wedding (part two)

Yesterday was the big party, at the Andalusia Estate on the Delaware River. Here is the lovely couple, saying their vows. (Yes, that's Governor Rendell officiating.)

Aren't they adorable?

There was a guest appearance by E., performing Twist and Shout.

A pre-performance nap.


The whole thing was pretty incredible--beautiful, thoughtful, and meticulously planned: the limos; the mini-appetizers in the walled garden (everything from mini cheeseburgers with mini root beer floats, to mini fish tacos with mini margaritas); the fireworks on the river; the jewel-toned cocktail dresses; even the boys' shoelaces!

But, of course, the best part is that it was truly something to celebrate. Mazel tov, Sammy and Michelle!

the wedding (part one)

My little brother got married this weekend.

Friday night there was a religious ceremony for immediate family only at the bride's mom's house, followed by a dinner catered by Vetri.

Ju loved the fois gras.

And R. could not get over the concept of a dessert cart.

You mean they bring around a cart? Full of dessert? And I can have as much as I want?

yom kippur

In honor of Yom Kippur today, we repented for our sins by eating a big kosher lunch of bacon and eggs.

Then, inspired by a bottle of raw cream in our fridge from an awesome local farm, and the Mark Bittman book I borrowed from my dad a few month ago (sorry, Dad), we made chocolate mousse.


In the meantime, the Orthodox Jews filed past on their way to or from synagogue, the men in their white robes, the women in their wigs, pushing strollers and trailing their huge broods.

Even though my mom is Jewish, no one in my family is religious. I wasn't raised with any kind of religion, and feel only a tenuous connection to Judaism. I mean, I know better than to eat a hamburger with a glass of milk (although, yeah, bacon is totally ok). I can kvetch and schlep and schep naches with the best of them. And I would never vote Republican (unless it was by accident).

But the religion itself just doesn't do it for me.

In fact, this is probably a good opportunity to come clean and confess that we recently started attending church. (Well, Unitarian church, but still.) It did leave my husband's family, who are practicing Jews, somewhat nonplussed.

But we felt like we wanted our kids to have some kind of moral and spiritual (if not religious) education and community. And it seems like a nice place, despite the music, which is equal opportunity in its dreadfulness, ranging from a karaoke version "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" to New Age guitar hymns to off-key Jimmy Cliff renditions on saxophone and keyboards.

But the people are nice, we have some friends who go there, and the kids seem to like it so far.

I'm not ready to call myself a Unitarian or anything, but I think for now we'll stick with it. At least until they haul out the marimbas.

first day

Yesterday was R.'s first day of school. He started out the morning a bit disgruntled.

But once he was in the building I got a smile out of him. And I managed to leave him with a minimum of drama, which was a welcome change after him crying and clinging every single day last year when Dan or I dropped him off.

bus stop

Today was the first day of first grade for E. We walked him to the bus stop at the corner. R. wore his new favorite outfit: a terry cloth bib and winter hat.



I was prepared to get all choked up, but E. had clambered up into the bus before I could even take a picture, let alone get emotional about it.