St. Nikolaus Day

December 6th is the day that Germany celebrates St. Nikolaus Day.  St. Nikolaus, originally from Turkey, is the saint of workers, children, and ...maybe schools?  I don't know.  He did a lot of good deeds in secret and was killed on December 6th.  December 5th the kids put out their shiny boots in hopes of fruit, candy, and maybe a small toy.  If they are bad, then they can expect to receive rocks or sticks.  The sticks are a "hint" to the parents to use them on their kids.  Subtle.  We forgot on the 5th. We are still new at this German stuff, but decided to try it and see if St. Nik, being a saint and all would stop by a day late for good kids.  He did!  The boys put out church shoes, at least those that were concerned about the smell of their regular shoes.  Hurray!  Nik pulled through and they got oranges, chocolate euro coins, and gummies.  But more importantly, they got an early preview of Christmas, their stocking may contain the same things.

Jag woke before Noah and was surprised to see treats in Noah's shoe because "he's been a little bit bad."  So he decided to do what St. Nik didn't and send a message to Noah. 

When Noah got up he didn't mention the potato.  Jag didn't mention it either.  When I asked him about it, he just said that he might have been a little bad.  Jag agreed, then I told Noah that Jaggy was the funny guy.  Noah was about to punch Jag, but then the potato reminded him that next year it could be from St. Nik himself, so he just pushed Jag.  I guess that is the "little bit" in the little bad. 

St. Nikolaus took time to stop at the kindergarten and rap on the window sending some kids bawling and running away, others cheering.  He ran off too quickly for Noah to really check him out, other than seeing his red suit, but he left a basket full of Nikolaus breads for the kids.  Nikolaus bread is this sweet bread shaped like santa, the Germans are total over achievers with this baking stuff.