As a Mum whose eldest has ‘had a little chat’ with me this year about Father Christmas, this clip particularly struck a chord!

If you are fortunate enough to be somewhere they celebrate Reyes, enjoy the ‘cabalgatas’ and don’t forget your shoes on the balcony.

¡Felices Reyes!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noH51NPI9C4&hl=en&fs=1]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-u54LFG_m0&hl=en&fs=1]

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }

Redhill @ New Year, originally uploaded by lisibo.

from my little ‘reyes magos’ Isaac and Jude. They seem to have lost their mate – perhaps he’s feeding the camels??

(I know – the picture that’s used as the screenshot of this clip is bizarre!)

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }

Puerta de Sol, originally uploaded by lisibo.

Having visited Madrid in November, I have now stood in the Puerta de Sol, in front of this clock which will be the focus of festivitis in Spain much as Big Ben is in England. The square will be full of the level of chatter and hubbub that only Spaniards can produce – oh to be there! Hopefully I’ll find it online somewhere!! Got my grapes ready…

28th December is el Día de los Santo Inocentes in Spain (and other Hispanic countries – found a clip from Venezuela too) – their equivalent of April Fool’s Day. I think it’s a great time of year to have a day of practical jokes as it’s in that awkward ‘lull’ period between Christmas and New Year, and also as it’s the time when people are visiting relatives and friends so gives much more scope for ‘inocentadas’ or jokes.

Have a look at this description of the day and for some ideas, check out this site which offers suggestions of jokes you might like to play! Here’s another list of suggestions – one of which involves salt to make people think you have dandruff!!

Other ‘bromas’ might include some of the following-
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrif_HHU36U&hl=en&fs=1]

And here’s a clip from The Simpsons where Bart plays a joke on Homer – (sorry video quality is poor – Twentieth Century Fox have had most clips removed!!)

That’s a bit extreme I guess!

This Christmas is going to be different in my family as my Dad is not here to share it with us, and I have to say that I haven’t really entered into the whole Christmas thing this year with the gusto I usually do. I’ve not sent any Christmas cards and don’t really feel as I normally do at this time of year, a time that I usually adore. Being ill last week didn’t really help I guess.

However, when it all boils down, this is what Christmas is all about for me – the celebration of the birth of Jesus (whenever it actually took place). And, because of Him, I believe I will one day see my Dad again.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas xxx

Yesterday saw the biggest lottery of the year – El Gordo (the Fat One) – in Spain. As far as I know – and I think I would know – my Aunt didn’t win and nor did anyone else I know, but I still like to check it out as it is drawn and called in such a quaint way with children singing the numbers and prizes.

As The Guardian reports;

The Fat One showered €2.15bn (£2.02bn) in prize money across the country. It brought tears of relief to some winners and champagne-soaked pledges to pay off mortgages and meet debts from others.

The world’s biggest lottery payout has ushered in the Spanish Christmas season for almost two centuries since it was first drawn in 1812.

Rarely has the prize money, spread among tens of thousands of people, been so eagerly welcomed. “Everybody says they are going to use it to get themselves out of problems,” said Madrid lottery seller Rosario Rueda.

So, congratulations to the winners, and to the losers…there’s always next year.

Reception loved this song this week, and were all bopping along so for your delight and delectation, here’s Feliz Navidad accompanied by the film Rudolph.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GsfJzbI1O0&hl=en&fs=1]

A rather amusing song about the progress of social networking! Rather tongue in cheek I feel!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYP-wBaqQAI&hl=en&fs=1]

You can check out the French translation and the lyrics by going to Ben Walker’s site.

NB I know it’s been around since August, but I’ve only just found it and it amused me in my bunged up state so indulge me 😉