and

every day I miss them when they go to school

but

they just went back to school on January 5th after a two week winter break

and

they stayed home this Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

and

they didn’t go to school until 10:40 today, because of the snow

and

they came home at 2:00 today, because Wednesdays are always early release

and

school is cancelled tomorrow, because of the snow

and

they get out early on Friday, because of report cards or conferences or workshops or something or other

and

my house is covered with snow puddles and wet socks and dripping boots and snowy scarves and books and puzzles and cocoa-stained mugs and crumb-covered plates and kids flung all over couch, chair and floor

and

the close quarters were kind of cozy in December

but now

it’s kind of annoying

and

i really love my kids

but

I really need them to go back to school.