Links

Author: toni

~ 02/02/10

THE HARRY POTTER BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA PART ONE

I like to think of myself as a regular mom. Not one of those over-achieving, everything has to be perfect, look at my kid who is the center of my universe kind of moms. But I’ll admit… mostly under duress… and mostly under duress by Randy the perfekt husband that, yes, on occasion, I have been known to go a little over-the-top when it comes to my kid.

Case in point. Her birthday parties. In my defense, she’s not one of those kids who likes location parties. She prefers them at home. At heart, she’s a hostess like her mother. Also, she never wants to leave anyone out. Yes. Even boys. She has a handful who are close friends and they MUST be invited as well. Which means an 8 girl slumber party is out. Also Randy (despite his ire at being lumped in with Barbara or any of the Bush’s) is a vocal opponent of leaving any child behind. So given these strict parameters, you can imagine that trimming the guest list can be very difficult… which is why it never happens.

AND which is why we have 27 CHILDREN coming to Julia’s Harry Potter themed party this weekend!

Now personally, I wouldn’t have a problem trimming the guest list. But I am overruled in this matter. No, where I fail to say no is in the area of theme… and decoration… and party hijinks!

Is it the need to prove myself as a good mom? Is it guilt for making Julia an only child? Is it because I’m lacking a creative outlet and need to do something, anything to vent my artistic frustrations? Is it just fun? You be the judge.

The following photos are some of the Harry Potter prep for this upcoming SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR. Those of you in the Potter know will appreciate the handiwork, I think.

First we did invitations in the form of Hogwarts School Acceptance Letters. We did them on parchment and sealed them with wax and a stamp with a “J” for, you guessed it, the birthday girl herself.

Unable to bring myself to pay the $5.00 a bag they charge at Whimsic Alley for these, we made our own bags of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans.

Then we made labels for Hershey’s chocolate bars for EMERGENCY CHOCOLATES in case of Dementor Attacks.

Whet your appetite did I? Or maybe I just made you want to throw up with how annoying and over-the-top I am. Don’t fret. You wouldn’t be the first.

Anyway, tomorrow, I’ll post some of the decorations. And they’re pretty crazy! We should be totally done with them by then. And when the party is totally done, I will post a blow by blow “HOW TO” in case you want to throw a Harry Potter party for the little witch or wizard in YOUR life!

Happy Parenting!

Post tags:

Posted in: Hot Topics,Only Child Guilt

Email This Post | Comments (6) |

6 COMMENTS »

This comment is meant in the best possible way: parents who overindulge their children often wind up with adolescents who think they are entitled to a vast array of priviledges and behaviors that other adolescents either have to earn, or have learned are not appropriate. Look at the astoundingly bad behavior of some of our sports stars, rock musicians, and overpaid young actors. Overindulgence comes in many forms. This Harry Potter birthday party sounds a little more like a party for the adults to reclaim some of their lost youth than a party for 27 children, but, not being in the midst of all these preparations, what do I know? Hopefully, Julia has a good head on her shoulders and everything will go fine. Two additional thoughts: 1) What about a child who asks his parents later, “Why can’t I have a party like Julia?” 2) Will less than this preparation and effort next year be a let down? In closing, it sounds like a lot of fun, and I truly would like to be there! B

Comment by bruce — February 2, 2010 @ 7:41 pm
And there we have the first opinion on my over-the-top party shenanigans? Any others?

Comment by toni — February 2, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
From one closet “Martha” to another, I appreciate. Draw the line at allowing Julia to tattoo her forehead “for reals”, no matter how big those brown eyes are, looking up at you pleadingly. Wish my Moaning Myrtle and I still lived close….

Comment by mommymarchbanks — February 2, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
Good advice. And in the nick of time too. As for still living close… We wish you did too, mommymarchbanks. We wish you did too. Boo hoo.

Comment by toni — February 2, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
FWIW – We’re doing a somewhat over-the-top Harry Potter party this year for my 9 year old son. And it is *definitely* intended to be amusing for the adults too, in fact, we’re getting a couple 23 year old (ish) college student friends of big half sister to help out a bit because the party sounded so fun! Bonus! But I think that’s ok. Mind you – we don’t do this every year and it’s not like we’re really going crazy just being a bit more “thematic” than I might otherwise manage.

I think it is ok to go a bit crazy for your kids as long as it isn’t a regular or expected thing. 😀

Comment by Mary Ellen — October 21, 2010 @ 5:03 am
Hi, I found this post on your blog when searching for a Bertie Botts label to print for my own cheap-ish version of them – since they no longer seem to be available over here in the UK anyway. I am a teacher, running a themed Harry Potter day for my class of 30 9-year-olds this Friday. Would it be possible for you to email me a copy of the label you created for your Bertie Botts beans? I would be very grateful. Thanks!
Helen

Comment by Helen Horsley — January 3, 2011 @ 3:20 pm