Sinterklaas arrived in Amsterdam today.  It's quite the event.  His steamboat chugs down the Amstel River, loudly blasting its smoke, steam, and sound into the city and into the hearts and minds of thousands of young Amsterdammers.  Eventually, he makes his way to the harbor, where he disembarks with his Zwarte Pieten (his helpers) and begins his journey by horseback, up from the harbor, through the streets of Amsterdam -- bringing a colorful parade with him and filling the hands, hoods, hats, and sacks of bystanders with pepernoten (small gingerbread cookies) and tai-tai (kind of like hardened circus peanuts) and small promotional items.

Elliot was extremely excited to participate in the Sinterklaas festivities this year.  As I mentioned, he has become thoroughly indoctrinated in the Dutch obsession with Sinterklaas, and never misses an opportunity to participate in (or create for himself) some good Sinterklaas fun.  The large crowds, loud noises, and whacky antics of the Zwarte Pieten used to spook him a little bit -- but not any more.  This year, he was flagging down the Pieten for more pepernoten, singing "Zie ginds komt de stoomboot" at the top of his lungs, and reveling in the fun of Sinterklaas' grand entrance to Amsterdam.  It's kind of fun to watch, actually.

We started with watching the steamboat voyage along the Nieuwe Herengracht, across from the Hortus Botanicus.  Amarys, a friend from our home group, joined us for the occasion; and we also happened to hook up with the Watkins family (who live in the neighborhood) to enjoy the event like one big happy family.

It was a beautiful morning -- especially considering that we're in the latter half of November -- and we had a great view of Sinterklaas waving from the bow of the ship.  Elliot, predictably, ate it all up.

Olivia enjoyed it, too.  She's already learned all the words to the first verse of "Zie ginds komt de stoomboot" herself!  So she had fun taking the experience all in...

...But probably not as much as Elliot (I love the picture below... the reflection in the windows of the Hortus Botanicus is really cool, and the framing of the picture -- which was taken by Marci -- somehow makes it seem like it was all Elliot and Sinterklaas, with not another soul in the world).

After the steamboat had passed, the kids enjoyed some dancing (the mix of Sinterklaas-spawned adrenaline and the sugar-buzz from a few pepernoten and tai-tai provides plenty of excess energy!).

After watching the steamship pass, we went back to our house for lunch.  And then after lunch, Elliot and I made our way to the Vijzelstraat, where we watched the parade come through so Elliot could see Sinterklaas on his horse.  There were, of course, plenty of Zwarte Pieten on hand as well.