We have a back yard lemon tree. It is now at the stage that it is producing heaps of lemons. We don’t use a lot of lemons but I’m still thrilled when I see it producing fruit.

There’s something special about being part of the process. I’m a hopeless gardener but I do water the tree and throw it some fertiliser. Pauline prunes it now and then. The kids enjoy collecting the lemons.

What is it about seeing ‘useless’ fruit develop that pushes my buttons?

It’s been a few years since we took the family right into the city to watch the Australia Day fireworks. We braved it this year.

The fireworks were wonderful with lots of pre-show entertainment. Unfortunately it got out of hand with a small percentage of the crowd and police had their hands full with a few full on brawls.

For the most part, and certainly where we were situated, it was a good family type atmosphere.

What stunned me was the level of patriotism. Aussies are usually very laid back and in the past I’ve seen most of the crowd sit or begrudgingly stand for the national anthem. This time it was different. Everyone got up on their feet and sang. There was a massive cheer when a huge Australian flag came past being towed by a helicopter. Throughout the evening people would spontaneously start chanting “Aussie Aussie Aussie – Oy Oy Oy …….” There were Australian flags everywhere in the crowd.

Could it be that Australians are finally realising what a great country we have?

A few days ago we were enjoying a picnic by in a wonderful park overlooking the river. Suddenly Emily screamed in pain. A bee had decided that it should leave its mark on her arm.

We immediately put ice on her arm which helped greatly but the wound still came up in a red, hot lump.

I was wondering when the last time was that I got stung by a bee. Years and years ago I thought. That was until I was cycling home yesterday afternoon. A bee slammed straight into my sunnies and then dropped onto my arm and struck. OUCH!

Now I have a largish red, sore patch on my arm too.

If your kids are fans of Pingu you may choose not to let them play this game.

Don’t blame me – it’s Leon’s fault.