The fireworks are on, I can hear the music coming from all sides around my house. People are having fun and probably starting their welcoming rituals for the new year.
IThis is the day of the year when I miss my family the most. Los pasteles, the corn patties, empanadas and the parties. The preparations to go out and enjoy the festivities with friends and cousins.

It seems like a lot but keep in mind that most of the above itemss listed were small.

What took us the parents by surprise was the enthusiasm with which the Angry Birds plush pillow was received by Nicolas; he's been carrying it around since he discovered it, the Kindle Fire and the last minute present containing a simple boombox with a special feature _USB plug- of being able to plug in a memory stick/mp3 player and that can also play CD-RW's. Jason loves that little boombox because now he doesn't have to cut music onto a permanent CD-R unless he wants to make the tunes permanent.

From the neigbor's, the military family, he received a LEGO game. We've played it already.