"Dad, you're just another Harperista!"

Rick,

Just finished reading your column after sending kids to bed- here's the trancript.

Me: "Okay guys, that's enough of this... time for bed."

Child 1: "But Dad, we're having such a good time playing cards and calling each other names- besides, it's early - today you said we could stay up later- why can't we stay up another hour?"

Me: "Cause I said so."

Child 1: "Daddy you sound like Harper."

Me: "What-da-ya-mean ... like Harper?"

Child 1: "Well, you're being bossy, petulant, beady-eyed, and dictatorial. And your bringing our card game to an untimely dissolution despite the fact you said we could stay up late."

Me; "Am not, like Harper, you guys are just getting too goofy and taking too much delight in my inability to win this game outright."

Child 2: "See Dad, you are too like Harper, you're mad cause you can't exert your will upon us."

Me: "No, I am not like Harper..."

Child 1: "True, he has lost weight recently... you haven't!"

Me: "Watch it!"

Child 2: "And, its the arrogance too, ..."

Me: "Hey, watch your mouth, I've told you before to keep your opinions to yourself..."

Child 1: "See Daddy... just like Harper...."

Me: "That's it. I know what's best for both you - I know when the time has come."

Child 2: "There you go again... your way or the highway!!!"

Me: "There you go again unfairly characterizing me!"

Child 1: "Geez, Dad, don't you get it? Your Steve's doppleganger! That's exactly what he's gonna be saying for the next five weeks!"

Child 2: "Yeah, Dad... what's up with that... who are you anyway?"

Me: "Do I have to get your mother?"

Child 1: "What is she? Your G.G.? Will her support make it okay for you to go back on your word."

Me: "That's enough, our household is not a democracy -its a benevolent dictatorship dammit!"

Child 1: "Oh Dad, you are sooo Harper. C'mon Stephane let's go... we can beat him at Go Fish tomorrow. Good night you old grump!"

Child 2: "Haper-ista!"