A day with the veggies

... For Don, that is. I'm just planting the capsicum and eggplant and getting snap happy! Don is setting up a watering system so that when we're away we can just leave it going on a timer. Every bed is full at the moment - it's lovely! The two weeks of around 40degC weather did seem to stop most things fruiting, except the zucchini - we have three varieties: green, grey and yellow!

Corn, zucchini, potato, pumpkin, carrots, onion, leek, celery, beetroot, eggplant, capsicum, tomato, spinach, chilli, violet bush beans, pak choi, asparagus. Phew!

More Wasps nests

This one was found discarded in the back yard. So thin and papery, you would expect it to be quite delicate, but it is surprisingly tough.

Now you see it, now you don't

I discovered a wasp digging mud in the yard. I was interested in how it's hole had a lid, and after it had dug down a little way it started to dig sideways.



I came back after a few minutes, hoping to get a better photo, and discovered it had closed the lid! It took me ages to find it (you can see why).

Breathe again

The last fortnight has been uncharacteristically hectic. Thankfully I can relax now. And breathe again!

We have had a few fun moments, though:

Pretending to mow with the dog.

Seeing a certain boy determined to master writing the number 8.

Pondering the different personalities of dogs. (This one is my sister's dog, and he likes everything to be neat and comfortable!)

And enjoying seeing responsibility taken for a mess that was made. I did offer to do it for him for a sum of money, but he remembered when he had to pay me to finish tidying his room, and rather emphatically told me to step away from the wall!! :) [That tip is from 'Loving our kids on purpose' by Danny Silk - a highly recommended book if you want your parenting to be relaxed and fun.]

It's officially hot

35degC. The washing is dry before I've finished hanging out a load. Man, we need our trees to grow quickly, but I've discovered a nasty bug eating some of them... Grrr.

We have been sheltering inside. And my boy has decided to start drawing people. And very cute ones, I think.

Littlest chicken has also decided to start drawing (can't be left behind). Her people are heads with an extraordinary number of legs. V. cute!

Dogs, Family and Fashion (in no particular order)

I have neglected to tell you some of our biggest news lately - we have more family in town now! Very exciting. Don's brother and family moved here recently. I can't believe how many cousins the children have to play with now - I had none (within 1200km, that is)!

Ah, we do love our dog, Jack. He is on a chain still due to his leg healing from yet another operation... (ca-ching! $$). There is one thing I don't like, though - the holes he digs. And my question for the day is: what happens to the dirt from the hole?? Why is there a hole there with no sign of dirt to put back in?? It must be sprayed far and wide, I'm telling you.

And we're looking after Jack's brother, Noah, at the moment while my sister is away. He's a sweet little thing, and boy can he jump! And did I see there...

... Yes, I did. The latest fashion statement. Floral shorts over tracksuit pants. Ah, to be 3 again...

Top grooming tips

We sat in the shade (yes, it's getting rather hot) this afternoon and watched a bee grooming itself on one of the bikes.



The bee spent a great deal of time making sure it's antennae were clean and straight, and also that the fuzz on top of it's head was in order. Next each set of legs was properly rubbed over. Then there was a brief pause ("right, I think I'm ready to go now"), before launching off to the next flower.

On the topic of insects, I have been reading Gerald Durrell's My Family And Other Animals again. I have read some of the stories aloud to the children, too. Good stomach exercise - all that laughing!