Asher's Harry Potter Birthday Party

July 30, 2012- My oldest son turned four. What a big kid! He got to choose his theme this year, and he chose (as my heart swelled with love) HARRY POTTER. What a kid. <3

And so, we did it. We went to Party City for a lot of the supplies this year. One of the things the hubby and I did that was really a party-maker (and a LOT of fun) was make wands. We got the tutorial here and it worked wonderfully!

 We also got some black party hats, they were pretty cute on the kids :)

Since he is a little older now, we thought it would be appropriate to do goody bags this time, too. We got plain white lunch bags and I drew a little Harry Potter design on them. Inside, we put (from Party City and a dollar store) some "horcrux" goodies: necklaces, rings, little snakes, mini journals (with little pens), cups (they were actually little trophies for a soccer themed party, which we just took off of the mounted part- looked awesome), tiaras, circular glasses (to represent Harry as the last horcrux) and a little candy, too. The kids (and adults) loved them!

 I also got just a plain ball-shaped pinata from Party City and made it up to look like a dementor. Wish I had gotten a photo of it, but hey, at least the idea is out there for anyone else looking to plan a HP party. One of my coworkers happens to be a cupcake guru, and he offered to make Butterbeer cupcakes for the party! They turned out great, and I found the recipe at this site. Otherwise for food, just the basics- grill food, lemonade, etc. But my little man had an amazing time!

 Expecto patronum!

 Ham.

 

 Victory!!

 Ira wanted to do spells, too.

 Those glasses make him look so much older! Happy Birthday to my wonderful son, Asher Cailen. You are truly an amazing person, and I am so blessed to be your mother. May you never grow too old for the magic of childhood.

 "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -JK Rowling (Albus Dumbledore)

Ira Jude Turns Two

My youngest son turned two on May 30, 2012. We didn't have a big party for him, as we lost my beloved stepmother just the day before. There will be a post about her, as well, but I simply don't have the strength (or the time) to write everything that needs to be written for her at the moment. I will do it soon, though- I can feel my heart longing to pour itself out (finally).

But back to the celebrations. We were at my father's house, and let the boys go swimming and play while we went through pictures of Diane and we all tried to stay as positive as we could. I decided to make my little man some cupcakes, and I thought to myself, What do I give him as a 'treat' when he is being exceptionally good? And so, of course, I bought some cake mix, crushed some Oreos into the batter, frosted them with cream cheese frosting, and topped them with gummy worms. Sort of like "dirt cakes", but cake instead of pudding.

The taste test...

Kid looks happy to me!

Happy Birthday, Ira. I know grandma was there with you, too. <3