Harry Potter

     Just saying that name aloud makes me smile.  Did J.K. realize how important that name would be when she put Harry together with Potter and added James and Lily.  Having my children spread out in ages a bit has given me the rare treat of repeating my HP love all over again.  I was delighted when my 7-year-old broached the subject of reading the first Harry Potter to her.  I jumped at the chance, of course.  Her desire to start the series came through her older siblings and school chums, who naturally got the fever from their older siblings...and so on...

     I remember  my own fever of waiting for the delivery of each book, wrapped in brown paper, hiding its magical contents.   We attended many HP coming out parties for both books and movies, staying up late to drink witch's brew and eat Bertie Bott's every flavor beans.  After the first book came out our local mall hosted a HP look-a-like contest and our now 15-year-old, ever dramatic, dressed the part.  He didn't win but we had such a great time talking with the many other participants.   Several summer vacations are memorable as we traveled across the country to the sounds of  Jim Dale keeping us silent, in rapt attention as he magically read all the parts with perfect detail!  Ahhh, the memories! 

     Peaceful Girl, her dad and I finished the first book soon after our Michigan trip and are almost half way through the second book and we are finishing the first movie as I type.  This, for me, as a teacher, is what summer is all about...the fact that I can hold my little ones hand as she watches the Hogwart's Express take Harry, Ron and Hermione away!

Click for J.K. Rowling's website.

How about you?  How many tmies have you reread any of the Harry Potter books?  Do you remember great HP parties?