When Miss M and I headed off to the supermarket early this morning, we could smell the smoke from the bushfires. All day the sky has looked like it’s going to rain, but not because of any kind of cloud. It’s nearly 9pm, and finally there’s a breeze and it’s cooled off from being 37 degrees (maybe even more). We braved the heat and went to a picnic this afternoon. We very nearly cancelled, owing to hysterical tears from Miss M, and general malaise from me, but I’m so glad we went. It was the most fun I’ve had in ages, especially considering I only drank two centimetres of wine, right at the end, and that was only because I’d been shot by two consecutive water pistols, and figured I needed a restorative.

One of my friends played Santa, and everyone took presents to be distributed to their children. Miss M realised who Santa was, and I later confessed to buying her the present myself. I was worried she might start putting two and two together, but as we got off the tram, we met another Santa who was going into the Terminus (possibly to have a few beers, that suit must be hot!). Santa smiled and said “I know you”, and I stupidly replied “Really? Who are you?”, as Miss M nudged me in the ribs and said in an embarrassed whisper “Mummy, that’s Santa!” And he looked a lot less convincing than Al had at the park.

So I’ve been to two parks today, played an insane game of Tiggy this morning, made water balloons, been hit with water balloons, Miss M and I drank 4.5 litres of water in a three hour space of time, and we blew bubbles as we waited for our tram home, while a certain girl went crazy trying to burst them all. All in all, a fine day.

Last night’s sleepover, although well planned ended with us sleeping in our own bed, as Miss M got terrified of Pilchen staring at her from under the table, and insisted we go back upstairs. Good, because the bed is so much more comfortable than the floor. Bad because downstairs is so much cooler. Before we called it quits we still managed to play a game of truth or dare (most enlightening) and have the biggest pillow fight.

Today I’m loving: sunscreen

Today's Activity ...The resulting gift