The Howl & Moon: christmas

December 23rd seems as good a day as any to go meet Santa on a steam locomotive. The adorable little train left from Hoorn to Medemblik, complete with old rail cars, where the jolly St Nick himself was handing out presents. It was even a gorgeous sunny day.

I was expecting some serious brownie points for this one, the way Hopper carries on about steam locomotives all day. The national rail ride out of Amsterdam Central proved almost the most fun as I think the anticipation of a locomotive is better than the real thing, his excitement splashing out in outbursts about what we could see from the windows and flashing me his most winning smiles. When we got there, I wheeled Hopper over to snap a quick photo before the whistle blew when the wind caught the steam and pushed it over him. Poor guy, he was yellin for mama to save him from the steam. Must've burst his little bubble something fierce.

From that point forward, there was some serious apprehension about actually being on the train as opposed to being able to watch it. He wasn't happy with our seat and was being fussy about drinking some juice. So that when Santa actually boarded the train, much to my excitement, Hopper just stared in amazement and distrust. Do right, I thought, probably best to regard strangers dressed in crazy outfits as the lunatics they are, but come on! Santa is the nicest man on Earth!

We hobbled out of the train with the stroller and ever-present bag and managed to get in line with the other kids and parents. Santa was a real gem (he even helped us load our stuff back onto the train) and I was pleased Hopper didn't cry (though insisted I hold him). He scored a cute tractor which of course made him very happy and as soon as we got back on the train he was all excited about Santa and his present was all he could talk about. He was so into the tractor that he had zero interest for the poffertjes (delicious buttery powdered sugar mini-pancakes) mama bought at the little Christmas village. More for mama then.

Here's something I've learned about toddlers at his age, sometimes the fantasy is better than the reality and the experience of something can be better enjoyed through the memory of it.

mama's smitten

thanks to lovely woman who took photos for me

no he doesn't want a book, he likes trucks please. thanks for asking Mrs Claus!

Thanks Santa!

meh (but that powdered sugar looks fantastic)

our steam over the fields

total admiration, just IN there

he was more excited to sit here than in the actual rail car

Christmas is always a particularly hard time to be away from the US, where it's a big affair with many gatherings with family and friends. And oh the gluttony! Where the trees are big and the ground usually twinkling white, it's a big deal and I really LOVE it. My favorite memories are being at Aunt Barb and Uncle Jim's house, with the whole family gathered, eating to complaining point, playing cards, telling jokes and talking smack with various friends and family stopping in for hugs and a bit of Aunt Sue's homemade pumpkin pie. Perhaps I've become hopelessly romantic about it, especially as those days are Christmas past, but it's just not the same here in Holland. I love the shopping and the carols. (Thanks Nik for putting up with me listening to Christmas radio for 4 weeks!) I love the snow and the cheery glow and the plans to run around and try to see everyone. Though the Dutch have, in general, adapted a bit more festive cheer over the years, I find it anti-climactic. The lack of total commercial smack-down is somewhat refreshing but the emotional build up just isn't there. However, now that I have a family of my own, the exciting part is creating new traditions and making it whatever we want.

It was definitely more magical this year, there's nothing like a child to instill a sense of wonder back into your life. Hopper is finally at an age when he can understand that it's a special day with all sorts of little rituals that mean something even to his tiny toddler brain.

It started with decorating the tree. Every year we make our own ornaments, this year we wrapped foam balls with left over kimono fabric that Susken used in Kamiyama to make her 'stones'. (I also made our stockings, thanks Susken!) Of course Hopper was throwing the supplies around but did take some delight in hanging them from the tree, if not to be toyed with and hung over and over. He then spent weeks singing Jingle Bells which is his favorite carol, the best bit being 'one-horse open sleigh'. He would often incite me with 'Mama sing it!' while out riding the bike. Perhaps there have been more than a few people who didn't see that I had a toddler on the back of the bike, just a carolin' along, singing to myself.

He continuously talked about Santa and of course distinguishing the difference between Sinter Klas (the Dutch dude who comes from Spain in Nov and delivers toys to kids' shoes on Dec5, who by the way, looks a lot like Santa) and Santa Claus/Father Christmas. He would ask, "Is Santa coming?" and we would say yes. And he would ask "Is Santa bringing presents?" and we would say yes. And he'd say "I want presents in here right now...ok?" (the toy shop on the corner, which is a daily internal struggle for him to see all the toys and not get something, a lesson in restraint for sure) and we would say "Santa will bring you presents in x days". And on it went, our very own live countdown advent calendar. And of course we'd have to talk about the reindeer and how they poopoos.

The only good part about being away from family is the arrival of boxes from afar!!! Our tree looked glorious with unknown goodies cluttered under the tree. There's always something so magical about the light and the glittering of the myriad colors of wrapping paper. As a kid, I would sometimes wake up earlier than anyone else and nestle myself amongst the presents and bask in the glow. To this day, I still delight in the completeness of a tree hugged by many a thoughtful gift. It's almost better than opening them. So a thousand thanks to loved ones who sent things. To see Hopper's little awe-struck face was priceless. He was even a good present expeditor, asking who it was for, handing it over, and actually letting us open our own gifts. What a guy!

Here's to hoping you all had a lovely Christmas!!!