Worst Mommy in the World

I believe I have won the Worst Mommy in the World award tonight.

My son was in a snit over everything today (he’s four). First, he wanted to wear sweatpants to pre-school, not jeans. Then tonight I made him take a shower instead of a bath because it was late.

Son: (stamping his feet) I am NOT going to take a shower!

Me: Yes, you are. Now get in and wash up.

Son: I’m going to trick you! You can’t make me wash!

Me: (pouring strawberry-scented shampoo over his head). Oops. I guess you have girl shampoo on your head. You’d better wash it off.

Son: Nooooooo!!!!!! (frantically rinsing himself off)

I am so bad sometimes.

Thank you so much to everyone who sent their congratulations! I am still flying high and smiling. It doesn’t seem to matter that I have edits and revisions and a book that isn’t done. Life’s pretty good right now.

Except that the good TV shows are starting up again. This is bad, given the nightly workload (and trauma of toddlers who will NOT shower or wash their hair. Don’t even get me started on tooth-brushing.). I love watching 24, American Idol, and Lost. My Tivo will be loaded! I can see it now…write 5 pages and you can watch a show!

And speaking of shows like American Idol, what’s your opinion about the awful singers they audition in the beginning? Some of them are so bad, it’s like watching a train wreck. Do you like that part or skip it?

My Big News….

I sold two more books to Harlequin! My agent wrapped everything up today, so I can finally let my secret out.

My second book, currently titled Her Irish Lover will be a September 2007 release, and my third book, Her Wild Irish Rogue will be a January 2008 release.

I think I’m beyond screaming. Deer in the headlights, that’s me. Because now this has gone from a dream-come-true to a career.

Wow. Just…wow.

The third book was sold blind…in other words, although they had a proposal, they bought it before reading it. I have 100 pages written and it’s due in May. It’s very doable, but a little scary to have my first true deadline.

So join me in celebrating!!

Bonnie was the first to guess a two book contract (others had guessed a sale, but since she thought 2 books, I’ll give it to her). So Bonnie–when I get my author copies, I’ll send you one!

Now this is a GREAT way to start 2007, don’t you think?

News and a Toddler’s Sweet Revenge

Some of you are really close on your guesses! And if you think the suspense has been killing you, it’s been even tougher on me! I will dispel two of the rumors…I’m not having a baby and the Williamsburg idea was only a potential. I haven’t said anything to anyone about that. Anyway, if you want to post any more guesses in the comments section, feel free!

This Christmas, I gave my son a set of washable markers. He loves to draw and color, and after one incident when he wrote his name in crayon on his sister’s bedspread (No, Mommy! That wasn’t me! :hissyfit:), he’s been pretty good about writing on paper.

So imagine my horror when I walked into his room and found that SOMEONE had used markers to color my son’s quilt. Purple markers, to be exact. And it wasn’t on the colored sections of the quilt, but the white sections.

Guess who decided on her own form of vengeance? Yep, the two-year-old daughter. Red and purple. And let me just say that washable markers do not always come out. I think it’s *mostly* out now, but it took more than one washing cycle. Did she feel remorse? Not a whit. I swear, when she was put in time out, she was grinning.

Have your kids ever been a little too “creative” with markers and crayons? Or if you don’t have kids, did you ever color anything you weren’t supposed to?