Friday!

It's Friday! Yay!!! This isn't just aaaaany old Friday either. This is the Friday before Sinterklaas comes! I have really really enjoyed seeing all this Sinterklaas stuff, and learning about the tradition of it. It's such a fun holiday. But it can be scary for little kids for sure! For those of you who don't know Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa. But he was a religious man ( I think). Many Dutch people don't do Santa because they have Sinterklaas. And they celebrate this holiday December 5. Sint comes into town on a boat from Spain with all his Zwarte Piet (black Pete). Black Piet is an elf of sorts who was a bad child and got taken away in a burlap sack when he was a child. And he now works with Sint in Spain. Do you see how this can be scary for kids? And as if that isn't scary, black Piet is sooooooo black. They paint their face, ears, neck, and noses very very black and it's just a little creepy to look at. But the holiday is fun. In the parade Piete throws out lots of candy and such for the children and Sint comes in on his white horse. It's pretty fun to watch. Then he gives a speech and away he goes. Then on the actual day he comes and rings the doorbell and drops the gifts off. It's sweet. I'm excited to see how the actual day unfolds. I'll be gone for most of the time that they celebrate since i'll be in Germany :o) But, I'll be back for the end of it. can't wait!!

Here are a few pictures from the Sinterklaas celebration at the school


Sinterklass Stage where he gives his speech.


Black Piet


The Sint himself!


Giving his speech. I don't really know what he said other than " Welcome children and parents! Have you all been good this year?" That's about all I got...

Yay!!! I got my picture taken with them! To bad they are frowning. I must not have been as good as I thought....