When mama has a conference in Rome, Luna and Lior spend time with Opa Ben and Oma Alie in Doesburg. They enjoy the company of Opa Ben (row above) as well as that of each other (left and right).

Lior does his best entertaining Opa Ben and Oma Alie from his playpen (left). Meanwhile, mama really misses the company of her little jokester!

Mama is a little worried by the fact that Lior is eating his bib (middle right). Is he getting enough to eat? Meanwhile, Lior has fun taking a shower instead of the bath he enjoys in his own home (far right).

Saint Nicholas' eve is celebrated in the Netherlands on December 5. It is the present-giving occasion in the Netherlands (after birthdays). Sinterklaas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colorful Moorish dresses, called "Zwarte Pieten" (black Petes). Their blackness may have been inspired by black slaves, but today the more politically correct explanation that their faces are "black from soot" (as they have to climb through chimneys to deliver their gifts) is used. Sinterklaas has a long white beard, holds a long gold colored staff with a fancy curled top in his hand, and carries a big book with all the children's names in it, and whether they have been good or bad. He rides the roofs on a white horse. Each year in November Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat ''from Spain".

It is that time of the year again, Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten are back in the Netherlands. Luna and Lior climb into their bycicle seat (far left) and watch Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten arrive by boat (middle left).

Luna watches the arrival of Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten while being carried by Opa Tano (middle right), while Lior wonders what the fuss is all about in the arms of Oma Naatje (far right).

One of the nice things about the arrival of Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten in Spijk is that there are relatively few children, making it easy for Luna and Lior to get very close to the Goedheiligman (left).

Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten next go over to the city center at Spijk, where the children get treated to lots of goodies (middle right). These distract Lior for long enough to for him to get pictured wearing a Zwarte Pieten hat (far right).

The Zwarte Pieten have a problem, which is that they ate too many goodies. Luna and Lior observe them as they deal with this problem (far left). When mama is called on stage to sing a Sinterklaas song, she is relieved that Luna decides to join her in the singing. Our big sister and little brother help make a birthday cake for Sinterklaas, who celebrates his birthday on December 5 (middle left).

Though a little apprehensive, Luna agrees to have her picture taken while sitting on Sinterklaas' lap (middle right). After a fun-filled afternoon, Lior falls asleep in his bicycle seat on the way back to Opa Tano and Oma Naatje's home (far right).

This is vintage Lior (row below). Our little jokester loves life and in the process gives much joy to those who are lucky to be able to get to spend time with our young man.

Having a bath is one of Lior's favorite activities (row above). That is, he is not crazy about having his hair washed! After the bath, he plays peek-a-boo with his towel (left) and turns serious when it comes to brushing his teeth (right).

Here is another illustration of Lior enjoying life and entertaining his mom (row below). This time, he plays peek-a-boo with a hat.

Meals at the Sent home are always lots of fun. Luna plays peek-a-boo with her hands (row above, left) and Lior follows her example (row above, right). When showing his face, he says: "Een, twee, ta-ta" (row above, middle), much to the joy of his sister (left and right).

Might our young man have special artistic talents (right)? For now, the process of drawing seems to interest him more than the product of his efforts.

Though almost twenty months old, Lior still gets a bottle before going to sleep (left). He enjoys this quiet time so much that mom is reluctant to give it up. Or could it be that she enjoys it even more than her young son?

Following his big sister's example, Lior pushes the chair to the sink and starts playing with the water (right). He is making such great progress with a variety of skills.

Eating continues to be one of Lior's favorite activities (left). That is, he does seem to be eating a little less than he used to, but he continues to look very healthy.

Thanks to papa's generous gift, Lior gets to have fun on his rocking horse (right). How can one not share a big smile with this sweet boy?

One of the joys of growing bigger, is that one's big sister does not seem so big anymore (row below). Whenever she gives him a big hug, she has to prepare herself for a very big return-hug.

The only problem with all this fun, is that it is sure exhausting (row below, left). Even Luna's sweet kiss cannot keep our young man awake (row below, middle). When he falls asleep at the table, Lior gets to take a little nap while covered in a warm blanket (row below, right).

Nightly Adventures

It has been a rough month for the Sent family, with fall bugs making their way into the members' bodies. One night topped it all. Just as mom was about to take a shower, Luna called her. The poor girl had thrown up all over herself. Esther-Mirjam dressed her into clean pyjamas, changed the sheets, and put her into mom's bed. Just after mom got out of the shower, Luna called her again. The poor girl had thrown up again. Esther-Mirjam dressed her into clean pyjamas, changed the sheets, and put her back into mom's bed. Just as mom was about to go to bed herself, Lior called her. The poor boy had thrown up all over himself. Esther-Mirjam dressed him into clean pyjamas, changed the sheets, and put him into mom's bed. It took the Sent clan a long time to fall asleep. About an hour later, Luna called mom. The poor girl had yet again thrown up all over herself. And as Luna was throwing up, Lior also started throwing up all over himself. Mom dressed them into clean pyjamas, changed the sheets, and tried to fall asleep again with Lior next to her and Luna on the other side of the bed. A few hours later, mom woke up to do the fourth load of laundry, and noticed that Luna was now sleeping next to her and Lior on the other side of the bed. She was just grateful that they were both sound asleep. Indeed, sleep has been a scarce commodity over the past month. One night Luna wakes herself up coughing and feverish and the next night it is Lior's turn. Fortunately, it seems that the Sent family has finally built up the required resistance. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Twenty months old!

Lior celebrates his twentieth month day at the "pepernotencircus" (row below). Intrigued by Sinterklaas, the Zwarte Pieten, and the circus acts, he watches the show from the comfort of Opa Ben's lap.