Recent PostsAbout 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! Blog CategoriesToday's Recipe
A little sweet, a little sour, a lot of yum. This one will produce wide eyes around the breakfast table! |
Jan 9 2009Centers of attentionCategory: At HomeWhen Paul's vehicle pulls into the garage, the kids literally jump up and down with excitement. You'd think the man's been away for years instead of a few hours. Or that I've been ignoring them and they're dying for attention. The latter sentiment is Paul's theory which is totally not true. It doesn't matter if I've been doing things with them all day or not. They are thrilled that daddy is home so they have another audience for all the things they've been showing and telling me throughout the day. So when Lucie grabbed Paul's hand and showed him the "reading center" she had set up (books on a dining room chair) and "cooking center" (play kitchen toys on the coffee table), I had already been through the routine. Paul looked at me totally puzzled. "What is she doing?" he asked. "She made centers, just like at preschool." I answered. "You know, activity tables where the kids do certain types of learning." I was thrilled that Lucie was mimicking what she was learning and doing at preschool. And I found how she planned each center and how she gathered materials from around the house to set them up rather sophisticated. Paul didn't seem as impressed as I. It's all about picking the right parent to be your audience, I guess.
Jan 7 2009When I'm 64Category: At HomeThe result of many years of playing sports and abusing his body, Paul's joints ache and he feels pretty sore. These are the days he likes to joke that he's getting old. He always says he married me because I'll take care of him when he's an old man, but now he has the kids in on the joke, too. "Hey, Nathan Boy," Paul asks. "Will you take care of me when I get old?" "Sure dad," Nathan replies. "I'll push you around in a wheelchair." Hearing this, Lucie is very concerned. "Daddy, don't worry," she says. "I'll take care of you when you get old, too. I'll still love you when I turn four." Geez, Paul's getting older faster than we thought.
Jan 1 2009Family expressionsCategory: At HomeWhen my friend Merrie came over, I learned a new expression -- monkey powder. Like my kids, her kids are really into chocolate milk made from chocolate powder. Since they used a brand with a monkey on the box, they called it "monkey powder." Well, the expression is beginning to be used around our house. I now call Merrie's kids Nash and Grady, the Monkey Powder Boys. Lucie, who's not a big fan of chocolate milk, likes to eat Ovaltine powder. She pours it into a bowl and eats it with a spoon. Just this morning, after filling up a small bowl and spilling the rest on the table and carpet, she announced, "Mom, we're all out of monkey powder." Geez, Lucie, maybe I'll call up your buddy Nash and see if he can spare a cup.
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