Playing Hooky with Harry....

7.21.2007

potterstreet

It was Megan, a friend from the museum, that suggested I read Harry Potter. She said "It's a kids book, but I think you will enjoy it." I remember asking my 8 year old niece if she had read it, "Oh yeah, you HAVE to read it." I remember sitting through programs hoping no kids would come so I could keep reading. I was enchanted and reminded of one of my favorite books as a child, A Wrinkle in Time. As each new book came out Dan and I would get one copy and share, he always finished before me.

Friday night was the big Harry Potter party and we debated going. Around 8 I looked at Dan and the girls (who were in their jammies) and said get dressed we're going. The girls are to young to have read the books and Annie only saw the first movie-ahem, at my mom's. Still, it was a great night for all of us. The girls taking in all the fun and and excitement and looking at all the kids and adults dressed in character. There were wands and house elves, Hagrid and moving pictures.
livingwindow
There were thousands of people, teenagers and with parents, toddlers with grandparents and all of them having a wonderful time because of a book. It was really a wonderful experience and I am so glad we adventured out so late. We didn't stick around to buy our book at midnight but we did get to share the evening with our favorite Harry Potter fans.

potterfun

The rest of the weekend was spent playing hooky with Harry and fighting with Dan over who got the book.
readingharry harryandpainting

By last night we had both finished and today it's back to business.
Hope you all enjoyed a magical adventure with Harry and the DA.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures Mary! How exciting. I wish I would have known about one by us, I would have taken the kids. They cannot read yet, so we had a Potter movie-a-thon. They love it and can not wait to read the books we have collected for them.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's a big party! I picked up our copy Saturday morning, and Michael and are reading it together, out loud -- I think so that we won't have to fight about who gets to read it first. Personally I would have prefered to buy two copies rather than take weeks to read one copy together, but it's hard to say no to your spouse's plea to spend more time together. At least I can knit during the chapters he reads. Seven down, 29 to go...

Anonymous said...

Hi! I like your blog page - some great photos. My Harry Potter party story is kinda the reverse (?) of yours, with pics, too, of complete strangers waiting in line with me in and outside our local independent bookstore (please visit my blog). I arrived almost midnight at the store, alone (hubby and 6 year old at home, sleeping), just to pick up book and flabbergasted at the line. I saw some festive costumes, but I wonder if there was a reading in the store, like yours? Your party looked fun! Hurray for HP and JK! (and us fans!)

google supports the sex slave trade said...
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aWoman'sBlog said...

A few years ago my youngest daughter who was then in her late teens told me I had to read Harry Potter's books.

She told me that for several reasons. One because I was also a single mother of four children, as is the author, and I am a writer too.

I think my daughter wanted me to get rich. She also knew I didn't have a problem at all with magical thinking.

I started reading the first book and well I never finished it and then I started watching the first movie and I stopped about the same place I got bored in the first book.

Then again, my youngest daughter was in her mid to late teens (can't remember exactly) so I didn't feel so obligated to oblige her and since I was crazy working one, two or three jobs it just wasn't a priority.

So, it's hard for me to relate to all the Potter hullabaloo but I thought I'd introduce myself in a somewhat relevant manner to your post before I congratulate you on your great job and on being a Blogs of Note.

Nice job!

Dr. Joey said...

I think it was the Wrinkle in Time reference that got me - what a flashback! Did you love those Choose Your Own Adventure series too? Alas, though I can't get into Harry, but I know it's popular...nice pics too...

For something different I'd appreciate feedback on mine... http://ropsych.blogspot.com :)

High Power Rocketry said...

: )

BC said...

My son is travelling with his copy of the book and it's driving me nuts to wait for 10 more days.

True Mew Fan said...

I am glad you like harry potter. It is a wonderful series and feeds the imagination.

Michelle said...

I too went to a wild Harry Potter party, but have not yet finished the book!

I am reading as fast as a kinda stay-at-home mom (freelance writer) to a two-year-old can.

In her own Voice said...

Mary,
Lovely site! I want to spend more time browsing here tomorrow. I am a therapist who offers perinatal support and will probably want to make some links to your site and the links you reference.

I'm new to blogspot...just got my site up today with my very first blog. I'm excited about this whole process.

Congratulations on becoming a blogger of note!

Simon said...

Sounds like you both had a great time reading the book.

CalebPhotographer said...

It seems that you are into photography... At least, some of your pictures seem well taken.

Nice blog!

=)

Anonymous said...

hi. i was just randomly surfing and i found your blog.
your pictures make me happy. :)

Rowena said...

Hi Mary,
I haven't read even one book in the Harry Potter's series, but I do go to see the films when they come out. Seeing all of this enthusiasm however reminded me of the days when Star Wars first became a big hit. Such a great feeling!

Reading some of the previous posts, I saw the pic of the old sewing machine and am so envious! My grandmother had one just like it but I never found out who it went to when she passed away. A classic, and a good thing that you rescued it from the landfill. Thanks for the green link, I am always for going green!

Anonymous said...

It's really nice photos! I'd like to visit party like this,but in my small town it's impossible:(

the_chief said...

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Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

Mary, Congrats on becoming the blog of note!!!!

The Harry Potter sensation ROCKS!!! I loooved the pics!!!

I noticed we have some similarities. I loooove blueberry pancakes. Our blueberries are just ripening. We also raspberries and blackberries, and we have an orchard with apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry trees that continue to provide us with fruit.

Curb side treasures are the best!!! My father tells a story that his doctor set out a grill and he came home to find it had been exchanged for a bookcase. :D

JJ

John F said...

My wife dragged me to the local Waterstone's here in this small town in the UK where we live. I do like Harry Potter but wasnt too keen on going at 12 in the night (well 11:15 precisely). But having gone there I have to admit it was fun. I enjoyed my book too!

Unknown said...

Hey, I randomly came upon your site as it was featured on my blogger page, I read a few of your entries and I just wanted to say that you seem really amazing with your kids. Quite a bit like my mum and grandad always were with me.

So yeah, bit of a random comment and all that, but reading all your stuff here, I was touched and reminded of the most brilliant moments of my childhood with my family.

Thanks!


Mike.

Natalie said...

I went to one of those! But I didn't buy the book either. Haha.

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Emilie said...

These event's are always so much fun. It's funny... I didn't buy a book at the actual party, I bought one at wall mart 20 minutes after waiting in an extremely long line at Borders. I figured I'd get it my book a lot quicker if I sought Deathly Hallows elsewhere.

Jayme said...

Hello, congrats on being a "Blog of Note" I just wanted to say I really enjoy reading your blog. This one is expecially interesting to me because I'm a huge Harry fan myself. I think it is pretty cool how one book series can affect so many different people. It's great.

Gretchen said...

We had a blast at a similar Harry Potter release party last month. We had never been to one before, but would happily go to more.

Sad to see the series end, but it was a brilliant book.