods.  Each class made the goods ahead of time – plastic goblets, banners, shields and crowns.

The fourth room was Sherwood Forest where Robin Hood made an appearance and talked to the kids about his life, weapons and helping the poor.  I chatted with Robin Hood that day and was amazed to hear he’s been coming to our school for over a decade for Medieval day to talk to kids.  He uses this platform to talk about helping those in need, bullying and being a responsible citizen. 

And lastly, the kids ate an amazing feast! 

I so enjoy helping with these days at school.  Each of these curriculum days requires many parents to help the teachers.  The day before Medieval day we had about 4-5 parents per classroom helping to set up after school.  Then the day of there are that many parent helpers per classroom again, plus other parents who drop in here and there for the morning.  Now that we live so close to the school, Kenny was able to stop by briefly during his workday which Anna enjoyed.  

Anna and her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Rogers.

Anna’s 10th Birthday

Anna turned 10 in November – double digits!  Currently, Anna is into Harry Potter and is working hard to finish reading the series.  She’s on Book 6 (of 7) which is bigger than my study bible!  As she finishes each book we watch the corresponding movie together.  We noticed this week the difference in the books she’s reading now versus a few years ago.  She used to LOVE fairy books with fewer words, bigger print, and pictures.  The Harry Potter series is definitely more words, smaller print, and zero pictures. 

And, she of course still loves ballet.  Her next performance, Coppelia, is in three weeks! 

She’s been waiting for years for her tenth birthday so she could get her ears pierced.  A couple of weeks before her birthday we all four went to Claires to support her.  

Anna’s birthday fell on a Sunday, and when I knocked on her door to wake her up that morning, this is what I found!  She was dressed and ready to go! 

We celebrated that morning with french toast for breakfast and she opened gifts from family before we headed off to church.  

That afternoon we had a Harry Potter birthday party complete with a scavenger hunt for the girls, a Quidditch match adapted for the trampoline, mixed our own potions (club soda with chocolate sauce, blueberry syrup, or lime juice) and we served ice cream sundaes and Butter Beer (Cream Soda).  Kenny was instrumental in making the Quidditch match and potions happen.  He came up with the ideas, bought the supplies, and set it all up.  

Birthday phone calls from grandparents

We ended the day going out for Mexican food with all of our family.  

We love you so much, Anna!