Harry Potter Party

Abby and Isaac got a head start on decorating their wands, which was good, since the kids all needed help and it would have been pretty hard to do all of them at the same time.

Then, outdoors to Professor Snape's Potions Class. 

He did five bottles, each of a different color soda.

I love the kids' reaction.

We saved the biggest bottle for last (using the most Mentos too, of course).

Isaac was the special helper this time. 

Pure awesomeness.

I'm demonstrating the pop rocks, water, and baking soda potion.  

Then the kids got to mix any combo of baking soda and vinegar.

They would mix in their own small cups and then empty them in to the big "cauldron." 

Some fun reactions.

Big cousin Luke was our guest of honor, all the way from Lubbock with sister Ellie.  Isaac had his party a week early just so Luke could attend while he was in town.  

After all the ingredients had been used up, the kids moved on to the Care of Magical Creatures class.

 Isaac picked the owl puppet for Harry's Hedwig.

  

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And I explained the care of creatures and the puzzle game they would play.

Puzzling over Creature facts.

And now, for the scavenger hunt.  The professors have already caught the thief but need the students' help in finding the hidden gold.

The first clue leads them to the bathroom.

Harry and Ron had a battle 

in this room with a troll

When you’re in this place

let’s hope you have a toilet roll

But not that bathroom.  

So they run upstairs to find the second clue and a key to the mailbox.

When accepted to Hogwarts

An owl brought the news to Harry

Find your next clue in a small box outside

Where a mailman does carry

Back down the stairs.

And out the front door.

All they way down the street to the mailbox.

And back.

Luke reads the next clue.

In the living room 

you’ll find your next lead

It’s in the place where you’d find

What Hermione likes to read

Which book would Hermione like best?  There were 5 Harry Potter books on the shelf.

Luke found the right one and read the next clue.

When going to the Griffendoor house 

The fat lady did sing

When you came to the party

What did you ring?

The doorbell!

The final clue (I love Isaac's expression here.  He is taking it very seriously.)

The Sorcerer's Stone 

could be placed on a ring 

If Isaac’s mom had such a gem

Where would she store this bling?

Hmmm...a jewelry box!  But Mom's room is shut, so where can the jewelry box be?  Isaac found it in about 2 seconds.

And they distributed the gold coins (intended to go in the goodie bags, but mostly consumed on the spot!).

Then it was time for the Feast of Wands.

And the "cake" (basilisk egg Rice Krispie treats).

Cutie waiting to blow out the candle.

It's out.

But wait, it's back on.  This was the perfect party to introduce the trick candle.

Finally digging in to those treats, Isaac goes straight for the prize in the middle.

A plastic egg inside.

Each plastic egg contains a baby basilisk.  

 Present time!

And one happy birthday boy!

At the end of the night, Isaac said, "I want to have a Harry Potter party again next year!"  Hmmm, maybe next year I'll just buy Harry Potter paper plates and we'll have free play and birthday cake.  Or maybe, after I recover from the effort of this year's party, doing it all over again will start to sound like fun.  It really was an awesome party.  Thanks Matt, for the great pictures, and Robin, for the help with set up and clean up.  Mimi, we were so glad you could be there with us for this magical party.  Happy birthday, my Harry Potter boy!