men-a-men: Almost St. Nicholas?

Picture: The first speculaasjes this year.There are 2 kinds of speculaas, the normal and the one with the almond filling.

Mom had already speculaas this afternoon… that’s a sign that the summer is over! Then it will be St. Nicholas soon. In about 3 weeks he will come to the Netherlands (he comes with al his black workers all the way from Spain, to celebrate his birthday on the 6^th of December in our country and gives us all presents on the 5^th of December the day before his birthday! This year he will come on the 12 of November. From that day on all the little kids, can put one shoe in front of the fire place, chimney, or the heating. If they have been good and have been sweet Zwarte Piet (St. Nicholas black helper) will put some sweets and presents in there shoe (he will come through the chimney, that's why he is black) Kids put a carrot, or apple in there shoe for the white horse of St. Nicholas).

That’s always a nice and cozy time with all speculaas, peppernoten, shoe presents and boxing evening on the 5^th of December! Mom said that we will celebrate St. Nicholas not very big this year, she said that I’m so big now and don’t believe the story of St. Nicholas anymore so we can celebrate Christmas more and put more present under the Christmas tree. Ooohhh I love presents under the Christmas tree, it’s much more fun and days before boxing day you can see the present under the tree and try to see which present will be yours…that is so cool!

This afternoon I spend at Mark’s place to finish the books project for tomorrow. All the books have a price card now and the box with the hidden books, the lucky box is also finished. So we have to take all of that to school tomorrow, that would be heavy!