St. Nicholas' Eve

Robert's mother is Dutch and he grew up celebrating Dutch Christmas on December 5th. It is a tradition that I have loved keeping with our family as well.
In Holland, Sinterklaas arrives by ship, he lives in Spain the rest of the year, with gifts for the children. Those who have been good will receive chocolate and other gifts in their shoes, while those who have been bad get coal or sticks instead.
On December 5th (St. Nicholas' Eve) the kids put out their shoes and and leave carrots and hay (we didn't have hay so we left an apple) for Sinterklaas' horse. These are then exchanged for chocolate and gifts when Sinterklass comes.

Logan thought there was too much left for the horse and thought he would eat a couple of carrots.

The kids must have been good, since in the morning they had their shoes filled with a toy, slippers, and new Sunday shirts for the boys. They also got a traditional chocolate letter (for their name) and some sprinkles and spice cookies.

Jake was extremely excited for Sinterklaas to come this year (the first year he really realized what was going on). He calls him Santa Claus' brother. He was thrilled that Sinterklaas even left Robert and I a chocolate letter and knew that our names begin with 'R'. Sinterklaas even knew that Robert liked dark chocolate and I like milk chocolate and gave us chocolate letters accordingly.
Jake finished his letter first. Alyssa was going to save hers - she has a report on the Netherlands due on Monday and was going to bring in her letter as part of her display. I told her she could bring in mine. Natalie has a cold and was going to save hers until she felt better, so it could taste better. She must be feeling better.
Jake wonders when we can lay out our shoes again.
Next year, buddy.