The Gathering

Zia Richetta's visit to Australia was celebrated on a grand scale at a family gathering in mid March. Her sister Zia Angela kindly hosted the event, which is difficult to describe to the uninitiated. Suffice it to say that a very very large number of family members warmly and enthusiastically enjoyed each other's company. We munched, nattered and wrestled our way through the afternoon departing with full stomachs and glad hearts.

Gormet delacies were spread across the billard table - come buffet - each carefully hand-made. Gabriel and workers put in the hard yards on the spit roaster delivering us a wonderful roast. Special mention must also go to Molly and her yo-yo biscuits that barely made it to the table before being munched out of thier container. Need she say that Aunty Alison is expecting great things when we welcome you back to our home this October!!!

Tor and a very large number of other children had a great time skidding off old tricycles, climbing around a wooden castle and wrestling in the lounge.

And Zia Richetta? Well she never looks a day older! Thanks for a great day Zia Angela and everyone.

Little fire-bird

We visited the Zoo one day and were eager participants at story-time...in fact we were the only participants. No to be put off, we begged the reluctant story-tellers to proceed in telling their Indonesian tale of the fire-bird and water-bird. Our little actor proved to be a very enthusiastic fire-bird, producing both a person and an orangutan from his 'cooking pot'. The story made such an impression that he later painted it in a stencil sequence now hung in his bedroom. Many thanks to the patient staff at Melbourne Zoo!

Minnamurra moments

We visited Grandma in Wollongong for a refreshing long weekend in March. The surf was up and the toy-box poised for action - so both boys had a wonderful time. Alison enjoyed catching up with her mum Liane and was delighted to discover that the dynamic duo were open to bushwalking at Minnamurra falls.

Tor's bushwalking legs are coming along - under protest. And so we've discovered the value of a pocket of reward lollies stuffed into the backpack! The only downside to this parental management strategy is that he now solemnly believes he is due a lolly should he spot a waterfall, creek or other free flowing acquatic feature.

For Tor, the weekend's highlights included checking Grandma's mailbox which features a winning 2-way viewing design. And of course there were the cup-cakes. Grandma is a dab hand with the hundreds and thousands and is suprising skilled at facilitating the exercise alongside a three year old bent on 'sprinking' the floor.

Thanks for a fab weekend mum!