A Harry Potter Birthday

Having a birthday 5 days after Christmas is always such fun- planning a party and celebrating with family and friends is a great way to spend the week off from school.

Harry Potter has taken over our house, and Leah knew exactly what kind of 11th birthday party she wanted to have this year.  And it was so much fun!

After a few days of planning, the magic started appearing.

 And then the characters!

 

This party was serious business.

 Even Harry Potter and Hedwig and a non-compliant Dobby joined in on the birthday fun!

Leah hasn't had a big themed birthday party like this is years (maybe ever- thanks to Pinterest this party was pretty easy to put together!) and even this year she didn't want to have a full house.  That's just not Leah's style.  So four of her closest friends joined her for the celebration, and along with her siblings, we all had a night full of magic and excitement!

Starting with potions class.  

Leah helped with most of the planning for the party, but she didn't know that we were going to make potions with fire!  

That was fun to watch- all of the girls started out close and involved and ended a safe few feet away from the flames.  

No worries though- Hagrid was close by with a fire extinguisher.  No wizards or witches were harmed at the party, although we did lose a glass bowl in the process.

Everyone got to make a potion to take home as well.

Next up was pin the tail on Dudley Dursley, Quidditch Tag, then a delicious spread of authentic Hogwarts food.  Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans provided the best entertainment of the night.

 And of course, there had to be a slightly rumpled pink and green birthday cake.  

Perfect for any 11-year-old witch or wizard!

  It was hard to get a good picture of the floating candles and Gryffindor banners, but they were perfect!

 And right about the time Leah was worn out from the presents and attention and second round of Quidditch tag turned laser tag, it was time for the guests to go home.  But it was a fantastic party.  And you can probably guess what kind of party Adam wants to have when he turns 9.

Jason and I commented several times how considerate and well-behaved Leah's siblings were at the party.  It can be hard to not be in the center of the action, but they all did an impressively great job of allowing Leah to have a party of her own.  Adam told me it's because he remembered the year that I made him go to his room during Emma's party because he kept doing everything for her and her guests.  I don't remember that, but apparently it stuck with him.

So happy, happy birthday to Leah, who makes everything fun!  This sweet first born child of ours is growing into such a fine young lady.  She's only got 2.5 inches to grow before she's looking down on me, and she can't wait for that day to arrive.  

Leah has admitted on occasion that it would be great to be an only child, but her eyes sparkle when she tells me about her best friend Emma and her cool brother Adam and her sweet baby Noah, so I know she's happy to be part of our crazy family, too.  

Leah started playing the clarinet this year- in addition to the violin- and I love to hear her play both!  She has a talent for making beautiful music.  

She's still a voracious reader and a witty writer and a brave tryer of new things (like soccer and band).

At her traditional birthday dinner date with Mom and Dad at IHOP, Leah told us the following facts. 

Favorite drink- polyjuice potion (lime sherbet mixed with Sprite).

Favorite book- Wonder, the first fully illustrated Harry Potter book, and Sink or Swim.

Bath or shower?  No question!  Bath whenever possible.

Violin or clarinet- violin.

BFF- Emma!  Because I can always be myself around her.

Biggest triumph of 2017- writing a 10,000 word novel (She'll have to publish it over here some day.)

Biggest adventure awaiting in 2018- going on the Disney cruise!

Favorite food- chocolate chip pancakes

Most excited about?  Starting middle school!

The year ahead is full of adventures, and this sweet girl is ready to take them on!  We couldn't ask for a happier and kinder young lady that Leah!  She is always trying so hard to do what is right and to help bring peace into our home.  

Happy 11th birthday Miss Leah-Bee-a!  We love you!

Winter Break

We had plenty of reasons to look forward to our cruise over winter break.  It was so bitterly cold for about 10 days in a row.

But we still managed to have plenty of fun on our break.  We went to the movies, snuggled up in front of the fire at home, and ventured out a time or two for an impromptu visit to the Des Moines Art Center

 so we could finally climb through the packing tape tunnels!

And to mermaid bowling

which was a perfect way to spend a snowy day.

 Waiting for Truman's arrival

then snuggling him for days.  

For now, Truman is the best pet we could ask for- he comes, we love him, then he leaves!

 Adam and his buddy Mason wanted to recreate the marble run from school.  

Jason took it up a few more notches and it was awesome.

 We played lots of laser tag, 

 lots of games, 

 lots of this puzzle

 lots of delicious food, pajama days, and overall gratitude for the break from early mornings and school schedules.  

10-8-6-4

 

My favorite picture of the year. 

Christmas On The Farm

Many of my childhood stories come from the time we spent on my maternal grandparents farm.  I don't have any memories of spending Christmas there, although I'm sure we did once or twice when I was little.

But I always heard about the amazing Christmas nativity that they set up for the community to enjoy.  And it turns out my aunt and uncle- who are well into their 80s- are still keeping the tradition alive.  Isn't it beautiful?

Their house is not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but not far from it.  This would be such a stunning sight to happen upon while driving down Rose Road in small town Idaho.

I just love having these pictures.  There are so many memories!  The front left window of the house was my grandparents bedroom.  Small but always neat as a pin, with my grandmother's jewelry beautifully organized and pictures of her daughters (including my mom) on the walls.  After my grandpa died I spent a few weeks with her, and I'm sure I spent a night or two in her room.  The front door used to have that lovely green grass carpet on the stairs, and I can remember the sound of the doorbell and the wavy glass blocks that let light into the front room.  The Avon lady was a friend of Grandma's, and we tried to trick her into thinking there was an extra girl in the house by dressing my brother up as "Aaro-lina".  The front right window is the living room, where everyone gathered to visit around the fire and under the huge photograph-laden family tree.  That same summer that I stayed with my grandma I helped her pick out plush new *pink* carpet for her house.  She had a light changing musical flower box on display on her tube TV (which was encased in wood and also so fancy).  The house was always neat and clean and quite minimalist, by my memories.  The dining room held the fancy china and we always gathered there for dinner.  Breakfast was in the kitchen- they had a TV in there!- and we always had stacks of toast and Tang and bacon and sometimes cereal for breakfast.  There was a bear shaped cookie jar that always had cookies in it, and the view from the kitchen window looked out onto my grandma's roses.  The back of the house held the sunroom, where she tended to her beloved plants, and the backyard was the location of the absolute magic- the patio, the playhouse, the tree house, the garden, and of course, the pathways to my cousins house (under the willow tree) and to our friends house (through the pasture).  So many memories!

Christmas Day

Don't be fooled by the dark!  These babies slept until after 7 on Christmas morning.  It is always so fun to listen to them wake up one by one and come into our room, declaring that "It's Christmas!!" 

And it was a wonderful Christmas Day indeed.  The kids were overjoyed with their gifts and we spent the whole day playing.

 Jason and I even sat down on the couch together for a while!

And visiting with our families!  Thank heaven for modern technology.

Laser guns for the whole family kept us all busy.

And Emma's hatchimal was a fun experience for everyone.

Finally the little creature popped out!  Such a fun toy, I have to admit.

Everyone was so content to just be together, checking out new toys and games and relaxing by the fire.

We started our 1,000 piece Disney puzzle that evening, 

and after a full day of savoring our blessings- especially each other- we tucked the kids into bed and marveled at another Christmas come and gone.  And it was a wonderful one!