My kids are pretty much embedded into Dutch culture .... in fact, I'm pretty sure that they consider themselves to be more Dutch than Australian. Fair enough, they do live here.... go to a Dutch school, speak Dutch and have Dutch friends... so it isn't really much of a surprise!
Anyway, yesterday marked the beginning of what has become a nice little tradition for many families in The Netherlands.... the beginning of the Sinterklaas Journaal with Dieuwertje Blok on the public broadcaster (NPO).. which chronicles the arrival of Sinterklaas and all the Pieten (the equivalent of the elves....) to Netherlands from Spain (via steamboat) in time for December the 5th, when all the good kids get presents and all the bad ones get bundled off to Spain (I think....)... well, at the moment, The Netherlands is pretty damn cold... so Spain actually doesn't sound like that much of a punishment...
Every year... there is a big mess up (always from the Pieten....) and there is a bit of a month-long cliffhanger as to whether or not the presents and Sinterklaas will actually make it to Netherlands in time for the big day! All the kids are talking about it at school, and as soon as they get home... it is the only thing that they want watch! Netflix... take a break for a month!
This year... we are only two episodes in, and turns out that Sinterklaas isn't on the steamboat! Neither are the Pieten.... the plot thickens... where are they? Have they forgotten that it is time to get ready the presents and get a move on to Netherlands?
My youngest is now old enough to start understanding what is happening.... last year, she really just didn't get the whole thing! My oldest on the other hand... is starting twig that something is a bit funny with the whole Santa Klaus and Sinterklaas ideas. She still loves watching the Sinterklaas Journaal.. but she is pretty child-like and naive in many ways still... something that will pass, but is so heart-warming to see.
She did mention to me over dinner tonight... whispering "I don't want my sister to hear... but there are some kids at school who don't think Sinterklaas is real!""... I asked her what she thought... and she said "I'm still not sure.... they don't know for sure that he isn't real, and I don't know yet."... ah, the scientific mind... with no proof, hold fire! I don't know is a completely acceptable and logical response!
It is a bit funny... as she doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny (as of this year...)... but on the other hand, a Bunny that carries a basket full of chocolate eggs is a touch more fantastical than Sinterklaas...
Still... even if you don't believe in Sinterklaas (like me... and I think my wife doesn't... but I haven't asked her...), the Sinterklaas Journaal is a nice family sit down for 10 minutes each evening. A chance for me to practice listening and understanding Dutch, and just a really nice family moment. As my little one said "it's nice to sit together sometimes."...
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