Reflections on Clara's 3rd Birthday

 Before too much time goes by, I wanted to capture some of my favorite details from Clara's tiny little birthday celebration.  My general rule for birthday parties is to invite the number of children equivalent to my child's age plus one (I've only broken this rule once and boy do I ever regret that ~ it was a DISASTER!).  So Clara had four friends over along with my parents, my cousin and her boyfriend.

In the past, I've thrown down plenty of time and money on the birthday cake.  We've had some stunning cakes over the years (mostly, thanks to my talented friend, Elizabeth!).  This year, because Clara is on a gluten-free (GF) diet, I purchased some GF cupcakes from Trader Joe's (quite good, I might add!).  Yet Clara kept mentioning that she really wanted a cake.  I headed out to the grocery, picked up some GF cake mix and baked a simple cake.  Since I'm a rookie GF Mom, I had no idea that a $5-6 box of cake mix only makes one level (just in case you're wondering why my cake if so short!).  The very day before the party I saw this pin and couldn't get it out of my head.  I raided the girls' massive animal collection, chose a few friends and created the below.  And, I'm not even lying to you, it is my favorite cake we've ever had. I love the whimsy, imagination, sweetness and childhood magic of this cake. Alain and my Dad know how much time I spent laboring over those miniature party hats..... and I'm telling you, it was worth EVERY second.  They were a BIG HIT!

Each year I try to incorporate some birthday wrapping paper that I saved from Tio Iggy's last birthday present.  Last year I was able to wrap a couple of presents in it.  This year a small scrap made up the chimpanzee's party hat!

  

Mom & Dad blew up all the balloons, around 30 of them in all.  Thank you, Mom & Dad!

Clara's Abu and Nonno Carlo sent this lovely dress from Switzerland.  It is so adorable and was perfect for the party!

The little message board got filled during the party and I've saved all the notes for Clara to read when she gets bigger.

The party was held at brunch time so we had bagels and bubblies.

There was no theme for the party but a strong color theme and loads of yarn pom poms.  I LOVED making the pom poms (use this tool if you ever need to make them ~ it's AWESOME!).  They appeared on the favor boxes, on flower vases and in various other places around the party.

When I sent Alain out to buy champagne, he found this one.  Couldn't be any more perfect!

We had frozen blueberries to keep our drinks cold.....a tip I picked up from a club in New York City!

  

As I looked back at the photos of Clara unwrapping her presents, I was overcome by how much she has my mannerisms.  Considering the amount of time we spend together, it's not surprising.  Still, it warms my heart.  (Have I mentioned lately how happy I am to have daughters?)

Big Sis was just as excited about all the presents as Clara!

  

Alain and I gave Clara this tiny little bike as our main gift.  She'd been asking for a bike with training wheels for many months.  Well, she was ecstatic and has probably taken a ride on it every day since.

All in all it was a beautiful day/party.  There's no question that Clara enjoyed it immensely! 

A Big Thanks to Mom & Dad, as always, for making the drive and helping out with all the party prep!

Because Hanukkah.....

 To all of our Jewish family and friends, here's wishing you a bright, peaceful, happy Festival of Lights.

As I went through last year's Hanukkah photos to find some for this post, I was taken aback by how much the girls have grown.

I love these two photos. For me, they capture the essence of the holiday. The last night of Hanukkah is always my favorite because ALL the candles being lit is SO beautiful!

Alain's chocolate cherry Dreidel Cake has become one of our family traditions.

Last year Sophie insisted that we make some crafts for Tio Iggy.  I LOVED THAT. We will surely be doing that again this year!  It feels good to include him in our celebrations, even in this small way.

Dreidels are BIG in our family.  Sophie loves to play.  We usually play with nuts rather than gelt.

I didn't get to do nearly as much as I would've liked because Hanukkah is SO danged early this year......and coincides with Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday).  I've grown to really love Hanukkah and I look forward to finding new ways to make it special.  

This craft we did last year made it to Pinterest and my blog has gotten many hits over the last few weeks from people searching for a Hanukkah craft. I have a new craft planned for this year and I'm just hoping I have time to pull it off.  We're in Lynchburg now for Thanksgiving and I'm soaking up this time with my family and my lovely, lovely Kenzie!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends!!!

XOXO

PS ~ I decided to use "Because Hanukkah" for my post title after reading this.....the evolution of the English language is rather fascinating!!!

Iggy Pop

For this week's post, I thought I'd do a follow-up on this post.

Since Ygal missed Sophie's birth, he didn't get to meet her until she was a year and eight months old.

As you can see, they made up for lost time!

Sophie is lucky in that she got to spend time with her Tio during several trips over the years.  Since she was five years old when he passed away, she may even have some concrete, long-term memories of Ygal.  I feel thankful for that.  It does make me sad that Clara won't have the same....although Alain and I often discuss how happy we are that Ygal and Clara met earlier this year.

I've always liked these two pictures ~ I think they again clearly show what a great uncle Ygal was to Sophie!

Iggy Pop

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights but this year the candles don't seem to burn as brightly.  

Bianca sent this picture earlier in the week and I knew immediately that it had to be this week's post.  I'm so happy Bianca agreed.  I don't have any other photo of Ygal at Hanukkah.  And this photo is BEAUTIFUL, sweet, proud, peaceful.  Just look at little Yaron!  What an angel.

In our house we've been lighting the candles nightly right next to two framed pictures of Ygal. It's almost like he's here with us.  It at least feels good to have his photos so close by.  It's definitely the first Hanukkah where we don't get to speak to Ygal and tell him about our celebrations.  We don't receive a lovely package like we normally do.  It's hard.

But I did dream of Ygal twice this week.  It was comforting.  I'm thankful for that!

I love you, Bianca & Yaron.

Iggy Pop

Because today is my dear Alain's birthday, I am posting this picture. It was taken in 2009.  A few months ago, when Tia Jenny and I were talking, I asked if she might have a picture of Ygal & Alain that we haven't seen before. She sent this one. I've been sitting with it since then knowing that I would like to surprise Alain with it for his birthday.  I could spend millions on other presents (if I had it ~ which I don't!) and I know it wouldn't mean an inkling as much as getting this photo for him.  Tia Jenny, thank you.  

Alain, wishing you a Happy Birthday seems, I don't know, silly.  This has been the hardest year of your life. So the girls and I will simply wish you a better year to come and we want to let you know that we've got you.  We will hold you up for as long as you need.  Our love and adoration for you knows no bounds.  Happy 41, my love.  Mi corazon.  I know that every day I have you with me is a gift and I am forever thankful.  I love you!

Iggy Pop

While I was searching for the photo from last week's post, I found this bunch from a visit from Ygal (and Cristina) back in May of 1999.  I don't know that they've ever been shared since they were still in paper format. I'm glad to be able to share them now.....hope you enjoy....(I especially like the last one!)....

Iggy Pop

When I was growing up, I always wanted more siblings so I considered myself lucky when I got married and gained three brothers-in-law.

While I love them all, Ygal was the brother with which I had the most in common.

Ygal loved to dig his hands into the dirt and took much delight in seeing what would pop up.  He'd often send me pictures of veggies and herbs that he was growing on his balcony in Switzerland.  He had big audacious dreams of owning an organic farm here in the U.S.  I'd always joke that I'd come live with he and Bianca when that dream came true.  Over the years, before I knew better and on more than one occasion, we fed ducks and geese stale bread.  Ygal was the only person to get as excited and enjoy it as much as me.  I always loved the above picture because of this.....I appreciated that (very much) about him.  When we met, he was actually a vegetarian.  At some point, he went back to eating meat again.....but I guess nobody's perfect!  

One of my favorite things in Switzerland are these amazing community garden spaces that are quite common.  Since most people live in apartments, those who love gardening rent ground in these gardens. Most of the plots have a little shed type structure and people will go there and hang out for hours.  Ygal and I used to talk about having one of those in the future where we could go and hang out for hours.....gardening, drinking, snacking, harvesting, etc.  I know I will think of him every single time I pass by one of those community gardens in the future.  And I will always be sad that our shared dream won't come to fruition.

Iggy Pop

When I first had the idea to do these Friday posts, I had one particular photo in mind that I KNEW I'd have to use.  It is truly my second favorite photo of Ygal, the first being this one.  This picture is from 1996 so believe me when I say that I had to dredge it up from some dusty old photo album (remember those?).  Let's just say that it took a while.  But I am so happy to be able to post it today.....

If I had to choose only one way to remember Ygal, it would be just like this.  The old version of Ygal, when I lived in Switzerland.  Anyone else would call it the young version of Ygal but I think you know what I mean. I loved his LONG hair (hidden in a ponytail here) and his Lennon style glasses. We hung out a lot back then as we lived in the same house. It was almost a daily occurrence that we'd walk Skipper together. I'm very thankful for that time now ~ if only I had more pictures. 

Iggy Pop

Yesterday would have been the 3rd Wedding Anniversary of Ygal and Bianca.

These are the best pictures we have from the wedding.

I love how happy Ygal & Bianca look in these pictures and I'm so happy we were there to share such a joyous, beautiful, momentous moment in both of their lives.

Iggy Pop

Alain asked me several times this week if I have another picture of the four brothers. So I thought this would be a good week to post one of my favorite pictures of the four brothers, taken at a very intimate moment when the brothers were still welcoming the fourth member of the bunch. How beautiful is this picture? I love how Ygal is draping his arm over to get just a little touch of his baby brother. How amazing is it that someone (I'd imagine Cris or Hugo) caught these wild boys in a moment when all three of them are staring at Michael. The splendor of a new baby!  I think the pictures we have of all four brothers together have always been special. Nowadays they've taken on even greater importance and each one has an almost shrine-like quality.  I don't know how to put my feelings into words but I think you know what I mean.

Alain, Diego & Michael.......I love you guys and I think of you all the time. 

I hope you enjoy this week's picture.

XOXO

Iggy Pop

Alain and I got married in Jamaica. Afterwards, we flew to Switzerland where Alain's mother threw a big wedding party for us. Of course, Ygal was there. I'm so happy he was there to share in such a special and important moment with us. I'd already known Ygal for several years by then but he still made sure to welcome me into the family with open arms.  I'm just glad he was my brother-in-law.....I was so lucky! 

For those who don't know, Ygal is on the far right in the above photo.

Iggy Pop

I've always really loved this picture. We downloaded it from Facebook so I imagine photo credit should go to Bianca.  This one simple moment in Ygal's life ~ I know it was a dream come true for him. I'm sure that this photo will mean the world to Yaron one day. He looks so loved. Yaroncito. I want to write a post about my dear nephew but it's too painful. Maybe one day. In the meantime, I am posting this picture. Sometimes one image can say more than a billion words, yes?  I think so.

Iggy Pop

Some people spend an entire lifetime looking for true love.....and never find it. 

 

It brings peace to my heart to know that Ygal was able to find love in his short 35, almost 36, years.

Find it, marry it and start a beautiful family.

But it breaks my heart, on a daily basis, when I think about Bianca being left behind without her love.

In her own words, everything she ever dreamed of.

Breaks. My. Heart.

We love you dearly, Bianca!