A Very "Harry" Party

DISCLAIMER:  I know there are a lot of people out there who have some serious issues with Harry Potter.  I did too for many years.   But after reading the book series myself, I have come to the conclusion that my girls are firmly rooted in their beliefs and will not be swayed by reading a fantasy story about witches and wizards. Their reading spectrum must be broad and include genres of every kind (within reason).  We have had some great family discussions stemming from these stories.  The stories are about good versus evil, and the power of friendship.  When Christians talk about the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, it’s most often to complain about them - for example, their use of magic. A few Christians, though, argue that the Harry Potter books are not only compatible with Christianity, but in fact contain implicit Christian messages. They compare Rowling’s books with the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis or the books by Tolkein, all works imbued with Christian themes to one degree or another.  Whatever your opinions are, and most people have strong ones when it comes to Harry Potter, we have chosen to allow our children to enjoy the world of Harry Potter. 

With that out of the way - ON TO THE FUN!!!


This past weekend, my Banana celebrated her 11th birthday with a Harry Potter party.  She is the ultimate party planner - she plans her party for an entire year.   Our family has recently discovered the Harry Potter series and it has turned my Banana into an avid reader.  She received her Hogwart's Acceptance letter on her birthday (thank you Punkin), just like Harry did on his 11th birthday.


We made our own Honeyduke's Sweets Shop - complete with Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean, chocolate frogs, lemon drops, peppermint humbugs and more.


After Hedwing the owl delivered the Nimbus 2000, he perched atop the cupcakes.




One of the party favors were Bertie Botts every flavor beans.... along with a treat box full of HP fun - including Harry Potter glasses - which I FAILED to get a picture of all the kids wearing them...grrrr.


Beware of Moaning Myrtle in the potty....


Punkin headed up one of the "classes" - this one was potions class, including Pop Rocks mixed in water, which when one drinks it, causes extreme happiness.  I can't remember the name for that potion, but Punkin and her BFF Maddie, who are Harry Potter know-it-alls, did a super great job heading up the party!.  Of course, the good ol baking soda and vinegar potion was great for the Veritaserum Truth Potion - which you don't want to drink, because you will suddenly start spilling your deepest darkest secrets!


We had a sorting hat ceremony at the beginning of the party and each child was placed in their own "House" - Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw.  This hat was great!! It had a little pocket in the top which perfectly fit a cell phone.  Maddie was upstairs on another phone doing the sorting of each child, describing their personality traits, character strengths, etc.  This absolutely fascinated the kids!!


Mommy's little Hogwart's Students.




The perfect background music - the soundtrack for the most recent Harry Potter movie.





Our drinks included Butter Beer and Pumpkin Juice - a Hogwarts staple.


A HUGE hit was the Harry Potter trivia questions - how much do you know??  If they answered a question wrong, they had to choose a Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean, which are jelly beans that include flavors such as centipede, skunk spray, boogie, barf, baby wipes, rotten egg, dog food, pencil shavings and moldy cheese.  WOW, do fifth graders LOVE being grossed out, especially the boys.  Who knew?


What will the sorting hat say about me???


"Oh - that tastes terrible!!"


Professor Maddie taught flying class with the Nimbus 2000.   There was a lot of "UP UP UP!!" going on.  Then they had to chase and catch the golden snitch.  This was another huge hit - they were absolutely cracking up.




Professor Lindung taught Defense of the Dark Arts - with a little bit of the 'wand choosing the wizard' thrown in there.  They faced their deepest fears with a "Ridiculous!" spell, which changed their fear into something incredibly silly!!




Next, we moved on to a Wizard Hat Pinata. 




Daddy helped out the youngest little wizard a bit....










One of Banana's friends gave her her very own assortment of duct tape.  If anyone knows Banana well, they know her extreme fondness and love of tape of any kind.  Duct tape is the best!  She has her very favorite stuffed animal in her room guarding that stack of tape as we speak.....with an ALARM!!




Kirsten and Maddie somehow even figured out a way for the Hogwart's Students to play a pretty legitimate game of Quidditch.  Banana said it was her very favorite birthday party ever.  I think it was a great success!






But I think the prefects were completely worn out!!