Heather Bird Photography

December 6th is Saint Nicholas Day, a day celebrated in many European countries to remember St. Nicholas and his practice of bringing gifts to children.    Santa Claus, as we know him today, stems from these legends of St. Nicholas.

Growing up, on the eve of December 6th we would place our shoes out and would awake to candy or other small treats left in our shoes from St. Nick.    My mom is a kindergarten teacher at a Catholic school and continues this tradition for her students each year.   I typically hear of the events of this school day the day afterward and am therefore late on reminding my kids to put their shoes out.   I’ve missed a few years and most years we are more likely to celebrate on the 7th or the 8th.   But this year, my friend who wanted to start the tradition for her kids also, asked about it a few weeks ago.   I was reminded with plenty of time to prepare.

But with the hectic evenings of homework, baths and bedtime routines, I forgot again.  It wasn’t until late last night, many hours after my boys were in bed, that I remembered.   I didn’t tell them to put their shoes out nor did I remind them about why we celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas.   Part of the fun is gathering your shoes and setting them out, so I debated what to do.   We could have easily celebrated on the 7th again, but we have a sneaky guest in our house this time of year and he helped us all out.

Not only did our Elf, Peanuguskie, put out the boy’s shoes for them, but he also left us calendar very clearly telling us we forgot.     “Shoes” clearly marked on the 5th, “St. Nik” encircled on the 6th and a slightly snarky note that I am sure was meant for me, “you forgot.”

I awoke to Ricky calling for Nolan & Benny early this morning and then heard, “oh my gosh, mom needs to see this NOW!”   Candy canes and personalize snow globes filled my boy’s shoes.

The boys were so excited.   Before my cautious Ricky left for school he gathered all of the snowglobes and had me put them up high so they wouldn’t break.    A few hours into the morning Nolan begged me to get them down.  I handed him his with a warning, “be careful, they can break,” and grabbed my camera to take a few shots of Ricky and Benny’s globe.

As I was taking this shot of Benny with his “B,”  I simultaneously heard a gasp from Nolan and a crash.

The first thought that came to my mind was, “PLEASE don’t let it be Ricky’s.”    Ricky would have been devastated especially after his very specific instructions to keep them up high, not to mention that World War III might have occurred in my home when Ricky found out.    Thankfully, (as thankful as you can be when your little guy is so sad), Nolan broke his own snow globe.   Nolan handled it pretty well, but my heart broke when he kept asking me to fix it.   “Mommy, just get all the pieces and some tape, PLEASE.”   Luckily we were able to remove the “N” and he was happy enough to have that part.

Thanks to Peanuguskie for the reminder and a big thank you to St. Nick!
Love,
Heather