Lately, we've had no letters from Hogwarts. It must be hot where they are too. I know it's been too hot here to do much of anything. Maybe the wizards and witches need to take a little siesta in the heat.
So we've been keeping up with the few lessons we have. Our plants in the garden are growing like crazy! It's so exciting to watch them grow.
Hopefully, our teachers will send us some new lessons soon - we are so excited!!! Maybe it will be potions . . . that sounds really exciting!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
PotterMore - JK Rowling's new website
If you haven't seen this new website from JK Rowling, yet, you must check it out. Watch and listen to JK tell about "Pottermore." It sounds so exciting!!!
We're registered . . . Are you?
Monday, June 27, 2011
Our First Assignments
Last week our first assignments arrived from Hogwarts. It sure seems like Owl Mail is soooo slow! It's very hard to wait for those Owl Posts to arrive!
The first assignment was from Dumbledore. He told us about the most famous wizard of all - Merlin. Merlin taught knights all about knightly duty and honor. He created a Knight's Creed for them to memorize and meditate on. Dumbledore passed on the Knight's Code to us, as wizards are and were the Knights of the Magical Realm. We were to copy it four times and then send our best copy back to him. Once we did this we would earn one house point. If we could memorize it, we would earn 5 house points!
The second assignment came from Professor Sprout. She told us that she had heard that we had put in a huge garden and was very pleased about it. She asked us to go and pick one plant in the garden to take care of. We should put a ribbon around it in the color of our House. Then she sent us a Herbology Notebook. In it we are to measure our plant every week on Tuesday. We should also write down what it looks like, whether it has flowers or fruit, if it changed from last week and other ineteresting things about it. Thing #1 chose a tomato plant, Thing #2 chose a strawberry plant, Thing #3 chose a sunflower and Thing #4 chose a bean plant. We're looking forward to seeing how they grow and change over the summer!
The first assignment was from Dumbledore. He told us about the most famous wizard of all - Merlin. Merlin taught knights all about knightly duty and honor. He created a Knight's Creed for them to memorize and meditate on. Dumbledore passed on the Knight's Code to us, as wizards are and were the Knights of the Magical Realm. We were to copy it four times and then send our best copy back to him. Once we did this we would earn one house point. If we could memorize it, we would earn 5 house points!
The second assignment came from Professor Sprout. She told us that she had heard that we had put in a huge garden and was very pleased about it. She asked us to go and pick one plant in the garden to take care of. We should put a ribbon around it in the color of our House. Then she sent us a Herbology Notebook. In it we are to measure our plant every week on Tuesday. We should also write down what it looks like, whether it has flowers or fruit, if it changed from last week and other ineteresting things about it. Thing #1 chose a tomato plant, Thing #2 chose a strawberry plant, Thing #3 chose a sunflower and Thing #4 chose a bean plant. We're looking forward to seeing how they grow and change over the summer!
Making a Quill Pen
So every witch and wizard needs an awesome quill pen to write with, right? But who has the patience to actually trim a feather and dip it in ink over and over and over to write with? Certainly not my little wizards! Hence, the "fake" quill pen. Super easy to make and cute to look at.
Start with a black ball point pen. Buy a package of fake feathers . . . we got all kinds of fancy colored ones so we could have a different color for each child. You will also need black electrical tape or florist tape.
(I forgot to take pictures again!)
Start by putting a feather against the pen. Place a small part of tape over it and start wrapping it on. Wrap all the way around the pen, down to the tip. It usually works to do this at an angle. Leave the tip and the end of the pen uncovered (the end is the "refilling" part.).
Voila! A quill pen that never needs sharpening and doesn't need an inkpot.
Start with a black ball point pen. Buy a package of fake feathers . . . we got all kinds of fancy colored ones so we could have a different color for each child. You will also need black electrical tape or florist tape.
(I forgot to take pictures again!)
Start by putting a feather against the pen. Place a small part of tape over it and start wrapping it on. Wrap all the way around the pen, down to the tip. It usually works to do this at an angle. Leave the tip and the end of the pen uncovered (the end is the "refilling" part.).
Voila! A quill pen that never needs sharpening and doesn't need an inkpot.
Butterbeer = Epic Fail!
We finally got around to trying out Hagrid's recipe for Butterbeer. Thing #1 was so excited to try it out. She helped prepare the recipe. It sure smelled and looked really good.
Problem was?
She didn't like the taste. At all.
I have to admit it was a bit sweet for me. Good, but way sweet. We decided that perhaps Hagrid was cheated by the owner of the Three Broomsticks and that it wasn't really the "real" Butterbeer recipe!
Thing #2 thought it was really good though.
Thing #3 didn't like it much, either.
Thing #4 took one taste and spit it out in the sink.
Hagrid's recipe for Butterbeer?
Epic Fail.
(hmmm, not sure why the photo is sideways. Oops!)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Registration Comlete!
Yesterday, a letter arrived from Professor Dumbledore telling us that the registraion process was now complete and that we are all students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Summer Correspondence Course!
So exciting!!
Unfortunately, the start of the term had to be delayed an entire week (possibly due to Momma and Daddy wizard not planning enough prep time). Dumbledore told us that a small incident with You-Know-Who had caused a delay. We're a little disappointed, but anxiously waiting those first assignments!
Here's what Dumbledore had to say:
Dear students,
We are pleased to inform you that the registration process is now completed. You are now enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Summer Correspondence Course.
Please keep a copy of your class list handy for your reference.
- Ancient Runes - Guest Instructor Bill Weasley
- Arithmancy & Logic - Professor Vector
- Astronomy - Professor Sinistra
- Care of Magical Creatures - Guest Instructor Rubeus Hagrid
- Charms and Spells - Professor Flitwick
- Defense Against the Dark Arts - Professor Lupin
- Herbology - Professor Sprout
- House Elf Home Economics - Guest Instructor Dobby the Elf
- Muggle Studies - Professor Burbage
- Potions - Professor Snape
- Physical Education - Madame Hootch
- Transfiguration - Professor McGonagall
- Wizard Literature - Professor Waters
- Quill Writing - Professor Dumbledore
This is quite a heavy courseload, but we are sure you will handle it with utmost care and attention. You will notice we have several guest instructors this term. We expect you will give them the same respect due any professor.
Remember also that you are working towards earning house points. Your parents ave been given house jars and will be reporting to Hogwarts. Be sure to keep about your choires and assignments. Keep earning those points! Check your owl post often to assignments. Your supplies will arrive shortly - due to a small incident with You-Know-Who, the start of the term has been postponed one week until June 20th. I know you are disappointed, but keep up your chin. Assignments will arrive beginning that day.
Good luck and have a magica summer!
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster: Hogwarts
Hagrid's Response
Once the children wrote their notes to Hagrid, we sent them back via Owl Post. We waited for a very, very long time (almost a whole day!) before a response came. Here's what Hagrid said:
To meh frinds,
Thankee fer the note about yer animal choice. Yeh did a great job o' telling meh how yeh'd take care o' such a frind. Professor Dumbledore says I kin send yeh yr pet once yeh've earned 10 house points. Whin I hear from the 'eads o' 'ousholds that yeh've gotten yer points, I'll send yeh yer pet o' choice by an owl. So's git workin' frinds!
While yeh wait I thought yeh mite enjoy a bit o' butterbeer. It's a favorite drink o' miny Hogwarts students. I won this 'ere recipe off teh owner of teh Three Broomsticks down in Hogsmede 'at other day. Share it with yer mim and mebee she'll 'elp yeh make ome up.
Enjoy yer treat and keep workin' 'ard at earning those house points. Then a lit'le frind will be on it's way to yeh in a jiffy!
Yer frind,
Hagrid
Then he shared the Butterbeer recipe with us. We still have to try it out - Momma had to go to the store and ge the ingredients. But we'll be sure to let you know how it tastes!
In the meantime, we're working on earning some house points. Some of the children are working harder than others . . . I'm thinking a letter from Professor McGonagall "yelling" at them for not doing chores might be just the thing.
To meh frinds,
Thankee fer the note about yer animal choice. Yeh did a great job o' telling meh how yeh'd take care o' such a frind. Professor Dumbledore says I kin send yeh yr pet once yeh've earned 10 house points. Whin I hear from the 'eads o' 'ousholds that yeh've gotten yer points, I'll send yeh yer pet o' choice by an owl. So's git workin' frinds!
While yeh wait I thought yeh mite enjoy a bit o' butterbeer. It's a favorite drink o' miny Hogwarts students. I won this 'ere recipe off teh owner of teh Three Broomsticks down in Hogsmede 'at other day. Share it with yer mim and mebee she'll 'elp yeh make ome up.
Enjoy yer treat and keep workin' 'ard at earning those house points. Then a lit'le frind will be on it's way to yeh in a jiffy!
Yer frind,
Hagrid
Then he shared the Butterbeer recipe with us. We still have to try it out - Momma had to go to the store and ge the ingredients. But we'll be sure to let you know how it tastes!
In the meantime, we're working on earning some house points. Some of the children are working harder than others . . . I'm thinking a letter from Professor McGonagall "yelling" at them for not doing chores might be just the thing.
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