Guus Bosman

Today Saint Nicholas arrived at the Dutch Embassy. This year we've been reading Sinterklaas books for a few weeks so Nora knows Sinterklaas and his helpers well.

We arrived a little early so we had plenty of time to look around. The Pieten arrived soon and I guess they liked Nora because they came back every few minutes to make sure she still had pepernoten. The bigger kids would store the pepernoten in their bags -- but Nora took just one at the time.

Like last year, Sinterklaas arrived on the balcony of the central hall of the embassy. It was nice to sing the old songs.

The little kids were then invited in the big room and soon all the two-year olds were called forward. Nora was very brave -- much braver than I think I was at that age -- and comfortably sat next to Sint Nicholas on the sofa. She gave him a big hug too.

Sinterklaas knew "dat Nora heel goed Bulgaars spreekt" and even knew about Meneer Prascho. She got a big present from Piet; a box with play dough.

The event is very well organized and we had a magical time.

Over the past 6 weeks I've been working on our deck. In July I fixed the lower part of the deck by replacing all the boards, but that wasn't really needed for the main deck. Nevertheless, there was a ton of work to do. I flipped over about 20 boards, power washed and sanded everything.

I took a day off on Thursday and applied the stain. It's an oil base stain (Armstrong Clark) and it was easy to apply. I started at 10.00 am and by 2.30 pm I was done.

We unexpectedly got some rain Thursday night but with an oil base stain that isn't as much as a problem and except for one or two minor spots that I'll redo, everything looks great.

I still need to finish the railing and balustrade, but at least the deck itself is ready for the winter now.

Today was my birthday, the 36th. A great day with a lot of love. We didn't have time in the morning so I there were presents in the evening, and then we went for dinner.

We went to Ray's the Steak, a very nice experience, and Nora enjoyed the New York strip with Black & Blue sauce. Such a richness, going out with two girls like these.

Thank you everybody, for all the phone calls, and emails, and Facebook and WhatsApp messages... it really made my day!

A few weeks ago I installed book shelves in our living room. Finally a place to put our books, and finally an opportunity to get a copy of some of my favorite Dutch books in print.

It's relatively easy to buy electronic Dutch books -- but for some of the great books it is great to have a physical copy.

The package with books included Hersenschimmen, De ontdekking van de hemel, Kruistocht in spijkerbroek -- a childhood favorite -- and De kellner en de levenden.

Also, the Dutch version of the Lord of the Rings. I have a "rule" for myself that I will read books only in their original language, but for Tolkien I make an exception. When I was little my father read The Hobbit and the Ring to me, in Dutch obviously, so Dutch it is.

The package also included several books I haven't read, so that will be fun for the next months and years.