St Nicholas

We are getting ready for a busy holiday season, as I'm sure everyone else is also. We have many choir performances, trips to visit family, and family coming to visit us!
One of our family traditions is to celebrate St Nicholas day (in place of Santa). The children set their shoes out by their doors on the evening of December 5th and the next morning they are filled with golden (chocolate) coins, a few toys and usually a book or cd.
This year we sat up for a while on the 5th and read several stories about St. Nicholas. The traditional story of his providing gold for the daughters of a man in need, as well as some more unfamiliar stories. My 5 yos fell asleep in my lap as I was reading (very sweet).
I was surprised to find my boots out the morning of Dec 6th, filled with a pair of jeans, the coins and Chanel no. 5 perfume! St Nick loves me!

Here is a poem about St Nicholas ~
Tonight when it is dark Saint Nicholas may come. He loves to bring a big surprise. He gives the children toys.

Cookies, apples, Balls and games, Bells and whistles, Dolls and trains. Surprises for the boys.Surprises for the girls. Saint Nicholas is our friend in heaven. He is the children's saint.

We thank you, good Saint Nicholas! We thank you for the toys! We thank you, good Saint Nicholas! You bring us many joys.
—Ade Bethune