Sinterklaas

We do realize we aren't in Amsterdam anymore, but Joe's old group there was kind enough to give Hannah presents to celebrate Sinterklaas (they gave them to Joe when he was there a few weeks ago). We were looking forward to being in Amsterdam with Hannah for her 1st Sinterklaas, as it is very festive - much more than Christmas there, but....here we are.

Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas, the Dutch Santa Claus, and the patron Saint of Amsterdam) comes to town in November from Spain by boat with his helpers, Zwarte Pieten (literally black petes). The idea is much the same as our elves. He then rides through town on a white horse. The zwarte pieten help Sinterklaas with handing out toys and candy to children who have been good (and as legend goes, children who have been bad are put into their knapsacks and taken back to Spain with them - this seems to be a bit more scary than just receiving coal if you're bad). Children also put out their shoes each night and when they awake, Sinterklaas usually leaves a little trinket inside the shoe. The holiday itself is Dec. 5th, but we are told it is celebrated the weekend before when it falls on a weekday....So that leads us to yesterday....when Sinterklaas visited Hannah all the way from Amsterdam.

She was delighted to open her gifts! She got 2 handpuppets, 1 of Sinterklaas and 1 of zwarte piet, and a stuffed Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street. In turn, she gave each of her new toys a hug and a kiss. She's really likes the Bert and Ernie dolls and can't seem to hold one without the other. It's really funny to watch her try to pick them both up as they are almost as big as she is....Thank you so much to all of the QC lab in Amsterdam for thinking of Hannah! So thoughtful and very much appreciate!!! We plan on continuing the tradition of Sinterklaas in our family.

On a different note, our house hunting is coming to a close. We found a few houses we really like and even put an offer on our favorite one yesterday. Fingers crossed, it will be accepted!!