Making merry memories with Oma Eva (Dec. 16 - 28)

To be honest, I don't remember much from this month, just because I didn't write this post soon enough after it happened! Life got in the way, and so you will have to do with just a bunch of photos! The pics tell it all... we had gourmet on Christmas Eve and the kids got lots and lots of presents under the tree! Goodbye 2019 and Cheers to 2020!

Winter Concert!

Letters to Santa!

"Dear Santa, 
Thank you for spreading joy all around the world every year! I'm so excited to see my grandma and spend Christmas with her. 
For the gifts this year I decided what I want. I would like a hoverboard but I have the feeling it's too expensive or if you're going to make one it would be too hard. All the hoverboards I have seen this year only say 13+ but I really want one! 
Christmas is probably my favorite holiday because it's always so cozy. I'm really excited for all the Christmas parties and seeing family!
Thank you for reading this Santa and I hope you have a great Christmas as well! 
Love, Lily"

 

Ennio's letter was pre-printed with some blanks. 

"Dear Santa, Christmas is almost here and I've been a very good Ennio this year. I hope you will visit my house on Christmas Eve. I promise to leave milk and a cookie for you. Oh, and karrot for your reindeer. 

Here is my Christmas list: 

1. dominoes

2. a bouncy ball

3. new shoes

4. Rayman Legends Wii

5. maybe roller skates

Thank you for reading my letter. 

Merry Christmas, Santa! 

From Ennio"

Sinterklaas!

In the days leading up to Sinterklaas, I read the Spiekpietjes book to Ennio. He usually is not too keen on reading - to put it mildly - and especially not in Dutch, but the prospect of getting toys in the morning was a huge motivator! The kids put their best shoe out by the fireplace with a drink and some carrots for the horse and were excited to get a chocolate iPhone and video game controller in return! Then on December 6, they got a couple more presents, chocolate, marzipan and mandarijntjes, and T-shirts with Sinterklaas en Piet on them! They also got a nice letter from the Sint. They proudly wore their shirts to school. They both seem to enjoy this Sinterklaas tradition - I'm not sure how much longer we will keep it going, although I must admit, I like the impact of the Spiekpietjes on Ennio's good behavior, haha!!!

December 6:

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at Kathryn's house in Topanga Canyon. It rained outside, but Kathryn and her kids Lucy and Karl had made it super comfy and cozy inside. We snuggled up to the cats by the fire and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.  

Happy Turkey Day, everyone!