Life is a box of chocolates

(to steal a few words from Forrest Gump) but its true you never know what you will get and that is part of the fun.

Today I turned 40 and while I don't feel that age (they say 40 is the new 30 and that seems more the way I am feeling) I have now hit that number (and that it all it is a number and according to my little sister, Merran who is only 35 a BIG number). It is a time to reflect on life, what I have done, achieved and want to reach for in the future. Let me share a little bit with you.

I have a wonderful family particularly since Mario came into our lives. I had 15 or more years with just Peter and myself but now with the joy of a little person who thinks parties are just "lollilops" and "nemonade" and takes simple pleasure in playing with trucks and cars and zooming around on his bike and looking at books and playing with play dough and chasing poor Charlie around and around it is truly the best thing ever and I can't find the words to describe it. You don't need a million dollars (but sometimes it would be nice) just the love of family and a child.

In addition to my immediate family of Peter and Mario I have wonderful loving parents, two awesome sisters and their partners and the cutest adorable and loving niece and nephews. We grew up quite close and now that we have our own families know how important it is that the cousins are also close and have a fun relationship. After 40 years we have plenty of stories but they are for chats over the dinner table with some wine and food.... especially dessert!

From there I have some friends who I feel honoured to have and who I would do anything for, and them for me. Some of us have been friends since I was 7 (and when you are 40 that is a long time ago!), others since 11 when we moved towns, some truly wonderful ones since I was 18 and at uni and more others in recent times. We have all done some great things together - but we have also had our moments. Too many stories to share - we need a bottle of wine and a BBQ chook for that one.

I am happy with what I have done with my life up to this moment but there are still things to do and achieve so it is not all over and hey I am only 40. There are plans for more travel - Australia is a big place but so is the rest of the world, to make sure I enjoy my work, write a book, learn to play golf, to give all that I can to Mario to help him oneday write about how great it is to be 40, to spend time with family especially my dear husband and .... maybe oneday even go parachuting!!

Life really is wonderful and a true blessing to have all that I have around me. And now ... lets enjoy that box of chocolates!!

The Petting Zoo

The Petting Zoo came to play and learn this week. Those poor animals somehow survived the excitement of a group of 2-4 year olds pulling pigs tails, roughing up bantam hens, poking baby chicks, chasing ducks, and pulling and prodding lambs and goats. The animals may all need counselling now but the children had the best time you can imagine.

The smiles and the laughter in amongst all that so called gentle patting was magical and really brought out a new side to some of the children. As you can see Mario is being held quite firmly by Peter to prevent some over excited "patting".

Mario thought it was just awesome as he chased the ducks around and around and around and around.

Children and animals ... what a wonderful combination!! What a wonderful experience!!