Back-to-school season is just more proof that parents and children see the world differently. While you’re ready to throw a party about the kids going back to public day-care a fine educational institution each fall, they’re dreading it.

The least you can do is make their first few days of school a little more fun. And it turns out all you need is some school supplies.

Now, even though kids hate school, they love school supplies. It’s one of the great mysteries of the world, along with how you find your debit card the day after you call your bank to get it replaced.

But we’re going to make school supplies even more fun by turning them into a cake. It’s an awesome idea from One Charming Party. All you need is pencils and rubber bands to get started, but you can go crazy adding in other supplies that your kids need (or want).

I wrapped two rubber bands around two cake-sized Styrofoam circles, squeezing the pencils in until the “cake” was covered all the way around.

Then all you have to do is “frost” the cake with colorful rubber bands. I added in a few paper clips for good measure. You know I like a lot of frosting.

For “candles,” add a few more pencils to the top of the “cake,” topped with yellow eraser caps. As many as you want. One for each grade, one for each kid, whatever.

The important thing isn’t the number of candles. It’s making small celebrations out of life’s little occasions. Isn’t that why you’re here, after all?