First Saint Nicholas party

V and I were invited to two Xmas parties yesterday, the first one already at 11 o’clock with our mother & baby group, and then at O’s office at 16.00. Since we had had quite a difficult night and it was the first (out of 4) day back in Brussels after the time spent in Sweden, I decided to cancel our participation in the morning Xmas party. I have realised that I’d better limit the activities we have instead of overdoing it and disrupt our so-called habits (which habits?). Also I do feel a little stressed about the fact that when V and I fly to Spain on Sunday, we won’t be back for more or less 6 weeks, and I need to get organised.

The afternoon Xmas party in O’s office was actually a Saint Nicholas party. The Belgians celebrate Saint Nicolas / Sinterklaas on the eve of the 5th / morning of the 6th December and it is traditionally the day that the children get their Christmas gifts. Our little V will be spoilt with gifts for Saint Nicolas, Christmas Eve (in Sweden) and for Epiphany (los Reyes in Spain).

We spent a few hours with O’s colleagues and children, and I realised that we will have to get used to loud environments from now on! V, who didn’t seem very disturbed by the noise, got to meet Nicholas and his helper, Zwaarte Piet, and received a present. What did he do? He let out a huge yawn! Our little boy is so blasé about getting presents 

The present was suitable for 18+ months so V will have to wait until March 2013 to play with it!