A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ROMAN: Beta Thalassemia Major.

We still get a lot of questions about Roman's blood disorder, Thalassemia.  Some folks don't/didn't realize he had it, some just don't really understand what it is, and others are just curious what living with it looks like for him!

So last week, I filmed/photographed (camera phone) Roman for a full 24 hours to give a peek at what a day looks like for him, living with Thalassemia. It's a pretty simplified version, but I think you'll get the idea.

There are varying degrees of Thal, Roman's is the most severe. His day-to-day life now is vastly different than in China, where he did not have access to proper medical care, due to cost and China's blood shortage. For the most part, he and others with Thalassemia live normal lives. Most of the people we know with Thalassemia are other children who were adopted. Depending on their beginning circumstances, they may have other related complications- medical or emotional.

One thing I did not explain in this video are his ear drops.  That issue is not Thal-related, as far as we know. Roman has not been able to pass a hearing test since he got home a year ago. He has had multiple {bad... gross} ear infections and several cases of severe swimmer's ear. Every doctor that looked at him said something was wrong, but they were not trained to see what specifically. We finally saw the ENT, and it turns out- 90% of Roman's ear drum is gone. All three bones inside his ear have eroded into almost nothing due to constant drainage. Unfortunately, whatever is causing the drainage is likely on the other side of his ear drum and can't be seen. He is scheduled for a CT scan in a couple weeks and we will go from there. He will also be having a sleep study, as his tonsils are so enlarged they are touching each other (and have been as long as we've known him), making it difficult for him to breathe. His heart needs to be monitored closely- which is related to his Thalassemia and the medicines he takes daily.

The plan right now is to then have surgery to remove his tonsils and reconstruct his ear drum. That will help structurally, but he would still need a hearing aide in order to hear.  This is best case, depending what the CT scan finds.  

Anyway, if you have questions about Roman's life with Thalassemia, take a few (7 1/2) minutes and check out the video!



*The first video within the video is a little quiet...

Nathan: What is this?
Roman: My port.
Nathan: What is your port for?
Roman: For transfusions.
Nathan: What is this?
Roman: From my surgery.
Nathan: What is this?
Roman: It's for my pump, how I get medicine in it. 
Nathan: And why do you have that?
Roman: Because I've got Thalassemia!

Side note: He is never that bashful.

A family for Roman- One year later.

This week is harder than last week, and my exhaustion has turned the emotional dial up a notch or forty.

Therefore, I'm a little weepy reminiscing about this time last year.

Remember THIS day, one year ago? It was a good day.

Roman became a West!

He was healthier than we expected, he was happier than we expected, he was louder than we expected.... and he was JUST GETTING STARTED.

This boy... my boy.

I could go on and on about him. How healthy he is now. How HAPPY he chooses to be. How loudly he sings off key and how hard he loves. How he squeals "My family!" and rubs his hands together really fast--- he says whenever he does that about something, it means he wants it. He also rubs them together for pork tenderloin, but he does it for his family too.  How he's the kid who wants to know everything about everything. And how his incessant questions/jabbering can be so daunting, so repetitive, so hilarious.



***Mama, I saw Jesus one time. 
{Since he was close to death a time or two, I probed, not sure where this was going...}
Where, Buddy?

....pbskids.com



***Mama, will my nose get bigger now that I'm American?




***Mama, this city is adorable.
Do you know what 'adorable' means?

Yep... cute, like a baby.  And this city is adorable. 

{If you knew what city he was looking at, you would likely disagree...}




***Mama, I cannot breathe through my nose. Can you get me some medicine? It's uncomfortable.

That was just to show how good his English has gotten :)

He really does start everything with "Mama...."


 I could easily talk about how his favorite food is Mexican or how much he loves to learn about space. About how his two goals for summer were to learn to swim and learn to ride a bike (both took about three tries...)

About how precious and interesting it is to hear about this day a year ago, from his perspective, now that he has the language to tell it. To hear him describe the way he saw me (he still loves it when I wear red lipstick...) and that my first kiss as his mama was his first kiss from any mama (that he remembers).

(He kissed it off me.)

I really and truly could not be more proud of him, but in truth... this year has been hard.
The hardest, actually.

And not because of anything Roman is or does, but it happened to be his adoption that ignited a stream of unpredictable events that we narrowly survived.  We did, we are.... but I wouldn't have blamed him one bit if he had fallen apart with the rest of us.  He didn't. He fell in love anyway. He stood right in the middle of it all... Brave. Strong. Silly. Our's.


A year of ups and downs, of firsts and lasts for him. For all of us, really. His million questions and his maniacal laugh can be both maddening and life-saving.

We love this little boy of our's and we are so lucky to be his.

Roman's family.

He is a big brother.
He is a little brother.
He is a son, a nephew, a grandson, a cousin.
He's a West <3 p="">

ABCs and OCDs.

Hiya!

Several of you sweetly messaged over summer to see how we were doing while things were quiet on the blogfront and I appreciate you dearly for caring! There has, as always, been lots of life going on... any spare moments were spent recovering instead of writing.

Some of the season was dreamy and fantastical and other parts... you know, not.

We have made lots of forward progress in adoption recovery in these last months, for sure. Obviously, the change in season brought a change in routine, change in schedule, change in kinda everything. Normally, that's a very welcome change, but in post-adoption war, that's a tough adjustment for some soldiers. We fought the good summer fight and here we are, charging on into a new school year.

Last year we had four kids in one school, this year we have five kids in four schools!

It's going to take us a while to find our groove I think. We leave an hour earlier to start drop offs and Monday-Tuesday I spent nearly two hours in pick-up lines. Gross. Until now, we have always been home for dinner together every night. So far this year, we just cannot pull it off. Lots of changes, Old Max, lots of changes.

Layla started MIDDLE SCHOOL.

(Mufasaaa.... shiver).

She was a happy blend of nervous/excited that got her up at 4:30AM for several episodes of 'I Love Lucy' before breakfast... {like mother, like daughter}. She definitely came home a little stressed after the first day.  She did have a beautiful, round even-numbered locker combination but the dern thing kept getting stuck. Between that and trying to find all her classes, she was a smidge overwhelmed. She came home to tell me she thinks she inherited my (actual, clinically diagnosed) OCD afterall as she found herself arranging her school supplies all day just to feel a sense of control. As expected, she got the hang of it after a few days and the school supplies were once again scattered about freely in her new, functioning locker with it's unfortunate odd-numbers.

I feel certain she will do fantastic as she is a special kind of rock star.


Brynn is taking on third grade and is off to a wonderful start!

Too bad she's such a plain little girl {PSYCH!}  I have already gotten a call from her teacher about how attentive, well-mannered, and sweet she's been.  Make no bones about it, third grade is tough stuff- but this girl never backs down from a challenge! Our hope is that she gains academic confidence and continues to give it her all. It's one of my favorite things about her. Back to school for her also means back to dance! She cannot get enough and it's a good thing because her schedule is fully loaded this year. Looking forward to seeing her grow in every way.

CALE.

Guys. Look at his face. Most of you know it's been a challenge trying to find the right fit for Cale and ya'll, I think we've done it. We have sort of held our breath this week, not knowing how he would adjust to a new school and a new schedule but HE IS SO HAPPY. Initially, he wasn't thrilled about wearing a uniform but he quickly figured out that it made his mornings easier and that he looks rather handsome. On the second day of school, he had a doctor appointment and he was legitimately bummed about what he might be missing. He begged me to make them hurry so he could get to school! THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED EVER. He is happy every day when we pick him up and every morning when it's time to go back.

This is him dancing on the front porch before school this morning. Just shaking his groove thang for no reason at all. I can count all zero times that this has happened before.

He is also playing football for the first time, which requires a serious time commitment (which we somehow didn't realize when we initially agreed to it) and gets everyone to bed later than we are used to. He has to be exhausted, but he has honestly handled this week better than any of us. Plus, he's sleeping soundly. Last year, he did not sleep. At all.

His days are structured and predictable and he loves all of it. AND ALL THE PEOPLE SAID AMEN.



"Roman is in second grade!"

That's what he squealed about 72 times Monday and Tuesday. Cutie.
He seems really happy with his teacher and his lunchbox, but by Wednesday all the evening running around had caught up with him. He was asking for new blood-- even though it isn't time yet-- because he automatically assumes when he's that tired, he must need fresh blood. He shut down big time this morning and had all the grumps. It occurred to me how drastically different this all was for him especially, even though he has quietly taxied through it all.  All summer, he was home and stuck to me like glue- this week, he was suddenly in school all day long and then shuffled between extracurriculars all night. We have about 15 mins of time every day in between the first two drop offs and the next two- which is great because Brynn is never quite ready and we always forget something. Today, I brought him back inside to snuggle. I realized he had been sort of  neglected this week and he just needed to slow down for a minute. Sweet little buddy. Cheered him right up. That and the promise he could sleep in tomorrow!


Now about all this "free time" people seem to think I now have.... LAUGH.
Anna Gray doesn't start back to her school until next week. I, too, was certain she and I would get EVERYTHING done this week with all the bigs back in school.

First of all, she's is not in a very "still" phase of life right now which is fun little challenge everywhere we go.

I kid you not, I buckled her into her highchair with a snack, took down a load of laundry, and came back up to find shattered glass in the floor, closed caption turned on Sesame St, and her wearing nothing but a bow. Still bucked into her high chair.

That's her claiming "accident". 

Sure. I accidentally strip myself naked all the time. 

She has been dragged all over creation this week too, sweet baby. I worked last night and this morning, she has both arms and legs wrapped around me with her face pressed against mine saying, "I got you. I got you."

It really has been the craziest week. I have not had a moment to spare and we are only home today because I had an event cancel at the last minute. I never dreamed I would be more exhausted once they were out of the house all day. 

Slowly but surely, we will adjust. Probably just in time for it to all change again. But we're good. We are good. In a "Eating dinner at 8PM, wearing yesterday's mascara, broken washing machine, can't find the keys that are in my hand, fell asleep sitting upright in my tennis shoes" way, we are really good. 

All the pictures. In SUMMERRRRR.

May is December-crazy, so here are some things that I would have written about if I had the time:

Mother's Day.

Anna Gray's first makeover.

The girls' talent show.

Saved a baby bunny from our dog's mouth, Cale named it Jordan and we stared at it for a day.

Roman had a fantastic first birthday party.

Anna Gray found food coloring.

Layla was Rosa Parks.

Cale had a blast in his first season of flag football.

End of school year - lots here.


But now SUMMERRRRRRR.

Our goal for summer: BOND AND (re)ATTACH. All seven of us. You know that super dramatic part of the movie where somebody is about to fall really far from something and it will be really painful (Cliff? Burning building? Any impending doom will do...) but then there's this chain of people holding on by their fingertips refusing to let go? That was our last nine months. But we hung on and we tightened our grip and pulled and pulled until we all collapsed at the top- sweaty and out of breath but piled right on top of each other gratefully.

Now we finally have time to slow down and relish. In every connection, every positive interaction, every grin, every thing.

I put together a "Happy Summer" basket with dollar store items that we managed to make last for more than a day {Love when Roman asks, "Can we get out the Happy Summer basket? Can I use the Happy Summer bubbles? This is official fun, not just regular fun.}  We are also using the same "schedule" at last year to keep us entertained.  We've outlawed screens for summer except for long drives and long appointments, which don't take seasonal breaks. Picnic for six in the therapist's office, anyone? We did, and it was fun.

It's been "summer" for approximately one week, but I don't think we've missed a beat yet!

We had a water balloon fight/sprinkler day,

{Sprinklers are scary. Thank goodness for big brothers.}

{I love this picture of Layla Paige in all her eleven-ness with her half adult teeth, half missing teeth real deal smile.}

A (supermodel?) pool day,

A movie-marathon-rainy day {For real. We rented four redbox movies and did nothing else},

A bookstore and last-day-of-Cale's-Chemistry-class-day,

A picnic and two different parks day,

A catch-lightening-bugs-in-your-pajamas turned dance party (because it always does) day,

and a silly string fight/backyard day.

The funniest part was Anna Gray just standing in the middle of it all with her Why The Face face.

{You can barely see them, but here's a fun fact for any Enjoying the Small Things fans: AG is wearing Nella's shoes.}

{Not an action shot. She just stays like that. Which is why I don't have her abs. But she gave me mad props for trying.}

{Swinging is her favorite. And she refuses the toddler swing- waah.}

Gotta jet. It's Field Trip Friday and we have a scavenger hunt to tackle and a drive-in movie to see.
Bring on the next seven weeks of goodness!

Bitter and sweet, but mostly sweet! {Without actual sweets...}

Today we celebrate Roman Jude Zheng turning 8!

I have mentioned before that the 'J' in Jude, is for "my" Jason. Today marks four years since his death. Usually, this is a tough tough day for me. I won't say it's getting easier, but it's getting... less hard? It meant an awful lot to me when we found out that the day given as Roman's birth date (estimated) was also May 12. I have shed my tears and now I can focus on my boy.

The funny thing is- they are a lot alike. You know those Sour Patch Kid commercials? ROMAN.

He has a tendency to drive you mad, and then turn around and say the absolute sweetest thing you've ever heard. And he means it. He's just a little bit naughty and wild at all the 'wrong' times, but he loves to make other's laugh. He is thoughtful and beyond precious when you least expect it, but right when you need it. He's throws himself into things without even thinking and comes away with either a puffed up chest or a battle scar he lived to tell about. No regrets and the life of the party. He is the most stubborn, hard-headed child I have ever met, but he never gives up. He's not the biggest or the strongest or the fastest, but you could never convince him of that.

I adore this boy. For the longest time, reminders of Jason broke my heart. Now, I am reminded of him daily and I can only laugh...
Very funny, J.



Roman has waited through everyone else's birthdays for his day to arrive.  He has squealed with delight at the very mention of it. And since it is his first birthday home- we are gonna milk it for all it's worth!

He has grown so much in every way but up. Although, he is in a solid 5/6 now instead of 4T/5T! He has matured emotionally and developmentally.  His language is incredible. He is still a momma's boy and I don't think that will ever change. His best friend is Brynn and he's a great big brother to AG. He loves superheroes and power rangers, playing outside, and helping. His laugh is infectious and his dance moves are hilarious.

We took him to dinner last night, his choice (Chinese) because the girls' talent show is tonight. He was thrilled and our Chinese server was completely enamored with him. He offered to take a picture of all of us and right as he snapped, Roman snuggled in said, "It's my birthday... with my family.. I love it."

What he doesn't love is sweets. Birthdays are made for sweets!

In China, even the sweets aren't sweet. Not compared to our's. When he first came home, we couldn't get him to try anything that even looked sweet. He likes brown sugar in his oatmeal, powdered sugar on his pancakes, and plain vanilla ice cream every now and then, but that's about it.

They surprised him with a plate of "Chinese" donuts after dinner last night (which he says no one in China eats...). He wouldn't eat one. We went 'round and 'round about what kind of treat to bring to his class today. I made several suggestions, but he said just bring enough for his friends. FINALLY, he liked my watermelon idea.

So we took watermelon. And the class was thrilled.

His class... the first grade... the entire school adores him. One day I took him in at lunch time after a doctor's appointment, the entire cafeteria screamed his name when we came through the door!  He wanted to invite everyone to his very first birthday party this weekend. And so we did.

He chose a roller skate party after a fun day on spring break. Half the time, this kid can't stand on his own two feet... I thought for sure roller skating would be a disaster. Well, I'll be darned if he didn't take off like he'd been doing it his whole life. And it turns out, he had. Of ALL things, I never dreamed roller skating would have been something he did often in China!

So a skate party he gets. With plain vanilla ice cream and a family. And we ALL love it.

Happy birthday, RJZ. We love you so stinking much and are so happy to celebrate you!

Rosa(s).

** I wrote this a week ago after our visit to Memphis. It was scheduled to post yesterday, but given the current events, I was honestly afraid it would be misinterpreted, even with good-hearted intentions. Ya'll know I tend to stay away from hot topics because I don't like to invite confrontation (same reason I don't order pizza... you HAVE to answer the door!). I thought about waiting it out, but "it" ain't going anywhere folks. My only intentions are sharing some pieces of our own stories, but I hate that I have to specify that. WORLD PEACE, y'all. **




It started with her 2nd grade "Important Person" project. Brynn was assigned Rosa Parks. She worked on it for weeks. She was so in it. She wanted to know everything about the civil rights movement and she fell in love with Rosa. She wrote her report and memorized her speech. I was so proud of her hard work and impressed with how much she wanted to learn... but also disheartened because I know that she knows. She gets it now. And the answers brought more questions...

VIDEO of her practicing.
{She got a perfect score!}

Then came "Glory" by John Legend and Common. All she knew initially was that it mentioned Rosa Parks and that was good enough for her. Then she watched the Oscars performance 20 times. She saw the clips from Selma and heard the lyrics. She turned it on and wanted me to watch her dance. She wanted to tell the story, the way she felt it. Together with her sister, they decided to use "Glory" to audition for their school talent show.

It opened up a LOT of conversation, as you can imagine.

Now, we needed to shorten the song and we aren't trying to start drama at the elementary school, so we did take out the more controversial segment. These two girls worked SO hard to come up with a way to say "We want to change the world- together.".

We wouldn't know if they made it until the end of the week, but I wanted to reward them for hard work and the courage to try, so I took them to use the Build-a-Bear gift cards we'd been saving. They had their fun and as the sales girl handed out their printed "birth certificates", she said: I can honestly say we've never had a bear named Rosa Parks as Brynnie-girl beamed with pride.

They had also had ice cream and it was kicking in about the time we pranced into the Disney store to look around.

Nice Young Man: Can I help you all find a specific character?
Me: No thanks, we're just browsing.
Brynn: Not me, I'm looking for a specific character.
NYM: What can I help you find?
Brynn: {Eyebrows raised} Where are your princesses of color?! Tiana, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan... where are they?

NYM fumbles for a moment before leading her to the ONE doll they have that comes in Tiana and Jasmine.

Miss B thanked him politely and we left. She told me she was sorry if that was rude but she looked around and only saw the white princesses. Brynnie, you were right. And not rude in the least. I wish I had known what was important to me at 8 AND stood up for it. 

Thanks, momma... but how do I change it?

She has now written a letter and Monday I mailed it for her. I don't know if it will make a bit of difference.  I don't know if the Disney store will try to carry more princesses of color. But I know I have a little girl I'm awfully proud of.

Make that two! They did make the talent show :)


We found out about a month ago that we would be traveling to Memphis for Brynn's next dance competition.  As soon as Brynn found out, she started fantasizing about what our weekend visit would include.

HERE is a recap on our last visit.

She made a to-do list:
1. Find my parents.
2. Visit hospital where I was born.
3. Eat lunch on Beale St.
4. Get a souvenir.
5. Go to Civil Rights Museum.

We decided to make a girls' weekend out of it since the boys were at Bristol. I knew her emotions were going to be unpredictable and that she had high, high hopes.

We set out for Beale St on Saturday and met friends for lunch. I watched her stand on the deck and comb every face that walked by. Every face. She was sure she spotted them. Several times. Poor baby broke down when it was time to go and get ready for her competition. It was all I could do to hold it together for her! She lost it again in the dressing room. She had already decided they would meet and then want to come see her dance. Now, it was time to dance.... and they weren't there the way she imagined.

I had to carry her out. She pulled herself together and asked for her red lips. I saw her start to shift gears as soon as she saw the rest of her team. Her smile beamed out and she was ready to dance. This was right about that the time my phone flashed the low battery signal and I fell apart completely.  Like, totally crying that my phone my die except not at all really.

She danced her little heart out and had a blast!
She woke up the next morning with clear intentions, but more at peace. She waltzed into the hospital where she was born and up to the NICU. She got to see the very room she had been in at birth! Way further than we made it last time and she was quite pleased.

She was lighter, playful, even when we got back to Beale St.  We had lunch and window shopped, but she wanted her to souvenir to come from the Civil Rights Museum... I tell ya. This kid.

If you haven't been to the Lorraine Motel- GO.
Holy crap.

It's so incredible to not only stand where Martin Luther King Jr stood, but where he was killed. Hearing his voice from only 24 hours before his death... to hear it NOW. 48 years later... powerful.

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!"

-From his "Mountain Top" speech the night before his assassination. 

And if you have a few hours an entire day to spend at the museum- DO IT. 

I had no idea it was that big and that we would want to see every single inch of it. Amazing. 

Again, my girls were in it. Taking notes, asking questions. It was intense, overwhelming, precious in a way... being there with them when they are already knee-deep in these waters, trying to navigate.  I can't even explain it really.

Favorite part?

Rosa took her seat on the bus. Swoon.

Hashtag: no filter.

Hashtag: I AM THE DREAM.

At our school, the 5th graders do a Wax Museum at the end of the year. Similar to Brynn's assignment, the students research, write a report, and then dress up as their person and present. Layla requested to be Dolly Parton.... or Rosa Parks. 

First of all, that's sort of adorable. 

Second of all.... 

She was assigned Rosa Parks. 

And that's sort of hysterical. 

To be continued....

My two little Rosa(s).

So proud of these two. These sisters. They're gonna do it, friends. They're gonna change the world.

HP/LP

Only one party would do for our LP this year!
Actually, if I had said, "For your birthday, you get two sticks!" She would have said, "Thanks for the extra! Who should I share it with??" The sweetest. But if she had to choose, she sure would like a Harry Potter party for her 11th, being that Harry was invited to Hogwarts for his 11th and all.

I'm not a Harry Potter fan. 

I'm not not a fan, I haven't read it. I've only seen the first movie. It's just not my jam. 

But by golly, I will make it my jam for two weeks to make my daughter smile!

I did my homework-- on Pinterest, naturally. 

By now, you should know that I love planning my kids' parties. I love the details and I love doin' stuff on the cheap. Sometimes I forget to check their homework folders or you know, bathe them... but birthday parties, I can do.

I found some cute printable invites, but LP thought a letter from Hogwarts would be best. So we typed up this little number on shiny cardstock and added the Hogwarts logo. 

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  You are invited to attend an orientation meeting on Saturday, March 21st.  To avoid detection by Muggles, you should pretend you are attending a birthday party for Layla.  It has been arranged for Layla to meet you at Platform 9 ¾ where you will board the Hogwarts Express. You parents may meet you at 4:00 upon your return via the floo network or Muggle transport.  To make it further appear that this is a birthday party, please bring a wrapped book (used is great!) to exchange with other students at the orientation meeting. No other gifts required. 

We await your acceptance letter by owl before March 14^th. If your family does not have an owl, you may try a muggle phone....  

She delivered letters to all of her classmates, which terrified me. What if they ALL come?! What if NO ONE comes?! Also- that means BOYS.  My kids have always had co-ed parties with family and family-friends, but this was like... BOYS. A detail that didn't quite occur to my darling husband until the first two walked in... Someday, ask for his account of this party.  It's hysterical.  

We were delighted when a few people actually RSVP'd with owls and owl paper!

And now ALL the details-- mostly for my dad and sister who really really wanted to be invited to the 5th-grade-only party. 

I made everything or picked it up thrifting. Some of it Layla knew about, but she liked being surprised!  Every day that she came home and saw me working on something, she squeezed my neck and thanked me for my hard work. I'm telling ya... the sweetest. 

She couldn't decide what to wear- her Muggle shirt or her Wingardium Leviosa shirt. She's very Hermione-ish, but she she had already dressed as her for book character day. Luna Lovegood is actually her favorite and she already had Ravenclaw socks. I painted an L on a button up shirt, printed out a template for Luna's glasses on regular paper and taped them to her actual glasses. Nathan attached a cork to a blue beaded necklace and I threw in some of my big chunky earrings---- LUNA! She was ecstatic. 

Cutest Luna I ever did see.

Our entrance was, of course, Platform 9 & 3/4.

We borrowed vintage suitcases from my grandmother, painted a shower curtain, and wrapped empty boxes of pancake mix- addressed to Harry and friends.

  I did end up buying the wooden owl and birdcage for $6.

"Floating candles" when they walked in the door.

Flying keys.

Gross stuff.

 We printed several quotes from the books and placed them in frames around the party area.

Our Hogwarts banner is just felt that I already had on hand. I straight up printed the emblem and just glued the whole paper on. It looked cute from the ground, just a little shoddy close up.

Good Lord, 11 year olds can put away some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans....

The bathroom:

Moaning Myrtle was also in the bathroom. Layla put her in there, yet screamed every time she turned on the light. Ha!

Our cake tables-

I found that "book" at a thrift store. It's just a decorative piece that had some weird pictures and an Ode to Father printed on it. I covered with some spells and potions printed on computer paper and it turned out kind of awesome.

Some of the bottles/jars I already had and some I picked up for forty-nine cents each. I printed potion labels and really meant to put stuff in them, but totally forgot. 

I used brown craft paper and a sharpie to cover the books.

Layla asked for cupcakes, but we had left-over everything so Brynn and I threw a little cake together. It was just right to hold 11 candles!

Layla said we needed to do stuff to entertain everyone, so we planned some activities to fill the time. They made their own wands at Ollivander's.

We cut the sharp ends off skewers and used rubber bands and glue gun (manned by me) to add character, then they painted various shades of brown and gold. They did not need as much time on this as I anticipated...

We also played "Pin the Scar on Harry." Classic. Comical.

And then Layla's favorite part- the book exchange. Everyone brought a wrapped/used book (I had extra on hand and did need to share one or two). She chose a passage out of Harry Potter for Nathan to read. Each time he said "Harry", they passed their books to the right. When he said "Ron", to the left. They got so tickled trying to keep up!

I did trick candles on purpose this time. The magic and all that. 

We had butterbeer and "magic" Sprite for a toast to LP and HP!

After all that... there was still AN HOUR left until parents came for pick up. WHAAAAA??

Thank goodness 11-year-olds are not too old to go outside to play.

These three sat down on the bench to wait for everyone else, and I told them they looked an awful lot like Harry, Hermione, and Ron sitting there. Her friend on the right said, "Yeah, maybe if Ron had a little more swag." hahaha

A quick game of Simon 'Harry Says' that started with spells and ended with the disco.

They ran in circles saying weird things I don't understand and texted each other (For real. I thought LP was being dramatic when she said "all" her friends have phones. She wasn't. They all had phones. Sorry, LP.) 

She had a couple of presents to open afterall- including a "birthday love letter" from little sister. SWOON. 

Then everyone walked back through the brick wall at Platform 9 & 3/4 while Layla grinned from ear to ear. It was officially declared the BEST PARTY EVER by more than a few 5th graders and our girl was as gracious as she could be. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAYLA PAIGE. 

Nine pre-teen school friends at your house to celebrate you and you were as lovely and delightful as you are when we're alone.  I adore you.  You make the world better.