Sarah’s 11th Birthday

ELEVEN YEARS OLD! Sarah has changed so much this last year and I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

11th Birthday around here is a big one because you finally get “sorted” into your Hogwarts house! Sarah has been excited for this the entire year! We are in a big Harry Potter phase in our home (for years) and so this is exciting!

About a month ago, I had Sarah take all of the official tests to get sorted into her “house”, to receive her patronus, and to get her ward from Mr. Ollivander. It was so hard not to tell her but also really exciting to have the big reveal on her special day.

The boys helped me bedazzle the room with HUFFLEPUFF colors – yellow and black! I honestly think she would have been happy anywhere (but maybe not Slytherin – sorry family!). But we now have another Hufflepuff in the family – which fits her perfectly!

Sarah is our chocolate girl and wanted double chocolate waffles, berry sauce, whipped cream, bacon, and chocolate milk for her birthday breakfast!

Then I had made some fun information pages about all of her unique results which were a major hit. She opened up her wand and a little stuffed animal to represent her patronus.

Lydie had some therapies she needed to do that morning, but then after lunch we made our way to the swimming pool! Sarah (and all the kids) are really into swimming this year and so this was a fun activity for all. We pretty much had the entire place to ourselves (only one other family was there – homeschooling perk) and so the kids had a ball going down the slides over and over and playing lots of water games.

Sarah wanted to get Olive Garden to-go and have a picnic here at home – which was perfect – as we watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Then we opened cards and presents and talked to extended family on the phone. It was a full and wonderful day celebrating our girl.

Here are all of Sarah’s official results (along with everyone else’s):

Hufflepuff

“You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal. Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil.”

• Mascot: Badger
• Colors: Yellow and Black
• Ghost: Fat Friar
• Notable Members: Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, and Newt Scamander

Mark is also a Hufflepuff!

Gryffindor

Jacob is our proud Gryffindor!

“You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart. Their daring, nerve and chivalry, set Gryffindors apart.”

• Mascot: Lion
• Colors: Red and Gold
• Ghost: Nearly Headless Nick
• Notable Members: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley

Ravenclaw

We are an eclectic group around here. Ben is really hoping to be sorted into Slytherin and then we’ll have someone in each house. But I am a proud Ravenclaw!

“Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you’re a ready mind. Where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind.”

• Mascot: Eagle
• Colors: Blue and Bronze
• Ghost: Grey Lady
• Notable Members: Luna Lovegood, Gilderoy Lockhart, and Filius Flitwick

Stoat

Sarah’s patronus is a stoat. I had no idea what a stoat was – but it is in the weasel family!

“You can spot a stoat thanks to its distinctive bouncing gait. The opposite of lazy, it is active at all hours, using its agility to climb trees. This peppy Patronus teaches us to bring light in the face of darkness.

Those who cast a stoat as their patronus are curious, creative, and very feisty. These individuals know what they are passionate about and will pursue the things they truly love with great ambition. A stoat patronus normally appears for witches and wizards who are fantastic problem solvers and who can think outside of the box. Typically these individuals are mischievous and are finding themselves getting into trouble, but this makes a fun friend.

A stoat patronus symbolizes ones resilience to hard times. They are clever, quirky, and are very unique. There’s no denying that they bring light to the party and are always ready for the next fun adventure.”

Field Mouse

Jacob is a field mouse:

“If you have a field mouse Patronus, you are probably a great listener, very kind and caring, and more than likely a member of Hufflepuff House. What field mice lack in stature, they make up for in speed, perception, and skill.

Field mice can detect predators with their extremely sharp senses. Because they are always aware of their surrounding, this makes them adaptable to any environment and situation. They are more active at night to avoid their innumerable predators, so they are no stranger to the darkness of a Dementor.”

Deerhound

Mark’s patronus is a deerhound:

“Having a deerhound Patronus means you are unbelievably determined and work hard to achieve your ambitions. Deerhounds are loyal and want to help those they love. If you have this Patronus, those who are closest to you are lucky to have you in their corner.

Deerhounds are trained to hunt, so a deerhound Patronus will do a great job of tracking and taking down Dementors. They can run fast and far, with exceptional endurance. Rest assured, this Patronus will fight hard for you.”

Occamy

My patronus is an occamy:

“An occamy Patronus is said to only be conjured by a “pure soul.” Those with this Patronus will do anything for the people they love, including making significant sacrifices. In general, they crave the attention of others and thrive off it.

This creature is a cross between a bird and a serpent, and usually, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor House members summon them. As depicted by both Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, occamys are thoughtful and creative . They use their logic to think through all situations and their possible outcomes. Lucky for you, this wise Patronus is a fierce defender.”

Larch Wood

Sarah has a wand made out of larch wood, with unicorn hair, 11 1/2 inches in length, with quite bendy flexibility.

“Strong, durable and warm in color, larch has long been valued as an attractive and powerful wand wood. Its reputation for instilling courage and confidence in the user has ensured that demand has always outstripped supply. This much sought-after wand is, however, hard to please in the matter of ideal owners, and trickier to handle than many imagine. I find that it always creates wands of hidden talents and unexpected effects, which likewise describes the master who deserves it. It is often the case that the witch or wizard who belongs to the larch wand may never realize the full extent of their considerable talents until paired with it, but that they will then make an exceptional match.”

Our Eleven Year Old Girl

Questionnaire

• What is your favorite thing to do? Color
• Do you have any nicknames? None
• What do you want to be when you grow up? Someone that does something with horses
• What is your favorite thing to do with family? Play games
• What makes you happy? My family
• What do you like to learn about? History
• What do you do really well? Color
• If you had a million dollar, what would you do with it? Buy a farm
• What is your favorite thing to do outside? Go on walks
• If you could go anywhere, where would you go? France
• If you could have one wish, what would it be? That the Second Coming would happen
• What was your favorite birthday present? My sewing machine

Sarah’s Favorites

• Food: White Chicken Chili
• Holiday: Christmas
• Book: Princess Academy
• Toy: Stuffies
• Treat: Ice Cream
• Song: Anything from High School Musical
• Animal: Horse
• Subject in School: History
• Movie: The “Real” Cinderella
• Color: Blue

Oh my sweet girl. Sarah, from the day she was born, has filled our home with so much light and goodness. She is a blessing and gift and we love her so very much.

Sarah is a peacemaker. She really tries hard to be a safe spot for everyone. She looks for the good in others and is quick to make things right when it is needed.

Sarah is creative. I am amazed at her craftiness. She makes really beautiful clothes for her “stuffies” and is so excited about her new sewing machine and all that will open up for her. She loves to sew, paint, color, crochet, you name it!

Sarah is positive. This has always been one of my favorite things about her. She is always a glass half full personality and I love that about her. She looks for the good in people and in every situation. She takes a long view of things and it is such a gift.

Sarah is a bit of a perfectionist. She loves to have things “just so”. Sometimes I wish she wasn’t so hard on herself (this is an unfortunate trait she probably inherited from me), but hopefully she can use this trait for good in her life and it’s part of what makes her unique.

Sarah loves people. She easily gets along with people and loves to be around others. I am grateful for the kindness and love she gives to everyone in her life. She feels deeply and wants other to have joy and she helps bring that to so many.

Sarah, we love you so very much.