My kids go back to school this week. Last month’s end of the semester, combined with the December holiday events, seem far away, the frenetic energy a faded memory.

Except for this conversation one morning, while dropping the kids off at school:

Andy, as he’s getting out of the car: "I have a math final this morning. Hey, Casey, can I have one of your pencils?"

Me, with visions of my son flunking a final due to lack of a writing instrument: "Give him a pencil!"

Casey, calming leaving the car: "Yeah, yeah, yeah."