Sinterklaas

With Saint Martin's day behind us, the rush of the Holiday season is upon us.  This past Saturday, Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Piets arrived in Holland to officially start the holiday season.:)  Here in Holland, every year Sinterklaas has makes his arrival to Holland by steamboat from Spain along with his Zwarte Piets.  It is traditional for children to put their shoes out by the fireplace and sing a song
(click here to hear a song for Sinterklaas) to Sinterklaas before going to bed in the days leading up to December 5. Oh, and you mustn't forget the cookie and carrots for the horses each evening!:) (Sinterklaas is kind of like Santa Claus, for more information on Sinterklaas and his helpers the Zwaarte Piets, click here.)  In the morning, the children may or may not have a small treat such as a chocolate or pepernoten (a DELICIOUS Dutch Gingerbread cookie, click here for more info about pepernoten), stickers, etc.:)  On the evening of December 5, Sinterklaas and his helpers make deliveries to every girl and boy in Holland with a loud knock on the door and sack of gifts for the children.  Many Dutch people only celebrate Sinterklaas and have Christmas as a time of gathering with their family and friends. However, my children are also expecting Santa Claus this year as well.  I guess Sinterklaas will leave a small gift for them on December 5...afterall, we are just visiting.:)  But, both Jeremy and Elizabeth want to participate in this fun Dutch tradition!:)

We put out shoes on Saturday night after finding out that Sinterklaas arrived in Holland...

Gold Coins on Sunday morning.:)

Setting out shoes on Sunday night.:)

Scored some Chocolates on Monday morning.:)

Elizabeth wrote a letter to Sinterklaas

Lots of questions for him.:)

Looks like Sinterklaas left small gifts this morning.:)

 And this morning...it was all smiles....:)

Sinterklaas even wrote Elizabeth a letter back in Dutch!:)

We will definitely have to have one of my friends translate it for us.:)  We'll have to see what tonight brings!  Elizabeth asked me last night when our Elf on the Shelf is going to show up!!  There is ALOT to keep track of over here if you know what I mean!;)  But, for now, this is another Dutch tradition we are all truly enjoying!

Until next time!

Tot Ziens! (bye!)