Bright blue sky, pelicans gliding by in the still river, the sound of Thomas, Daniel and Bryan preparing breakfast on the terrace. I can hear that the boys agree that I should have the chair with arm rest and two cushions, which is a privilege only for the very lukcy - and lucky indeed I felt on this morning of my 38th birthday.

And that even though I missed out on the first part of my birthday song as I had to run to the bathroom. In the meantime the boys went into the bedroom and started singing, only to find out that I was not there ('Hey, where is mommy?') - I'm sure Jonathan enjoyed the singing, he was all smiles when I came in for the rest of my song that was accompanied by both Australian and Danish flags.

Bryan gave me the best gift I could ask for: two and half hours of free time to browse the beach shops without the ticking bomb named Jonathan in the stroller. A treat that I enjoyed immensely, and after which Bryan and Jonathan met me for lunch at 'our' surf club, the restaurant with the best view in town and affordable prices - just the way I like it.

After picking up the boys from school, we packed everything for a picnic on Gympie Terrace, a place that has everything to offer a 38 year old birthday girl; small parrots flying from tree to tree, a big table right between the little beach and the playground, a good wind to keep the mosquitoes away (but hold on to your drinks and plates so they don't end up in your lap!) and of course the good company of my own 4 boys and our new Canadian friends, Naomi and Mickey and their big-brown-eyed kids Jonah and Jaffa. Bryan cooked dinner on one of the electric and ready-to-use barbecues that are everywhere here in the area. Dessert was my favorite cookies from Subway with sparklers that were lit thanks to the effort of 4 full grown men (the wind made it a little difficult).

A wonderful family, good friends and great food - I feel like the luckiest 38 year old in the world