Seven Quick Takes: Signs of Spring

Even if the daffodils were not bravely opening up to fickle March breezes, I would know spring has arrived by these seven signs of spring all mothers come to recognize.

1. All of my children are on antibiotics. Each year I seem to enter a state of selective amnesia and believe that the cold and flu season ends in February. Not so, not so.

2. Every single pair of my six-year old boy's jeans have holes in the knees. Not to mention that folks are likely to shout out, "Where's the flood?" when they see him coming.

3. The salt/slush/dirt crust on the mini-van has pretty much obscured its actual paint color.

4. An epic battle over the need to wear jackets ensues every time we step out the door. Even when you can still see your breath. How the children choose the calendar over the temperature in this issue when they don't even know the months of the year yet is beyond me.

5. Increased chattiness after the lights go out at bedtime. Dam* you, Daylight Savings Time.

6. Requests to go to the pool begin. First weekly, eventually daily. Even when you can still see your breath. Dam* you, Target Swimwear Displays.

7. Your floor needs mopped at least twice a day so you give up mopping altogether.