Naomi’s team 9th birthday party was a success, a journey back in time to Ancient Egypt which fulfilled her desires for culture, history, games, good food and fun.

Invitations in modern day hieroglyphics ( i.e. Word’s “wingdings” font) went out on Friday with an invitation for the team to crack the code which most did successfully. After that, half the fun was gathering costume, especially watching the boys put on their eye makeup and everyone wrapping and rewrapping in white sheets and towels. Quinn, Julia and others lined up for “scribe school” as the grown ups primped. Then we headed out to the football pitch for assorted ball games and wrap the mummy (in toilet paper.) Then back inside for a very small “feast” (yep I ran out of food for 25) served on the floor, Egyptian style with festive decorations and fingers only. Naomi loved the mood. We had asked team mates to provide traditional Egyptian storytelling and songs with Naomi as the heroic theme, so we were treated to one of the beauties of Bundibugyo, talented people having fun! Julia and Acacia wrote and read a poem; Larissa and the boys (visiting from Sudan) acted out a silly story about a mummy who came to life which made Naomi laugh SO hard, Ashley and Sarah sang “Nile-Oh” accompanied by Nathan on the guitar and Jennifer and Luke dramatically read their written story based on Madagascar 2.

We finished up with a pyramid cake and a brief dance party. Nine doesn’t get much better than this.