Birthday Boys!

Ready for Battle!

In late May and early June of 2011 Brad turned 11 and Devin turned 14.  Their birthdays are only 1 week apart so we decided to make a day trip down to, yep, you guessed it Schaumburg, IL.  This time we went with the purpose of going to Medieval Times to celebrate their respective birthdays. 

HaZaaaaaaa!

Medieval Times is a blast!  Especially for kids and kids at heart.  It's on the pricey side ($60.95 for adults and $36.95 for kids 12 and under), but they always have BOGO deals and other offers to help with the price.  What's included with that price is the live show during and after dinner and his Majesty's royal feast.  Before you are even seated there is plenty to do outside the arena.  Medieval shops sporting real swords, chess boards, crowns and jewelry reminiscent of the time.  Of course there is a full bar with glow in the dark souvenir cups and mugs all ranging in price from $8 up to $25.  We did not partake in these as i knew we were getting soda or tea inside during dinner.  We did, however, get the boys a wooden sword and hatchet as long as they promised not to kill each other before we got home.  Always a good suggestion when in a car.

 The meal is really good consisting of a oven roasted chicken, tomato bisque soup, herb-roasted potato, spare ribs, garlic bread, "pastry of the castle" (which to me tasted like a McDonald's apple pie) and soda, tea or coffee.  Here's the catch...no silverware.  Seriously, you have to eat with your hands.  I think this was the part the boys loved best!  Devin also loved the extra chicken he got from Tracy and i.  Brad loved the extra ribs.  There was no way i could eat it all.  Did i mention it was a whole chicken?...the kind you can hold the wings of and make it dance?  That was my little added entertainment that cracked everyone up.

Right about the time soup is served by your serving wench the show begins with live actors and horses.  The epic battle begins and each knight is represented by a color.  This time we were green so we supported the green knight with loud cheers.  At the same time we got to "boo" the other knights...all of whom are riding on live horses.  There is real sword fighting with sparks flying off of the blades when struck.  There is a jousting tournament and other horsemanship tricks.  Devin and i loved being able to scream at the top of our lungs when the rest of the crowd was going wild...we screamed like school girls and cracked up about it.  The boys loved the dinner and the show and wanted to come back as soon as possible.  I always feel like this is when i know we've done something right.

Below is a quick video of the knight's entrance into the arena.  As you'll be able to see, it's not a small affair.  This is when we get introduced to our knight and shortly thereafter the competitions begin.  All the while the King and Princess look on from up above.  We will likely come back since we had such a fun time.