Potter Mania

So, one thing I did not expect when we moved to Boise was how ridiculously late it stays light in the summer.  Like after 10 PM!

I expected it to be dusk around 9, maybe 9:30, like in Salt Lake.  But, no.  It is light here forever.

I have tried to account for this with explanations regarding how far north and west we are in the time zone, but I do not know if that means anything.

All I do know is that my kids have no intention of going to bed if "the sun is still awake," as Elsie Jane says.

Last summer, in desperation for a way to gather my kids and have them settle down, rather than run through the streets wildly until 10:30, we decided to read together.

We had saved in reserve the Harry Potter series for when Mia was old enough to truly enjoy the books and not be overly frightened.  I knew when we began that her appetite for the story would be insatiable.  And, that I would struggle to hold her off from reading the final books, which I still feel are too adult and intense for her.  But, I had no idea what I was truly beginning the day last May when we pulled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone from the book shelf.

For months we would gather every night and read aloud.  Mia and Maggie were captivated, although Maggie always had lots of questions.  Elsie Jane picked up key words, like the names of characters, but would often do her own thing.  On the Fourth of July, my kids turned down an invitation to do fireworks, because they preferred to stay home and read Harry Potter.  We didn't watch a movie together for months, because they would rather read.  The only problem was that my challenge of getting the girls to sleep had now shifted from the sun being up to being able to put down the story.

But, the great part was that the whole family could participate and enjoy the magical adventure together.

After, reading for the summer, including listening to tapes and reading aloud on multiple road trips, we decided that the only way to adequately culminate our Harry Potter experience was to use it as the theme for the extended family Halloween party we host each year.  We also made this party Mia's official birthday celebration and invited everyone to come in costume.

I just have to say, I have the most awesome family EVER!  Check out the many characters who came to our house in October.

Maggie as Luna Lovegood

 Mia as Hermione Granger

 Elsie Jane as Hedwig

 Jackson as Lupin

 Will as Harry Potter

 Annie as Ginny Weasley

 Rae as Argog

 Lily as Erol

 Jeffrey as Mad Eye Moody

 Daniel as Gilderoy Lockhart

 Julia as Sybil Trelawney

 Dad as Filch

 Mom as Delores Umbridge

 Bobby as Snape

 Ellie as Belatrix Lestrange

 Erin as Tonks

Jer as Sirius Black

We cleared all the furniture in our main room and set up three long tables for the great hall.  I draped the ceiling with webbing and hung glow sticks to create an enchanted ceiling.

After the talking sorting hat sorted everyone into houses and each person delivered their one cameo line, we held classes.  Potions with Professor Snape.  Arithmancy with Sirius Black.  Divination with Trelawney.  Defense Against the Dark Arts with Mad Eye Moody.  History of Magic with Professor Umbridge.  Charms with Professor Lockhart.  All taught in character. We also made quidditch hoops, and I (as Madame Hooch) supervised a game.

Then, there was the trip to Honeydukes for chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts Beans, cauldron cakes, butter beer and pumpkin juice.

And, of course a feast in the Great Hall.

 

It was a fabulous party.  There are only two problems.

One:  Mia is turning 11 this year and is rather convinced that she has latent magical abilities and will be receiving a letter from Hogwarts.  (Pray for me; it may be a very rough November.)

And, two:  I am not sure I can live up to expectations for the party this fall.  But, I am hoping to...