9 days and counting

their jeans are too short

and they have holes in the knees

their shoes are all too small

with holes in the soles

shirts have been stained

or outgrown

backpack zippers have ceased to zip

school bins are overflowing

every day of the week is overbooked

my counter is blanketed in "reminder notes"

and "to-do" lists

I need to call a time out . . .