Throwing Marshmallows

The Discovery Channel is having their semi-annual DVD sale. Hundreds of educational DVDs on sale for up to 75% off and lots of titles for $4.99. Also, if you use code EMAIL07 you get an additional $5 off of a $25 purchase.

Enjoy!

I admit it. I love the BBC version of Robin Hood. I had seen the previews about this new (to America…also check out the BBC website) series and thought that the boys would find it fun (what boy does not enjoy Robin Hood with sword fighting and archery?) but I am enjoying it just as much as they are (if not more!) Season 1 just ended (we were lucky to catch it at the beginning and tivo’d it…although looking at the episode list it looks like we missed one!) but it is being released on DVD on June 5th and is available through Netflix.

The show is incredibly fun and updated and remarkably well done. There is a lot of humor, great sword fighting and Robin (played by Jonas Armstrong) is extremely easy on the eyes (not to mention the accent!) I especially love the chemistry between Robin and Marian (who is a spirited, take care of herself kind of gal) and the relationship between all the characters (from Robin Hood’s Gang to the Sheriff and Sir Guy). The Sheriff is a real character…mean and diabolical, yet also extremely deadpan and funny…with a very dry, evil sense of humor.

Both boys really enjoy it…they especially love the fight scenes which are impressively choreographed and really enjoyable to watch. There is obviously some killing and violence so if your kids are sensitive, you should be aware of that.

The show has led to some good conversations about the time period and Robin Hood in general (Jason had listend to it on tape, but the story is new to Kyle). I found what looks to be an interesting DVD (also available at Netfilx) by the History Channel called History’s Mysteries: The True Story of Robin Hood. Can’t wait to check it out.

I highly recommend this show…it is one of those very enjoyable, watchable shows and it is fun to be able to watch something with the boys that I enjoy as much as they do!

~Stephanie

This came through one of my email lists today and I have been having a lot of fun exploring. It is a virtual tour of Monticello. Ok, yes, I admit that I have been having more fun then the boys with it (I have yet to get them really interested in early American History) but I love it!

You really get a wonderful picture of how beautiful Virginia is…I do love that area down there. I absolutely love the Virginia countryside as well as the wonderful, rich history that we have all around us.

I have yet to make it out to Monticello but hope too one of these days. In the meantime, this is the next best thing.

~Stephanie

I guess that I will ensure my geekdom when I reveal this interest of mine. I love learning about early American History, specifically the time of the American Revolution. Learning about colonial times, the founding fathers, you name it. It is just fascinating!

And of course I should not be surprised to see that there are blogs and websites dedicated to this subject as well.My favorite blog by far is Boston 1775. “History, analysis, and unabashed gossip about the start of the American Revolution in Massachusetts”. Now if I could just find a similar blog for Virginia.

Common-place is really fun website (no RSS feed unfortunately) to get lost in for awhile and is dedicated to early American History. “Common-place is a common place for all sorts of people to read about all sorts of things relating to early American life–from architecture to literature, from politics to parlor manners. And it’s a place to find insightful analysis of early American history as it is discussed not only in scholarly literature but also on the evening news; in museums, big and small; in documentary and dramatic films; and in popular culture.”

There is also this interesting history website, The History News Network, which is actually local to me as it is hosted by George Mason University. You kind of have to hunt and peck to find the articles for the timeframe you are interested and it is very academically oriented but I have still had fun browsing around.

And then there is the Colonial Williamsburg website, complete with podcasts and tons of information. It has been awhile since we have been down there (since before the kids were born) and I keep wanting to make a trip down there. Soon hopefully.

The more and more I poke around, the more I find! And I am running out of space on my sidebar…I keep wanting to add more and more links…but then you have to scroll forever….I wonder if I can get Andrea and Ron to add a left sidebar to this theme…(just kidding…sort of!)

~Steph