Tuesday, March 10, 2015

One Step at a Time

Back in 2002, and my belly was growing because my son was getting ready to debut in April, 2002 (three weeks early), I had many things to worry about, such as who would do the bris, and which crib to buy and which stroller was the best for our family.

Back in 2012, when we got the Bar Mitzvah date I knew I would have a zillion things to think about before the Bar Mitzvah.

In 2015, when I flipped the calendar from February to March, I knew I had calls and emails to make.  I need to contact the caterer, the photographer, the DJ, the venue location, the flip book contractor and the synagogue.

Today, I received my first piece of homework - from the DJ.  I have six page form to complete (not all now, but will be needed two weeks before the date).  The easy questions - guest of honor full name, father's name, mother's name and siblings names.  Easy.  Venue information, caterer information.  How many adults will be there and how many kids will be there.

Does the guest of honor want to be escorted by a dancer?  Ummmm, does my baby boy want to be escorted into the room with a dancer?  Note to self - ask guest of honor at dinner.

Who is saying Kiddush?

Who is saying Motzie?

Who is giving a speech?  Us, but I know I will be crying tears of joy, so I hope Adam can hold it together.

Candle Lighting Ceremony?  Yes, guest of honor wants it with 13 people, however the document says 14 is typical.  Great, get back to you on the groups of 13/14.

Hora - yes!!!!!!!!  Who will go up on chairs and in what order?  All of us. . . .  and if you were at my Bat Mitzvah, you would know I hated it.  I hated being lifted into the air by my friends and family and I was terrified of being dropped.  Not ONE photo of the moment, especially since I ran OUT OF THE ROOM.  Adam convinced me to go up on the chair at the hora at the wedding, and the photographer gave me the cue when he had "the" photo, and I was put down.  I survived.  I am dreading this moment.  The guest of honor wants all of us on chairs.  Does the chair come with a seat belt?

Do we want a video montage - YES, the guest of honor wants one.  How long is the montage?  Enough to make me cry like a baby.  NOTE TO SELF - start putting together the video. 

Guests - how many kids, and where are they from (relatives, friends, school, synagogue, camp).

How many bar and bat mitzvah have your guests attended?  Some friends go to one a month (or a week).  We have a few guests that this is their first one!

Do I want a parent/child dance?  Really?  I thought I had til the wedding, because I know I am going to cry at this one too.  NOTE TO SELF - ask guest of honor what he thinks and honor his request.

Friendship Circle?  Family and friends create a circle at the end of the night to tie the whole party together.  Have to ask guest of honor what he thinks.

Music preference and specific songs:  Need to ask guest of honor.

Game requests - Ask the guest of honor.  I better bring the form with me to dinner, so I ask all of the questions, because I have already forgotten the first question I was to ask.  Maybe I better have a three course meal so I can have enough time to ask all these questions.

Who is the photographer and the contact information.

What is the MOST important thing for us to remember?  I want this day about my boy, who is becoming a Jewish adult.  I want the guests to know that he has studied for a year to read Torah but he has spent his life as a Jewish person.  I want everyone to know he studied hard, and I expect him to be a mensch.

What was the first question again?

Can't wait for the caterer to send me his list of questions.

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