Emmalee's Magical Harry Potter 11th party

I had dreamed of a Harry Potter birthday for the longest time. I honestly think I made the Harry Potter party I wished I could have had for my daughter. I got say, way more satisfying that she got to have it, so I really wanted to go all out. As always, I will break down all the components of the party.  

This table looks a little underwhelming for all the time it took to make it, but I still like it.

I wish I would have had an outfit for Emmalee, but the Panama heat is no place for a robed look. We went with a 3rd movie Herminione look.

Love the hanging candles.

The figurines are from Papercraft. I always love these for all my birthdays.

So, that was not the cake I was going to make. I made a cake that was covered in quarters with the 4 house colors, but it looked too preschool for my liking.

These nearly broke my wrists; luckily, I had Xenia Lucia staying with me and she wanted to learn how to decorate cookies. Luckily for me, she ended up being better than me.

Paper models have lost their appeal, I must admit. The cutting, folding, and putting together is grinding. But, I couldn't see myself having a Harry Potter party without a Hogwarts castle somewhere.

Maybe this was the party that broke my love with papercrafts, but I was really grateful there were so many available for free on the internet.

Like the flying car, the howler, the quidditch podiums, and those food tags.

Or the Hogwarts Express, the double decker bus, or the chocolate frog box that had a chocolate paper frog that leaps when you open it.

The sorting hats were easily made. I filled 1/4 with m&m of one color to sort the kids into their houses.

The favor boxes were Monster Book of Monsters. Yup, I made one for each kid. Don't think I'd do that again.

Awaiting to be sorted.

If this Harry Potter-loving girl got Slytherin, she was choosing again!

Emmalee holding the wand pen favors that were inside the box. The wand chooses the wizard, but mom made sure she got the blue rock in her wand.

Practicing their swish and flick.

Fun with ph experiments with base and acids for potions class.

And bringing the micca potions from our Breath of the Wild party back since they were such a hit.

Flying car photo prop.

Platform 9 3/4 photo prop 

Hedwig piñata made by me.

Showing the house ties.

Ready for the quidditch match.

We played using the official Muggle Quidditch rules.

Kaylee, the seeker, caught the snitch!

Emmalee and her grandma.

Mom dies in the end.

 Dear Emmalee

11 years? It is official. You have made me the mom of a preteen. Have you always been one, though? It feels like it. It feels like you have always been this wise and ahead of your age. You see things very analytically. You care deeply about how you treat others or how you make them feel. You care deeply about following Jesus and doing what is right before His eyes. Who taught you that? Is it in your DNA? I can attest before the Lord that is all you. You have matured so much in the past year. You went from caring too much about what others thought to finding who you are within you. You know who you are in Christ. You know you are loved, worthy, and accepted. It took you some learning to know that if others thought differently, it didn't change who you are inside. You learned to choose your friends instead of thinking everyone had to choose you. You learned that not everyone will be a close friend and that is ok. It pains me that you have to learn the realities of friendship and relationships so early. The innocence and unprejudiced friendship of childhood is no longer present. Envy, jealousy, pride, and many other things come into play in those who seek your friendship and those who don't. It is a hard thing to learn not everyone's intentions towards you are for good. It is a hard lesson to realize there are ill intentions in what people say or do. Yet you navigate through all these realities with grace. You still extend an unbiased hand to anyone who wishes for your friendship. You don't see class, age, gender, status, or race. You see people with loving eyes ready to be loyal friend is they'll be one to you back. You have become a volleyball rockstar. You started so unsure and shy. I still remember your trembling little legs on your first game. You came into the court for 5 minutes, but they must have felt like an eternity to you. Look at you now, shorty! You have become integral to your sub-13 category team, and you play so well you have played with the sub-15 and sub-18 categories as well. And where is that trembling youngster? Oh no, nowhere to be found! She is confident enough to serve from the top and to strike like a pro. Mom loves yelling: "Go shorty!" from the side. I hope you know I feel nothing but pride for you. My independent little woman, you now do all your work on your own. Your servant's heart is present at home offering help with chores or caring for mom. You are always daddy's little companion. You have abandoned Zelda and any video games we played! Volleyball takes the bulk of your thoughts. Or is it boys? Ha! Nah! Or maybe mommy doesn't know. Are you so much like a teen you no longer tell me? That's ok! I knew this day would come. I am just so happy you have such good friends in Emma, Laura, and Camila. You are dotting and encouraging to them as always. I will continue to challenge you to extend that to your sister. Don't forget to give the grace in your words and tone you give your friends to your sister and, even on occasions, your mother. Don't be a full fledge teenager yet. Or maybe never! Can you skip over that part? If not, mom is ready to be there and love you no matter what. I keep waiting for it to get hard, but you make it so easy. I am in awe of your beauty, intelligence, talents, dedication, kindness, and character. I love you, my darling Malee. Go, Shorty!

love, 

Mom