The Bingham Diaries

Will blog for food

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:29:00 +0000

Since I'm still up and awake at one in the morning, I'm totally going to pretend that I didn't miss a day of my self-proclaimed daily blogging thing...

This is totally acceptable because days don't officially end until one goes to sleep.

That being said, this will probably make little to no sense because, HELLO ONE AM.

Lucky for you, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT.

Except myself. Because one can always talk about one's self on a blog because blogging = narcissistic art form. (At least the way I do it.)

(Does anyone else get annoyed over how hard it is to emphasize single character words? Like I. Because three sentences ago, it was supposed to be snarky and all, 'at least the way I do it.' except that my typical go-to-emphasis-move is called caps lock and it's already in effect and like I'm going to take the time to italicize or bold it... then you might care what I think, and we could never let that happen.)

(Though the fact that there is not an easy way to emphasize I still aggravates me...)

(check out that emphasis up there.)

Oh, and HEY, did I ever tell you the time that the DadGuy decided to go back to school? It's a good one. It goes something like this...

"Hey, I'm registered for a class."

"Awesome. You got in?" (because I'm nice and know that he had applied.)

"Well, no. My GMAT was too old, so I'm taking another class so I can get ready to take the test. And then I have to pay to take the test again too..."

"So. You're paying to take classes that MIGHT get you in to grad school."

"Yep."

"How much does that cost?"

"Uh, don't spend any more money... You're not going anywhere today are you?"

And thus it begins....

I ♥ being a student.

P.S. Donations being accepted.

How does your garden grow?

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:56:00 +0000

Dear Spring,

We're ready when you are...

xo,

the Bingham's

Sprouting:

leaf lettuce
broccoli
green beans
cherry tomatoes
big boy tomatoes
bib lettuce
basil
chives
celery
carrots

American Cowboys

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:40:00 +0000

Thaddeus has been wearing this get up since Friday.

You see, Friday was "cultural awareness" or something at his school.

On Thursday night, Thaddeus asked me, "Mom, what's my CULTURE?"

I said, "American."

To which he said, "Oh. You mean like a cowboy?"

I promptly agreed, "Yes, like an AMERICAN cowboy."

Thaddeus then proceeded to go into planning mode because he was going to be the best American cowboy ever! I dismissed his ideas because never in a million years did I consider that he was actually supposed to wear a costume to school. I mean, if you're not allowed to wear a costume on Halloween, why would you be allowed to wear one on Friday?

Of course, this was completely MY misunderstanding because Friday morning rolled around and Thaddeus took a flier out of his backpack encouraging students to wear CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE costumes.

I went into emergency costume mode and stitched up that vest real quick.

Then we hurried to the dollar store for a cowboy hat, because a certain someone couldn't be a proper cowboy without a hat... Unfortunately, the dollar store only had sombrero's, so we headed over to where I was SURE we could find a hat.... Party City.

Now, during Halloween season, cowboy hats can be purchased for ONE dollar.

However, it is not Halloween season.

And cowboy hats were $6.99.

And we had to get four because heaven forbid only one somebody get one something.

Four cowboy hats later, we moseyed on in to the school.

When the secretary asked why we were late, I said because we had to find a cowboy hat.

She started laughing.

When Thaddeus got home from school, I asked him what the other kids were wearing. After all, he goes to school with children from from Russia, Jamaica, Africa, Korea, and Mexico... and those are just the kids in his class.

He was the only one that wore a costume.

"I was the most Amercanist one there!"

And quite possibly the cutest one too.

Watching the rain fall

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:22:00 +0000

I am trying to get back into the swing of things via the blogosphere.

It's much harder than it sounds.

SO, I've decided to force myself into productivity.

Or maybe it's accountability.

At any rate, daily posting HERE I COME.

Let's get it started off right with a picture, shall we?

Day One.

It's raining.

And we long to go outside.

Instead, we just sit here...

Watching the rain fall.

Through the screen door.

Parenting

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Daniel has taken a turn for the worse.

In the last two weeks, he's transformed from a happy silly three year old boy,

To an easily upset, aggressive kid.

I know it's part of the magical stage he's in.

My other kids all went through it.

It just stinks that one little person requires so much parenting.

And it's not even the FUN parenting stuff,

(like going to Ikea and seeing if the furniture really IS child proof)

It's the crappy part where I rule with an iron fist because I flat out REFUSE to have a three year who thinks it's okay to treat people like dirt.

Of course, I could just let him be a spoiled brat,

But somehow, I think that will just come back to haunt me later.

To Parenting! Cheers!

P.S. Go here to enter a giveaway...

8 years and counting....

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Anniversary DadGuy.

In the last eight years, we've owned two homes, five cars, four children, and no pets.

We've grown from a little family of two, to a full fledged brood.

And even though we're not newlyweds anymore,

I like to think that we still act like ones.

Here's to another year of romance.

xoxo,
the wife

Spring

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:26:00 +0000

Today was warm.

I took full advantage of the weather by sending my children outside while I opened all the windows and cleaned.

I never before understood spring cleaning.

You see, when one grows up in Arizona, one has no need for spring cleaning. Because the types of cleaning one does does not depend upon the weather.

(You Arizonans are so lucky.)

For the first time in months, the stuffy, too many people in one room stench, is gone.

It was so exciting to actually see and smell results, that I kept on cleaning.

Under the beds.

Inside the closets.

Baseboards.

(Some, not all. I must have some form of punishment for later.)

I even took to spring cleaning my yard.

I cleaned out the front beds.

And hiding underneath mounds of dead leaves,

Were shoots.

Dozens of fat green stems, reaching towards the sun.

Spring.

It's so nice to see you.

Breakthrough

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:53:00 +0000

I started watching a little boy a couple of days a week.

He's very extremely adorable.

Day one, it took him about 30 minutes to stop crying, and he never took his shoes off.

Today, he's running around shoeless... AND SHARING HIS GOOD GIRL.

(Which is to say: he's sharing his most beloved and dog-eared puppy.)

And anyone that knows a two year old, knows that sharing ones beloved means:

"Hey, you're good people."

Progress, we are making some.

Breathing is Overrated

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:50:00 +0000

That was really pompous of me to announce that I posted two days in a row.

Because then irony came and knocked me out with a head cold/sinus infection.

(I say SLASH sinus infection because while I haven't actually been to the doctor, my snot is green. I mean, AS IF THAT'S NOT A KEY INDICATOR.)

Of course, it could just be the whole changing of the seasons.

I hate the changing of the seasons because it means that I'm going to feel like death warmed over for approximately 6 weeks.

Seriously.

Every. Frickin. Time.

Because I have allergies.

And allergies seriously hinder my ability to breathe through my nose and hear for a good part of the year.

(Why yes, I am partially deaf.... KIDDING! It's ALLERGIES! *jazz hands*)

The only upside to the situation is that I'm not actually sick.

I think.

You know, I still have that green snot thing.

But since that's gross and possibly too much personal information, I'm going to end on a happy note called:

Taylor.

Isn't she cute AND healthy looking? I'm totally jealous.

P.S. I have a giveaway coming up. that be-eth all.

TWO DAYS IN A ROW!

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:15:00 +0000

That's got to be a world record or something...

Oh, wait. YOU post everyday?

Like, all the TIME everyday?

That's amazing.

-----

Today I was making a casserole. This may not seem like that big of a deal to you, but just like Azucar, I don't know how to make them either.

This whole last year I have been refining my casserole skills, which is ironic considering all the casserole recipes that have ever been shared with me follow this rule of thumb:

First you use a little of this.
And then a little of that.
Then you mix it up and bake it.

Unsurprisingly, my first attempts ended up in the garbage disposal.

AT ANY RATE. Me. Making a casserole = Big news.

And while I was making this casserole, one of the neighborhood kids was over.

She's 8. This is important because I feel like an 8 year old has enough discernment to know the difference between, say, ramen noodle and actual food.

So I'm chopping up some celery and onions, and boiling some chicken.

When she asks, "Whatcha making?"

To which I replied, "A Casserole."

And then SHE said, "What's that?"

To which I thought, "See? Her mom probably makes REAL FOOD like me." but to which I actually replied,

"It's like chicken and noodles and vegetables all mixed up with a special sauce..."

And then she goes, "Wow.... You must be a GREAT cooker."

I said thank you.

My point is this: I didn't grow up eating casseroles.

Wait, my REAL point is this: I made a casserole.

P.S. It tasted great.

P.P.S. I hate the word tasted. My brain feels stupid just for using "tasted"

P.P.P.S. I know it's a real word and all, but seriously? TASTE. TED. Don't you feel dumb now?

P.P.P.P.S. I don't do Jello either. If someone could explain that deliciousness to me, I'd be much obliged.

Friday Recap

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:58:00 +0000

So, my day....

And it pretty much went downhill from there.

In other news, we released the Conference Agenda today.

And now I'm going to bed because my day has been Just. That. Fun.

No really, I get it.

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:30:00 +0000

There's been a lot of talk going on in the blog world lately about miscarriages and women's fertility.

The thing of it is, I get it. I do.

But there's so much more to it that that. There's so much more to women's health than her ability to successfully create and carry a child to term.

Because some of us have issues that don't necessarily fit into that nice little box with the label "infertile".

Take me, for example.

I'm infertile.

But not in the "trying to conceive" sort of a sense.

On the other hand, I'm NOT infertile, because, hello young children.

It's incredibly awkward for me to explain what I'm feeling, and I know no matter what I say, I'M WRONG.

I'm wrong because I don't know what it's like to want a baby that badly.

I'm wrong because I don't know what it's like to lose a baby.

I'm wrong because I just couldn't possible understand why she's feeling what she's feeling, and she doesn't need my pity or my misunderstanding.

Let me be the first to tell you, YOU'RE wrong.

I do understand how it feels to want a baby that badly. To want to be able to carry YOUR OWN CHILD, inside of your body, safely, and fully.

I do understand what it's like to lose a baby. Yes, I have four kids...

But there was supposed to be five.

I'm not asking for you to understand how I feel, because I know it's not the same. But it's not so very different either.

The loss of a baby, any baby, whether it's your first, or your fifth, is devastating.

Even now, a year after having my cervix and uterus removed from my body, I still go into the bathroom expecting to see blood.

And while I know this, it doesn't change the habit.

It doesn't stop me from wondering what if.

Logically, I know that my child bearing years are over.

I can laugh about it, joke about it, pretend it doesn't bother me.

But sometimes, late at night, when I'm all alone, it still hurts.

My throat catches, the tears fall.

There's no explaining why.

I like to think it's because I'm a woman.

I Lost My Baby

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:00:00 +0000

I lost Taylor.

I just, misplaced her for a few moments, and then she was gone.

It started out innocently enough.

I had some beans on the stove, simmering away.

I was doing laundry.

And putting away the shoes.

And then I smelt it.

Burnt. Beans.

I raced up the stairs to find that my once simmering beans had begun to scald.

I rinsed them under cold water.

Then I rinsed them again.

And again.

Since the faucet was running,

Taylor,

Who was not lost...

Yet.

Pushed a chair over and began helping me.

White beans in a new pot.

Black beans down the disposal.

She got bored and wandered away.

I kept sorting.

After I finished sorting the beans,

I put them back on the stove to simmer.

(This time, with PLENTY of water.)

Then I went back downstairs to finish that blasted laundry.

That's when I noticed that the back door was open.

I didn't think anything of it.

Because there is snow on the ground.

And if I know anything about my kids,

It is this:

They hate being cold.

So I shut the door.

And locked it.

And went about my business.

A little while later, as I passed the clock in the hall,

I realized that it was time to go to the bus stop.

So I yelled up the stairs.

"Blayne! Danny! Taylor! Let's Go!"

The thundering of feet,

Racing down the stairs,

Told me that they were coming.

THEY were only TWO.

"Where's Taylor?"

I asked them.

Shoulders shrugged.

"Wasn't she with you?"

Eyes rolled.

I forgot.

THEY don't play with BABIES.

Up the stairs I went,

Calling her name.

"Taylor! Taylor! Let's go!"

She was not in the kitchen.

Or playing with the toys.

Up more stairs I went.

She was not in her bedroom.

Or the closet.

Or my bedroom.

Or my closet.

She was not in the bathroom.

Or the linen closet.

Or under the beds.

Or hiding in the cupboards.

I panicked as I remembered.

The door.

The wide open door.

That I shut and locked.

At LEAST thirty minutes ago.

I raced through the house opening cupboards,

And looking behind curtains.

She was not there.

I told Blayne and Danny to sit on the stairs.

They were not to move.

I went outside.

And looked in the front.

And then in the back.

I called out her name.

Over and over, "TAYLOR!" I cried.

I went to the neighbors,

And pounded on the door.

"I can't find Taylor. Is she here?"

I asked.

The neighbors started looking.

I thought maybe I should check my house,

One last time.

Truth be told,

I was scared.

My neighbor told me,

She would meet my boy at the bus.

The other neighbor,

Began peeking onto people's decks.

I ran back to my house,

To check on Blayne and Danny.

I told them,

"Go upstairs. Look in all your hiding places,

See if you can see Taylor."

I went back outside.

I tried to think,

If I was a two year old princess, where would I go?

Then from inside the house I heard

"Mo-om, I found Taylor!"

I turned on my heel and again raced inside.

"Where? What do you mean? Can you SEE her? Where is she?"

I thought, good. I'll check out the window,

See where she is,

Then go grab her,

Before somebody else does.

So I climbed up the stairs,

"Show me." I said as I moved towards the window.

"No Mom. She's here. Right here."

I looked to where she was pointing,

Sure enough,

There she was.

Catch-22

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:02:00 +0000

Do you ever feel like your whole life is happening right before your eyes and you're just struggling to keep up?

These days, I feel like my life is a series of lists, and I'm doing everything I can to check off those stupid tasks, but the list grows longer and longer and longer each day. It's highly aggravating. And as much as I could wish for an hour or two to myself, if I were to get that time, I wouldn't know what to do with myself. It's a total catch-22.

But I'm in the "bulleted list" mindset these days, so that is what my blog reflects. It's so interesting to go back and recognize the different times in my life based off of my writing style.

Last year, my writing was reflective. The year before that, I was in "survival mode" and my writing was choppy, and snarky, and TO. THE. POINT.

This year, I'm giving briefs. More often than not, I update using bullet points. It's clear that I just don't have the time to sit around and think about what I should say. I sit. I write whatever pops into my head and onto the screen. Then I hit publish and call it a day.

I wonder how it will look next year? If I'll look back and think, how did I even make it through the day? Or if I'll laugh at myself and say, you thought you were busy THEN? HA. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-HA.

Because you just never know what life is going to throw at you. Yes, sometimes it's of your own making, and you wholeheartedly believe in what you're doing... But seriously. There are times when I sit down and think, is this really happening? Are you really doing that? Because let me tell you, there are a LOT of times when I can't believe the life I live.

It is so full. And busy. And good. And I really, really like it and am enjoying myself.

I just don't know how I got so lucky.

Now. Moving on. I'm sure you're sick to death and will cut off your ears if I talk about it one more time, but MY CONFERENCE. LET'S TALK ABOUT MY CONFERENCE AGAIN.

If I were to ask you what:

living green.
Oprah.
The New York Times Beseller List. and
the Casual Blogger Conference.

had in common, what would you say? Because I would say Sophie.

Readers: Meet Sophie Uliano

Sophie is an eco-expert, New York Times best-selling author, mom, housewife, blogger, working girl, etc. etc. etc.

She has been on Oprah. The View. Good Morning America. She has been in Vanity Fair. Elle. Glamour. InStyle. People. Health. and so. many. more. publications.

This amazing woman is going to be at MY CONFERENCE. {jaw. hitting floor.}

And as great as all of those accomplishments are, I'm most excited about her accent. (Oh my life you guys, it's SO CUTE.) Of course, I'm sure she'll be amazing, but her accent is to die for cuteness.

(<--- Look! on Oprah! with her friend Julia Roberts!)

Anyways, not only is the amazing and Gorgeously green Sophie Uliano coming, so are a TON of other really awesome people.

Therefore, you should really buy a ticket, while we still have a few left, and secure your seat. Because OHMYLIFEIT'SGOINGTOBEAMAZING.

Click on the button below to take advantage of the early bird prices. *cough*only 6 days left* cough*

Tamales: A Tutorial

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:43:00 +0000

Because EVERYONE should know how to make delicious, delicious tamales...

Masa

2 lbs masa
3 tbsp paprika
3 tbsp salt
1 tbsp cumin
3 tbsp chili powder
3 tbsp garlic powder
2 c. corn oil
2 qt. chicken stock

Mix together in large bowl.

Meat Filling

2-3 lbs chicken, shredded
3-4 lbs pork roast, shredded
1/4 c. corn oil
3 tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tbsp cumin
2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp salt

Combine all ingredients.

Assembly:

Soak corn husks 3 hours or overnight. Make masa and filling. Spread masa in the middle of a corn husk, amount depends on size of husk. Put filling on top of masa. Fold the bottom of the corn husk up over mixture, then roll and place in steamer.

When all tamales are rolled, steam for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until masa is firm.

*Frozen tamales can be kept up to one year.

Killing me softly

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:28:00 +0000

It snowed for approximately 54 minutes.

The snow didn't even stick to the ground.

Didn't even stick to the ground and STILL, they canceled school.

...

I just don't understand. It's like they want kill summer vacation.

Kill it dead.

One, snow-less day at a time.

Ode to the CAPS LOCK.

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:05:00 +0000

DRAMA.

My house is in FULL DRAMA mode.

This whole "no school thing because 'it's snowing' thing" has gone TOO FAR.

We are DONE with the movies. We are SICK of being inside. We get TOO COLD outside, and TOO BORED inside.

There aren't any FUN NEW GAMES to play and my suggestions of things to do has been THOROUGHLY DISCREDITED four times over, because people would much prefer to WHINE and GROAN and COMPLAIN at my feet.

And then, to top it all off, it's supposed to snow again, so you can bet your horses that school will be canceled. AGAIN.

I just don't understand why school gets canceled because of a little snow. I JUST DON'T.

p.s. Why yes, I AM TALKING TO YOU AT THIS DECIBEL. LOUD. LOUD. LOUDLY.

p.p.s. Because my ears are broken.

p.p.p.s. Because I have been screamed at CONTINUOUSLY for the last 8 days.

p.p.p.p.s. AAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

You would think that titling posts would get easier the longer one blogs, but guess what? IT DOESN'T.

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:11:00 +0000

Yes. I know. I turned off comments.

I do that occassionally when life gets super busy because, let's be honest, comments can be a time suck. SO. I hereby relinquish you from feeling obligated to comment on my blog. (Besides, you know you like it better when people let you off the hook for things like that.)

In other life changing news, my youngest sister is engaged to be married.

Obviously, this affects me in ways you can't imagine, the most predominant being the whole weight issue.

Here's the thing with my weight. I have a really messed up thyroid.

Really messed up thyroid = really messed up metabolism = really frustrating/exhausting/pointless attempts at weight loss.

However, the thought of being the sole overweight person in a family of skinny minnies is not pleasant. Add to that the very real fact that I am the shortest person in my family, standing at a measly 5'4", and always being placed in the front row so that people can see my face in photos equals me being COMPLETELY HORRIFIED AND SCARRED FOR LIFE.

I mean, it's WEDDING PICTURES. Those things are going to around for a long time.

Then there's that whole blogging conference thing, which again, being 100% honest, is frightening because we all know that bloggers = TRIGGER HAPPY PHOTOGS. {{dies}}

And despite Sue's horrible review of the every so popular HCG diet, I'm thinking I might just try it anyways. I mean, what do I have to lose?

(answer: thousands and millions of pounds.)

Snow Days

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Well, the GOOD thing about all this snow is that DadGuy is off work.

Normally, this would drive me crazy because he continuously asks me, "What are we gonna do today?"

However, it's okay because I have surrendered to the sickness. Today I got to sleep in until NINE. Then I had a long hot shower, came downstairs, crawled under a blanket, and dozed off again.

Meanwhile, DadGuy has done the laundry, fixed breakfast and lunch, played Hi-Ho Cherry Oh for hours, and watched princess movies all morning.

Man, I love that guy.

House Bound

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:17:00 +0000

My whole street is snowed in.

The rest of my neighborhood? Free as birds.

Why?

Because my genius neighbor decided to dig his car out and throw all the snow in the middle of the road. Then the neighbors on either side of him ALSO decided that this was a good idea.

It was not a good idea.

There is now so much snow in the middle of the street that the snow plows can't get through.

THE. SNOW. PLOWS. CAN'T. GET. THROUGH.

That's a lot of snow.

So, THANK YOU, you three idiots. I will be sending my house-bound children over to play soccer inside of your house. I also will need a ride to somewhere. I can't think of any place I need to go at the moment, but I figure, you owe me. At the very least, I should get to take your car and just drive around the block a couple of times so that I can pretend I'm not stuck.

watching the neighbors dig themselves out, while blocking us in.

And also? Isn't this the cutest little girl you ever did see?

Thought so.

I blame the snow for my insomnia.

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:13:00 +0000

It has been snowing for 12 hours now.

Trust me, that sounds more impressive than it actually is.

The first 5 hours, it was WARM snowing, so nothing even stuck to the ground. It was like rain, but not.

I'm actually a little bit disappointed. I keep waiting for the snow storm of the century to blow down my front door, and it's just not.

Of course, maybe it will snow fiercely while I sleep tonight.

At any rate, we are fully stocked, and taking a cue from Jen, I went to the store and stocked up on Dorito's and chocolate.

In other news, not weather related, I was thinking about maybe actually doing that whole take a picture every day thing. Of course, just thinking about it has me thinking up excuses because we all know that if I make a GOAL of some sort, I will do everything in my power to self-sabotage. It's how I roll.

Back to the weather, because WHILE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC...

Can we talk about how annoying it is that it is bright as a midsummer's day out there at midnight because the snow is all glistening and reflective and stuff? It is driving me crazy because I need pitch black darkness to sleep and that is currently unavailable. Waah.

Seriously though, I never even THOUGHT about snow and reflections before, but I can tell you this for certain now, I will never live in Alaska, or Minnesota, or anywhere else that will not allow for pitch black darkness at night.

IT'S JUST WRONG.

My Firstborn

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:57:00 +0000

Right now I need to talk about this guy.

As of this minute, he is my favorite child. Mostly on account of he has not had any sort of projectile anything leave his body and make it's way on to mine like the rest of the short people I live with.

But that's besides the point, which is this,

Thaddeus Is Awesome.

and here's why

1. He's an amazing speller.

Our school just had their annual "Spell-a-bration" and he got every single word right. AND his letters were all facing the right way. Pretty impressive for a fairly new 6 year old. Also pretty impressive considering at the start of the school year, we knew only 6 letters, and 0 letter sounds.

2. He is a really good helper.

Every day, he is the first one up and out of bed. He goes downstairs and sets the table for breakfast. Then he quietly goes down the next set of stairs and watches TV until the rest of us wake up. (Why yes, he is an early bird.) After everyone else has woken up, in the exact same order every day of my life, Thaddeus goes to the fridge, and brings the milk to the table.

He does his chores when I ask, and he helps his brother and sisters with their chores too. He loves to cook, and can often be found in the kitchen, making peanut butter sandwiches.

3. His appearance is immaculate.

I find so much joy in this statement that I can't help but smile. Thaddeus likes to be clean. He likes to look handsome. Lately, he has taken to styling his hair in a "triangle" (see picture at top). In fact, he's gotten so good at styling his own hair, that while I was busy giving haircuts to some neighbor girls the other day, Thaddeus took it upon himself to get all the boys hair in tip top condition. He sat them in his chair, draped them, then styled each boys hair into a perfectly coiffed triangle. It was super cute.

4. He's reasonable.

Which is to say, I understand how his mind works. He is very logical, and what's more, he can TELL me why he's feeling/acting/behaving however it is he's feeling/acting/behaving. It's quite a welcome adjustment seeing as how I still have to decipher what half of my children are saying and get it wrong a good 40% of the time.

5. He has a good attitude.

He's just happy to be alive, and it shows in every way. Every dinner is the best dinner he ever ate. Every day is the best day he's ever had. When he does get upset, he gets over it quickly. He laughs at himself.

I don't know how I got such an amazing kid, but I'm sure glad he's mine.

Love you Tad.

xoxo,

Mom

Hi. My name is Caroline. I'm an addict.

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:47:00 +0000

It's true. I'm addicted to television.

Fashion, food, sports, drama, I watch it all because it's the only thing that I get to do all. by. myself.

So we need to talk about TV for a second.

Because I am SUPER BEYOND EXCITED to watch a new show that starts tonight.

Kell on Earth.

Every night, after I get my kids in bed, pick up the house for the hundredth time, wash off my make-up and change into my jammies, I settle down into my favorite corner of the couch, and click on the TV.

Kelly Cutrone has always been my favorite "villain". Mostly because I so get her.

She has things to do. She doesn't have time for drama.

She keeps her business life business and her personal life private.

Just the way I like it.

I am SO excited that she has her own show. You all need to watch so that we can discuss later, m'kay? Thanks.

(Tonight. 10pm on Bravo.)

(SQUEE!)

P.S. After much thought and deliberation and wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth, I have decided to finally put that stupid, stupid follower thing on my blog. Please follow me so that I'm not a big lame-o that goes to bed crying in shame. ---->

Friday Link Love

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:54:00 +0000

Because I have 26 more minutes of Friday left....

First up, I totally used your words for my bio. You can read it here. On the SPEAKERS page. Because I'm totally speaking at the Casual Blogger Conference. Oh yes, I am. It's just one of the perks of being a boss lady. I get to speak in microphones. By the way, since I AM one of the boss ladies, I just so happen to know a little secret about *cough* SWAG BAGS. Here's the thing, everyone that comes will get one. And they'll have some cool stuff in them. But the first 100 people to register get extra special swag bags with extra awesome stuff. So, you should really go register right now while we still have those slots open. AND it's early bird pricing right now. DOUBLE SCORE.

Second item of business is this.

I am *officially* designing blogs now. Want to see some of my work? Go check out my portfolio. Then sign on up, or grab a badge, basically, I'm asking you to pimp me out. BECAUSE I AM AWESOME AS YOU ARE ALL VERY AWARE.

Third item of business.

Weather. Dear Weather, earlier this week, you were toasty. You were in the 60's, and the sun was out, and, I'll be honest, it was really nice. It's really great when we can scream outside. Inside screaming is not allowed. Also not allowed? MORE SNOW. xoxo.

And yeah, that's pretty much it for the linking.

I PROMISE, I will have a real live story for you soon. Cross my heart.

Giddy Up!

mombabe@thebinghamdiaries.com (MomBabe) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:17:00 +0000

Taylor has taken to galloping.

Every where she goes, she gallops along, shouting "Giddy-Up!" and "Yee-Haw!" at random intervals.

Sometimes, she forgets to gallop and walks a few steps, only to realize her mistake. Then with obvious determination, and complete focus, she hops once, and gently falls back into her galloping steps.

1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2....

It must feel wonderful to be two.