We started the day with Lily taking Mary to her piano competition just before noon. Mary played perfectly. That is not an exaggeration. She literally got 100%. She did not make the finals because she is now the youngest in her division and others played harder pieces, but we could not have been more proud of her!!
Today was Mary’s birthday party. It was so fun, and Lydia did so much to help prepare. Lydia created and painted the blye Olivanders wand-holder that you see in the display below. She also planned activities, decorated (see the moaning myrtle and chamber of secrets pictures) made chocolate frogs and molasses deserts and helped organize everything. Lily of course bought all the ingredients, cooked a lot (the French onion soup was incredible) and helped with the nice touches like the Gilly Water. She also ordered hand-pies from June-pie, and cake and everything was delicious. I had fun helping with decorations like hanging the floating candles and the Hogwarts tapestry. Here is the moment-by-moment replay of how the day went:
Mary’s frinds who came were: Anika, Charlotte, Katharina, Lilian and Eloise. When guests arrived, they received a broom, a wand, and a robe. One of the first activities was making potions. There was a love potion, a bubbling potion and a potion to induce euphoria. The kids had fun mixing their potions, and tasting them. Charlotte was great entertainment for everyone as she drank her love potion and then dramatically pretended to fall in love with our metal stair railing (I admit it is a good-looking railing).
After making and tasting potions, the kids went outside to jump on the trampoline and play with gold balloons (that looked like golden snitches). Then it was time hit the pinata. That is about the time my dad and Suzanne came over. It was so fun to have them over! Clarissa later told me the pinata was her favorite part of the day. After everyone hit the pinata and collected the candy, they went inside to start watching the first Harry Potter movie.
Then everybody ate. After dinner, Mary opened her presents and then the kids had free play until it was time for cake and ice-cream at the very end. Then everyone’s parents came to pick them up, and we hung out more with my dad and Suzanne. Mary opened her gifts from them (one was a beautiful bracelet), and then performed her most recent piano piece for them.
Entry display 
Robes hanging from the light fixture. 
Ammon and Clarissa hanging out before the party. 
Dinner set-up 
Moaning Myrtle. 
The Chamber of secrets has been opened 
Itinerary 
Itinerary 
Potions 
Potions 
Potions 
Potions 
Watching Harr Potter 
Lydia’s chocolate frogs 
Mary said her birthday was everything she wanted it to be (and she was very happy with her new pig-themed presents and new shoes and bracelet). That made us all so happy. And thank you to Lydia and Lily for being such a force to pull off her party and for my dad and Suzanne for making it even happier! Happy Birthday Mary, your party was a blast!!!!