So, we did in fact celebrate Dylan’s 8th birthday on time, early even! This year, since he’s been reading Harry Potter with Tom, he wanted a Harry Potter party. And, boy, this was an undertaking.
Anyone who talks to Dylan for more than a minute will understand that this is a boy with ideas…LOTS of ’em! So, of course, he had all sorts of plans.
I listened to them with concern–would we be able to pull all of this off?? Well, we did the best we could. We came up with the invite first:
Then moved on to planning activities (this was the final list).
I think the most difficult part was wanting to meet Dylan’s hopes. He is actually so undemanding but he is extremely enthusiastic and creative and we just didn’t want to disappoint him. So I s’pose we put pressure on ourselves.
Anyway, we had a few experiments for Potions class; the petting zoo for Care of Magical Creatures; face painting for Transfiguration; and Olivander’s for wand-making; and food and even “butterbeer” at the Three Broomsticks.
Dylan also came up with the guest list. He is still somewhat reserved so he invited those he recognizes as family friends (T and K, Nate and Camille, Finley and Cleo, Shane, Julie and Kaden, Rachel, and Ellie — although not everyone was able to make it!) — and only Maya from his class.
Cameron also got to invite a buddy. Since Jada and Evie were at a performance that day, she invited Mattias!
Chloe was very reluctant to get in their with the bunnies, chickens and ducks, but we tried anyway!
Cameron shows us exactly how she feels about petting the animals!
Dylan was a little reluctant, too, but, in the end, he liked holding the bunny!
I was reluctant, too, but I needed to put on a brave front for the baby.
Dylan’s old preschool pal Nate came to the party. It was so sweet to see them together. They hugged and Nate called Dylan “the best” when Dylan helped him out with something. I hope they always stay friends.
Everyone liked doing the fizzy potions!
Oh, the petting zoo lady also did twisty balloons!!
I forgot! At the very last minute (like the day before the party), I had an inspiration for “Herbology” class/party favor. We let the kids take home either a snap pea plant or a strawberry plant.
Dylan made signs everywhere! This one was to keep people from going upstairs; he put another one on the bathroom door that read, “watch out for Moaning Myrtle”! Unfortunately, this one scared poor little Camille for a while and she didn’t want to go pee until her mom realized she was worried there was a ghost in there and needed some reassurance that it wasn’t for real!
This year, we made vanilla agave cupcakes (I also made a batch for Dylan’s class on his actual bday), chocolate cupcakes, and vanilla/chocolate swirl cupcakes. They turned out ok.
One of the “spells” was for invisible ink (Maya, Dylan and Nate are trying it out here).
Well, Dylan really enjoyed the party despite the fact that we found his Hogwart’s robe days after he needed it! But, as you can see in the pics, he came up with his own back-up outfit–the scarf! He is really such an amazing fella, so patient, so kind, so wonderfully imaginative…we love this guy more than words can express! It’s hard to believe he is already 8 and so grown up in so many ways!
