3-D

I just hate 3-D.  So I was pretty mad when we showed up at the last Harry Potter movie to find out it was in 3-D.  I am pretty sure Kenneth knew this and choose not to tell me.  At least we got these cool Harry Potter style glasses (more about them later).

Why does every new movie have to be in 3-D anyway?  It's like they are just putting it into random things now, not even just movies that go with the whole 3-D effect.  I HATE 3-D!  It gives me a headache!  And when we end up at a movie we didn't realize was in 3-D I always pout about it. I get 3-D for a campy movie like JAWS.  But in general the 3-D effect should only enhance the movie - just enough to make it seem more real... The viewer should be able to forget about the effect rather than having something pop up in their face every two minutes reminding them they are sitting in a theater and removing them from the story.

Here are some of my complaints: 3-D glasses are always too big for me.  My 3-D glasses are always crooked.  My 3-D glasses are always scratched or foggy because they have cheap lenses.  3-D glasses at an IMAX leave that dumb mark on your head.  And finally that nasty headache I end up with...

Some people might say it's all in your head, but they are wrong, there is a name for it:  vergence-accommodation.  And apparently the act of trying to focus can cause headache for some people.

The night after we saw the final Harry Potter movie we went to see Captain America in 3-D.  As a joke, partway through the movie when my son left to use the restroom, I swapped my big glasses with his kid sized glasses. OH MY HECK They were soooo much better!  And he was so kind he told me I could wear them the rest of the movie.  I was able to forget the movie was even in 3-D!  Then I realized that besides the fact that my Harry Potter glasses were warped they actually fit better than any 3-D glasses I had worn... The lesson- wear smaller glasses?  Maybe that will help me in the future...

Click to read What's the problem with 3-D? 

Harry Potter Pop Rocks Potion

1.  Fill Test Tube half way with H2O

2.  Pour in the Pop Rocks and you will hear the popping sounds as it releases the essence of euphoria,(CO2 or Carbon Dioxide).

"Pop Rocks, let me hear, the future is near!"

3.  Pour in a teaspoon of the crystalline powder (NaHCO3).Bakers use this chemical compound to make their bread spirits raise.

"Give me a notion of the Pop Rocks potion!"

4.  Add a few drops of food coloring.

"The professors are strange, let the color change!"

5.  Squeeze Lemon (Citric Acid, C6H8O7) into the concoction,watch the potion bubble up and fizz out of control.

"Lemon so tart, make me magically smart!”

6.  Add sugar.   As you add this last ingredient, make up your own phrase to activate the Potion.Ex: 

 "I drink this potion to make me fast in motion!"

7. Drink if you dare!

Awsumb was so excited to do this little experiment at his birthday party.  We used baby soda bottles which can be found on Steve Spangler's Website.  You have probably seen him on You Tube - Coke and Mentos explosion guy?!  We did this experiment at Awsumb's Birthday Party and the kids loved it!   Then all the kids were sent home with their sticky test tubes!
And what Halloween would be complete without Awsumb's Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld!



Check back later this weekend for the most Totally Awsumb Harry Potter Birthday Ideas Ever!

Totally Awsumb Harry Potter 9th Birthday Party

 

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

For Awsumb Kenneth Hardy’s 9th Birthday Party

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 23rd

Hogwarts Express leaves Platform 9 3/4

at precisely Ten O’Clock AM and will return at Noon

Please RSVP by way of Owl to

Wendy Headmistress, Frolic and Feasts

or use the Floo Network (phone)

Students should come dressed in their

wizarding robes

or favorite Halloween costumes

But not your dress robes

 as the journey may entail physical activity

as well as working with messy potion ingredients!

I printed the invites on scroll paper.

To decorate the envelopes I printed some Hogwart’s stamps and logos to make them look official.

Awsumb had a great time driving around delivering

invites while dressed up in his Harry Potter costume. 

As I usually do for Awsumb’s parties I invited all the kids
to come dressed in costume. 

October Birthdays are fun like that!

For decorations I printed off

Awsumb’s Halloween Portraits

and a few other things such as:

Hoggwart's Crest, Gryffindor banner, a Platform 9 ¾ sign

and the class schedule onto leftover scroll paper.

Add some colorful balloons and crepe paper and it’s a party!

  As the kids arrived I handed out
Wizard Party Hats and Harry Potter glasses.

Kenneth played Professor Wiggles in his black bathrobe and ran the party games:

Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans Game –

 A simple spin the arrow game with four categories:

Sweet, Sour, Your Pick, Blind Pick
 
I made this game out of a Bertie Bott's Beans Candy Box

Divination –

"Professor Wiggles" used his Wand & Magic 8 Ball to answer silly questions. 
(The kids loved this and kept the fun going longer than we expected)

Transfiguration –

Spirit Light Magic Trick

 performed by Awsumb

Potions –

Pop Rocks test tube experiment

 with baby soda bottles
(see Pop Rocks Potion)

Herbology –

Planting gummy worms in
crushed cookies and chocolate pudding!

(served in lieu of cake)

Defense of the Dark Arts –

I don't know who sends their kid to a party with a big stick...

but it worked well for the Pinata!

We sang Happy Birthday and served Caramel Apple Ciders

(warm spiced cider, a squirt of and whip cream)

Next thing we knew it was time to open the gifts

and send the kids home with Goodie Bags labeled
“Honey Dukes Sweet Shoppe” 

Filled with:
Bertie Botts Beans, Chocolate Frogs,
Drooble’s Gum, and Pop Rocks.

I also sent the kids home with their Harry Potter Glasses

and Test Tubes with the potion recipe and other experiment ideas.

 Special Thanks to

my brother Brian and his girlfriend Kate

who really know how to Party Hardy!

There are so many fun ideas out there such as:

A treasure hunt to ‘Search for the Sorcerer’s Stone’,

plant beans in that gooey clear stuff,

decorate wands, etc.

If you need more ideas or would like some clip art, etc.

so you can have your own

Totally Awesome Harry Potter Birthday

I would be happy to share my files!

Totally Awsumb Harry Potter

It's party time around here!  Awsumb is so excited for his upcoming Totally Awsumb Harry Potter Birthday Party.  Awsumb's friends all received invites to attend a special session of Hogwarts School of Wizardry.  I have wizard hats and Harry Potter glasses for all the kids. Plus I bought the candy store out of Bertie Botts Beans, Chocolate Frogs and Poprocks!  Be sure to check back to see pictures of the fun games and experiments we have planned!

Although I never read the Harry Potter series I am glad Awsumb is enjoying them so much. I know that these books can be a great escape. I saw an interview recently with the author.  She said writing them helped sort through her feelings about her mother's death and how she felt about death and life after death.

Betie Botts Beans Anyone?  These are absolutely revolting.  And the afternoon Awsumb decided to break into his bag I felt obligated to share in the fun with him.  After all, if your going to puke, you might as well do it with a friend!  Seriously with flavors like onion, sausage, vomit and booger just the smell of them make me sick!

Get the kids and click to watch

Awsumb's Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld