Surprise!

A few weeks ago, I got together with my friend Greta and we decided to throw a surprise 13th birthday party for our daughters - who are about 3 weeks apart and good pals. 

I've never done this and it was pretty stressful trying not to spill the proverbial beans but 

it went really well. 

We invited school and church friends to join us for a Quidditch match - we just borrowed the goods that were ready from the activity in September.

I took Abby and picked up Haley - telling them we'd go to brunch to celebrate 

Abby's birthday which was the next day. Then I delayed with a bunch of little errands - 

including getting extra chairs for our Thanksgiving gathering. Haley couldn't wait for 

Abby to open her gift (see big box above and below) and so I said she could do it 

after we got the chairs. 

Thank goodness for the life-sized cutout of the Hogwarts kids for the birthday guests

to hide behind.

Happy guests of honor.

The Quidditch match went well - thank goodness for Haley's older sister Sarah

who was the referee on that one. 

Below is the food room we set up.

Max didn't play Quidditch but enjoyed the headband to separate the teams.

We set up a cupcake bar that was a big hit. 

Below are Abby's friends Samantha and Mackenzie.

Haley asked her mom for a pinata at a birthday party for her.

I found a Harry Potter lollipop mold on eBay (whew!) and made some

Scrabble Tile necklaces with "Keep Calm and Carry A Wand" on them and 

a cute little sorting hat. (Found all of the goods on Etsy.com!)

Haley knows that I have a "Every Four Years" birthday party rule for my kids 

(which I just destroyed, apparently) and she knows that this is NOT a fourth year

and so she gave Abby a "Party in a Box" complete with balloons

and streamers. She's adorable.

A lot of work but they loved it. 

And so did I.