About This Blog
Welcome to my blog. I'm Anne-Marie Nichols, a 40-something WAHM to Nathan, 6, and Lucie, 3. I've been married 12 years to their dad Paul, a scientist. When I'm not doing the mommy thing, I'm a freelance writer, and vice president of the board of directors for a Colorado public charter school. In my spare time I like to sleep, eat, read, and decorate cakes.
I created this online journal to share some entertaining and insightful stories from my own experiences as a writer, domestic engineer, and mom. I encourage you to share this blog with your friends, and hopefully it will spark some lively discussions on issues we can all relate to. Enjoy!
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Sep 29 2008
Me and my shadows
I'm an introvert in a house full of extraverts. I love quiet and solitude. The rest of my family loves being in a noisy crowd, if not at the center of one.
Occasionally, I'll notice Nathan and Lucie playing nicely together in the living room. Wanting to take advantage of the situation, I'll tiptoe upstairs hoping to put away the laundry -- or maybe to sneak in a little writing -- without interruption.
It's inevitable that as soon as I settle into whatever it is I'm doing, the two of them come barging in. While I haven't timed it, it feels like it takes about five minutes for their mommy's-not-around radar to go off and send them straight to wherever I am.
Like tonight. Before I knew it, the kids had invaded my room, taken off their clothes, and jumped in my shower. They started fighting, yelling at me to referee. Then they ran out of hot water, and the shower door slammed open with a loud bang. And I was pulled away by my two shadows -- wet, naked, and giggling -- asking me to help them get dressed for bed.
Did the Peter Pan story ever mention how he lost his shadow? Maybe I can use his method from time to time and get something done around here.
Sep 26 2008
A brood of puppies
Talking with my sister the other day, I found out that Lucie has something in common with her cousins. At the end of busy, active day, they all smell like soggy canines. I nearly fell off my chair when Michele said "wet puppies" because that's the way I describe the smell, too.
Like my sister, it's a huge turnoff when our darling babies smell like a wolf pack. We quickly send them off to their baths and make sure to wash their hair well with yummy smelling baby shampoo. Lavender is both our favorite.
Funny thing is Nathan never smells like a wet puppy no matter how many days it's been since his last shower. Is this something genetic that Nathan lucked out of? Or maybe he's just borrowing his dad's cologne again.
Sep 25 2008
Can I have some medicine?
Lucie runs in, tears streaming down her cheeks. Between sobs, she says, "Maamaaa. I think! I broke! My arm!"
I look over her arm and ask her what happened. But still I get sobs and, "Mom! My arm's broke!"
I don't think it is. Instead I offer to get her a "boo-boo buddy," a kind of kid friendly ice pack. After I get a fairly calmed down Lucie on the couch, set up with a buddy, her blanket and her ice pack, she asks, "Mom, can I have some medicine? It'll make my arm feel better."
Since the only medicine she occasionally gets is an antihistamine, I tell her, "Honey, I don't think the medicine will make your arm feel better. How about a Popsicle instead?"
A smile breaks out on Lucie's face. Sore arm forgotten, she leaps off the couch and runs into the kitchen. A special ice cream treat is the best medicine of all.
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