Winter Solstice

Conversation on the way to school:

7:45AM--very dark--estimated sunrise: around 8:20AM.  

Nora: "Why is it so dark?"

Me:  "It is dark a lot longer around Christmas time; when we go to school and by the time we eat dinner, it is already dark.  It is the opposite of summer time, when the sun is still up at bedtime."

Nora: "I know why that is."

Me: "You do?"

Nora: "Its so we can see the Christmas lights."

To myself: "Of course, its all about the Christmas lights!  Everything is about Christmas during the month of December to a 5 year old.  Please winter solstice come, so we can have our longest day of darkness, then reverse the process!"

For all the science lovers out there...I did add to the conversation a little bit about seasons and the Earth tipping north verses south, etc., but I think it was lost beyond the Christmas lights!