5 Fun Things to Do at a Family Reunion (When Your Family Is Small)

If you are looking for fun things to do at a family reunion, to shake things up a bit, then remember to keep it simple and fun. When your family is small, it is easier to find outings and activities to get everyone involved and having enjoying their time together. Remember to choose options that are welcoming to all ages, so even little ones and grandparents can enjoy the day.

1. Throw a potluck picnic

Nothing brings family together like food, and nothings says family reunion like a potluck picnic. Everyone can bring and share their favorite recipes. Plus, with the whole gang sharing in the cost and preparation, no one is left burdened with the hassle. If the weather is mild, perhaps hold the event at a park pavilion, nature preserve, or lakeside.

2. Storytelling

There are not many more fun things to do at a family reunion than share in storytelling time. When everyone is together, sharing stories is natural with family members. The best ones are about the way things used to be, or funny mistakes made in the past, but anything that helps pass along family history to later generations is good.

3. Share photos

Often, family members have photos that the others have never seen. Pictures of everyone growing up, pictures from when the parents were little, and pictures from the last gathering are all a good way to start. Bring a small scanner and everyone can exchange files for keeps.

4. Have a tournament

A tournament of family games is a great way to get everyone interacting. Tailor the games to the age groups attending, to make sure everyone can participate. There are tons of game options, like a sack race, horse shoes, pool-noodle jousting, and a bean bag toss.

5. Go to a dinner theatre

A dinner theatre is one of those fun things to do at a family reunion that all ages can get excited about. Often, group discounts are offered, making the adventuresome evening highly affordable. Cheering, jeering, and enjoying a live show would definitely make for a reunion to remember.

If you would like to learn more about fun things to do at a family reunion in Dallas, TX, click here.

What To Watch for When You're Watching Sword Fighting

Sword fighting can be dangerous and requires skill, concentration, and years of training to execute well enough to spar or fight an opponent. Many viewers have little to no experience watching this ancient and exhilarating sport. If you are going to a tournament or show, it is helpful to know what to look for. The basic areas to watch in each swordsman are perception, distance, timing, and technique.

How well the fighters know their surroundings and judge their opponent makes a difference in the outcome of the fight. Things like lights in the eyes and obstacles in the room can cause errors, or can be used against someone. By knowing the lights are there, one fighter avoids being blinded by them and, with skill, might choose to manipulate the other so that they temporarily lose their site. In order to take advantage of the surroundings, they must stay balanced and react quickly. The fighters must also remain attentive, but relaxed.

The art and sport of sword fighting consists of a series of attack moves and defense moves. Attacks can be done by thrusting the sword and making contact with the opponent's sword or by striking the opponent. Strikes can be in one of four quadrants, high outside, high inside, low outside, and low inside. A savvy swordsman will also utilize a feint, or fake a move to get their opponent to react and leave themselves open. Defensive moves include blocks and parries. To block is to stop a blow. To parry is to divert it. Whether a fighter chooses to be defensive or offensive, it is most important to maintain control.

Control of the fight can be easily reversed during a bind, which is when the two swords come together. There is a weak end of the blade (the tip) and a strong end (the part near the handle). The reason for the titles is due to basic leverage. If you your arm parallel to the flloor and someone presses your fingers, you will have a difficult time maintaining control. If, on the other hand, they press your upper arm, you can likely keep from dipping your arm. If a fighter goes on the offensive, attempts a strike, but is blocked and the weak end of his sword is in a bind with the strong end of his opponent's, he just lost control and can be overthrown.

By learning even a little bit about the highly-involved and interesting sport of sword fighting, you can get more enjoyment out of watching two specialized athletes perform their craft.

If you would like to learn more about sword fighting in the Dallas area, visit Medieval Times.

A Brief History of Tournament Games

During times of peace, knights would show off their talents and keep in shape by participating in tournament games. Most often, these were lavish events, lasting for days. Various styles of competitions and sword fighting would be held and the winner was usually declared when there was only one person left standing. The winners were celebrated and showered with praise and awards. People would attend from all around, with the nobles and elite celebrating with huge feasts, music, and dancing. 

 

The ideas of chivalry and courtly love evolved out of the chaos of the early Middle Ages. By the late Middle Ages, courtly valor and honor were held in the highest esteem. One of the ways to prove those attributes in public were to take part in the games. Ladies were particularly sought by the knights at the event. Some of the traditions included collecting a token of esteem from young women in the audience. The ribbon or veil might be worn during a performance to dedicate the event to her.

Medieval tournament games were a show of martial prowess. They evolved out of military training exercises. By their nature, they were violent and many participants were injured or killed, even though precautions were taken to avoid trauma. Because of the violence, various groups banned tournament games at times throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, although they were almost always brought back. They were hugely popular and became a community-wide social affair.

Though tournament games started in England, by the 12^th century they were being held across Europe. Social elite, often kings and lords, held the events, primarily as a show of their financial standing. Typically knights participated, but often nobility or others also took part. While they always maintained a military nature, they eventually evolved to be largely for show. As time passed, the full military weaponry and armor was exchanged for less lethal versions. Special armor was used, to be more decorative and showy. Blunted swords and lances were also used. The stunts and games were deliberately made more extravagant, to excite and stimulate the audience.

If you would like to learn more about tournament games in the Lyndhurst area, visit Medieval Times.

A Beginner's Guide to Sword Fighting

Hearkening images of ancient battlefield valor and Medieval chivalry, modern men and women chose to take up the sport of sword fighting because of its historical significance and enduring appeal. While many of the sword techniques from the Middle Ages were lost for a time, some manuscripts have been recently found. They are currently being translated and dissected, to make sense to modern readers. These carefully guarded techniques that were thought to be lost, are a boon to the sport. 

 

The weapon

While it is enjoyable to wield a real sword, the beginner will need to start learning sword fighting techniques with a training sword. One is made of wood, known as a Wooden Waster. While they are less dangerous, they can still cause injury. Another option is a foam sword. They only require minimal body protection. While they can hurt a bit when they hit with full force, they allow the wielder to use a realistic level of aggression because they aren't likely to cause serious damage. Other options are blunted steel swords, but they should be reserved for the serious and advanced student.

Safety

Swords are first and foremost a weapon. They are never a toy. While tournaments for show have been around since the Middle ages, even the games can be serious enough to maim and kill. Steel swords, weather blunt or sharp should always be handled with the utmost care. Even the wooden swords can cause broken bones and concussions. While the point of sword fighting is to aggressively outplay your opponent, be sure you and they are skilled enough to handle whatever type of weapon you use.

Practicing

As with any sport, the athlete only gets better with practice. Unlike popular thought, much of the beginner's practice will be solo drills, rather than dual sword fighting. The drills should be performed over and over, until they are mastered. The next step is to introduce a partner for sparring. Anything can be learned on the Internet, but sword play could be better learned by an actual instructor, to instill proper safety precautions and assist with grip and stance. With time, students could be good enough to enter competitions, or perhaps even gain employment with their specialized ability.

If you would like to learn more about sword fighting in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, click here.

5 Fun Things to Do With Kids Indoors

Get ready for some fun things to do with kids. Here is a tried and true list for crowd pleasing enjoyment for children of all ages. When the weather has you trapped inside, don't walk, run to the car (with your galoshes and overcoat, of course) and head out on some family adventures!

1. Museums and historical destinations

A trip to the museum is always fun because kids are naturals at learning. Every community has a variety of museums and places with historical themes. Most have special programs for getting children at various levels interested and involved in the learning process.

2. Live entertainment

Live entertainment is always a crowd pleaser. Whether you go to a place that has a running performance in your town, or to a visiting touring group, there are usually a number of options. Take the outing one step further and try to find something that features animals. A horse show or dog talent show is always one of those fun things to do with kids.

3. Out-of-the-ordinary sporting event

The great part about fun things to do with kids is that you get to think outside of the entertainment box and do something creative. Often, there are sporting events going on across the town, as different cultures enjoy different traditions. Catch a rugby match, polo game, or jousting tournament.

4. Dinner theatre

The best of both worlds is combined for dinner theatre. Enjoying lively and captivating entertainment while you eat your dinner is a natural combo. It makes going out for dinner then going to a movie look boring. The audience is always invited to share in the show, with cheers, jeers, and clapping. That keeps little ones engaged and you all having a good time inside.

5. Role reversal (kids plan the activity)

If you want to know about some fun things to do with kids, then try asking the kids! Let your children design an indoor activity or outing from start to finish. They can choose how you get there (car, or perhaps a train), where you will go, and where you will eat. If you have more than one kid, let each one pick a part of the equation, then next time, give them a different part to pick.

If you would like to learn more about fun things to do with kids in the Buena Vista area, click here.

5 Things from the Middle Ages We Still Do Today

The Middle Ages can seem like they are so far from where we are today. However, if you know your history, you will find that many of our current traditions, customs, and institutions were started then. With a look back into our past, we can see the beginnings of our society.

1. Go to university
As young adults across the US prepare to head off for another semester, it is easy to forget that many of the worlds oldest operating universities were founded in the Middle Ages. Education wasn't for everyone, but it was a priority for the upper classes. The oldest, The University of Bologna and The University of Paris, were both founded in the 11^th century.

2. Banks
While money and loans have been around since antiquity, the first merchant banks were started in Italy in the Middle Ages. Those banking structures were the originators of a style of bank which we use today. In the beginning, they were structured around the grain market, hence merchant in the name. Now, they can include any bank that provides investments or shares as capital to a company.

3. Wear glasses
Where would we be without our spectacles? Several forms of reading assistance were used before, but the first historical accounts of actual glasses aren't found until writings of the Middle Ages. They quickly became very popular, for obvious reasons, and before too long, there were professional guilds for lens makers. There is discussion as to whether the first appeared in Europe, Asia, or India, but all original accounts appear around the same time.

4. Restaurants
In the Middle Ages, those that lived in the countryside were self-sufficient and grew and cooked all of their food. However, most of those that lived and served in city limits often lived in cramped quarters, with no access to a kitchen or to cookware. They relied on establishments in town that served food, just as we often do today.

5. Use clocks

Geared mechanical clocks were made and popularized in the Middle Ages. Clocks before that time were either made from water works and were cumbersome and only for the wealthy, or were highly inaccurate. Geared clocks are still largely popular.

If you would like to learn more about the middle ages in Buena Vista, California, visit Medieval Times.