For Ben and his friends, Harry Potter walked (or rather flew, apparated or rode the Hogwart’s Express) through their childhood and teenage years. We went to all the midnight book releases, read until 4 a.m., eagerly awaited the movies and discussed each book/movie at length. Harry was roughly Ben’s age in each book release and they went through all the same stages– friend issues, first crush, independence etc. (I just made Harry sound boring. HP is never boring.)
I love Harry. He’s vulnerable, brave and oh-so-human. Each book can be read over and over and still bring delight; J.K. Rowling’s genius remains unmatched by every copycat series. And the values– if you know me, you know I love a good moral and every Harry Potter tome teaches the sort of values I want my children to live by. In short, if for some silly reason you’ve never read the series, you should start today.
Professor McGonagall
The minute we arrived home from Italy, Ben and Mary began working on their Harry Potter Birthday Party– kind of a last hurrah before Mary leaves on her mission to Argentina next week. They created every bit of this party themselves– invitations, quidditch hoops, amazing food, trivia games, wands, decorations. I did nothing but show up as Rita Skeeter and take photos.
Malfoy, Dumbledore, young Ginnie, Viktor Krum, Gilderoy Lockhart
Fleur Delacour–confection perfection.
Ah, do you see Viktor Krum in the background?
Hunter wins “best sport” award for dressing as Dobby. Hunter went with us to the midnight book releases– ah, those were the days, waiting in line with hundreds of people for a BOOK; a book about love and devotion and sacrifice.
I loved the way Hans and Xander stayed in persona all. the. time.
but Gabe couldn’t maintain the Malfoy sneer.
Fred & George with Tonks between.
Voldermort and Professor Trelawney– bet you never thought of them as a pair.
Bellatrix Lestrange, Melvin with the Malfoy sneer.
the two quidditch team making their plans
a civilized start
and immediate chaos.
Ginnie ended the game when she found the golden snitch.
Drinking butterbeer after quidditch will give you a wicked stomachache, but it was too delicious to pass up.
Hans and Xander created these wands with a wood grinder. I wish I’d taken a photo of all twenty– they were AMAZING.
Harry Potter trivia: “I’ll take ‘who said?’ for 200.”
adding up the scores
Good Night. Thanks for a wonderful birthday, Harry!
Cath
What a tremendous party! Amazing! And your specs were darling on you! xo
Chocolate on my Cranium
What, no puking pastilles? Looks like a super fun party. One never really outgrows Harry Potter. I read it aloud with the older kids. I should read it aloud with all my younger set too.
heathermommy
I love this!!!
Linn
This is just magnificent! I love it so much. I was late to read the books, but oh man, how I loved them. And how my kids love them. Almost always, very nearly almost always, we are listening to one of the books on CD in the car when we drive. We’ve been through all of them once together. We are going through for the second time. The Triwizard tournament is happening right now. And it still makes me nervous and gives me the chills.
Michelle
My daughter will die when she sees this.
Any chance we could mooch some of your stuff from you? Files with the questions, etc?
p.s. Argentina!! Will you ask her to eat some dulce de leche for me?
Rachelle
That was awesome!
Rachelle
That was awesome!