Harry Potter - The Party!!!

The day arrived, and with an 8am (!) basketball match finished, we completed our preparations and were ready for THE PARTY.

Guests arrived and were greated and remained in our entry which has enough space for a couple of chairs. We pretended it was the train going to hogwarts. While there Alexander opened his presents and the guests got to taste some flavoured jelly beans and chocolate frogs. (The sweets Harry ate on his first train trip.)

With the guests gathered, we moved to a doorway set up like Gringotts Bank. Each child lined up to receive their bag of chocolate money ready for Diagon Alley (our sitting room)

First stop MAdam Malkin's for cloaks.

We lined the children in height and mum acted as the seamstress

and fitted all of the children. WE also had laminated name tags as we didn't know all of the children - which certainly helped. Once dressed they moved to the table which was set up as Ollivanders wand shop.

The idea was to make their own wand. I had set up trays with Phoenix Feathers= feathers, Unicorn Hairs (tinsel strings) and Dragon Heartstrings (Hair). I had bought some chop sticks and coloured electrical tape. The kids chose what they powerful ingredient they wanted for their wand, then chose a colour and we wrapped the handle with tape with the power inside. What started the day as a simple chopstick transformed to a magical wand. THey had to pay for the wand and the cape with chocolate money!

A group shot for the Daily Prophet

and we were off. I had heard Moaning Murtle in the Bathroom...

As murtle is a ghost I had drawn on the bathroom mirror which directed them outside to the trampoline to find the next clue. The balloons all contained paper but only one had the clue written on it - each balloon needed to be popped but without using their hands.

This clue lead to the cubby aka Hagrids Hut where they eventually found a box containing 12 copies of a recipe for Pep up Powder (sherbet) which they completed at Potions class.

The ingredients were on the table, and the kids had to spoon in according to the recipe into little zip lock bags.

I then cut the corners off and they funnelled into small test tubes which had flat bottoms. Finished with some tinfoil and a rubber band these went into their take home bags.

I have to show you the table. I had fun doing this. I had found labels for gorey stuff and they suggested putting them on the table as dressing. Dried beetles were dates, blind bats eyes were strawberries and cream lollies etc. Looked efffective and the kids loved it.

With a bit of energy to burn we played our version of Quidich. We split into two teams, and with a broom each ran across the lawn to the basketball ring, grabbed a ball, attempt a hoop and then run back. Each team had to score 4 points to win. It was close and fun and we had a few games. Funny to watch kids run in capes with brooms and wands, throw a ball and run back again!!

Drinks were needed and this was probably the bit that they enjoyed the most and took very little effort. I had some cups with noses printed on them which are kinda funny. I read that food colouring dries so following their advice, put a couple of drops in each cup and they dried. I said to the kids they could Pick Their Nose to Tell their Fortune!! Once they realised it was a cup they were relieved. We took turns and I poured the water into the cup which magically turned a different colour. Each colour represented a strength or quality . Eg, Green was a loyal friend. They all stood and watched as each child got their water - amazing.

Then more potions - this time making spiders. Each child had a cup, spoon and straw. I gave them a scoop of icecream and their choice of red or blue cordial - truth serum or dream serum. Then in went the lemonade - and potion complete.

At this point we brought out the food however they really didn't each much. Must remember if I ever host another party!

Then they were off playing in the yard. We decided to do poison ball to keep them all together and stop wanderers into the house. This worked well and time was quickly running out, so just enough time for cake.

I made cupcakes whcih were meant to be sorting hats. The bottom is a basic cupcake and the top is an icecream cone dipped in chocolate.

The bigger cake was one of those two part large cupcake tins which kind of got stuck but lovely miss G transformed it into Hagrids Hut.

They couldn't eat any more but I got rid of the cakes by making them take them home.

All done and dusted now - time for a well deserved rest- not just for me but all of my helpers. First Mum who helped with all the costumes and manned the kitchen. Mr P & Miss G. P was a party god and got right in the spirit wig and all and as well as making cakes and entertaining twins was taking photos. Dad and Big Squirrel were in the kitchen, greeting and helping with food, set up and clean up so thank you to all of you too.