Our very first Pakjesavond and first snow

The first snow has fallen and the kids could not be more excited. We got to use their new snow discs, snow boots, and the snow could not have been more perfect for snow man making. Aaron and I split the fun equally. I took the boys sledding, and he built the snow family. Then a Santa Clause movie with home made Wassail. It was a perfect evening.



It is a lucky coincidence that Sinterklaas happened to give them snow discs for the Pakjesavond, which translates to packages evening.
On the evening of the 5th of December we got together to celebrate Sinterklaas. I had a CD with Sinterklaas songs that I played, and while the kids were singing along Aaron snuck out and knocked on the window. Micah was terrified, but Ezra quickly grasped that presents were waiting outside the door. They were so excited. I love this tradition. I think we will keep it up even if we don't live here at some point. With the Sinterklaas tradition we can keep the Santa Clause idea without it interfering with Christmas.

  The top present for Micah was the Vriendenboekje, a book in which all your friends stick their picture and write about their favorite things. Even before he had unwrapped it, he recognized what it must be and exclaimed: "Ah Vriendenboekje! FINALLY!" He had been asking for one for the last two weeks.

Trying out the snow discs in a dry run on the carpet. 

Sinterklaas left some cookies and chocolates in their shoes on the morning of December 5th. Yay. Happiness all around. Micah ate only cookies for breakfast. Apparently you are supposed to do this for the whole two weeks from the day Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands. I thought I'd scratch that and just do it on the 5th.