"Na La'amod HaB'nei Mitzvah Chava m’mishpacha Shoshana!"

We're now two for two in amazing kids' b'nei mitzvah celebrations. Brie's was last month and every bit of it was so special.

I have to back up first and say that choosing a location was...intereresting. We visited several potential reception sites and Brie hands-down preferred TQL Stadium where Cincinnati's MLS soccer team plays. It's brand-new, beautiful and orange (Brie's favorite color)! Tony and I had a hunch that Brie would love it after we attended a work event of his there. So it should be as simple as booking it, right? Sort of... Of course the year that Brie is turning 13, FC Cincinnati is having the best season ever. And there was a (decent) possibility that they would be hosting a tournament game at home that weekend, so we would not be able to have Brie's party there. Argh! We thought of a few decent back-up options like renting out our favorite Mexican restaurant (which would be fabulous and delicious) or celebrating in our new backyard (gorgeous and doable--the previous owners' daughter was married back there) and then we rolled the dice. We found out about two weeks out that FC Cincinnati was knocked out and no longer hosting the tournament. We had felt bad rooting against them, but it's just this once, we swear!!

We had fun planning for the entire weekend. Of course, we went party attire shopping. This shirt did not make the cut, but it was close!

We filled hurricane vases with treats for centerpieces. Always fun to do your own decorations.

Ready for boba tea!

The cousins came to visit and rented a house in Northern Kentucky with a great pool! 

Coincidentally, the corkboard in the entryway said, "Shalom!"

A little B'nei Mitzvah rehearsal fun...

and practice...

Cousin trip to the Cincinnati Zoo!

Seeing Fiona was a must!

And Piccolino the manatee. 😍

My big kids!

Lunch tables = ready!

The night before, we headed to the Montgomery Inn...just like before Samuel's Bar Mitzvah. More quality time with cousins!!

Including Harvey...

and Charlie who just moved to America from Australia! 

Ribs and sweet potato and barbecue, oh my! 

Ready for the big day to begin! (Complete with the suit that we found for Brie in Austria!)

Warming up...

Muscles, too...

The Krebs family!

And the De Falco family!

Giggle on the bimah...

Giving Bas a little hand.

The gals!

We're ready! 

Brie with cousins Anna and Adria. 💗

Greeting buddies...

Brie's tallit bag with their Hebrew name (Chava, which is Hebrew for Eve). When Brie was called to the Torah, it was with, "Na La'amod HaB'nei Mitzvah Chava m’mishpacha Shoshana!" which means, "Please come up, Chava, from the family of Shoshana!"

On the bimah next to our temple president Sally.

Our family line-up and passing down the Torah...

Walking around the sanctuary...

Little brothers make excellent helpers!

Samuel helped Brie to start their Torah reading. 💙

Aunt Diane did a reading...

So did Cousin Abi...

And Aunt Cheryl and Uncle David.

Brie's classmates also participated...

Another proud dad.

Of course, Tony and I got a front-row seat. Brie did amazingly!

Nonna and Nonno participated...

And so did Auntie B.

At the end of Brie's Torah portion...Tony did the Hagbah for everyone to see the Hebrew that Brie read.

Brie spoke beautifully about pursuing "tzedek" (justice) in the world and what all of us can do to make it a better place.

Our neighbor Jimmy read a prayer...

And so did Brie's tutor Madeline.

And we spoke, of course. Parents have to embarass their kids! 

Words of wisdom from Rabbi Kahan.

Brie's classmates back on the bimah for kiddush and motzi.

Lots of paparazzi pics after...with the rabbis...

and cousins...

...and Kevin!

Quick family pic!

After a little breather, we headed down to TQL! They were ready for Brie! 

Brie and school buddies!

Everyone loves a caricature artist! 

Brie and tutor Madeline!

The kids played lots of games (we had the same awesome DJ from Samuel's party)...

Including Musical Chairs, which is always deadly!

Nethra, Oliver and Brie...

Brie and Reis...

Gigi and Brie...

Sibling goofiness...

More family time!

And bestie time!!

The food was really good--everything from Brie bites...

to a chili bar (here's Uncle David with his first plate of Cincy chili!)...

 to a build-your-own poke bowl station! And for dessert: local donuts!

Speeches!! Speeches seem to be the thing at B'nei Mitzvahs lately...Brie and their friends always speak at the party and they do a beautiful job. Several of Brie's friends gave speeches...and Reis said it best, "Brie loves black coffee, which is surprising since Brie is one of the sweetest, least boring people we know." 😂

Not to be outdone, Sebastian wrote a little speech about Brie doing a great job that morning and what a wonderful big sibling they are. 💙

More dancing and...

The DJ might have played a little New Kids on the Block... 👼

Hula hoops...

And at the end of the night, we danced the Hora. Such great fun!! 

Smiles all around for a perfect day and evening...

and a huge MAZEL TOV to Brie for such an outstanding job!

P.S. Check out Brie's marquis...

Tony put the sign together!

P.P.S. Rockdale's piece on Brie!

P.P.P.S. The next morning...soooo many leftovers...

But lots more cousin fun!

P.P.P.P.S. This might be our favorite B'nei Mitzah card: