Halloween at Hogwarts

We had a very fun Halloween weekend, and took way too many cute pictures. After trick-or-treating, we got to visit Hogwarts. Apparently, a wealthy doctor who is SO kind and fun turns his home and grounds into Hogwarts every year. This was our first trip, and it was incredible. Many of the characters from the books are there, and they have some little magical activities. Sammy and Riley loved it all, but they were also pretty nervous about seeing these characters in real life. That's why Sammy has such a strange expression on his face in the photos. But afterward, he told us we were "the best mom and dad in the world," and they both are anxious to go back next year. It was a perfect non-scary, totally enjoyable activity (and it kept the boys up until 10:30!!).

Here are the photos, with captions. (And I will say that our kids are at the perfect age to enjoy Halloween without getting into all the gory, gross, scary stuff. I love it!)

Happy boys looking forward to the weekend's sugar rush:


Agent 007 and his girlfriend of the week.


Trying too hard to look like dangerous spies.


Don't the kids look great? Here they are, on their way to trick-or-treat with some good friends:


I love our neighborhood, and this creepy old sign. Sadly, we never saw the headless horseman this year. (He's real--Bruce saw him once.):


Sammy chose a very tricky jack-o-lantern pattern for me to carve. He was supposed to help, but it's really not practical to let a 6-year-old use a carving knife:


George and Fred Weasley were the life of the party, true to form:


Gilderoy Lockhart autographed pictures of himself for the boys:


We met Albus Dumbledore. This was the highlight of the evening:


Riley dodging bludgers as he plays quidditch:


Hagrid gave the boys a ride in the sidecar of Sirius Black's motorbike:


Moaning Myrtle cheered up when she met Harry:


Luna Lovegood kindly informed Harry that a nargle was eating his brains:


Professor Umbridge acted sweet to Harry, but he was afraid of her anyway:


Harry landed in Gryffindor House, of course:


Ry getting sorted into Hufflepuff; Bruce was also in Hufflepuff, Zeke in Ravenclaw, and I ended up in Slytherin:


Medical attention from Madame Pomfrey and Dobby:


Harry getting interviewed by Rita Skeeter:


Ginny Weasley went through a strange time warp and is now older and taller than Harry. He is excited to catch up to her so he can ask her out on a date:


Colin Creevy was excited to have his picture taken with Harry.


With Stan Shunpike, about to get on the Knight Bus:


Getting our fortunes told by Professor Trelawney:


Harry with Uncle Vernon. Aunt Marge floated up and got caught in a tree: