Guus Bosman

What a wonderful day. Nora was bouncing off the walls from excitement yesterday and this morning and finally, at 11.00 am, we left for the Embassy.

We were welcomed by four Pieten -- Nora immediately wanted to hug me and hid herself in my shoulders. But a minute later, after discussing the prospect of pepernoten, she gracefully accepted a handful of the Dutch cookies and we went inside.

The ceremony was the same as last year, and as always very well organized. Sinterklaas arrived, spoke a few words with the Ambassador and then made his way to the reception room. Nora went on stage with Sinterklaas all by herself and she had a long chat with the Goedheiligman. It's great to see how she isn't shy. She received a nice gift: a tractor and a Dutch book.