penny pally wonky donkey

Arlo got a surprise package from his pen pal Jordie today. It was very exciting for all of us.

Jordie lives with his Mum, Dad & little sister Tildy all the way over in Melbourne. I tried to explain 'Australia' to Arlo before we opened the parcel and the concept of having a 'pen pal' but he was too focussed on getting into the goodies.

When we got it open there was a wrapped present and a letter and Arlo insisted the letter got opened first, which was quite a surprise. Jordie told him all about his life in Melbourne and how it's Autumn over there, he told him about the winter veggies he's just helped his Mum plant in the garden and told him about how boring he finds supermarket shopping.

It was a brilliant letter. And then - the presents! 3 Aussie books. 'Happy and You Know It...The Aussie Edition' was jammed full of animals Arlo had never heard of. 'There was an Old Bloke who swallowed a Chook' which was a twist on the familiar old lady who swallowed a fly, but he eats a chook, a possum, a gulah - even a UTE. Very funny and then the book Arlo's reading here - 'Wonky Donkey'. A very funny tale about an unfortunate looking and smelling donkey.

With 3 exciting new books to read before bed, there was lots of bribing material at my fingertips so off he trotted to clean his teeth with no fuss at all.

We're already looking forward to putting our reply together.