JACK NICHOLSON DAY

Yesterday evening Art suddenly sat up straight in his seat and said 'You forgot Jack Nicholas Day.'

'I forgot who day?'  I had no idea what he was talking about.

'Jack Nicholas.'

'Do you mean Jack Nicholson?' I suggested

'Yeah, you forgot Jack Nicholson Day.'

'Huh?' Now I was really confused.

'You forgot last year and you forgot again this year.' he scolded.

'I'm lost, what is Jack Nicholson Day?'

'Isn't he the guy who played The Joker in Batman?' Zack joined in.

'Yeah...' I confirmed, excited that we were finally getting somewhere.

'No, that guy with the candy in the radioactive fungi shoes...' Art corrected.

And then it dawned on me... Saint Nicholai Day!  I had forgotten Saint Nicholai Day for the third year in a row. 

We learned of the little tradition while in Ansbach, Germany.  The children set out their shoes on the eve of December 6th, and later Saint Nicholai comes through while the children are fast asleep and fills the shoes with candies and other treats.  Our German neighbors spoiled the boys while we were there and I carried on the tradition even after returning to the states.  Now here we are, years later... and my teenagers are still expecting for their shoes to be filled with candy on December 6th.

Just at that moment Becca came out of the bathroom with a look of accusation on her face.

'Hey, I just remembered that you forgot Jack Nicholas Day!' she accused.

Personally I think the Oompas are goofy.  I've smelled their shoes and I for onewould never be so desperate as to eat anything that had been inside of them!  But since it means that much to them, we will celebrate Jack Nicholson Day this year, late as usual... stinky shoes and all.