The Very Serious Work of Clown Doctors

On Sunday we spent the most spectacular Autumn day at Luna Park. We were thrilled to be guests invited to celebrate Smile Day, which is the Clown Doctors national fundraising day. 


The Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund is a founding partner of the Clown Doctors, which was founded in 1999. They invited families to join forces for a really special day, and to help raise money for such a brilliant cause.

In case you didn't know - Clown Doctors play a significant role in children's hospitals around the country bringing laughter and joy to sick and injured children by parodying the hospital routine, while simultaneously offering respite for families and playing an integral part in the healing process.

And seeing them interacting with the kids on Sunday, and imagining the joy they must bring sick and scared kids in hospital - it made me more than a bit teary. They have a gift making kids giddy with laughter - and the health benefits that come from humour? Incredible! 

You can find out about sponsoring a Clown Doctor here. 

Or learn more about fun-raising here. 

And it's not just kids that are getting all the giggles. Now Clown Doctors are working with elderly people, bringing laughter and improving quality of life to those living with dementia or depression in aged care. That's pretty darn awesome I say. 

They touch the lives of a massive 100,000 people per year. They are in all major children's hospitals in Australia - and aim to have Clown Doctors doing the rounds seven days a week. 

Pretty darn inspiring. As a mum, I find it pretty heartening to see these amazing people investing themselves in lifting the spirits of others - and truly love their work (now how often do you honestly get to say that to someone?). 

Carousel Dreams: Ended By A Mean Carnie

See that top photo. My goodness. Tiny is hilaire. Seriously. Look at her face! I left her for one moment and she was horrified to be riding the ponies by herself. But holding her around the waist was not enough. So I sat on the back of her pony, and together we were going to gallop through green open fields, our horsie eating oaten hay, basking in the sunshine, trotting 'round the lakes, or even just going 'round and 'round in circles on the Carousel.

You see, I don't ever remember going on such a lavish Carousel. Look how pretty it is.

When Matt and I went to Paris - about two hundred light years ago - we visited Montmartre, and the darn Carousel was closed down for repairs. I mean, dudes - I want to ride the Carousel. I want some Amelie action. But it was not to be. *Cue Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness*

Saturday at Luna Park. It was bound to be different. Vive la difference!

So there we were, ready to ride, and the carny comes around to do his last check before sending us on our ride - and then the damn man told me that I couldn't ride with Tiny. That I had to stand next to her. That this was a one person pony ride. Clearly he didn't get the fact that Tiny is called Tiny for a reason - she's a featherweight.

Thanks carnie. For taking my dreams. Smashing them to the ground, then stomping on them. Then letting your mongrel dog pee on them. Thanks for nothing punk.

3-2-1: Welcome To The Weekend

We were relaxing into the weekend. Enjoying a wee sleep-in. And then were rudely awoken by a small child who thinks lipstick, bright red lipstick, all over her hands is a fab idea (note to all 2.5 year olds: it's not). Then spend half an hour removing the aptly named 'Stop Traffic'. It certainly did just that.

Saturday afternoon and we headed to Luna Park in the afternoon. I've never been. Not in the ten + years I've lived in Sydney. Clearly the smalls hadn't been either (unless they'd been sneaking out late to go ride the ferris wheel).

We didn't tell the smalls 'til half way there, and then they were excited. Well mainly the Doctor because Tiny wasn't in the Luna Park loop.

We only bought four tickets (Luna Park is not the most budget friendly activity), so we could ride the ferris wheel together and watch the sunset. We climbed into the cage and rode 'round and 'round, admiring the pretty city - while the Doctor and I clung to each other. We are two little fraidy cats.

We scored two bonus tickets and rode the carousel - which I have to say - is the most charming ride of all. Except for the fact I got booted off. Yeah thanks to the carny for that.