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 17 2008
Night night books
Our summer reading program is going very well. After a bit of a tough start -- "What, we have to stop what we're doing and read books?" The kids are enjoying being read to immensely. I've even managed to get Nathan to read several books besides "Hop on Pop" out loud.
So far the children have logged in over eight hours each. They've also earned free ice cream, free kids' meals at iHop, stickers, and pizza. It isn't only the goodies and prizes that thrill the kids, but the stories. I often hear them repeating parts of stories to each other. It thrills me to be raising two children who love books as much as I do.
However, I think Lucie's taking her love of literature a bit too far. After I read her a goodnight story (or two or three or four) in my bed, I walk her to her room and tuck her in. Lately, she's been insisting on sleeping with a book. It makes the bed rather crowded, but I'm glad books have become her best friend along with her blankie and stuffed animal buddies.
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.
Oct 15 2008
Conspiracy theory
I don't know why but in the past few weeks I have been getting the craziest comments from friends and acquaintances:
- Oh, I just have to tell you, your kids are so adorable.
- That Lucie, the things she says! It's hard to believe she's only three.
- Nathan gets things so quickly. He's such a smartie.
- Your children are so well behaved. And they play together so well.
Huh, my kids? Yes, they're cute, but so are the monkeys at the zoo. They spend most of their time fighting with each other and messing up my house. Often I wonder what they're thinking when Lucie puts a yogurt encrusted spoon in the silverware drawer or Nathan changes into sweats and long sleeves in the middle of summer. I just shake my head and wonder, what is wrong with you two?
Maybe there is another set of Nathans of Lucies out there, and I got stuck with their evil twins. Or possibly it's a conspiracy by my children to screw with my head. I can see it now, secret midnight meetings between the two of them in Lucie's closet.
"How can we drive mom crazy this week?" ponders Nathan as he pushes the diaper pail aside.
"I know," says Lucie sitting on a pile of pull ups. "I'll act like a baby. I'll only use the potty for the babysitter and I'll speak in baby talk."
"Good one, sis." Nathan says. "Maybe I'll throw a rock at Mom at the golf course, and then look dumbfounded when she asks me why I did it. That's sure to get her blood boiling."
"I'll do my usual 'decorating the house with yogurt' thing," Lucie adds. "Maybe I'll drop some popsicles on the carpet for that extra special touch."
"Not bad," Nathan says. "I plan to ask Mom a question, then ask the same thing again and again in 20 minute intervals. That's guaranteed to drive her insane."
Actually, maybe the kids are brighter and work together better than I thought.
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