My Cast of Characters

For those of you who don't know us or haven't seen us in a while, I thought I'd (re)introduce you to the 'personalities' I've been dealing with for the past 11 years.

Sweet Papa - my "better" half. Given his name by my then 2 year old son who said he loved his papa because "he's so sweet!" I would have slapped him when he said it, but I was driving and he was securely fastened in his car seat at the time. After 11 1/2 years of marriage, I'm still wondering, "What was I thinking?" Don't worry he's not going to read this because it's not a technical manual or a photoshop tutorial on how to alter your wife's face (see below).

Bugsy - my oldest child, and my only son. Takes after his dad in so many ways, I have dedicated my life to stopping the cycle of imbecilic male behavior. Unfortunately, I have been completely unsuccessful up until this point. The only thing I have so far succeeded in is being the "meany mommy," and the one to run to in times of crisis, or hunger.

Fifi - given the name by big brother Bugsy while still in the womb, is anything but an obedient Poodle as the name would suggest. Is the one person in the family who is up for anything at any time, and is generally the least whiniest of the three. When I grow up, I want to be more like her.

Kiki - given her name by big brother, because well, Kiki rhymes with Fifi. I could also call her the Instigator, although she'll be the first to point out when someone else has gotten into trouble, that she (and I quote) "hasn't done anything wrong, right, Mama?"

And then there's me, the Fascist Dictator, who hates television, high fructose corn syrup, any palm sized piece of technology, fast foods, toy stores, 1980's German techno music (especially when blasted at bed time on a speaker system that involves a sub woofer), and stagnant children who sit on the couch staring at an unplugged tv screen wondering what to do on a warm, sunny day. But seriously, who has time to photoshop when all around you are wreaking havoc and calamity?