The+countdown+begins

In a few short days I will be in Costa Rica. We have a VERY busy itinerary while we are there- some days we will be out the door at 5am for bird watching and one day it is 4 am!. Luckily I borrowed some good binoculars for it. I have a few things to still pack and I am trying to remember last minute notes for my substitute. I am the most interested in visiting the schools and The U.S. embassy in Costa Rica but I know everything will be great and very informative. I purchased a gift for the family I will be staying with. I tried to buy them something that is fun but practical and represents RI- I wound up getting a lighthouse with a christmas scene, dish towels with a decorative pattern, cookies and chocolates and a small belen which is a creche or manger scene- for Christmas- most Hispanic homes display them during La Navidad- in fact some belenes are extremely elaborate and in las plazas there are even life size belenes. I hope they like everything!

We will be visiting schools while we are in Costa Rica and I took many pictures of Cole, I will be bringing Cole bracelets and I bought stickers, crayons and notepads.