Sinterklaas, "Black Pete", and the "Joys" of Being Home

What's new with us? Well, to begin with, we've been pretty hermit-like for the past week, thanks to a bad case of the flu and some less than perfect weather. Not only have we all been feeling yucky (save Tobi, who seldom catches what we have), but I'm not sure our friends would forgive us if we passed this nasty bug along their way. Okay, so Dutch people do seem to be slightly less concerned about catching things (perhaps under the precipice "that which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger"), but the American in me screams "By golly, I'm going to prevent the spread of these doggon germs!"

Our being sick didn't stop Sinterklaas from coming by on Sunday evening, but, then again, he did drop the presents at the back door and run. Lukas thinks it might have been a "Zwarte Piet", or "Black Pete", since that's whose face was on the burlap sack. Zwarte Piets are Sinterklaas' helpers; there's great blog posting about them here. Computer Piet, Package Piet... the list goes on and on. Sure, there may be some racial undertones, but Zwarte Piet is more revered than Sinterklaas in most circles, so to do away with him would change the face of this bigger-than-Christmas-national holiday in unforseen ways. Also, Dutch people have more issues with their German neighbors than those with a darker shade of skin, so - to put it in context - it really is quite a bit different here than on America's racially charged, but politically correct, scene. But that's a blog posting in itself!

Lukas learned a couple of Dutch Sinterklaas songs at school, and loves to sing them. And what child doesn't adore the candy and "Pepernooten" (tiny, crunchy, ginger-bread like cookies) so characteristic of this time of year?

Sinterklaas aside, the kids continue to grow up quickly. Yesterday as I was doing the laundry, Alex waved "Goodbye" to me as he closed the kitchen door, locking me out. Later, he prepared the diaper mat and placed himself on it, handing me a diaper as a subtle cue for a change. He loves to read, and, though his language skills are still limited, he picks up what seems like a new word every day. I wish I could say so much for myself!

Meanwhile, Lukas has developed an imagination beyond that of my wildest dreams. Last Saturday, whilst hibernating indoors on a rainy Zeeland day, we got to listen to stories of "Veegie" - the Orangutan-Indian. Lukas had Papa in put on his toddler-sized pirate hat, while he sported a bright orange gangsta' hat. As if that wasn't enough, suddenly a lion just joined the equation.

Yesterday, in our daily naptime battle, a chuckling Lukas called me an "Angry old ogre." Had he not been spot-on, I would have found that offensive. Instead, I later gave him a high-five for his handling of Mama in her grumpy state. When I'm in a bad mood, he just laughs and ignores me... which is the perfect way to get me to snap out of it. What a clever boy!

Though there are days when they can't grow up fast enough, most days we wonder where the time has gone. One day, they'll be wondering the same thing. And, with only a couple months left in this incredible old farm house here in Holland, I'm doing everything I can to make sure that we treasure every last minute. Rain or shine. In sickness and in health.

While we're counting our blessings this holiday season, why not give those less fortunate something to be thankful for? Visit our travel blog to learn about the Passports with Purpose initiative, where $10 gets you a chance to win any number of prizes, such as 5 nights in Hawaii or a $150 gift certificate to Shutterfly. All money raised goes towards the construction of a new school for Cambodian children. Talk about a happy holiday! :)