Although I started this blog at the 6-month point, I wasn't very motivated through the winter to keep it updated regularly. Those were short days of trudging the rounds of three and four meetings a week: Sunday and Wednesday classes, Tuesday tutoring sessions and Junior Congregation every other week. With some relief I can report that the Sunday and Wednesday classes are finished until August.
At three and a half months now, the bat mitzvah has become terrifyingly real. This week, we had the deadline for Abbie's announcements in our local publications, The Shofar and The B'nai Zion Voice. That meant a new photo was needed, and text had to be composed. I submitted all that a couple of weeks ago, which then gave us time to work on the booklet for the service.
The booklet required a design idea, a parent's letter, the submission of a list of all the Participants and Honors (this had been several weeks in finalizing), some other photos, and text for two more pages. Having survived and rectified a couple of glitches, this is now complete. Tuesday we received a print-out of the finished product, and as Abbie looked at it, her face just lit up! I think that means it's a success.
Last week we also signed the contract on the social hall for the Luncheon after the service, and the Seuda and party that evening. A few days ago we received her printed invitations - tonight I worked on the templates for printed mailing labels. Today, the UPS truck stopped again, and we now have a box of imprinted kippot. A few days ago, I made the contacts necessary for Abbie to begin working on her service project when school concludes later this month.
We have ordered Abbie's party dress, and my dress for the service - we still have to find her a dress for the service, and something for me to wear to the party. The BIG thing coming up now is planning the two meals and the party. I'm definitely going to need help with all of that. We haven't even finalized a menu yet, much less covered the bases on purchasing the food and preparation! We have some of the decorations and things like party favors, but there is still a lot to do there. I am going to need to recruit helpers to make sure it is set up that afternoon after the luncheon!
Jason, Abbie's tutor, says she is doing "beautifully" with the things she must do in the service. Because the weekly Torah reading on August 24th is actually the one that matches my Hebrew birthday, I decided I would attempt to do one of the Torah portions, too. This week I finally did it out loud for Jason after Abbie's session. As long as I keep practicing, I think I'll be ready by then.
So that's our update! Have I forgotten anything? Probably! Heaven forbid that I lose my notebook and checklist...
