Benders Five: They returned...

Thankfully without coal, although Sam was telling us on the way home from Germany the other night that he really hoped he'd get coal from Black Peter. Because coal is a very valuable stone that he could collect. Uh huh, trying to justify? I hated to break it to him that we happen to live in an area that used to be booming in the coal industry. Perhaps it's that "used to be booming" bit that might just make coal valuable? Regardless, nobody got coal from Black Peter. St. Nicholas and BP were waiting for all les enfants in the village on Sunday morning to gather around to sing and hand out gifts. And drink beer. Well, not the kids but there was a bar set up in back with Jupilers being passed around. (I'm thinking this is the Belgian Budweiser as it's everywhere and not next to the Trappist at the local grocery). Don't forget I said morning. Anyhow, after all the kids (who knew the words) sang the little French song about "Saint Neee ko laa Saint Neee ko laa", the names were called one by one, and a lovely woman who seemed to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed handed St. Nicholas the gifts between swigging her Jupiler. Yep, it was on the table next to the presents. Why not? About half way through and thinking the Belgians really have some unfortunate names for their enfants, I realized the gentleman was calling last names first. Matthew was concerned, he was sure he wasn't going to be able to understand his name because according to him, French people can't say Matthew. Luckily all three names were heard and understood, and each Ben-dew-wa enfant received a gift. Kate...an art set. She whispered to me "Don't I already have this?" Had...I know that didn't make the cut for toys to bring to Belgium. Sam...probably the gift I was most hoping one of the kids would get, a Playmobil castle advent calendar. This thing is great, you set up the castle, and each day open a window and out comes a little Playmobil character or accessory for it. I highly recommend this if you can find one in the States. He was pretty bummed when he got it, as you can see all the toys laid out on the table and no doubt the kids are sitting there crossing their fingers that they get the "one metre long" Princess set or the remote control Jeep. He pouted a bit but did it quietly so we'll let it pass. Matthew, or "Mathieu" heard his name and went and sat with the men of the hour, and score! A remote control Jeep! I was so happy for him, but really bummed for Sam. Sam is the best sharer in this family, and Matthew maybe farthest from the best (an oldest child thing maybe?) so I figured this could not have a good outcome. Matthew quickly informed Sam that he'd "let him have a few goes" with the Jeep and that did the trick. All three came home happy and played with their things the rest of the day. They genuinely were grateful and excited about the whole deal, as were Brian and I. I must mention the goody plates...Belgian chocolate!!! And some other stuff, but oh the chocolate here is ridiculous, even the plain old candy bar type you get at the grocery store is devine.

The morning in pictures...