Culture Night: Egypt

We had another fun culture night last month.  This time it was Elizabeth's choice--Egypt.  We had a pretty tasty dinner of kofta, fried cauliflower, Egyptian salad, and pita bread.  The kids actually liked the food pretty well.  They had fun coloring some headbands to wear.  I found a site where you could type in letters and print out names in hieroglyphics so we did that and then put them on their plates and they had to figure out where they were supposed to sit.

(Nate was mid-tantrum when we took this :)

After dinner, Natalie taught us about Egyptian history, Elizabeth taught us about wildlife, Joe about music, and Nate and I read a book we found called Egyptian ABCs.  Then we watched a movie I found in the kids section of the library about ancient Egypt.  It was a really fun night and provided me with more motivation to keep this thing going.

Matchy Matchy

I have a thing for making my kids dress in matching clothes.  It's a sickness really.  This one wasn't even entirely intentional.  I happened to buy the boys matching ties when I saw some at a store.  It was the first time that it occurred to me that I can now dress two boys alike.  Then I realized that the girls' Christmas dresses from a couple years ago still fit them and they could match, too.  So, that's how this photo shoot was born. 

These pictures have given me the fix I needed...at least until the next time this compulsion rears its ugly head. :)

Photo Shoot at 6 Weeks

Not only did my sister-in-law take my kids for me one day so I could have a couple hours to myself, but she took some beautiful pictures, too!  Thanks so much, Lisa.  Here's another photo dump.  There's just too many good ones...
 

I love love love this one:

Eli Picture Catch-Up

I find myself taking so many more pictures with my iphone since Elijah was born.  I am constantly trying to capture beautiful moments with him.  I realize more than I ever have how quickly this is all going to go.  Of course you never can capture it completely but it makes me feel a little better in the moment.  I also have such a strong desire to capture moments of me with my little baby, even if I haven't run a comb through my hair.  I want to be able to remember some of what this time was like years down the road.

 

Elijah is part elf!  

I guess it comes from being born at Christmastime...

 

Is there anything better than a newborn head against your cheek?

 

 Bath time at last!  He loved it.

  

I just loved this cute little onesie a friend gave us:

 Sometimes Nate gets a picture, too:

We call this "watching the angels":

 He likes to be swaddled:

 

 

 Sweet moments with Daddy:

 

 I love these:

 

First captured smiles:

 

 Out and about:

More beautiful smiles:

 

Now check out this one of Nate:

Crazy, right?  Every comment I get is that Eli looks just like Nate and I completely agree.  This makes me feel better about calling him Nate constantly.  It will be interesting to see what happens as he grows.