Dance Recital

Father's Day 2011, where else would we dream of spending it, but in The Melrose Memorial Auditorium? Jenna's very first dance recital and it was just the place we wanted to be. Nana and Howard joined Jenna, Maya, Daddy and me on that precious Sunday afternoon. Jenna LOVED wearing her dance make-up, didn't mind her tutu and even performed on stage without any real issue-except the traditional 3 year old awe of the crowds and lack of awareness that they were the stars of the show-which I loved that she didn't notice! :)

Here are a few pics from the rehearsal (as we weren't permitted to take pics the day of the recital.) There are also a few of a dancer in training...

A little girl's dream

It's been said that women marry men just like or at least similar to their dads. Whomever I was going to marry had BIG shoes to fill.

My father, Jay has been the most amazing role model for my sister Samantha and I. He is so hard-working, thoughtful, gentle, has the best (childlike) sense of humor, and has always shown us an incredible picture of what a dedicated and loving husband is. My sister and I have the fondest memories of our times with our dad, and they continue to grow as we do. My dad is known for his ridiculous nicknames for random people, he loves a great practical joke-at nearly anyone's expense and is extremely dedicated and professional in his work life.

Samantha and I have shared stories with our husbands, Derek and Scott about our dad as a younger man-like the time he and his buddies left a bloodied dummy outside the neighbor's apartment and the police were called. One of our favorites was the time he called a hotel where Sam and her underage friends were staying on New Year's Eve pretending to be the hotel security with a complaint about them-scared her poor friend Bethanne to death! Or the time he and our mom stayed in this lovely hotel in Boston with some undetermined substance on the walls-aka vomit like sprayed all over the walls. Our dad NEVER missed a soccer, basketball or field hockey game. He sat through all of our dance recitals-at home and the real ones-he stood over us at night and rubbed our backs till we fell asleep--over and over and over again.

Our dad has now had the pleasure of gaining two sons-in-law whom he and our mom have taken on as their own sons. Derek and Scott are completely amused by our dad's playful side and also call on him for advice, support and guidance. Seeing our dad, Jay as a grandfather-a Sabba-is indescribable. He is the ideal grandparent-with our mom of course as well. The girls call the house each morning and always ask for him. He plays pretend, knows all of Jenna and Maya's baby's names-a LONG list-and remembers to ask about all of their friends. Their love for him is so precious. They adore him and are so happy when they are with he and my mom. He supplies them with sunscreen-which they barely will leave the house without, no matter the weather, and Aquaphor that each of them knew how to say before they were 2 years old! The girls appreciate Sabba's love for Dunkin Donuts, Temple/religion and most of all them and his entire family.

As luck would have it, thank you JDATE, this little girl-me-did what most women do! I found a man just like my dad! Scott is SUCH an incredible father. Jenna and Maya stand by the window each afternoon and wait for him to come home. As he walks in the door, he has one foot on the outside steps and they are grabbing onto his other leg. Being with Daddy is the best! He is funny, tells silly stories and jokes and plays some really wild games. Scott gets the girls. He understands what they need and has the patience like no one else I know. When we were first pregnant and didn't know the gender of the baby (Jenna) Scott told me he couldn't imagine himself with anything but a son! Well, we couldn't imagine it any other way. He is the ideal dad for girls, boys, whatever... NO matter who the kids are now or who they will become as they get older, he loves them, appreciates their differences, enjoys them immensely and it is so apparent to ANYONE he encounters.

Scott and Dad (Jay) Happy Happy Father's Day! The girls and I would also like to acknowledge their Uncles, our newest official addition, Scott's stepfather, Howard, whom Jenna has coined him for an unknown reason "Howard Hannen" and the "Dads" who are no longer here physically-Great Grandpas Milton, Norman, Solomon, Arthur and our dear Papa Jack.

Happy Father's Day!

More Wedding Photos

There are just too many wedding photographs to not share more!

Mazel Tov!!!!

Four years ago this past February we lost Scott’s dad, Jack Farber. Jack had such a strong presence in the family. He was Scott and Gary’s work patriarch as well as their father. His loss was felt so deeply, it always will be.

We all thought about it in one way or another, what would Ellen do now? It took time, but in June of 2010, Ellen and her most wonderful companion, Howard, became engaged. They planned the most elaborate wedding; bigger and more detailed than nearly any second marriage I had heard of before. Ellen, the joyful bride, at an age and point in life that one might just want a small wedding, opted to be a “real bride.” She wore an elegant gown, in ivory and insisted on a bridal party of all of her and Howard’s children, children in law, and grandchildren. A mere 20 plus people, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. Many of us thought about the chaos that could ensue, having flower girls, ring bearers and bridesmaids ranging in age from 15 to 1. All the drama likely to take place and all the “un-wedding like” behavior that was likely to happen and then, today came.

It went off without a hitch, well at least to the general public. Yes there were the photographs that a flower girl opted out of, yes there was a ring bearer who needed to be carried down the aisle, yes too a flower girl wanting her milk during the ceremony and even a yell could be heard from the wedding party for a “potty break,” but no one noticed, no one cared and really, it didn’t matter. The sun shone down on the in love couple who stood beneath the Chuppah-the wedding canopy. There were guests with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes.

You see, as it was so eloquently put in song and in speeches, many times over today, the wedding of Ellen and Howard was not about just them. It was the true joining of two incredible families. The Libowitz/Sutton and The Farber/Caracoglia/Estradas are now officially one. I have said to Scott over and over and over again, how lucky he and his siblings should feel. There is now another man, who just as his father most certainly did, adores his mother, cares for her, wants to fulfill her every wish/want/dream. He comes along with an amazingly fun, sincere, gentle and genuine set of children, children in law and grandchildren. They couldn’t ask for much more.

As Ellen and Howard set out tomorrow for their honeymoon, a surprise trip for Ellen, we want them to know that we are so happy to see them so happy and are honored to have shared in the start of their lives together as a married couple. Mazel Tov!

Oh Happy Day! :)

One October night in 2004, I met this adorable man who I'd seen on JDATE.com and immediately was intrigued. Scott was a MUCH needed surprise after lots of frogs, I had finally found my prince. He won me over that first night at Sam Diego's in Plymouth, MA. (The poor guy had driven an hour to my apartment, only for me to have him drive another 30 minutes to bar.) :) We bonded over people we knew in common, sports, beers, food and more. He had a great sense of humor and was SO easy to talk to-plus, was really easy on the eyes.

After a short time, in December, we talked about him needing to move out of his apartment and me being a teacher that I could really work anywhere...It seemed just to make sense that as our relationship progressed I made the hardest and best decision. I left my job, apartment, friends and family on the south shore and moved to Stoneham to live with Scott in June 2005. I found a new job, which I loved, made new friends-though I missed and still miss my old ones and most importantly was so happily in love.

Scott proposed to me on 09/02/05 at Wright's Tower and we spent the weekend celebrating with both sets of parents. We got married the Memorial Day weekend following on May 28, 2006 at The Marriott Longwharf. That entire month of May, every single weekend, in POURED! And then our wedding day came-it couldn't have been more beautiful, sunny and we couldn't have been happier surrounded by family, friends and each other.

Life is always filled with ups and downs; it's inevitable. However, we've been so lucky, we've had a bazillion more ups than downs. Through the downs, we have had each other to lean on. Our two precious daughters, Jenna and Maya, allow us to the chance to share our love for each other and for them every single day. In our vows, I said to Scott, "I'd be so honored to be your Honey Farber forever." And I am. Now and forever. Happy 5 years Scott! Here's to 500 more! xoxo

May Candids

Here are some happy times from this chaotic month!

Poem

Footprints on our hearts

How very softly


you tiptoed into my world.

Almost silently;

Only a moment you stayed.

But what an imprint

Your footprints have left

On our hearts.

--Author Unknown