When Bella was in 7th grade she had the privilege of going to several Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah's. It is a wonderful Jewish tradition of boys and girls becoming accountable for themselves and to becoming full fledged members in their faith. They partake in beautiful ceremonies and then have amazing parties! These parties are like wedding receptions, fancy and expensive. We told Bella that when she is in the 8th grade and turning 14 we would throw her a Morm-itzvah. When a young man or young woman turns 14 in the Mormon church they can start attending church dances. This goes right along with other coming of age events in the Mormon church. When a child turns 18 months they can attend nursery, 3 year olds can go to primary, 8 years olds can get baptized, 12 years olds can attend young mens and young womens activities and lessons and the 14 year olds can attend dances! The church provides a DJ and refreshments. This is all put on by the church! It is like a wedding reception that we don't pay for and it is not nearly as nice :) but a party non the less! So Bella got to choose a couple of friends to take to a beauty parlor to do their hair, then we had pizza and pie because Bella prefers pie to cake. Then we took them all to the dance. I think they all had fun, they all looked great that's what matters right?!
This is the picture of the girls before they got all beautified (even though they all are gorgeous to begin with!)
Bella we love you, you are our jewel. You are intelligent, beautiful and oh so kind. You truly are like Belle the princess. Thank you for being a fantastic oldest child, a great exapmle of hard work and love. Next mile stone....driving!!!
