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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Aug 12 2008
Night time routines
This week, Paul is gone and I've come home late from a meeting, a home show, and a networking party. Walking in the door between 9 and 10 p.m., I'm not surprised to find Lucie still awake. Not only is she up, but she's running around or sticking her head in the fridge telling us she's hungry and wants a snack.
Nana has a tough time getting her to go to sleep. But then so does daddy and our babysitters. Seems only mama can do it.
After Nana and I shut down the house for the night, we head upstairs. Usually, Nathan's passed out in my bed or on the couch. (Hopefully Nana reminded him to change into his pajamas so I don't have to struggle getting my semi-conscious son into his PJs.) I pick him up, take him to his bed, and tuck him in. Then I gather up Lucie's bath time toiletries and meet her in my room.
Even if she's already dressed for bed, she'll strip down wanting to take an oatmeal bath. She says the oatmeal makes her eczema feel better, but I know that it gets her ready to go to bed. She likes pouring the oatmeal in the tub as I run the water and add the bubble bath. She climbs in as I get ready for bed. With the heat, I'm pretty hot and sweaty, so I usually join her in our oversized tub. It's very relaxing, especially if I'm still hyper from presenting at a home show or meeting.
Cooled down and toweled off, we perform our individual nighttime rituals. Mine are a facial moisturizer, lip treatment, and eye cream. Hers are powder, diaper, and eczema cream. We both brush our teeth, then climb into my bed to read a story or two.
Finally, I carry her to her own bed along with her book, blanket and sippy cup. Sometimes she's already asleep, but she's fine going to bed if she's awake, too. I tuck her in with a kiss, hug and a "Good night, I love you. See you in the morning." She replies, "Night, mommy," as I shut her bedroom door. It's moments like this that I'm glad she's here and we have the chance to spend this special time together.
Aug 11 2008
Boxes = fun
One afternoon, a couple of large folding tables were delivered to the house. As I removed the tables from their boxes, Lucie plopped herself down on one of them and exclaimed, "Oh look, it's my house." Wanting to get her out of the way, I dragged it into our family room.
Since the boxes are almost flat when folded, I propped one side up against the wall and the other on the floor, kind of like a big L. She immediately brought over pillows, blankets, buddies, a sippy cup or two, and started playing house.
When Nathan came home, his face lit up seeing the boxes. He immediately began to create his own nest with the rest of the pillows and blankets. He would ask, "Hey Lucie, you ready?" They would both close the boxes and yell "Good night!" Then they'd start laughing and prop them open again, like two giant clams opening and closing their shells.
While the scene uncomfortably reminded me of a couple of homeless people bedding down for the night, I wasn't about to spoil their fun. Instead I encouraged them to decorate the boxes with crayons and watch videos and have snacks in them.
It's given me an idea for a new company. We'd specialize in delivering giant boxes to people's homes just for their kids to play in. Maybe we'd throw in some crayons, markers and stickers, a video, and some snacks, too. If the kids get tired of it or destroy the box, who cares, it's just cardboard. Maybe we could offer a pick up service, and take the used boxes to a recycling facility.
Hmmm, I could call it Fun With A Box Inc. Quick, someone call a trademark attorney and get me a business manager!
Aug 8 2008
Mama's B&B
I recently stayed at a bed and breakfast for a board retreat. (I'm the president of the board of directors of Nathan's charter school.) Besides getting a great deal accomplished, it was terrific to get away, spend a couple of days doing adult things, and not tidying up after my family.
Then I realized that I run a B&B for Lucie and Nathan. I prepare their meals. I make their beds. I fold the towels. I even offer turn down service! (It's so much easier to get a half-asleep child into bed if the covers are already out of the way.)
Maybe I should ask Paul to put a sign on the front door: "Mama's Bed & Breakfast." But then, he'll probably say something about wanting me to run one of those other houses -- you know, of ill repute -- just for him. Well, maybe...after the kids are asleep.
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