The Galka Family Blog... A way to keep in touch: Huis Van Sinterklaas

Monday, December 13, 2010

Huis Van Sinterklaas

On the Eve of Sinterklaas, we took a drive to Belguim to visit Huis Van Sinterklaas (House of Sinterklaas). Sinterklaas lives in Spain, but come to the Netherlands in mid November to prepare for his big gift-giving day on December 5th. This is the house Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Piet live in while they are here.

We were able to visit Sinterklaas' bakery, disco, post office, bedroom, radio studio and his stables where his horse, Americo, lives. We also saw a short silly show, in dutch. Ned and I got the jist. We really dont know how much the kids understood. They enjoyed it though.

Getting ready to brave the cold

There were several open fires at the Huis. In America, these would never be left unattended and wide open! Gotta love Europe.

Andrew playing Toss the Snowball with a Zwarte Piet

Katie at the disco with Zwarte Piet

The crazy show! Zwarte Piet.

http://www.huisvansinterklaas.be/nl

Kids Say the Darndest Things

May 2012 Katie: "Mom, I dont want Andrew to be my brother" Mom: Well, that is not a very nice thing to say. Katie: "I cant marry him if he is my brother, right?"
3-12-12 Andrew: "look mom, my undies have pockets"
3-4-12 Katie. Boys can wear earrings. The little circle ones That makes them a pirate.
3-1-12 Andrew: When I grow up I am going to be Lucas' daddy
Feb 13. 2012 Katie says "I want Andrew to get four stickers because he is my brother and I love him." (context - we are night training the kids and Andrew has four more stickers than Katie)
November 15.2011 Katie came home from school with a construction paper basket made with fall colors. In the basket it read (in her writing): " I am thankful for my brothur" I asked which one? She pointed to Lucas and said that one, very pointedly.
October 2011: Walking to the bus stop with Katie and Andrew. We see a big cat. Katie and Andrew argue over whether it is a cat or a dog. Andrew "No, its a cat. It has ear-brows" huh?
October 2011. Katie: "Alex is my boyfriend" Mom: "Since we moved away, you really dont see him much. You miss him?" Katie: "Yes" Mom: "Since you dont see him, is he still your boyfriend?" Katie: "Well, if i had to have another boyfriend, I guess I would pick Mika" (from school)
August. Had a conversation about what the baby will look like over dinner. Went like this - Katie looks like Mommy, Andrew looks like Daddy. Wonder what this baby will look like? Katie: In all seriousness: "This baby will look like Tucker!" (our dog)
August 2011. Katie "I am going to change diapers for the baby. Not poopy diapers. Mom, you can wipe the poop away and I will put the new diaper on. I will change the pee diapers by myself"
2.14.11 Mom: Teacher Marlies may not be at school today. She has the flu. Andrew: where is she taking an airplane to?
1.18.11 Andrew: (7am) Why is it dark outside? Mommy:(grogy) Because it is early. Andrew: The moon needs to tell the sun to come up.
9.21.10 Katie at the dinner table: "Thank you Mommy for making dinner. You are the best mommy in the whole world." Wow.
June 2010 Andrew spills a puzzle: "Dat not aposed to happen" (That not supposed to happen)
June 2010 Andrew :"Mommy, ew boo-full" ("You beautiful")
5.05.10 Katie: Why is that boy brown? Mommy: People come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Katie.: I am white. Mommy: Yes you are but not eveyone is white. People come in all sort of colors. Katie: Oh, like the genie in Aladin. He is blue. Mommy: Yes, I guess so. All colors.
4.23.10 Katie "See these bits? (eye crusties) I use my finger and get them out. See. They are boogies that get frozen in my eye."
4.21.10 Andrew: "Danke Shoen? Dank u wel. What Danke Shoen?"
1.29.10 Andrew: Tucker is a cat. Me-how. Ando a cat. Me-how
1.30.10 Katie: You are so beautiful. And, you love me so much.