“Ain’t no party like a West Coast party,” my cousin wrote on her Facebook the day after the bat mitzvah. I don’t know about that, but we did try to throw a fun party! Our aim was to take people around the world – each table featured a city that Zoe has visited – and keep everyone dancing and having fun, and I think/hope we did it.

-M

Zoe made us so proud that morning! Here, some photos from the service and just after…

-M

After big events or trips, my dad would often comment that it was almost like a dream – that is, the big day (or days) came and went so quickly that it felt like perhaps it never really happened. I feel a bit like that with Zoe’s bat mitzvah – it was such a special day, and one that we planned for and looked forward to for so long – that it really was almost like a dream! Luckily we have lots of photos to remind us it really happened…

-M

Our pre- and post- bat mitzvah schedule was pretty packed with family stuff. Among the highlights for the girls: playing tourist and showing Tanner and Brock around the city, visiting Alcatrez for the first time, celebrating Thanksgiving with a huge group of family, and playing with cousins.

Up next: Photos from the big event!

-M