Tonight was the night for an annual tradition in the Paulsen House. Yep, it’s that time of year for school conferences and my annual visit to now first grader Ben’s classroom. Time to find out once again that (1) he is doing fine in class and (2) he gets along well with others, but (3) he tends to talk a lot. (Clearing my throat) “Uh, do you realize who his father is? My poor son obviously suffers from the same chatty genetic disorder that plagues me.”

Yes, it’s time for the annual confirmation that the apple does not fall far from the tree. In this case, a very chatty tree.