All of my children put their shoes under the Christmas tree to be filled with gifts from St. Nicholas. Tradition calls for chocolate coins! Everything else is a surprise. Well, Anthony doesn't have any shoes, yet. He's still in socks, but he got a few baby treats.
While they colored pictures of St. Nicholas from Paper Dali , I made St. Nicholas pancakes for breakfast.
These are a first for us, but I really wanted to suprise my children with these special pancakes for the Feast of St. Nicholas.
There are several places to find a "recipe" for Santa pancakes, but I used our regular pancake recipe. Cherry pie filling to shape the hat and one for the nose, sliced banana eyes and around the pancake for the sideburns and beard. Of course, the whipping cream for the finishing touches.
Even though I'm slow posting, St. Nicholas did visit our home.
Today, we celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas. The activity actually started late last night, after I returned home from shopping for treats and gifts to put inside the shoes of our children and even my hubby.
Our oldest three put ALL of their shoes outside their bedroom door. After asking them to choose ONE pair, I announced, "Time for bed. Tomorrow is St. Nicholas' Feast Day!"
We have always told them St. Nicholas is the real Santa Claus. However, they are never to spoil it for another child by sharing this knowledge. I've explained that is for each family to decide.
We spend the week of St. Nicholas' feast learning about him. I've created our own lessons and also used what's available online........which always include that he lived over 1600 years ago.
This morning, there was an unexpected lesson. Somehow, our children, especially Nathan, believed that St. Nicholas was delivering the chocolate coins, toys, and other treats found in their shoes each December 6.
Nathan asked, "How does St. Nicholas get into our house to leave the gifts?"
At first, I sorta giggled because I thought he was playing. That was until I saw his serious big brown eyes looking at me for a response with a bit of sadness in them. I looked over at Nicholas, my 11yo, and his eyes also seemed serious and a little sad.
Ouch! I spoiled something.
It was a bit bewildering because after returning from shopping last night we were talking about the surprises *I* had in the shopping bags for St. Nicholas Day. Also, Robert and I have never told them that it is St. Nicholas who actually comes to our house, but us.
Needless to say, we all sat down and talked about how these gifts are left in the spirit of St. Nicholas. This feast day is special because everyone gives in secret without expecting anything in return. Yes, I know Christmas is the same way when it comes to our children, but to most of the world, giving includes getting.
I believe Our Lord helped me to find the perfect words for my children.
Not knowing as Our Lord did that a life lesson was to come, we went on with our day to enjoy baking and decorating Speculaas cookies. In our home, they are called "St. Nicholas Cookies".
We also made St. Nicholas figures.
As if this isn't long enough, I wanted to share what happened today while out running errands.
My children asked to stop for fries at a fast food place. While waiting in the drive-thru, I noticed a woman with children walking in the cold, wet weather pushing a stroller. My heart went out to her. When I pulled forward to pay for my order, I saw her at the counter inside the fast food place. I told the cashier I wanted to pay for their meal.
It wasn't planned, but I noticed my children, who are usually fighting in the backseat chattering up a storm, became very quiet. After the cashier explained to the woman her meal had been taken care of, she came and told me the women was trying to see me, but couldn't because of the angle. I told the cashier that she doesn't know me, but tell her "MERRY CHRISTMAS", then I drove off.
Afterward, I realized the impact this had on my children. It was the most beautiful, unplanned lesson in giving in the spirit of St. Nicholas that could have ever happened. My children experienced exactly what I had told them St. Nicholas Day is all about. To give expecting nothing in return.
Thank you, Lord, for this day. 
Happy Feast of St. Nicholas to everyone!
