Have a great summer vacation!

Inside Out Box of Mixed Emotions

The Color Monster - Read Aloud by Mr. Joshua Brooks

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Step into the whimsical world of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" with our lively animated read-aloud! This classic children's rhyme is brought to life with playful narration and vibrant animations that will have young viewers giggling and guessing what the old lady will swallow next. From a tiny fly to a wiggly spider, each verse builds the fun as we follow the old lady’s unusual appetite!

It's a delightful way to introduce children to the joy of rhyme and rhythm in reading!

Soopy - the tree!

Stay Wild My Child!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and Zoe is excited. She’s about to have a fun-filled day with her mom. But when they go to the library, Miss Foster says Zoe isn’t allowed to talk loud. And when they go to the park, Mr. Jones says she’s not allowed to walk on the grass. Then at Grandma’s house, Grandma says she can’t wear wet shoes in the house. And at the store, a sign says kids aren’t allowed to play inside.

Is Zoe ever allowed to do fun things? Or is climbing, playing, yelling, and splashing in puddles always off-limits? According to Zoe’s mom, it’s all about knowing when and where to have fun. Then, you can be as wild as you want.

I am Jellyfish by Ruth Paul

My Ocean Is Blue by Darren Lebeuf - Story Time

 

A young girl's poetic exploration of the enchanting ocean she loves. “This is my ocean,” the young girl begins as she heads over the dunes with her mother. Then, as they pass the whole day at the seaside, she lyrically describes her ocean in simple, sensory detail. It's both “slimy” and “sandy,” “sparkly” and “dull.” It has wonderful sounds, as it “splashes and crashes and echoes and squawks.” And it contains so many colors, from “rusted orange” to “runaway red,” “faded white” to “polished green.” Though “mostly it's blue.” Nothing the girl experiences escapes her careful observation and appreciation. And at day's end, she can't wait for her next trip to the beach.

Matilda and King Afonso's marriage bore seven children

 

Matilda and King Afonso's marriage bore seven children, each contributing to the kingdom's lineage and future. Their children included:

Henrique (1147-1155): Despite his young age, Henry represented his father at a council in Toledo when he was just three years old. Tragically, he passed away at the age of eight, shortly after the birth of his brother Sancho.

      Urraca (1148-1211): Urraca married King Ferdinand II of León and became the mother of King Alfonso IX. Although their marriage was annulled in 1171 or 1172, Urraca led a notable life in Zamora and the Monastery of Santa María in Wamba.

Teresa (1151-1218): Countess consort of Flanders through her marriage to Philip I, Theresa later became the Duchess consort of Burgundy through her second marriage to Odo III.

Mafalda (1153-after 1162): In her childhood, Mafalda was betrothed to Alfonso, future King Alfonso II of Aragon. However, the death of Ramón Berenguer IV led to a change in plans, and Alfonso married Sancha instead.

Sancho I of Portugal (1154-1211): Sancho, the future king, was baptized with the name Martin due to his birth on the feast day of Saint Martin.

João (1156-1164): John's life was cut short, as he passed away at a young age.

Sancha (1157-1166/67): Born just ten days before her mother's death, Sancha tragically died before reaching the age of ten.

MATILDA OF SAVOY, QUEEN OF PORTUGAL

Matilda of Savoy, Queen of Portugal

Queen Matilda I, also known as Mafalda or Matilde, played a significant role in the history of Portugal as the wife of King Afonso Henriques, the first sovereign of Portugal. Born around 1125, Matilda's noble lineage and her marriage to the king marked a pivotal moment in the country's early years.

Queen Matilda passed away on December 3, 1157 or 1158 in Coimbra. She was laid to rest at the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where her husband would later join her in eternal rest. Matilda left behind six of her seven children, three of whom—Sancho, Urraca, and Theresa—reached adulthood and played significant roles in the future of Portugal.

Queen Matilda's influence and her enduring legacy as a devoted queen consort continue to shape the historical narrative of Portugal's early years. Her contributions to religion, philanthropy, and the royal lineage make her a figure worthy of admiration and study in the annals of Portuguese history.

 

Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal (1109-1185)

It is believed that Afonso I, better known as Afonso Henriques, was born in 1109. The first King of Portugal conquered independence from the Kingdom of León and Castile in 1143, thus being known as “the Founder” and “the Conqueror”. 

He was the son of the Counts Henrique of Burgundy and Teresa of León. According to tradition, he was born in Guimarães. 

He received the name “Afonso” in honour of his grandfather Afonso VI – Emperor of Spain – and “Henriques” – for it meant “the son of Henrique”. 

After the death of his father, Afonso Henriques took a number of political positions that went against his mother Teresa, which culminated in a skirmish on June 24, 1128, in which his army emerged victorious in the Battle of São Mamede. After that point, he ruled the land of Portucale and his authority was rarely challenged. 

He furthered the expansion to the south – conquering territories from the Moors – and had some major victories, such as the Battle of Ourique (1139), Leiria (1145) and Santarém and Lisbon (1147). After the victory in Ourique, Afonso Henriques consolidated his position, so much so that he began to call himself “Rex“, King of the Portuguese. At the same time, he developed a network of vassalages that was able to politically strengthen the “kingdom”. The recognition by Alfonso VII (king of León and Castile) was established by the Treaty of Zamora in 1143. 

In 1146, he married Mafalda of Savoy. At the time, Savoy was an autonomous County. From the wedlock, seven children were born: Henrique, Urraca, Teresa, Mafalda, Sancho (formerly, Martinho), João and Sancha. 

The convergence with the Holy See – of which Afonso Henriques became a vassal in the same year – led to a new phase of foreign policy. On May 28, 1179, Pope Alexander III granted Afonso Henriques – through the Bull “Manifestis Probatum” – the right to conquer lands from the Moors and referred to him as “Rex” for the first time. 

“Alexander, Bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his dear son in Christ, Afonso, illustrious king of the Portuguese and his heirs. (…) We, recognizing your person (…) with all the honors and dignity proper to kings, grant you by virtue of the apostolic authority, and confirming you in possession of all the places that, with the help of divine grace, you will be able to wrest from the hands of the Saracens, without your neighbours, the Christian princes, being able to claim any pretensions over them.” (Condensado da História de Portugal by A.H. Oliveira Marques)Afonso Henriques confirmed the Foral granted by his father to Guimarães, where he expanded the guarantees and exemptions conceded to the residents of the city and to those who would settle in it. In this document, Afonso Henriques expresses his gratitude to those who , during the siege of the castle – commanded by Alfonso VII (1127) – risked everything and stood by his side.The first Portuguese King lived a long life. He died in 1185 (over 70 years old) and his remains rest in the Church of Santa Cruz (Coimbra).