Day Light Savings

Some people say that day light savings is for farmers. But I really think its for parents of small children. Its the governments way of ensuring that small children grow into tax paying adults.

This the first winter when I actually noticed how long and miserable winter is. Before children, winter gave me an excuse to stay inside and watch television all day. Now winter is full of yelling and fighting and crying and biting. Because when a 1 year old and 2 year old are stuck in a house all day, its the equivalent of being locked in a 3x5 cell with a pile of toys on the other side of the bars.

Each minute after 3pm is like an hour. An hour when someone is plucking my eyelashes out while they rinse my eyes with toxic chemicals. And as the minutes and hours pass, the rage builds up. It finally explodes like fire from a dragon's mouth as the exhausted knight drags himself and his heavy armor through the door, right into the line of fire.

Just when I was about to sit down at the computer to post an ad for adorable irish twins on craigslist, an article on yahoo's homepage reminded me that next weekend was day light savings. The government is very tricky that way.

Now, after naptime, the french doors to the kitchen open wide. And I, like snow white, stick my head outside and sing for the birds to come and welcome Josie and Owen into the yard. A little blue bird sits on my shoulder as I read People magazine while my perfect children play politely on opposite corners of the yard.

We play outside until dinner. Sometimes we have dinner and then play outside some more. And before I know it, Norm is home. And then, after what seems like a minute later, I look at the clock and its already bedtime. How did that sneak up on me again? I say to my perfect husband as we tuck our adorable children to bed.

Apparently the fire-breathing dragon hibernates this time of year.