St. Nick

St. Nick is a big celebration for kids in Holland. As the matter of fact, it is more common to get presents from St. Nick than from Santa Claus at Christmas. The story is that St. Nick arrives about 3 weeks prior to his birthday (december 5th) in Holland. He comes by steamship from his home country Spain where he lives during the rest of the year. He brings all of his black helpers (zwarte pieten) with him. They are black because they are the ones who actually go down the chimneys to put candy and presents in the kids shoes. And the coles from the fire places make them black. So during the 3 weeks that they are in the country they are very busy with visiting cities, schools, and other places where kids are, to hand out 'pepernoten en schuimpjes' (special candy from St. Nick) and presents. At night St. Nick walks over the roof tops of the houses on his horse with his 'zwarte pieten' and puts candy in the shoes of the kids who have put their shoe by the chimney (or front door if the house doesn't have a fire place). Can you imagine how busy he is during this time, and that at his age?????? I think he's about 1359 years old now.....Anyway, the big celebration is on December 5th, when it is St. Nick's Birthday. He's such a nice guy that instead of receiving presents, he gives them away on his special day. After he is done, he goes back to Spain with all his 'zwarte pieten' on his steamship, to rest for the next 11 months.....and prepare for another big mission the following year.

Just like Santa, St. Nick knows everything about everyone. He knows who has been good or bad, he knows who has been brushing their teeth or not, he knows who has been doing their schoolwork or not, he knows who has been naughty or nice to his or her parents and siblings.......nothing passes St. Nick. He has a big book in which he writes everything down so he can remember who deserves a present and who not......
Well, Quinn must have been a good girl this year (of course she was :-) ) because St. Nick send her a present as well. She was very excited about it and couldn't wait to see what it was.

Wow, my first laptop, just like the one mom has. But this one is much cooler, because it makes sounds when I push on the buttons and it also lights up!

Thank you St. Nick for such a nice present!