Naftali's Nickname

Usually people use nicknames as a way to shorten someone's name, or to make it easier to say.

Well, Yisrael and Bruria have decided that Naftali's name is just too plain and simple- after having a brother named Azriel Shraga (yes, I know its not the easiest name to say) . Which is why they've decided to call him:

NAFTAFTALI !

Cultural Differences

I know that because I'm raising my children in Israel, it will result in some cultural differences between us.

Well its started already- I was singing the song "Sevivon Sov Sov Sov" with them, and I automatically, without thinking, started singing: "חג שמחה הוא לעם - נס גדול היה שם". Yisrael and Bruria both looked at me with puzzled looks on their faces- I totally forgot that here they sing "סוב סוב כה וכה - נס גדול היה פה"

(I know this is just the beginning...just wait until Yisrael starts coming home with short, fat ties- or whatever is in style then!)

A smile from Naftali

Naftali started smiling yesterday- and today I was actually able to catch part of a smile on film...eh...err...disc!

A Menorah made of Clics

I'm sure you've all heard how much my kids love to play with Clics. It is their favorite toy, and it can keep them busy for HOURS. Last week, they decided to make a Menorah (or a Chanukiya, as Yisrael would correct me!)- they did it all by themselves!

NOTE: For all you skeptics out there, yes Yisrael DID make this all by himself! Do not doubt his creative capabilities!

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Answers to the Guessing Game post:

1) a house

2) a kinor like the one Serach bas Asher used to sing to Yaakov about "Od Yosef Chai"

3) a "chilazon"- complete with "Mechushim" (the little feelers by the head)

4) a helicopter!

A Good Laugh, starring Azriel Shraga and Yon

Yon (Bentzi's brother) was in charge of taking pictures by the bris, and I just sat down to leaf through all the pictures and video clips he took. This cute one was among them- I'm sure it'll give you a good laugh!

The Kissing Monster

Azriel Shraga has become a real big kissing monster- anytime he gets near his baby brother, he SMOTHERS him with kisses (and if his face is dirty, he smothers Naftali with that too!)

He, more than any of the other kids, is crazy about Naftali. Anytime he hears Naftali make a noise, he drops everything - and quickly runs to wherever he is, to cover him with kisses! Its actually very sweet- he loves to kiss him, and to cuddle up next to him and suck his thumb.

And of course he won't give kisses to anyone else anymore- he is saving them exclusively for his baby brother!

Naftali has a belly button!

Yes, his "straw", as Yisrael and Bruria call it, finally fell off! (When they saw it, they asked what it was...at first they thought it was a bug...so I explained to them that when the baby is inside the mommy, there is a straw that brings food to the baby's stomach...)

Now maybe I can convince Bentzi to start changing his diapers...he claimed he couldn't change him until the bris and the belly button were all healed- now he's out of excuses!