Christmas can be exhausting in Australia. There’s no Thanksgiving, little Halloween, and summer’s here, so everyone’s ready to party.

Match that with two Christmas concerts from different childcare outfits, and the birthday party tomorrow at the park, and I’m not sure how Amy is keeping it together.

Tonight, to relieve some pressure, we ate at the pool after the swimming lessons, because every Aussie child must swim (and play hockey – the ice kind – but that’s my addition).

I got a burger and fries for me and Amy, and chicken thingies with fries for the kid.

No aioli or mayonnaise.

But I did ask the person who took two frozen patties and fried them up, how do you know when the hamburger is done.

She said she cuts the patty in half and looks at the color.

Uh-huh.

Color is a lousy indicator of safety, and my burger was not cut – not that it would matter.

Use a tip-sensitive digital thermometer and stick it in. That’s what I’ll be doing at the kid’s birthday party at the barbie in the park tomorrow.