I don't even know where to start: I love long weekends. One less day of work. This one in particular was jam packed with activity. Leah, Andrew, and I were all sick at points last week with colds/sore throat/fever. Andrew had a 102 on Wednesday. So Friday night we were going to take it easy at home. Our good friends Jaime and Steve were in town with their daughter Ella, who is 2 weeks younger than Andrew. We have been dying to get these two together. Steve's parents live literally in our backyard, so we ended up going over there for a little bit to get some good photos. When we got their Ella was wearing a bib that said "I Love Andrew" and they got Andrew a bib that said "I Love Ella." Its was the cutest thing ever.
Saturday morning was the bar mitzvah service. I'm no big temple fan, but I went to see my cousin's son Brian "become a man." Leah stayed home with Andrew. I personally think that whole "becoming a man" thing is comical. Brian did a dual service with his cousin Jalyn. You know what that meant - extra long service! Brian definitely did a great job and was I'm sure relieved that he didn't have to go to Hebrew school ever again. Saturday after the service MD and his girlfriend Heather drove in for the party, so we all went for lunch at Corky and Lenny's - MD wanted Heather to get the full C-Town experience. Saturday MD, Heather, Andrew and I made a stop over at Jeremy's to see a couple of his college buddies, including one of the greatest guys going, "The Biebs" who was in town for the weekend.
Saturday night was the party. Now lets get into it. Bar mitzvah parties are not what they used to be ladies and gentlemen. Its become a "can you top this" situation for many parents. Now since this was a dual party, I can honestly say I know that my cousin Debbie and her husband Steve were not behind this completely. This was a production of their sister in law. They called it "Club Joseph." It was huge. 300 people. they had three different rooms, a jazz club area for the adults, two rooms for the kids that were loud music, strobe lights, the works. Lots of great food for teasers - sushi, potato pancakes with ahi tuna on top, shrimp, stuffed artichokes. The main room was huge as well. Mad props on the dinner as well. They had a ton of different stations - pizza, pasta, burgers, fries, onion rings (with dipping sauces or ranch, buffalo sauce, and cheese), salads, and fajitas. The Vodka was flowing, as was the red wine for Leah. I took a ton of great photos. Leah was so cute. I haven't seen her have that much fun in a year. She was dangerous on the dance floor. Speaking of which - lets talk about 7th graders these days. I know that Jalyn didn't really have an outfit change during the evening, did she? These little girls all dress like they are 23 and wear more makeup than Tammy Faye Baker. The best is that Brian's brother Mitch, who is an 8th grader was giving me all the scoop on these girls. I was stunned at how advanced they are these days. Made me laugh, but shudder as well. The good news is that I have a son. Chek out Brian enjoying the ladies at his party above. We had a really good time and again, I have a great family. We know how to have a good time. We had three new entries into the group this time too - Heather, Julia - Cousin's Steve's woman, and Andrew - cousin Julie's man. Thumbs up to all. An other solid performance by Uncle Kenny as well. My man loves his Grey Goose and gets funnier after every one.
Leah and I didn't get to bed until around 12:30. Naturally, the night after his first full night of sleep without waking up. Andrew greeted us at 2:30. I told Leah I'd handle it, even though that is usually her shift. Nothing like feeding a crying baby after eight glasses of vodka and passing out two hours earlier. Sunday Debbie and Steve had a family brunch at their house and we came home to catch up on some rest. We needed it as we were going to expel a ton of energy at the Cavs/Pistons game Sunday night.
With MD working for the Pistons, he was working on getting us tickets for the game. He tried for four and ended up with six. So me, Leah, mom, Heather, our neighbor Peggy and Ags, in town for the weekend as well, headed down to the Q. What an atmosphere they had. You've got to give Cavs owner Dan Gilbert a ton of credit. he puts this all in motion with his energy and enthusiasm for his team. We walked in and everyone was a buzz. They gave everyone a "Beat Detroit" t-shirt and this flashing light necklace. As we were walking to the seats, Leah and Peggy disappeared and came back wearing their shirts. Do I have the best wife or what? She was so cute. Totally into the game. Waving her white towel in her Beat Detroit t-shirt. Ags and I just raved about the game day atmosphere all game long. Lebron played an unbelievable game with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and one monster slam over Rasheed Wallace. He willed the Cavs to the 88-82 win. Gotta prop up MD for getting us in the building. We were in the upper deck pretty high, but there is not a bad seat in the house. And you just had to be there.
Saturday morning was the bar mitzvah service. I'm no big temple fan, but I went to see my cousin's son Brian "become a man." Leah stayed home with Andrew. I personally think that whole "becoming a man" thing is comical. Brian did a dual service with his cousin Jalyn. You know what that meant - extra long service! Brian definitely did a great job and was I'm sure relieved that he didn't have to go to Hebrew school ever again. Saturday after the service MD and his girlfriend Heather drove in for the party, so we all went for lunch at Corky and Lenny's - MD wanted Heather to get the full C-Town experience. Saturday MD, Heather, Andrew and I made a stop over at Jeremy's to see a couple of his college buddies, including one of the greatest guys going, "The Biebs" who was in town for the weekend.
Saturday night was the party. Now lets get into it. Bar mitzvah parties are not what they used to be ladies and gentlemen. Its become a "can you top this" situation for many parents. Now since this was a dual party, I can honestly say I know that my cousin Debbie and her husband Steve were not behind this completely. This was a production of their sister in law. They called it "Club Joseph." It was huge. 300 people. they had three different rooms, a jazz club area for the adults, two rooms for the kids that were loud music, strobe lights, the works. Lots of great food for teasers - sushi, potato pancakes with ahi tuna on top, shrimp, stuffed artichokes. The main room was huge as well. Mad props on the dinner as well. They had a ton of different stations - pizza, pasta, burgers, fries, onion rings (with dipping sauces or ranch, buffalo sauce, and cheese), salads, and fajitas. The Vodka was flowing, as was the red wine for Leah. I took a ton of great photos. Leah was so cute. I haven't seen her have that much fun in a year. She was dangerous on the dance floor. Speaking of which - lets talk about 7th graders these days. I know that Jalyn didn't really have an outfit change during the evening, did she? These little girls all dress like they are 23 and wear more makeup than Tammy Faye Baker. The best is that Brian's brother Mitch, who is an 8th grader was giving me all the scoop on these girls. I was stunned at how advanced they are these days. Made me laugh, but shudder as well. The good news is that I have a son. Chek out Brian enjoying the ladies at his party above. We had a really good time and again, I have a great family. We know how to have a good time. We had three new entries into the group this time too - Heather, Julia - Cousin's Steve's woman, and Andrew - cousin Julie's man. Thumbs up to all. An other solid performance by Uncle Kenny as well. My man loves his Grey Goose and gets funnier after every one.
Leah and I didn't get to bed until around 12:30. Naturally, the night after his first full night of sleep without waking up. Andrew greeted us at 2:30. I told Leah I'd handle it, even though that is usually her shift. Nothing like feeding a crying baby after eight glasses of vodka and passing out two hours earlier. Sunday Debbie and Steve had a family brunch at their house and we came home to catch up on some rest. We needed it as we were going to expel a ton of energy at the Cavs/Pistons game Sunday night.
With MD working for the Pistons, he was working on getting us tickets for the game. He tried for four and ended up with six. So me, Leah, mom, Heather, our neighbor Peggy and Ags, in town for the weekend as well, headed down to the Q. What an atmosphere they had. You've got to give Cavs owner Dan Gilbert a ton of credit. he puts this all in motion with his energy and enthusiasm for his team. We walked in and everyone was a buzz. They gave everyone a "Beat Detroit" t-shirt and this flashing light necklace. As we were walking to the seats, Leah and Peggy disappeared and came back wearing their shirts. Do I have the best wife or what? She was so cute. Totally into the game. Waving her white towel in her Beat Detroit t-shirt. Ags and I just raved about the game day atmosphere all game long. Lebron played an unbelievable game with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and one monster slam over Rasheed Wallace. He willed the Cavs to the 88-82 win. Gotta prop up MD for getting us in the building. We were in the upper deck pretty high, but there is not a bad seat in the house. And you just had to be there.
Some classics from the game: Two people sitting behind my mom and Heather screamed so loud all game long, plus the bad finger whistle. They had 10 beers each. The more my mom turned around, the louder they got. They were also big on the "Detroit Sucks D*ck" chants and the woman screeched like you've never heard. One time during a Pistons free throw, she screamed, they made the shot, and my mom turned around and said "that worked." HAHAHAHAHA. My dad would have been so proud - Up four with the ball and six seconds left, the Cavs were fouled. Ags and I bolted out and the girls followed. We parked at the Ritz valet and gave the guy a $20 to keep it in front. By the time we go to the car, it was ready, the girls followed a few minutes behind and like my dad used to, I zigged and zagged us to the freeway in 3 minutes. We were home in 20. It was shades of the old days. We missed only six seconds of action and beat the crowd out. So tonight is game five. My buddy Jared just called me with an extra seat so I'm in! 10th row midcourt, lower bowl. How good? I hope I can bring us home a winner. Cleveland owned Detroit this weekend. The Tribe swept the Tigers and the Cavs took down the Pistons. The way I look at it is, my teams need me. I'll be at Tribe/Tigers Friday night this weekend as well.
Memorial Day was spent mostly outside. It was beautiful here. Leah got up in the middle of the night with Andrew, so she was exhausted. I was up with him at 7:15. At 10:30, I had to go up and make sure Leah was still breathing. We went for a long walk with Andrew, Casey, and our Peggy before heading to the Schneiders for Ella and Andrew time and lunch. We got some great pics. At one point, Ella and Andrew were lying on a mat and Ella reached out and grabbed Andrew's hand and held it. It was so classic. I got a great pic of it above. I'll tell you there is nothing better than seeing a lifelong friend with their child who is two weeks apart from my own. Jaimo and I have been close since 6th grade and watching her with her daughter is amazing to me. Its just too bad we don't live in the same city. Makes these times more special I guess. We had to go to Oakwood for dinner (again). I think it may be Andrew's last appearance there for a while. He cried most of the night and we had to bail early. Great weekend overall though.
Happy Time: Happy one year anniversary to my sister in law and brother in law Jessica and Justin. Tomorrow is the birthday of the great Scott Robuck himself. Next year at this time, Scott will be getting married and i am lucky enough ot be his best man. Can't believe it, seeing as though it seems like yesterday Leah brought me to his bar mitzvah. Unreal. You da man Scott!
Prairie Update: The sale of my company goes through Friday and still to this minute I haven't heard as much as a peep on what is going on. It is very odd, but I am just going about my business as if nothing is going to change until they tell me otherwise. Another thing coming to an end this week are my Dallas re-runs. I forgot how bad the final year was. One person thrilled by this is Leah. She thinks I am nuts watching every episode of a show that ended 16 years ago. Can't say I disagree.
Song of the Day: "It Ain't Easy" by 2Pac
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