As she enters her fiftysixth month on Planet Earth, our Moon Child prepares for a busy month ahead, with Sinterklaas arriving in the Netherlands and her fifth birthday ahead! Saint Nicholas' eve is celebrated in the Netherlands on December 5. It is the present-giving occasion in the Netherlands (after birthdays). Sinterklaas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colorful Moorish dresses, called "Zwarte Pieten" (black Petes). Their blackness may have been inspired by black slaves, but today the more politically correct explanation that their faces are "black from soot" (as they have to climb through chimneys to deliver their gifts) is used. Sinterklaas has a long white beard, holds a long gold colored staff with a fancy curled top in his hand, and carries a big book with all the children's names in it, and whether they have been good or bad. He rides the roofs on a white horse. Each year in November Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat ''from Spain". Luna welcomes Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten to Doesburg, along with Opa Ben (row below).

Now that the girls of K3 have found a new group member, they are touring the country again, giving the Sent clan a fun afternoon (row above and left). In fact, Lior has so much fun that he falls asleep in the chair at home afterwards (right).

The petting zoo continues to be one of the favorite destinations of Luna and Lior. One wonders, though, whether they like it so much because of the animals or because of the drinks & chips (left).

And then there are fun play instruments on the premises of the petting zoo (right). Indeed, not that many animals are petted by Luna and Lior at the petting zoo!

When Tante Daan celebrates her birthday, Luna and Lior give the shoes of Tante Daan and Ome Niels a try (far left). Since these are way too big for their tiny feet, they prefer to get carried (middle left).

Our lucky duo gets to enjoy giant "stroopwafels". This a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle. They were first made in Gouda in the Netherlands, in 1784. Large versions are sold in the streets as a snack, as you can see here (right)!

With full tummies, they wait to welcome Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten to Bilthoven (left).

And what a surprise, two Zwarte Pieten come over to the house of Tante Daan and Ome Niels (right). Better yet, they bring presents and candies!

Ome Niels is a trumpet player, much to the delight of Lior and Luna, who also get to give one of his trumpets a try (left). They do amazingly well, making lots of noise.

Traditionally, in the weeks between the arrival of Sinterklaas and the 5th of December, before going to bed, children leave a carrot in a shoe as well as some water for Sinterklaas's horse, sing a Sinterklaas song, and will find a present in the shoe the next day. Luna and Lior love this Dutch tradition(right)! While Luna and Lior are asleep, Zwarte Piet sneaks into the house and leaves presents their shoes. The next morning, they are very excited about the small presents that they got.

Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten also visit mom's work. Oma Alie is happy to come along to enjoy the wonderful show, but Luna and Lior seem less excited about the long wait (left).

Oh my goodness, is it ever a long wait (right). In the end, though, it turns out to be well worth it.

Lior hops on the dance floor with Oma Alie (far left), while Luna dances all by herself (middle left).

Sinterklaas also brings presents to papa's house in Apeldoorn (row below).

And when Sinterklaas has finally left the country, it is time to celebrate Luna's birthday with the girls from her school. Luna throws a real princess party (middle right) and mom seems most excited about it (far right).

The party starts with pancakes, baked by Oma Naatje (left). And, boy, these girls sure are hungry! Mom is glad to have the help of Luna's grandparents with the party.

Esther-Mirjam was very excited to find real princess "champagne" in the store (far right), but the kids find the children's cola much better tasting (middle right).

The games that Oma Alie helped prepare were not a great hit (far left). Of course, this has nothing to do with Oma Alie, but all with the other distractions, including mom's iPhone (middle left).

Designing real princess crowns is much more to the girls' liking, and they parade proudly with the results (right).

For a little break from the excitement inside, the girls climb into the garden play structure, where Opa Tano welcomes them with a bag of chips (left).

And the wonderful party ends with cakes decorated by the girls themselves (middle right). With the party over, Luna has lots of princess toys to enjoy (far right).

Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Five years old!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, how time has flown since little Luna made her first, early appearance on Planet Earth. She has grown into a happy, sweet girl, and Esther-Mirjam feels so blessed to be Luna's proud mom. To celebrate this, the house is decorated for the birthday party for Luna's relatives, joined by mom's friend Michelle (right).

Luna's guests are treated to a delicious birthday cake decorated with five candles (left).

With so many candles, it takes our birthday girl a little while to blow out all of them (right).

While Luna's relatives are engaged in conversations that do not interest our Moon Child, she entertains herself by taking pictures with her new camera (far left). Indeed, our lucky girl receives lots of wonderful gifts (middle left).