That's my boy.

We've all been enchanted by Harry Potter around our house too. We love the HBP and are starting the books all over again. One of my favorite birthday parties we've done was a Harry Potter party for my son Ben... can I tell how many wonderful things you can do a Harry Potter Party... makes me want to throw another one.

Harry Potter really started my son on reading when he was eight. I love the way you talk about Simon, I can really picture him pretending he's Harry. Do enjoy these moments with him Ali, my big boy turned 16 yesterday, and we have fewer opportunities to share things now...

awesome! I can totally see harry in our future.

Ali, awesome photos especially that closeup of Simon lying down. Thanks for sharing!

My William is 15 now, but he has totally grown up with Harry. It's been exciting to be a part of 'future classic' books and films as they happen. Living in England, we have been completely immersed in it all, so it was no surprise that William wanted a Harry Potter room. It was already decorated like a castle, so it wasn't too much more work to add a fireplace, cauldron, school trunk, spell books, potion bottles and costumes. William has more wands than you can shake a stick at! (Go overboard? Me?) I even made him an invisibility cloak, which is always the first thing friends want to try on! ("Hey, William....now where did he go? He was here a minute ago!") However, my husband drew the line at me painting the ceiling like the sky....spoilsport! Anyway, if you ever find yourself coming to London, Simon is invited over for a Harry Potter fest. He even has a magical, snow-covered tree in there at Christmas! I'll e-mail you pictures if you're interested!

I am very sad to read all the comments and see so much on your blog about Harry Potter. I can't understand how people who proclaim to be Christians can condone teaching their children witchcraft. This is not something that is an innocent pasttime. It is a very dangerous, real thing. I can tell you from personal experience many years ago when I didn't know any better (I was raised in a Lutheran Church and we never talked about this.) that this is not what God wants us to spend our time on. Many people, adults and children alike, are being pulled in by this. I am appalled at the movies and books coming out - Harry Potter and vampires are not what I want to read about on blogs! Ali, please do some research and protect your precious children from the evil influence Satan is bringing into innocent lives. I saw on your post where you dedicated Anna in a Sunday morning service. Were you really sincere about dedicating her (and Simon, I assume) to the Lord? Walking both sides of the fence is a dangerous pasttime. I love your blog and your ideas for scrapbooking and creating memories, but I must speak out on this. If I wouldn't have had a friend who was bold enough to speak to me about things I was doing/reading, I would not be in the place I am today. Please consider this some advice from someone who respects you. Just because everyone else is doing it, please don't be a part of Harry Potter and witchcraft. It is simply evil. You have a voice who reaches many people. Promoting this is just wrong.

Hi Ali!
As somebody who is also obsessed with HP (still have my fake-Dark Mark tattoo on!) I wanted to share with you a link to a store located in Santa Monica, CA called "Whimsic Alley." If your family is ever in Southern California, this should be a stop on your list! You can try out all the wands, try on the expensive robes, and visit all the other "stores" in the alley. It's wonderful! They even host (child friendly) wizard rock shows! (Harry and the Potters, The Hermione Crookshanks Experience, The Rempus Lupins, The Whomping Willows, Draco and the Malfoys, etc. etc.) Here's the link: http://www.whimsicalley.com/
Enjoy!

Love it Ali - and so wonderful to see the pretend playing and imagination come to life. Simon is doing awesome.
And I am sad that Pam has made the comments that she has made up above. Wow - children's imagination are amazing and books can take them to worlds that we can only imagine - feeding their imagination and pretend play will help to encourage them to live well and dream big and be rich with experience that books and stories can bring to us. Imagininary play is particularly important for Autistic children. My children have always had a love of books and fairy tales and a vivid imagination but it has helped them to strive to do what they believe in. Our youngest is autistic and finally having some pretend play and it is an amazing place to be. A good soul is well rounded and I must tell you Ali & Chris I think you raise your children well, spriritually and even thru some of the difficulties that come with raising a child with Autism. You are a wonderful loving family.
Thanks for sharing - always!!

I love Harry Potter, too! :) I read the books over & over again, but I don't like the movies at all! They are certainly not good enough!
Wish you a lot of happy moments!
Efrat Kashat

oh yes the spells. With 4 boys and a poor little girl who is not into Potter right now, we have many matches in this house! Our 8 year old was recently diagnosed as being on the spectrum and his latest obsession is getting back into the movies. I notice it comes in different waves, different things for a period of time.
I'm thinking that is part of his uniqueness!

Hi Ali,
I love your blog and love the pics. of your darling kiddos - so glad that you are willing to share. We also LOVE HP around our house. He's been with us quite a while as my oldest is almost 19 now. Several of my kids have admitted being mightily disappointed about not getting their letter from Hogwarts at their 11th birthday. Always makes me smile. Enjoy these precious moments with your boy. They grow up way too fast!
If you haven't tried reading the books aloud to Simon yet I would highly recommend it. Our family has SO many terrific memories of our read-aloud times, and the Harry Potter books are a large part of our fond memories. More details and wonderful stuff in the books.
Just wanted to interject that I am a devout and conservative Christian and I have not had any trouble appreciating the wonder of Harry Potter and the joy it brings to our family. Great examples in there of good vs. evil and good and poor choices etc. And I'm happy to report that none of my extremely devoted HP fans have taken up real witch craft.
Thanks again for sharing with all of us.

That first photo of Simon is just perfect!

Such a great picture of Simon. Wow. You really captured that boyhood charm. :)

Simon's so cute, really imaginative, i liked all the harry potter books and movies as well, however my kids are still too small to get to know the story...
i thought you would like this link from Heather's Blog http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/2009/07/butterbeer_recipe.html
she has a few other fun harry potter themed ideas as well. have fun. enjoy.
amy

I hear you on HP Pam. Unfortunately many lovely people are totally unaware of the demonic influence concerning HP. I have done research on demonic influences & had personal experience with them & indeed they are very real & definitely not of God. Ali in my opinion you are the best scrapbooker in the world & I follow your blog daily. It brings me immeasurable inspiration & real joy but I feel convicted to stand by Pam on this issue as your blog has very far-reaching ramifications into so many peoples lives. There are many Christian books on the reality of demonic/angelic influences & the reality of the spiritual world & it is not all fairy tales & imagination. Unfortunately it's a grave reality that can negatively impact on people's lives hugely so please bear in mind that the topic is highly controversial ;-D

A Hippo?! :D (Sorry, Ali.)
Glad he enjoys Harry so much. Wish I could say the same for my son...or even my husband. Someone to watch the movies with would be more fun!

Yay! So happy to see a child using their imagination! As a mother of four, we all love Harry because he's brave and honest and loyal.
A good snitch ... buy Ferrero Roche chocolates, spray paint feathers gold, stick one in each side and it looks EXACTLY like a real snitch!
Enjoy!

Hippo! That gave me a good laugh. The things they say!

As I sit here writing this DS is building Wayne manor with his Lego. He is Star Wars mad and has multiple sets (did you see the new Death Star?). But before that I started collecting Harry Potter lego. There are no new releases at the moment but ebay has lots and there are some great castles. Might be a good thing for after the summer when you need to be inside a bit more. We haven't got to Harry books and movies yet.... seem more to follow whatever XBox lego game there is.. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Batman.. but isn't imagination great... "Watch out for the trap door" has just come from behind me.

love this post. i kinda want to harry potter too.
the fifth movie is actually one of my favorite movies ever. not sure what it is, but i find myself watching it when i need to rest my brain a bit and just enjoy something fantastical.
and love the giraffe and hippo patronus. makes me smile.