Summer = teachers lounging by the pool, drinking margaritas…

Yeah, that never happens.  Well, maybe it does but not in my world.  That is the summer I dream of but what summer really is is a far cry from that scenario.  What summer really is is chauffering kids to camp, classes, and to playdates, inbetween pulling weeds, making bread, and hoping to get back to that major Spring Clean, you know, simple craziness.

I had a four-day class this week at my local university and it knocked my socks off and had me buying take-out pizza, which is highly unusual for our house.  The class, Children’s Literature Workshop, clued me in to a TON of new books (I really thought I was in the know…) but sitting in class all day was hard.  In the middle of me taking this class my husband’s Summer Art Camp began and Groovy Girl usually attends with a gaggle of girlfriends.  Same is true for this time except I had four days to arrange for rides back and forth and playdates for the afternoon.

That and the class homework has been overwhelming.  I should be doing homework right now.  What am I doing blogging when I have four assignments still do for class.

I have spent a bit of time by the pool w/out the margarita, I have cooked for friends, I did take an amazing vacation, I have read quite a few books including a bunch of YA, and I have juggled all things successfully!

I need to get my homework done though so I can write reviews about the last few books (Fire by KC) I’ve read and the magnificent movie I saw at midnight last night (when I probably should have been sleeping so I could have done my homework today!)

Ahhh, I love summer with all its twists and turns, the heat, the rain, the garden produce, the bright orange tiger lillies in my neighbor’s yard-so much to love about this wonderful season.  I want it to last just long enough for me to catch up, catch my breath, and have this organic margarita!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

I saw it!  I loved it! 

     We went last night at 7 with teenage boy.  He sat between us so he could hold the popcorn bucket.  There were scary parts and swooning parts.  I didn’t realize they were breaking it up into two parts but that was okay.  I liked the introspective flair to it-it wasn’t just rushing from scene to scene although there were a few times I was like, oh, hurry up and speak.  There is one storytelling scene that blew our minds-we all agreed it was our favorite-it looked like paper cut-outs and puppetry combined.  I thought it was inspiring and really showed the acting growth of all three major players.  Luna and her father were luminescent in their secondary roles. 

     I haven’t had a chance to read much about it in the blogging world yet as I alternated this weekend between relaxing to get well and working.  I was a little sad we didn’t see it on Thursday night but for number 6 we did go to the midnight showing with both teenagers and well, (said sheepishly) I began to nod off at some point. [My husband says my elbow slipped off the armrest]…, really?? Even though I love Harry, Ron and Hermione it was way, way past my bedtime so this time we opted for an easier viewing time for all of us. 
post note:  I realized upon further contemplation that this is the perfect HP comparison to teenagers-the feeling is moody, troubled and tangled.

Harry Potter

     Just saying that name aloud makes me smile.  Did J.K. realize how important that name would be when she put Harry together with Potter and added James and Lily.  Having my children spread out in ages a bit has given me the rare treat of repeating my HP love all over again.  I was delighted when my 7-year-old broached the subject of reading the first Harry Potter to her.  I jumped at the chance, of course.  Her desire to start the series came through her older siblings and school chums, who naturally got the fever from their older siblings…and so on…

     I remember  my own fever of waiting for the delivery of each book, wrapped in brown paper, hiding its magical contents.   We attended many HP coming out parties for both books and movies, staying up late to drink witch’s brew and eat Bertie Bott’s every flavor beans.  After the first book came out our local mall hosted a HP look-a-like contest and our now 15-year-old, ever dramatic, dressed the part.  He didn’t win but we had such a great time talking with the many other participants.   Several summer vacations are memorable as we traveled across the country to the sounds of  Jim Dale keeping us silent, in rapt attention as he magically read all the parts with perfect detail!  Ahhh, the memories! 

     Peaceful Girl, her dad and I finished the first book soon after our Michigan trip and are almost half way through the second book and we are finishing the first movie as I type.  This, for me, as a teacher, is what summer is all about…the fact that I can hold my little ones hand as she watches the Hogwart’s Express take Harry, Ron and Hermione away!

Click for J.K. Rowling’s website.

How about you?  How many tmies have you reread any of the Harry Potter books?  Do you remember great HP parties?