Fair Thee Well

Last week was fall break here at Morning Star Academy. That means we didn't do school. That means we went to visit My Sweetie's parents. That means I snuck in school other ways.

The biggest way I finagled lessons in was that we went to the Texas Renaissance Festival.

We are finishing up the Middle Ages, so it was perfect in our school schedule. Well... actually... if I was right on schedule it would have been perfect, but ... um... God's either trying to heal me of perfectionism or He's trying to help me see that being on my game would bless my school even more. You decide.

The only reasons we were (almost) confident taking the kids to this festival that can be raunchy are that A) it was School Days (two days set aside for school groups) and B) we had called to check on what was "different" about School Days as compared to the regular ones.


Morning Star Academy students had no idea what they were in for that day. The teacher and the principal were excited (and a tad bit anxious that the Ren Fest rep did not have the same working definition of "dialed back significantly" as us). Nana, Aunt D and Cousin R joined us for the fun (and educational input.... sh!).

We really did have a blast tromping around looking at period wares, watching and cheering for a a joust, jumping to weapons training every hour or so, listening to Old English from everyone in period attire, riding rides that used no electricity, eating a big ol' fat turkey leg, dancing to Scottish drums and bagpipes, yelling for our favorite mud slinging, and riding an elephant that loved snuffling his snout all over Wee Babe's face (thankfully the obsession was mutual). All activities that were authentic to the period and reinforced study of the Middle Ages.

Then there were a few things that were a bit of a stretch. Faith and Princess jumped on the Da Vinci Human Catapult. The four middle kids pulled themselves in a large boat swing. All of us singing "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" with some pirates.

All in all, it was a nice tie in for school and fun day. We just love field trips and this one met all my requirements (must be related to what we are studying, chests were covered, jokes were clean, drinks were non-alcoholic) were met.

Sir Thomas did declare me a witch to his companion while I was using my cell phone to find My Sweetie (he said red is the color of betrayal and that talking to one's self is a sure sign), but I still count the day as a win. Especially since I wasn't burned at the stake.