Beschuit met muisjes

Visiting newborn Sebas in Amsterdam and eating beschuit met muisjes, the Dutch treat that celebrates a baby's birth.

A piece of Dutch rusk with butter and blue-and-white sugar sprinkles on a polka-dotted napkin.

We spent the afternoon in Amsterdam visiting newborn Sebas. The above is what the Dutch serve to celebrate the birth of a baby. Can you imagine?

It's called "beschuit met muisjes" (pronunciation: bəˈsxœyt mɛt ˈmœyʃəs; literal translation: "biscuits with little mice"). It is toast with butter and sugared anise seeds – a tradition that goes back to the 17th century.

In Flanders, we celebrate the arrival of a newborn with "suikerbonen" or sugar beans, which are almonds covered in dark Belgian chocolate and coated with a thin, hard layer of sugar. M&Ms on steroids, if you will.