We have a tiny tyrant here.

For example, when Bill came downstairs this morning, the first word out of Petey’s mouth was “Sit!” with a gesture towards Bill’s chair. And this is how it goes all day long. He tells me where to sit, how to sit, what he wants to eat, when he wants to eat, where he wants to go (and have me follow), what he wants to do (with me helping him or at least keeping him company).

Naturally, with his siblings the most frequent words spoken are “Mine!” and “No!” Don’t sit in “his” chair. Don’t play with “his” toy. And how dare they take away those school papers that he was doodling upon? They’re his now!

I’ve begun to refer to him as le Dauphin. Bill calls him l’Enfant Terrible.

Of course, he’s just so cute, it’s hard to get mad at him when he’s convulsing on the floor after being denied this moment’s pleasure. Not cute enough to get what he wants, at least not all the time.

Here he is, caught red-handed trying to wake Jenny up from a nap. Why should anyone sleep? I’m awake, nap time is so over.

And here he continues to act as though nobody is telling him to leave his sister alone. Perhaps if I don’t look at mom, she’ll just go away. Then I can return to climbing on Jenny. It’s fun, and she deserves it for all those times she bops me in the head when mom turns her back.