Turkey's cookin in the oven, parades are on the TV, and oh...ya...the invitations are still on the dining room table. But we'll get those wrapped up tomorrow! And in a future post, I'll tell you the story about that one. Not a bad story, but one that I'll be more interested in sharing once the invites have left the house! (how's that for a cliff hanger!)
Anyways...it's thanks giving. Which makes me think about food. Which makes me think about my meetings with the caterers next week. But that is a story for yet another post (I'm killen ya softely with all the suspense here, aren't I ha!)
Anyways...food.
Andrew has a lot of favorite foods, and I attribute his not so persnickety pallet entirely to Danny. When Andrew was a baby, and started eating from the Gerber aisle, his menu delivered a pureed potpourri of gastronomical delight! Simply put, we introduced him to a whole lot of different foods. Danny not only bought the traditional sweet potatoes, carrots, and apple sauce, but he also combed the grocery stories for spinach, peas and other delectable vegetable combinations.
Andrew also got a taste for Jewish cooking at a young age. At a Passover Seder in Fargo, Esther (G-d**Bless her!*) gave Andrew his first taste of a pickle, at 3 months old. We have it on video; the transcript reads like this:
Esther: Aaaaa Peeekle?
Andrew: Wide mouthed, wide eye smiling
Esther: Aaaa Peekle?
Andrew: Wide mouthed, wide eyed smiling and giggling
At that same Seder, he had his first taste of chicken soup in his Avent baby bottle.
I mention Avent, because, when Andrew was a baby, I was obsessed with having that brand. I couldn't tell you today why that was the bottle of choice or even what that bottle had over other bottles. Parenting magazine told me that was the one I MUST have, so that is what I bought!
So, my mom fed him the soup, in his Avent bottle. This act of love was also a homage to me when I was a baby. Her mom fed me chicken soup from a bottle, which I'm pretty positive wasn't Avent!
In the Jewish tradition, food is a way of expressing love. And we've expressed a whole lot of love over the years. We've been so fortunate to have shared meals with friends and family for holidays, Shabbats, birthdays and anniversaries.
And we look very forward to sharing a meal with you to celebrate Andrew's big day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
*During the Jewish holiday of Purim, the story of Queen Esther is read to the congregation. When the story is read during the kids service, there are a lot of theatrics and audience participation. One way the congregation participates is by saying "G-d Bless Her" each time the name Queen Esther is read. To this day, I can't meet a woman named Esther and not either out loud or silently to myself say the words, "G-d Bless her".
**Jewish tradition holds G-d's name in high regard, and as a result, the name is not written out on pages that might be thrown away. I'm not sure how this applies to the Intranet, but I'm not going to take any chances :) Paranoid? Yes!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
DIY -- invitations
Invitations are more than information on a page. They set the tone. They set the scene. They give permission. I asked Andrew what he wanted, and his reply was simple. Just send out a note that says you're invited. Hope you can come.
This invitation will be more detailed than an evite, but less regal than a royal wedding. In fact, I've decided to take the frugal approach and make my own. (...which you are about to learn is a comic event in itself.)
Poor Andrew. While I'm a very doting parent, I never created scrapbooks or took a lot of pictures over these past 12 years. Thankfully, Danny has! As you are probably realizing, I'm channeling those 12 years of memories into this blog...and the invitation.
Say what you will, with what you end up receiving, but I wouldn't trade in this DIY (do it yourself) experience. Here's how I approached the process.
1. Colors -- As you may remember, colors are a bit of a sore subject with me. (see "It's all about..." post ). So in order to figure out the what colors to go with I drew inspiration from Andrew's new Tallis that his grandma and Bumpa, Esther and Mike bought for him. Ironically, there's a lot of blue.
2. Design elements -- Should it fold? Should it have an envelope for the envelope? Should the RSVP be completed via email, or should I include a card to mail in. How many versions should be created? In town guests, out-of-town guests, Friday night dinner, the service, the party. Is an invite necessary for Sunday brunch. Should I include the card from the hotel? Am I'm driving you crazy yet with all my questions?
3. Do I order, or do I make them myself? -- Loving, caring, inclusive. These are all words that describe me. Patient, perfectionist, passive. These words? Not so much. So making my own invitations has become a group effort. My mom came with me to help cut out the invitations and the stars. Many have read and proofed what I wrote as well as assembled and glued. Let me tell you, it doesn't only take a village to raise a child!
4. How long does it really take to make them myself? --
The process to get these invitations out has been more comic than convenient. And, I'm only admitting this to you...it's a bit of a potchka (Yiddish I think for clumsy, not so easy to do). For example... After using what I thought was the 'glue tape' dispenser to stick on the stars, I realized I was using the refill packet, not the dispenser. No wonder the tape wasn't working so well!
5. Reality has met the road
Ironically, of all the planning I've been doing, getting these invitations ready to send has been the hardest. Even writing this post has taken me most of the week! Later this week these handcrafted creations will be mailed, which means this milestone is is no longer a plan, but rather a party!
This invitation will be more detailed than an evite, but less regal than a royal wedding. In fact, I've decided to take the frugal approach and make my own. (...which you are about to learn is a comic event in itself.)
Poor Andrew. While I'm a very doting parent, I never created scrapbooks or took a lot of pictures over these past 12 years. Thankfully, Danny has! As you are probably realizing, I'm channeling those 12 years of memories into this blog...and the invitation.
Say what you will, with what you end up receiving, but I wouldn't trade in this DIY (do it yourself) experience. Here's how I approached the process.
1. Colors -- As you may remember, colors are a bit of a sore subject with me. (see "It's all about..." post ). So in order to figure out the what colors to go with I drew inspiration from Andrew's new Tallis that his grandma and Bumpa, Esther and Mike bought for him. Ironically, there's a lot of blue.
2. Design elements -- Should it fold? Should it have an envelope for the envelope? Should the RSVP be completed via email, or should I include a card to mail in. How many versions should be created? In town guests, out-of-town guests, Friday night dinner, the service, the party. Is an invite necessary for Sunday brunch. Should I include the card from the hotel? Am I'm driving you crazy yet with all my questions?
3. Do I order, or do I make them myself? -- Loving, caring, inclusive. These are all words that describe me. Patient, perfectionist, passive. These words? Not so much. So making my own invitations has become a group effort. My mom came with me to help cut out the invitations and the stars. Many have read and proofed what I wrote as well as assembled and glued. Let me tell you, it doesn't only take a village to raise a child!
4. How long does it really take to make them myself? --
The process to get these invitations out has been more comic than convenient. And, I'm only admitting this to you...it's a bit of a potchka (Yiddish I think for clumsy, not so easy to do). For example... After using what I thought was the 'glue tape' dispenser to stick on the stars, I realized I was using the refill packet, not the dispenser. No wonder the tape wasn't working so well!
5. Reality has met the road
Ironically, of all the planning I've been doing, getting these invitations ready to send has been the hardest. Even writing this post has taken me most of the week! Later this week these handcrafted creations will be mailed, which means this milestone is is no longer a plan, but rather a party!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
11-11-11
Andrew's favorite number? Eleven.
Why? It's the first two numbers in his birthday 1-1-99! Andrew's been active in sports since he was about 4, and for every sport -- t-ball, basketball, baseball -- we've lobbied the coaches to give him either the number 1 or 11. We've been pretty successful, too.
I thought it would be fun today if I gave you a top 11 list, since the dates over emphasizes Andrew's favorite number. So here are the top 11 reflections on Andrew's (Danny and I) journey to Andrew's Bar Mitzvah.
11.
Add up Talmud Torah, Saturday School, Haftorah tutoring, rabbi meetings, cantor meetings and you'll get more than 1,500 classes.
10.
Ghost stories, gossip, homework, being the first to spot a yellow car, jamming out to KDWB and sports talk, are just a few ways the kids in the carpool passed the time to and from Talmud Torah. Not like I was eaves dropping or anything!
9.
A teacher whose dad married Danny and I, a teacher from Israel, a teacher from South Africa. Andrew's Jewish education has proven that it's a small world after all! (insert song here)
7.
A Mazda 5, Mazda 6, Mitzsubishi, Greenie the SUV, Brownie the mid-size car. What do these things have common? Cars that have made appearances at the doors of Talmud Torah many days a week, and Adath for Saturday School.
6.
Tossed salad in a plastic bag, cold cut sandwiches, McDonalds, Subway, Burger King. Just a few of the gourmet meals that have been elegantly served from the moonlit seats...of the car on our way from Talmud Torah to either Basketball or Baseball practice or games.
5.
White shirts, blue pants, accordians, hebrew songs and proud parents. Yes, we attended a few class performances, and Andrew's performance was better than Broadway, of course!
4.
Coffee, hummus, bagels, lemonade, brownies, cake. Foods that are plentiful at all parent-kid events at Talmud Torah.
3.
Driving from Robbinsdale Middle School to Zachary Lane to the JCC. Driving from the JCC to the Levitt's, to the Lehman's to the Fienbergs to our house. A round about route to and from school to TT to home.
2.
Driving, Driving, Driving, Driving. Deserves a reflection all on its' own
1.
Sure feels crazy to think all these events are now in the rear view mirror.
Why? It's the first two numbers in his birthday 1-1-99! Andrew's been active in sports since he was about 4, and for every sport -- t-ball, basketball, baseball -- we've lobbied the coaches to give him either the number 1 or 11. We've been pretty successful, too.
I thought it would be fun today if I gave you a top 11 list, since the dates over emphasizes Andrew's favorite number. So here are the top 11 reflections on Andrew's (Danny and I) journey to Andrew's Bar Mitzvah.
11.
Add up Talmud Torah, Saturday School, Haftorah tutoring, rabbi meetings, cantor meetings and you'll get more than 1,500 classes.
10.
Ghost stories, gossip, homework, being the first to spot a yellow car, jamming out to KDWB and sports talk, are just a few ways the kids in the carpool passed the time to and from Talmud Torah. Not like I was eaves dropping or anything!
9.
A teacher whose dad married Danny and I, a teacher from Israel, a teacher from South Africa. Andrew's Jewish education has proven that it's a small world after all! (insert song here)
7.
A Mazda 5, Mazda 6, Mitzsubishi, Greenie the SUV, Brownie the mid-size car. What do these things have common? Cars that have made appearances at the doors of Talmud Torah many days a week, and Adath for Saturday School.
6.
Tossed salad in a plastic bag, cold cut sandwiches, McDonalds, Subway, Burger King. Just a few of the gourmet meals that have been elegantly served from the moonlit seats...of the car on our way from Talmud Torah to either Basketball or Baseball practice or games.
5.
White shirts, blue pants, accordians, hebrew songs and proud parents. Yes, we attended a few class performances, and Andrew's performance was better than Broadway, of course!
4.
Coffee, hummus, bagels, lemonade, brownies, cake. Foods that are plentiful at all parent-kid events at Talmud Torah.
3.
Driving from Robbinsdale Middle School to Zachary Lane to the JCC. Driving from the JCC to the Levitt's, to the Lehman's to the Fienbergs to our house. A round about route to and from school to TT to home.
2.
Driving, Driving, Driving, Driving. Deserves a reflection all on its' own
1.
Sure feels crazy to think all these events are now in the rear view mirror.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Functional Literacy -- Part Shtayim (2)
While Andrew may not completely realize it today, his religious school experience is practically Ivy League.
Growing up in Fargo, Danny attended Sunday school at Temple Beth El. He was joined by three or four other kids, and occasionally more when a Jewish family moved to town affiliated with NDSU or the hospital. Unlike my Beta tape tutorials, Danny got the full experience. He learned about the holidays, Israel and occasionally goofed off with the other kids.
When it came time for Danny's Bar Mitzvah, however, the experience was more rote than trope. While Andrew's training began in third grade, Danny's began about nine months before the big day. Andrew spent months learning trope, the musical notes Torah readers follow when chanting the Torah. Danny was given a cassette tape, and was tasked to listen and memorize the melody.
In our opinion, Andrew's Bar Mitzvah training has been top rate. For the past five years, Andrew has attended Talmud Torah -- and not via video. For three years, he's attended Saturday school with more than 50 or so kids. He was given a DVD to familiarize himself with his portion, however, his instructors have made sure that he not only reads the words but also understands what the words mean.
The similar thread that runs through Andrew, Danny and my experience is the value placed on being Jewish. Our parents, Danny and I would agree that it doesn't matter how the experience is packaged -- the number of kids in the class, the method for learning the melody. It's just a gift we are proud to share.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Functional Literacy -- Part 1
Our son is a Hebrew scholar. Of course we're going to think so, we're his parents. However, truly understanding why we say this has so much to do with mine and Danny's own Hebrew education.
Growing up in Minot, ND, my parents worked hard to make sure I had a strong sense of my Jewish identity. We lit the candles most Friday nights. I went to a Jewish summer camp from the time I was 10 until I graduated high school. And they worked with the Minneapolis Talmud Torah to help teach me how to read Hebrew.
Many of you have heard this story, but it's worth repeating. I think it was when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, I learned how to read Hebrew on Beta video tapes sent to me from the Talmud Torah.
No, this was not a video collection my parents found on the QVC for the low, low price of $29.99 a month for six months. And no, Beta in those days didn't mean test mode. Beta was a video format like VHS.
My parents would slip in the awkwardly-large tape into the VCR, and on the screen a teacher stood before a chalkboard in the classroom and instructed me on the Hebrew alphabet, and how the sounds came together to form the words on the page.
Ironically, there was always a lot of commotion going on outside the room, and as I write this I'm beginning to wonder if it was any of you who grew up in Minneapolis running through the halls...hmmm...
Following the lesson, my Dad and I would sit, side-by-side, squished together, on an over-sized 1970's, orange chair. Together, we'd read out loud from a book that accompanied the lesson from the tape. Sounds like an Andy Warholstein image, right? Well, no, not exactly. Here's how I remember it:
Me: I can't remember the sounds!
Dad: Let's start again
Me: (energy rising) I don't want to do this
Dad: Just read it through
Me: (tears) nooooo!
Dad: Let's keep going
Me: (emphatic) FINE!
Due to Dad's perseverance through my stubbornness, I did learn to read Hebrew. Sadly, I read like a 1st grader reads English. While everyone else in services davens a mile-a-minute, I slowly read through the sounds.
Andrew also started learning to read Hebrew around 3rd grade. However, his instruction was in an actual Talmud Torah classroom. No tears. Sadly, no oversized, orange chair -- I did love that chair. Andrew remembers the sounds and his ready fluency is fluid.
This concludes part one. But, I'm sure you're wondering - was Danny Bar Mitzvah'ed? Will Heidi be able to help Andrew learn trope? Will Andrew find a carpool to Talmud Torah? All these questions and more will be answered in Part 2 of Functional Literacy. Please watch your emails for the next installment...
Growing up in Minot, ND, my parents worked hard to make sure I had a strong sense of my Jewish identity. We lit the candles most Friday nights. I went to a Jewish summer camp from the time I was 10 until I graduated high school. And they worked with the Minneapolis Talmud Torah to help teach me how to read Hebrew.
Many of you have heard this story, but it's worth repeating. I think it was when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, I learned how to read Hebrew on Beta video tapes sent to me from the Talmud Torah.
No, this was not a video collection my parents found on the QVC for the low, low price of $29.99 a month for six months. And no, Beta in those days didn't mean test mode. Beta was a video format like VHS.
My parents would slip in the awkwardly-large tape into the VCR, and on the screen a teacher stood before a chalkboard in the classroom and instructed me on the Hebrew alphabet, and how the sounds came together to form the words on the page.
Ironically, there was always a lot of commotion going on outside the room, and as I write this I'm beginning to wonder if it was any of you who grew up in Minneapolis running through the halls...hmmm...
Following the lesson, my Dad and I would sit, side-by-side, squished together, on an over-sized 1970's, orange chair. Together, we'd read out loud from a book that accompanied the lesson from the tape. Sounds like an Andy Warholstein image, right? Well, no, not exactly. Here's how I remember it:
Me: I can't remember the sounds!
Dad: Let's start again
Me: (energy rising) I don't want to do this
Dad: Just read it through
Me: (tears) nooooo!
Dad: Let's keep going
Me: (emphatic) FINE!
Due to Dad's perseverance through my stubbornness, I did learn to read Hebrew. Sadly, I read like a 1st grader reads English. While everyone else in services davens a mile-a-minute, I slowly read through the sounds.
Andrew also started learning to read Hebrew around 3rd grade. However, his instruction was in an actual Talmud Torah classroom. No tears. Sadly, no oversized, orange chair -- I did love that chair. Andrew remembers the sounds and his ready fluency is fluid.
This concludes part one. But, I'm sure you're wondering - was Danny Bar Mitzvah'ed? Will Heidi be able to help Andrew learn trope? Will Andrew find a carpool to Talmud Torah? All these questions and more will be answered in Part 2 of Functional Literacy. Please watch your emails for the next installment...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Warm Thoughts
Take a look at the weather widget in the right column. Tonight it says 44 degrees, but feels like 71 degrees. Let's all collectively remember this moment. ...ahhhh, nice.
Let's face it, weather in Minnesota can be unpredictable. The night before Andrew was born, December 31st, the weather was warm. The day he was born it was chilly. The day after he was born a big storm blew in, and when it came time for his Bris, it was 40 below zero.
I tell you this because it's possible Andrew's Bar Mitzvah might land during some chilly weather. But here's what I say...Let's embrace it!
Here's how we've warmed up Andrew's birthday over the past 12 years.
We declare his birthday a national holiday -- Well that was already done for us. Andrew's birthday is January 1. And while he wasn't born anytime close to midnight on the 31st, every year we stay up and count down to his birthday.
We've made the day extra "suite" -- One lucky year, we watched the Timberwolves from my employer's corporate suite. Nevermind that the team wasn't too good, we felt extra fancy hangin' like superstars watching the game.
We mix up some fun -- Jordan is a Food Network fan, and each year he bakes up a cake for Andrew for us all to enjoy.
Here's our word to the wise. Pack your long underwear, your snuggie, your parka, gloves, scarf and hat. But also be ready to celebrate and break a sweat on the dance floor!
Let's face it, weather in Minnesota can be unpredictable. The night before Andrew was born, December 31st, the weather was warm. The day he was born it was chilly. The day after he was born a big storm blew in, and when it came time for his Bris, it was 40 below zero.
I tell you this because it's possible Andrew's Bar Mitzvah might land during some chilly weather. But here's what I say...Let's embrace it!
Here's how we've warmed up Andrew's birthday over the past 12 years.
We declare his birthday a national holiday -- Well that was already done for us. Andrew's birthday is January 1. And while he wasn't born anytime close to midnight on the 31st, every year we stay up and count down to his birthday.
We've made the day extra "suite" -- One lucky year, we watched the Timberwolves from my employer's corporate suite. Nevermind that the team wasn't too good, we felt extra fancy hangin' like superstars watching the game.
We mix up some fun -- Jordan is a Food Network fan, and each year he bakes up a cake for Andrew for us all to enjoy.
Here's our word to the wise. Pack your long underwear, your snuggie, your parka, gloves, scarf and hat. But also be ready to celebrate and break a sweat on the dance floor!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Eliya Shmuel
When I told Danny we were pregnant with Andrew, there was a pregnant pause. I was excited, he was excited, but going through both of our minds was the same thought...things are going to be a changin'.
We didn't talk about the pregnancy alot, let alone what we wanted to name the baby once he/she joined the world. About 14 weeks into the pregnancy, while driving in the car, we gently started the naming conversation.
me: Danny, what names do you like?
Danny (with a sly eye): well, if it's a boy, maybe Alberto Javier Alejandro.
me: huh?
The next conversation, was again in the car:
me: Danny, have you thought anymore about the name?
Danny (again with the sly eye): Well...if it's a boy, Alberto Javier Alejandro Buddafucco Inigo Montoya Geller
me: huh? seriously?
Danny (darn that eye): Of course! Alberto Javier Alejandro because we want him to be an all-star baseball player, and those are the best baseball names; Buddafucco, well I don't know... And; Inigo Montoya because he was a great character from Princess Bride.
me: What about if it's a girl?
Danny: ummm....Bob
We didn't talk much again about the name until it got closer to the due date. What we did know, however, was that we wanted to give the baby, if it was a boy, the Hebrew names of my grandfather (Eliya) on my mom's side, and Danny's grandfather (Shmuel) on his Dad's side.
Jewish tradition says that baby's are named after a family member who has passed away. Not only are you passing a name down, but you are also passing what you remember to be the most beautiful qualities of that person. For me, my Papa, Eli (Eliya), was a gentle soul. Soft spoken and always put family first. Qualities, I am so proud to see come to life in Andrew. For Danny, his Grandpa, Sam (Shmuel) always looked out for those closest to him, family was important, and most important was his faith. Again, qualities that are ever present in Andrew.
You all know the end to the naming story. We didn't go with Alberto Javier Alejandro Buddafucco Inigo Montoya Geller. Although Andrew does love to play baseball, and has watched the Princess Bride a number of times.
No, we went with Andrew Sam (Eliya Shmuel). And we know that while Papa and Grandpa are no longer with us, we hold their memory in our hearts and honor their names through Andrew.
We didn't talk about the pregnancy alot, let alone what we wanted to name the baby once he/she joined the world. About 14 weeks into the pregnancy, while driving in the car, we gently started the naming conversation.
me: Danny, what names do you like?
Danny (with a sly eye): well, if it's a boy, maybe Alberto Javier Alejandro.
me: huh?
The next conversation, was again in the car:
me: Danny, have you thought anymore about the name?
Danny (again with the sly eye): Well...if it's a boy, Alberto Javier Alejandro Buddafucco Inigo Montoya Geller
me: huh? seriously?
Danny (darn that eye): Of course! Alberto Javier Alejandro because we want him to be an all-star baseball player, and those are the best baseball names; Buddafucco, well I don't know... And; Inigo Montoya because he was a great character from Princess Bride.
me: What about if it's a girl?
Danny: ummm....Bob
We didn't talk much again about the name until it got closer to the due date. What we did know, however, was that we wanted to give the baby, if it was a boy, the Hebrew names of my grandfather (Eliya) on my mom's side, and Danny's grandfather (Shmuel) on his Dad's side.
Jewish tradition says that baby's are named after a family member who has passed away. Not only are you passing a name down, but you are also passing what you remember to be the most beautiful qualities of that person. For me, my Papa, Eli (Eliya), was a gentle soul. Soft spoken and always put family first. Qualities, I am so proud to see come to life in Andrew. For Danny, his Grandpa, Sam (Shmuel) always looked out for those closest to him, family was important, and most important was his faith. Again, qualities that are ever present in Andrew.
You all know the end to the naming story. We didn't go with Alberto Javier Alejandro Buddafucco Inigo Montoya Geller. Although Andrew does love to play baseball, and has watched the Princess Bride a number of times.
No, we went with Andrew Sam (Eliya Shmuel). And we know that while Papa and Grandpa are no longer with us, we hold their memory in our hearts and honor their names through Andrew.
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