In my house, 9:00 pm is eagerly anticipated. In fact, I get a little panicky and short of temper around 8:45. The kids are in bed, the chaos quiets down, the dog knows it's belly-rubbing time, and I get to sit. On the couch. And do nothing.

Even though I have a million things on my to-do list, after a long day of driving and errands and email and texting and whining and tantrums, I need that time to just sit. Roll through Facebook and Twitter. It's my one chance to catch up on The Good Wife, or CSI Miami, or The Boss, or the Real Housewives (although I haven't found them since we switched to DirecTV... and how I miss Oprah!).

Sometimes we hear the pitter-patter of little feet, then rustling in the pantry, then the 2 year old walks in with a sheepish grin and a box of Cheerios. Who can resist that? So it's also a rare moment for cuddling.

What do you look forward to once the kids are in bed?