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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Oct 24 2008
Our other family
We're preparing to go to a friend's wedding in Vegas this week. It's the first time we're leaving the kids with a non-family member for more than a day. I'm excited to go, but a little anxious about leaving them, too.
Nathan and Lucie are staying with my friend Linda, who works in the office at their school. Linda has two daughters -- Ashley, who was in Nathan's homeroom last year, and McKenzie, who is a kindergartner.
The nice thing about leaving them with Linda, besides that she has girls around my kids' age, is that she's used to the whole allergy thing. However, her family's allergies are completely opposite of Lucie's, so I've jokingly told Linda that Lucie will be fine on just bananas, popsicles, and Oreos for a few days. We had a good laugh at that, knowing how challenging food allergies can be.
Linda has a unique childcare arrangement at school. McKenzie attends afternoon kindergarten but hangs out with the preschool class in the morning and with one of the preschool teachers at lunch when her mom's working. Lucie will have a similar arrangement or will hang out in Linda's office all day when I'm gone.
I was a bit nervous that Linda was going to get in trouble with her boss, the principal. So I told him what was up, and he said that was fine. In fact, he came across as looking forward to having Lucie hanging out in school all day. I don't know why I was nervous about it, because Lucie's been hanging around at school and with the principal and his family for over two years now.
That's the nice thing about starting a charter school. You become close with your fellow board members as well as the office staff, teachers and administration. Because of the challenges we've faced, we've become a very tight knit bunch.
So I really have nothing to worry about this week. Nathan and Lucie will be staying with family members after all.
Oct 22 2008
Kissy break
With a freelance writing career and a direct marketing business, I'm on the computer most of the day. Add to that my position as VP of a charter school board, and the school's web mom, well I might as well get one of those *Borg implants and plug myself directly into my PC.
So unlike those children in the past who looked for mom in the laundry room or kitchen, my kids come to my computer when they're looking for me. And even if Nana is visiting or daddy is home, they like to check in with me on occasion.
Nathan usually interrupts me with a question like, "What are we going to do today?" But Lucie is more subtle. She comes up with a kiss and a hug, then turns on the TV, puts in a video, and crawls into my bed. I'm not so thrilled about the distracting racket from the television, but the kissy break sure is nice.
(*The Borg is a race of cyborgs in the Star Trek shows and movies.)
Oct 16 2008
Saving the day
Even though I swore it wouldn't be like this, it's been another hectic summer. Last year I helped a group of people open up a brand new charter school. It was like having an unpaid part-time job. Luckily, this summer, all's been quiet on the charter school front. However, after attending a national convention last month, I've rededicated myself to my Usborne business (like Mary Kay, but children's books). I'm working on booking home shows, recruiting new consultants, going to local training, and drumming up some school and library business. Of course, my various writing gigs, paid and unpaid, are keeping me busy, too. Slow on the uptake with fitness trends, I'm finally taking yoga classes as well. They're becoming addictive.
The kids are busy as well. When we're not at Nathan's speech therapist, we're running around to play dates or check ups. We even spent a morning in Denver getting Lucie allergy tested. (Yes, she's still allergic to peanuts and eggs, but we also found out that she's also sensitive to all nuts and soy, kitties, and every tree, grass and weed that grows in Colorado. Not fun.) We also have t-ball (games and practice), ballet, golf lessons and league, art camp, and summer reading programs. When we're not running around, something's breaking, like the tire rod and battery in my car or my dryer. Or we're doing family fun activities like going camping or to the museum.
Both summers I've had to reach out to get help from a woman I know. She has incredible super powers. She can play board games for six hours straight without getting tired. She's able to fold eight loads of laundry in a row and get the kids to help. She offers to clean up the dinner dishes every night. She can even keep the kids out of my hair for hours upon end.
It's Super Nana to the rescue! Thank goodness. I'm saved.
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