Oh my goodness, what an awesome weekend. My incredible little sister did an amazing job becoming an adult member of the Jewish community. And the party in her honor was super fun. While I wasn’t the hired photographer, although I was given the option, I couldn’t help but snap a few photos of the event. I enjoyed seeing how my mom’s craftiness unfolded on all the tables.

While there is no religious significance to this, other than I feel like all Jewish holidays and celebrations involve candles, there is a tradition of lighting 13 candles at a bar or bat mitzvah. Usually 13 people or groups are called up and the bar or bat mitzvah lets the audience know why this person or these people are special to them. I got super teary eyed when Melanie lit candle number 13 for Daren. Everyone stood up and clapped- but what got me was the the first people to stand up was a table of 13 year olds and then everyone else followed suit. I was holding back buckets and I don’t think that table of 13 years olds even knows how happy it made me.

Melly’s grand entrance numero uno. Heart that party dress!!

Every time someone untied one of these my heart broke a little.

Cupid shuffle!!

Grand entrance numero dos! My mom hired the Amazing Bottle Dancers from NY to come to this event. Melanie had zero idea until about 5 minutes before it happened.

They put on quite the show and then led everyone in the horah.

Aunt Sharon is amazing at hulu hooping but was no match for most of the 13 year old girls.

She is way better at singing though. 🙂

And Uncle Nat is an incredible fiddle player.

Sharon sang Man, I Feel Like A Woman – which every time she got to that point in the song, turned the mic over to Melly who had to say “Man, I feel like a woman” and it was seriously the funniest thing to hear ever.

My pretty Mommy!

Couldn’t be prouder of Melanie, Dad.

And Theresa’s Amazing Cupcakes. What a great day.