Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas is a Dutch holiday that takes place on December 5th. Our friends Brian and Amber served LDS missions in the Netherlands and brought the Sinterklaas tradition to their home. They threw a wonderful party, complete with delicious Dutch foods and Dutch gift-giving traditions. Presents must be creatively wrapped and accompanied by a poem that pokes fun at the recipient. We brought a flower (from Mr. B to me) and tree (from me to Amber), and a snowman (from Baby B to Chaz).Mr. B and me with the presents we brought.

Mr. B reading a poem to me about my M&M winnings (poem featured at the end of this post).

Amber and Finn, reading a love poem to Baby B, whose gift was a baby doll in a birthday cake.

Appropriate wrapping, as Baby B's birthday is this week!

In her cute little Santa outfit from Aunt Kelley.

Sweetie!

Ryan, Cecily and Friedrich. Ryan wrote Mr. B a poem about his Nacho Libre Halloween costume, and his present was wrapped in a wrestling ring.

Chaz, Finn, and Brian, eating yummy Dutch food.


"The Major Award" by Mr. B

There never has been a fair lady so blessed
as my dear sweet Bonnie, as I can attest.
And how, you may ask, is her life such a dream?
Well I'll tell you about my Bonnie Maureen.

One day while her baby was crawling around,
Bonnie web-surfed online to see what could be found:
Viagra, Home Star Runner, a game blasting gems,
and a contest awarding a year's M&Ms.

"That's a contest I'll enter, I admit it's true,
I'm known to have eaten an M&M or two."
So she filled out a form and entered her name;
from that moment on her life would not be the same.

Instant Winner! Congrats! This prize you have won!
A big box of candy that weighs a whole ton.
Now what would you do with a year's M&Ms?
Would you give to the poor and share with your friends?

Not Bonnie, she hoards them in a box in the back
and only retrieves them when she wants a snack.
And our diet has changed now that Bonnie's a winner:
last night we had M&M meatloaf for dinner.

They're ground up and simmered; they're in every meal.
I say M&Ms are a big pain to peel.
And I'm starting to fear for the health of her teeth;
below five grand of braces, is there rot underneath?

And what of our baby, do you understand
that her first words were "Melts in your mouth not your hand?"
And poor Audrey's health problems will really begin
when the doctors tell us she can't make insulin.

Oh Bonnie I love you and think you are great,
and I'm so glad those M&Ms haven't increased your weight.