Bark Mitzvah
Jun 4th, 2009 by Marilyn
After the last kugel was served, the last tired-legs house tour given, after the last lipsticked kiss and the last out-of-towner boarded a plane, we were left with one half-bag of pretzels and a bowl of ganache. So I made a pretzel ganache sandwich. End of story.
What.
Oh, I’m sorry…the Bat Mitzvah. Were you waiting for news of the Bat Mitzvah?
Well, the full recap will have to wait, at least until I can form whole words again. Luckily, my waking zombie state still allows for posting pictures – so here’s a sampling of our totally crazy, wholly delicious, once-in-a-lifetime weekend; three days in which I’m certain the universe crammed more than 72 hours.
Friday night’s Welcome Dinner featured sunflowers & Jayhawks. Because it was Welcome. To Kansas.
Abe & Jake’s, a riverfront barbed wire factory in Lawrence, converted to a college dance bar. Before the horde arrived.
Notebook favors. In which the 13-year old guys wrote funny things to Josie, then crumpled pages and chucked them in the river. They are suave, the young ones.
A wacky place, like no other.
Vintage never-used restaurant bags, bought on Ebay. They just say woof, no?
Centerpieces constructed from items on the Lawrence Humane Society’s wish list, like paper towels and canned dog food. A little silver spray paint, a little wedding cake logic, and it all got donated in the end.
Girls really do just wanna have fun. Just ask that DJ.
Yes – you, too can cut 200 dog bone-shaped papers in one viewing of “Quantum of Solace.” But if you wish to stick them on a few hundred chocolates, you’ll also need double-sided tape, one daughter and one mother-in-law.
And here is the coolest girl in the world. Her day began with brilliant Torah reading and a thoughtful speech, but finished in a dance whirl; such debonair young fellows, all beads and cheap sunglasses – who could ask for anything more?
Finally, an extra treat: my friend Melanie’s six-year old son Eli and my cousin Robin’s son Jordi rocked out on stage. For two straight hours. If you want to electrify your next bash, these are the dudes to call.
Dance Party! from imamelanie on Vimeo.
My Mom and Josie. There were also smoked chicken egg rolls, banana pudding and dipped pretzels, teen romance and one great big bar bill. A marvelous time. We are thankful for our girl, and for the privilege of such a happy day.
Looks like it was a rockin’ Bark Mitzvah! And only 3 years till Sweet Sixteen! I can’t wait to see how you top this…
Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. Josie looks beautiful. Yellow is her color.
Yay! Eli hasn’t seen the video yet, as I’m still trying to quell his cries of “At Josie’s Bat Mitzvah me an’ Ben an’ Jordy totally ROCKED THA HOUSE!”
Props to Sara S. for on-her-feet thinking and Coolpix video skills.
Mazal Tov!
You are seriously the best mom ever. Can you adopt me and plan my next party pretty please?
Not only did her special day look fun, but very rememberable. I love the dog theme. I bet you are tired. Hugs… xoox
What a glorious bat mitzvah weekend: Josie so poised and mature at her service, then having a blast at the party. Family and friends dancing up a storm and hanging out by the river. Beautiful and thoughtful and fun touches everywhere.
Melanie, we have more video of Jordi and Eli dancing, we’re just slow to upload and send it but will do so!
My first thought, as the page loaded, was “Waffles and chocolate? No, pretzels and chocolate? Did I miss one of Marilyn’s goodies? Because I thought I tried them all . . . ” In particular, I don’t understand the magic by which the little slices of coffeecake were made. Because they were both coffeecake and light. I thought those were mutually exclusive.
Wowza! I’m glad Josie’s Torah reading and speech went well (I’ll bet she’s relieved that part is over!). Good luck recovering.
You are like *the* Best Mom Ever. And the hostess with the mostest. What a fantastic party & loved those doggie bags!
Wow, wow, wow! You are amazing (and, hello, when did Bat Mitzvahs get as elaborate as weddings?). What a beautiful event you pulled off!
Hope you’re enjoying some well earned R&R. Feet up, I hope!
It looks like a good time was had by well. Congrats on a job well done. You set a new standard for mothers everywhere. I loved the flowers and centerpieces. My wife would have loved this.
I still shudder when I see junior high kids congregating. I have flashback to my early teaching days sponsoring junior high dances. Every dance some girl would run crying to the restroom, and a small flock of her friends would follow to comfort. Every dance this happened. It even happened in one of The Goblet of Fire when Hermione ran off crying. However, it looked like all smiles and good times at your gathering.
I hope you’ve been able to enjoy this great weather the last couple of days.
Looks like an amazing time!
The centerpieces are genius – cute and a great cause.
Speaking of cute, Josie sure is!
Looking forward to seeing more pictures.
Hooray! Brava! Well done! Josie looks as radiant as the sunflower in that first photo. She’s positively beaming.
And you? The picture of tuckered, hosting genius. You can have a couple more days to recuperate, but then I want more! more! more!
Thanks for all the sweet words, but not by any stretch of imagination am I the world’s best mom! Josie would likely argue that any day of the week – but maybe, just maybe, not on that day. We were so proud of her, and you only do it once – so why not do it right?
By the way, everything looks done up in a big way; but an upcoming post will reveal my special techniques for ultra-cheapskate crafting. Could be wrong, but you’ll likely never see Dollar Store paw print paper in Martha. That said, I wish she’d been a guest and munched our lovingly dipped pretzels. She would have had a swell time.
I’m in awe, as always. I think the best thing is the centerpieces, what a great idea. I’m calling you when I need ideas.
Wow! Totally awesome shindig! I love your creative touches. I can only imagine what Josie’s wedding will look like. I bet she was the talk of the school.
Wow! Looks like a great party; congratulations to your family on an important milestone.
awesome…all of it!!!!
Josie looks so beautiful. Dare I say, a tad like Sloane in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off particularly in the picture w/ sunglasses.
Awesome job Bat Mom!
Looks fabulous!! And Mar, you are as creative as EVER! Everything looks beautiful and fun. Mazel tov
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My furrgirls, Abbey and Bailey, think the coolest girl in the world is one of the luckiest girls in the world to have such a cool, compassionate, and creative mom. Many Congrats to Josie on her Bark Mitzvah!
What a wonderful celebration! Your efforts shine and I’m sure Josie appreciated all your planning and creativity, as well as all the guests in attendance. You are the Bark Mitzvah extraordinaire!
I don’t know who had more fun — the girl of honor or her mother who got to plan the shindig? It looks great. Of course, you had me at pretzel and ganache sandwich …
Marilyn? Marilyn? Are you upright Marilyn? Can you hear me? I would be lying still for weeks after this bash. I hope someone is keeping you down for a few days. Wow! Party looks great.
Martha would have had an *amazing* time. I love the sunflowers (love me some sunflowers) and how well they complemented sunny Josie in her fabulous yellow dress. Mazel tov!!
p.s. How well do you think pretzels and ganache would ship to NY? Yum…
I’m speechless! that pretzel chocolate ganache sandwich looks fantastic.
Seriously, wow. That’s all I can say. Wow. You are a goddess!
OK, so maybe the idea of using decorations that can have a second life as donations to a charitable org. is not new to y’all, but it is new to me and it is FREAKING GENIUS!!
I had to take a second look to see the paper towels and dog food. I am beyond impressed. I’m gonna have to post about this on my blog and link back here. I am a total crafty person and hate, hate, hate waste of any sort. This is brilliant!!
Just stopping by on the recommendation of Ella of Jam Jar Boogie and SITS to say WOW, you ARE a genius! That is by far the coolest idea for a centerpiece I have seen in ages. Most centerpieces I see are pretty lame and useless but this! What a fabulous idea. Can’t wait to have an opportunity to do something similiar. Congratulations on a beautiful daughter and what must have been a great celebration.
what a cute party! i love the decoration, very clever
Ah mazel tov! It brings tears to my eyes. What a fabulous day and a cool party!