What A Weekend!

My wife and I are exhausted after a super busy weekend!

Saturday was a magical evening as we went to a surprise party for Harry Potter's 30th birthday. Ginny and Hermione went all out with decorating and food. (Even though British food is not really my favorite, it was still pretty good!)

All of the kids were there, James Sirius, Albus Severus, Lily Luna, Hugo, Rose, Teddy, Victoire, Dominique, Loius, Molly, Lucy, Fred and Roxanne just to name a few. (it was quite a room full)

Of course all of the Weasleys came, Authur and Molly (being grandparents really suits them), Bill and Fleur, George and Angelina, Percy and Audrey, and even Charlie tore himself away from his dragons in Romania to be there.

Neville and Hannah came for a while but could not stay long owing to the fact that the venomous tentaculas were teething. Luna and her family could not make it because they were off chasing a creature that was reported to be a cross between an Erumpent and a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. (which if true would be a great discovery for it would be the first evidence of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack) Kingsley was there and Percy would not stop pestering him with ministry business, much to Hermione's frustration. Hagrid was there with a new pet of some sort that Ginny would not let the kids get near, and Headmistriss McGonagall seemed a bit exasperated by Hagrid bringing his new pet but she bore it with good grace and even danced with him by the end of the night. Horace Slughorn sat in the corner observing the festivities with cheer all while keeping a sharp eye on the kids, taking a measure of eachs' abilities. Even Aberforth showed up, but left early muttering something about seeing a baseball game that he had been trying to get into since 1945.

Hermione and Ginny nearly stole the show. They both looked radiant and they were the perfect hostesses. Sure, Ginny had to keep threating Ron so that he would stay away from the food, and Hermione almost jinxed Percy into silence, but after so much hard work it would be hard to blame them for these little tense moments. But it was Ron who really made sure that Harry had not found out anything about the party, and Ron even got Harry to go after a fake report of a dark wizard operating in Hogsmeade. Harry arrived him in a bit of a sour temper after being sent on this wild goose chase, but took the surprise with good natured humility and after dinner offered a toast to Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and friends and loved ones far and near. It was such a great moment that we didn't even mind when George revealed that he has spiked the champagne with U-No-Poo.

It was a perfect evening, and we hated to leave but Sunday was another huge event for us too.

Sunday we got up early and traveled to Springfield for Lisa Simpson's wedding. It was beautiful. The decorations were tastefully understated and the food was wonderful. (It was supposed to be all vegetarian, but Homer snuck in some pork chops and I was lucky enough to get one.) There ceremony was beautiful and even though Lisa did not end up getting married, but it was great to spend time a family that means almost as much to me as my own.

We got back late last night and we had really blown out imaginary budget for this amazing imaginary weekend, but for a trip through our imagination with some of our favorite characters it was worth every fake penny.

It is not often that a book or TV series have actual dates on which we can take a fond look back at the stories and characters that we have grown to love. So two have two of my favorite series have landmark dates fall on the same weekend was pretty special to me. I hope you enjoy my reminisce of what might have been and as always your comments are welcome.