Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Medieval Times

Katie's birthday was New Year's Eve. And I told you a little about our celebration in this post. But...I got a number of questions about what we were doing. So, I thought I'd tell you about the whole evening.

Last year, Katie had a slumber party with 6 of her friends. And I vowed to not do that again. I made lots of suggestions for her for this year. A pool party. A cooking party. I was pretty much open to anything that did not involve a sleep over.

Then a few weeks ago, we saw sale ads for Medieval Times. Normal prices are about $50 a person. I was so not going to do normal. Nor was I going to do the New Year's Eve "special" of $75 a person. So, we made reservations for the 30th. Katie invited two of her friends. And then somehow it all morphed into a spend the night party. I don't know how it happened.

The girls were really excited to go. But we really didn't know what to expect. Except that there would be some sort of show. With knights. And horses. And dinner without silverware. I think that the lack of utensils and manners was what the girls were most excited about.

We entered the hall and found that we would be cheering for the Red Knight. We got banners to wave. And crowns to wear.

We found our seats. (Notice the red glow. Each section had appropriatly colored lights. And we were bathed in red.)

And then the show started. Apparently the king had won a great battle. But his brother was killed by a traitor. So a year after the battle, there was a victory celebration with the valiant knights. And a mystery to solve. Who is the bad seed?

When they first started to come into the arena. Madalyn turned to me and said "they are hot!" Yes. It was Madalyn who started it all. Not the hormonal birthday girl. My 7 year old. I was so not prepared for the girls to spend the entire evening on their feet. Cheering for their Red Knight. Proclaiming their everlasting love. And screaming marriage proposals. I am just impressed that there were no bras thrown onto the arena floor.

We got to see them joust each other. Get ribboned rings. Get flowers from the Princess - which were thrown into the audience. And one was actually caught by Madalyn. Katie was quite sure that it was really meant for her.

There were exhibitions by the Master of Horse.

And a fly over by a hawk.

And then one last battle. When the enemy knight was revealed.

And after it was all over. All the knights came into the great hall with their sharpies. To sign autographs.

Madalyn was all about the autographs. Because they could sign her cast. She had all of them sign her cast. Including the evil knight. Who didn't have many autograph seekers. I think he had fun jeering for his photo.Madalyn wasn't picky. Unlike the older girls. Who only wanted photos with their one man. That they are still working out arrangements to share. Except Diana. Who wisely chose a different knight to love.

So...what about you? Have you ever been to Medieval Times? Or another kind of dinner theatre? Ever thrown your bra on stage? Or engaged in groupie-like behavior?

post signature

Theme Song - ELP - Lucky Man. I think it must be the Red Knight's theme song. I wonder if he has any idea what he is doing to these 11 year old girls. I wonder if his friends tease him.

54 comments:

Michelle said...

Luckily(?) I've never engaged in such behavior. I'm too reserved for that one.

I haven't been to Medieval Times, although there is one near us. I've been to dinner theaters before, with Shear Madness being one of the more fun and offbeat ones. Tony & Tina, I really did *not* like though.

I miss the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. That was always fun.

What a fun way to celebrate the birthday though!

Mrs Anne said...

that sounds like a BLAST! i was just thinking how fun it would be... i LOVE the pics!

theme dinners are so fun!

spendy but the experience is well worth it i'm sure!

xo

Shannon said...

Uh-oh... H is wanting a slumber-party for her birthday next month...


I have never been to Medieval Times... but it looks like so much fun! The only dinner theater I've been to is a local Murder Mystery Dinner Theater we have downtown. I've only been once but would like to go again!


And love that Madalyn got her cast autographed by the hot knights! M gets her red one off Wed. On this one, she didn't want autographs... instead she decorated it with Christmas objects... snowmen, ornaments, presents, etc.

Unknown said...

We went to Medieval Times when we were on vaca in CA when I was 11 or 12? It was a lot of fun. We had no idea what it really was in the beginning but in the end it was loads of fun. I think you are a very cool mom to take your kids there :)

Definitely never thrown a bra or really participated in groupie behavior. Oh, unless you count the man Mickey Mouse. Then all bets are off ;) (He'll be hiding on the ship from me in just five short weeks!)

WheresMyAngels said...

Wow, that is some pricey stuff! But waht fun, I would so love to go, but I would leave the kids at home!! ha ha

Rhea said...

OK, I really want to take my boys to this, but I think the only way to get the full effect of this event is to go with your girls...and their friends. Because it sounded hilarious. I love it!!!!

Scary Mommy said...

That looks like SO much fun!! They'll be talking about that party for, like, EVER! ;)

lynette355 said...

Fantastic blog!
You show how much fun that could be. My CG went in high school and said she enjoyed. Myself I could just imagine dust with horse poop in the wind with my food sitting there. Was told it is not like that but the image was stuck in my mind.
Glad they had fun and now a lil bit of puppy love to dream about. What a great memory for them all.

Runner Girl said...

Looks like a lot of fun, and a birthday to remember! Arenas with dirt floors and horses make great dining halls where your hands become utentsils--and throw your bra onto the floor!

Tam said...

The answer is NO to all your questions today.

Happy Tuesday!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a fun night. A few years ago my daughter and I went on a school trip to Chicago and we went to a Medieval Times show. It was a lot of fun but I left with a huge headache from all the screaming. The girls all went crazy for those guys on horseback, LOL! Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!

Mama Dawg said...

I've never been to Medieval Times but would love to. I went to a dinner theatre one time but I don't remember much about it. I think they were performing The King and I.

namaste said...

wow! that looks like a fun time!

Jen said...

how flippin' cool is that!?! i totally want two go!

LadyStyx said...

Man I LOVED my trip to Medieval Times and want to go again.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/ladystyx1969/2005-09-11%20Medieval%20Times/?start=0

The pix aint great but you're free to go take a look.

As for throwing my bra onstage...well *IF* I did someone would end up with a concussion so I dont bother. No sense knocking out the target of my affections ya know!

Megan R. said...

I've never been to Medieval (I had a hell of a time spelling that word!) Times, it looks like a ton of fun though!! Now, I am STILL a NKOTB groupie. In fact, they were here in Nov. for a concert, and I sooo badly wanted to go, but I had just given birth about a week or two before, so the timing wasn't right. Had I gone, there just MAY have been a bra thrown on the stage to Joey....

Unknown said...

Looks like they had a blast. I always got sucked into the sleepovers too- that's why I'm the sucker mom. ;)

Gina said...

I am so not a groupie. the only way I would throw my bra is if it was bugging me. I like my support too much.
I have always wanted to go to Medieval Times.

Unknown said...

That looks like so much fun!!!!!

Looking at their website, it appears that the closest one to us is in California, near Disneyland. I'm adding it to my list of places to go!

Back in Wellington, New Zealand, we had this medieval themed restaurant. They did banquets that had a medieval tavern theme, with lots of audience participation. I got to play a saucy, serving wench on one occassion. Lot's of fun. Rather bawdy though. :-)

Brandy said...

Yes to Medieval Times. Yes to throwing my bra. Yes to groupie behavior. No to elaborating.

Cassie said...

Your girls have such cute, cheery smiles! That looks like alot of fun! I have been to one dinner/theatre kind of thing. It was a murder mystery that occurred while we had dinner. You weren't really sure until the end if you would be a victom or killer or witness! It was fun!

Elena said...

Okay, that looks like a riot. What a great party! The closest thing we have to that is a restaruant in UT where the guys wear little speedos and dive from very high heighths into a big pool. My SIL's and I went a few years ago and were hooting and hollering so much the divers came and sat with us. Too bad we're all married (except one who's phone # we left on a napkin) but it made us feel young again.

wendy said...

I've never been there but after reading this, I know The Girl would absolutely love it. She used to ride horses before we convinced her to do gymnastics (thinking, foolishly, that it would be cheaper!) HA!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

Unknown said...

haven't been to Medieval Times, but have been to Dixie Stampeade which is the same thing just North v. South.

Have not thrown my bra on a stage, but have thrown my bra into a limo full of guys at a bachelors party while going 70 mph down an interstate.

Anonymous said...

What a fun post. I am with you on the sleepover. My wild Indian had her first one (10 girls total) this fall and I am still suffering from post traumatic stress disorder....

Carrie said...

I just don't know if I could handle a sleepover You are a brave woman!
I have been to Medieval times in South Carolina. It was quite fun but no Bra throwing for me LOL
My DH did enjoy himself. I think he secretly wanted to a knight.

jennifersusan said...

I've been wanting to take the kids to Medieval Times for years but we never make it. The one here is offering birthday specials (bday girl/boy gets in free).
The closest thing we get to it is the Ren Faire. We LOVE going to the ren faire and watching the joust and cheering for the bad guy. :)
groupie like behavior..hmm...maybe, but never lost my bra over it.

Sissy said...

We went to the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach and it was a fun show. We really enjoyed the food and the rodeo, but this sounds good too! In fact, it sounds like a little more fun.

Michelle said...

Looks like great fun!! We have a Renissance Festival around here onec a year. It is pretty cool. So what did you eat for dinner that you used no utencils??

I would say 2 is better than 6 for a sleepover!

Unknown said...

how cool!!!! branson hastons of shows...we have never been...i so wanna go to a show! we have a renisance faire here that is awesome but nothing on this level...cool so cool

Britt said...

Oh that sounds like so much fun! If I was 12 again, I'd totally be there .. because 12 was the beginning of my boy crazy stage.

Had I gone to a Hanson concert ever, I totally would have chucked my bra on stage. =-) Probably one of the reasons why my mom never let me go...

Britt said...

Oh that sounds like so much fun! If I was 12 again, I'd totally be there .. because 12 was the beginning of my boy crazy stage.

Had I gone to a Hanson concert ever, I totally would have chucked my bra on stage. =-) Probably one of the reasons why my mom never let me go...

ChicagoLady said...

I've been to Medieval Times twice. The first time was cool, because it was my first time. The second time it was ok, it just didn't have the same thrill for me as the first time.

I love going to dinner theatres in general though. We have several here and I do enjoy the live stage performances. I've lost track of how many I've gone to over the last 25 years.

I've never thrown my bra on stage, but I did engage in groupie behavior, for my 21st birthday, my friend took me to a strip club. Now THOSE men were HAWT!

Finding Normal said...

That looks so fun, although I have to say, I think the knights are a little too greasy for my taste.
I have never been to Medieval Times, but I've been to a dinner theater for The Music Man and some other musical. It was fun. The food was blah, but it was the experience! Bra on stage? No. Groupie-like behavior? No. I sat next to Bob Green (Oprah's trainer) on a flight from MN to LA once and peeked over his shoulder at a draft of his book. But I didn't talk to him. So no.
Can I just tell you, I take myself off mute for your blog? And leave you playing in the background? Love your music!

Tiffany said...

Have not been to Midieval Times but have been to a few dinner theaters while living in New York.

Have always wanted to go to Midieval Times though. Just haven't made it there as of yet.

Have not thrown my bra on stage before (or at least I can't remember doing so)! hee hee

Aubrey said...

How fun does that look! We have never been to a Medieval show but I would love to go next time we visit Vegas!
Your little one cracks. me. up!

Carrie said...

Oh boys! Cute, but probably a little less cute for their mom! :)
My niece is ten and told me that even though she doesn't like the Jonas brothers because their music is bad and she heard they were mean, but they are cute enough that she would let them come to her birthday party. Um, what happened to personality is more important than how a person looks. Gotta love it!

{leah} said...

Been there, done that, and the husband gave the look that said "if-you-throw-your-bra-down-there-I'm-going-to-leave-you-here"

{we didn't live in Vegas, so I thought best to keep myself together}

Unknown said...

What a FUN birthday! I am already trying to plan dane's for MAY... wish we had something like this... FUN FUN FUN...

Lula! said...

Good times...I want to go. But only with Katie and Madalyn, because they would bring the noise. And I'm all about bringing the noise.

Me? A groupie? Does the name JASON STATHAM mean anything to you?

I did see Vince Gill in concert when I was 17 and I waved to him--he waved back and winked.

And if I ever get to see Van Morrison or Simon & Garfunkel perform live, I will not throw undies on stage, but I will probably cry and convulse and carry on like a total idiot...because my dream will have been fulfilled. I'm very emotional, clearly.

Janice said...

How fun! Loved reading all your captions! We went to a similar event in Las Vegas at the Excalibur-eating with fingers and all!

Cheryl Lage said...

Oh they look like they had SUCH fun!

Never much of an undergarment thrower, I DID enjoy the Medieval Times at Excalibur with hubby pre-kids. :)

mommytoalot said...

Great photos!!
We've been to Medevil Times years ago when we just had two kids. They loved it..but umm Alec fell asleep. lol
..
we've also been to several other dinner shows..
and I highly recommend Oh Canada Eh, if you are ever in the Niagara Region

Teri said...

How fun! I can't believe you did another sleepover.

We went to this place when we were in Las Vegas a couple of years ago. They wouldn't allow any cameras, though. I was a little creeped out by the eating with the hands thing. The kids, of course, felt right at home.

As for throwing my bra on stage, Doug and I do this when we play rock star/groupie. Oh wait, that story is for another time. :-)

Tara Bennett said...

I've never done this before, but you guys sure make it look fun!!!

Firefly Mom said...

We took Cody for his 7th birthday when we lived in Texas. He *still* talks about it!

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Wow, I wish we had a place like that around here. My husband and I would love it, having studied about medieval stuff in history & literature classes

Nissa said...

Yeah, we've never been willing to spend the money for Medieval times. Now, Melodie doesn't like loud noise, so I think it'll be a couple more years before we consider it.

Never thrown a bra or panties on stage, but have definitely acted like a groupie..

How about you? Ever thrown YOUR underwear on stage?

Anonymous said...

We've never been but I think my boys would love it. We will have to look at doing this the next time we go to WDW. As for the bra on stage - nope! However I did let the Nelsons sign my underwear in 1991 at one of their concerts. (this is not something I am necessarily proud of)

Sarah said...

I have been to Medieval Times once with my best friend who took me. I thought it was great! Now that I've got 2 kidlets of my own - I'd like to take them sometime.

Oh - and I fear my daughter turning 7 now....will she too exclaim something like "They are hot!" Ahhh! It's bad enough she's 4 and already likes to wear some makeup. (sigh)

Darcy @ m3b said...

We were just there in Sept. The occasion was my 7 yo's birthday. All they could talk about was the weapons. No screaming or any of that here...
but we are now proud owners of every sort of weapon they sell - in foam, of course.

It was all sorta boyish and manly when we went. Although there was a rowdy bachelorette party there across the stadium. Not sure why you'd pick MT for a bachelorette party - but to each his own.

Darcy @ m3b said...

ps - Kristin Chenoweth is my 16th cousin 2ce removed. Or something like that.

I got her Christmas album in my stocking. It made me giggle. All I can think of is this role these days.

Tiffany said...

So much fun! My sister got chosen when we were little and her knight won. I was seething with jealousy.

She also got picked to carry the baby Jesus to the manger that Christmas Eve at mass. Ugh.

Rhea said...

I've never been, but I looked it up and we have one in Dallas! So, I'm totally taking my boys there...THIS WEEKEND, damnit.