Why is it that things are always chaotic and stressful on the days I need it to not be chaotic and stressful?
This morning I awoke to the wonderful smell of poo. Ainsley had pooped in her diaper and was covered in it from the waist down. Mercifully, the poo was contained inside the pajamas. So, I had to put her in the bathtub, strip her down, clean her off, wash out her clothes, scrub the bathtub and then bathe her. I had to use Thomas' Old Spice Extra Tough Body Wash... that's not good for the eczema!
Then, Ainsley finally went down for a nap and remember how I said that Hannah wasn't sick... well, she's sick now. And whiny. So I banished her to my room so that I could study. I heard the tv come on in my room and it was LOUD and it was STATIC. I didn't want it to wake up Ainsley so I jumped up, pushed open my bedroom door and smacked Hannah in the face with the doorknob. Busted her bottom lip open. Just a tiny bit. But she's really mad at me. She's fine. She is watching a movie and playing computer games. And yes, her yelling at me that I am the meanest mom ever DID wake Ainsley up. So, no study time for Mommy and I now have TWO whiny little munchkins! :) I have a feeling this midterm is not going to go so well...
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Rough Day at the Crandalls!
Monday, February 02, 2009
Sickies and more sickies!
We had a week or so at the beginning of January when the girls were sick, but Thomas and I were fine. That was really the only time that they have been SICK all winter. Well, the sickies struck our house again this weekend. Thankfully it is just a cold, but it's a nasty one! I wish that either the medicine would work or my head would just go ahead and explode... But anyway... we are all still alive and doing okay, just have yucky colds. For some reason, poor little Hannah is the only healthy one. She is bored out of her mind with the rest of us being sick. Thankfully we checked out some movies at Blockbuster on Friday afternoon. I have seen Barbie's Mermaidia movie at least twenty times in the last 4 days. But Ainsley likes it, too, so I am NOT complaining! So, I win the award for worst Mom in the world last night! We are trying to get Ainsley to sleep through the night, so if she wakes up we let her cry herself back to sleep. She is almost two years old, it's about time. And she has done really well the last few nights. Well, last night around 11:30 she started crying and calling my name. Nothing unusual there. She stopped fussing after about five minutes. A few minutes before midnight I went to check on her and she was asleep but her bedroom STUNK! I walked CAREFULLY across the room ('cause you never know where the "mess" is with her) to the light switch and flipped it on. She had been sick in her bed and had been trying to get my attention. Then she climbed back in her bed and rolled in it and fell asleep. Lovely. So, I went and got a bath ready, woke her up and cleaned her up and washed her sheets and blankets and bed cover and pillow. I was hoping that it wasn't a stomach virus. She has been fine since, so I am thinking that it must have been the FOUR Oreos that Hannah snuck her right before bedtime along with all the cold nastiness.
I sincerely apologize to all of you who have been the recipients of strange phone calls from my house. Ainsley is a monkey and has figured out a way to get my phone down from every conceivable hiding place. So far she has placed numerous calls to my parents, and most recently to Grandma Shelly & Aunt Angie. And some other phone number I have never seen before... So, if you get a phone call from me and there is nothing but someone breathing into the phone, it's Ainsley. Just say hi to her and tell her to give the phone to Mommy. Although, she'll probably tell you no and run and hide.
I have been keeping super busy lately. I don't feel like I ever get anything accomplished, but I never have time to simply sit still and just relax. I have been working on balance and setting a schedule and goals for myself. Then we all got sick and they have all been tossed by the wayside. I am looking forward to feeling better and having a clean house and an organized work schedule again. My friend, Ashli, and I have been working on some ideas for funky scrapbook kits. We are hoping to have the first one out in a couple of weeks!
So, I have a cute Hannah story that goes with the funny little picture above! On Friday, I wasn't feeling great, so I put Ainsley down for her nap and told Hannah that I needed some Mommy-Time and we were going to have quiet time for a bit. She could either play computer games on Daddy's computer or work on crafts in the kitchen. She chose crafts. After about half an hour of glorious peace and quiet, Hannah came running out of the kitchen with her arms behind her back. She flung her arms around thrust a HUGE bouquet of foam flowers at me. It was sooooo sweet! She yelled "Ta-Dah! Now you can feel better, Mommy!" My sweet little girl climbed on my lap and gave me a big hug. Hannah is such a sweet and compassionate little girl. When Ainsley is sad, Hannah is sad. When I don't feel well, she worries about me. She is such an old soul, a lot like I was. I took a picture of her holding the flowers and the camera took forever, hence the crazy look on her face. She had her teeth clenched into a smile and asked, "Is that camera ever gonna take my picture?" Funny little girl! And then Ainsley woke up and Quiet Time was over...
So, we have had some fun things going on... I took Hannah out for some Grown-Up Girl Bonding Time (Enchanted is one of her favorite movies!) and we just ran errands and went to the school board building to start the process of registering her for kindergarten. We are really hoping not to live in our neighborhood next fall when she starts school, but just in case, we want to make sure that she does NOT go to our neighborhood school. It's awful. So, we went to the school board building and signed up for a spot at another school. While we were there Hannah was talking about the patterns on the floor tiles and making up games to play with the floor tiles. I always thought that all kids thought like that, in patterns and colors. Well, the lady we were talking to used to work in the Gifted testing area. She suggested that we take her upstairs to that department and sign her up to be tested for the Gifted and Talented program. While we were up there, Hannah started talking about all of the colors on the bulletin board, but she was saying them in Spanish. The lady there asked if Hannah comes from a bilingual home. I told her that we watch Dora, but that's as bilingual as we get. She asked if we would be interested in having Hannah in a Gifted Language Immersion program. We are going to have her tested in the spring for Gifted programs and then decide what to do after we get the results. I think Hannah would love the Immersion program. She loves learning new ways to say the same thing. She loves learning new adjectives as well as ways to say the same thing in different languages. They do sign language on the Sprout network and she looks forward to learning the sign language more than watching the shows. It's adorable! Now she is making up her own sign language. It's so cute! But a little frustrating when I ask her a question and can't figure out if she is answering me in real sign language or her own made-up kind!
Ainsley is starting to put two words together now and learns new words and word combinations every day. She loves to sing songs and she has an amazing memory. I think she may have a photographic memory for sounds, like Thomas does. When a commercial comes on TV, she stops and says it along with the commercial if it is one she has ever watched before. Everyday when I give the girls a bath, we count to twenty so that Hannah can learn to count. The other day Hannah and I got to eight and I heard Ainsley chiming in... nine, ten, 'leven, twelve, 'teen, 'teen, fifteen... It was adorable! She has no concept of numbers of course, but she remembers them.
My camera is on its last leg (it's at least ten years old!), so I haven't taken many photos at all lately. We are hoping to get a new camera with our tax return. I want to get a dSLR, but we'll see what else we need our tax return for before I plan on that one! We told Hannah we would try to get a Wii, too. She LOVES playing bowling on the Wii. And she's good at it.
I think that is everything! I have a new kit in my store at Elemental Scraps and a new freebie on my design blog. I have to go do some design work and figure out payouts and get my tax stuff ready... Have a great day!
Sunday, February 01, 2009
I got tagged!
Angie tagged me to post my fourth picture in my fourth picture folder. I have all mine chronologically on this computer. This picture is from 2003. My sister-in-law sent us this picture of her kids when we lived in Florida. We love these adorable kiddos!
Charity Kit & a print coupon
Also, I have a coupon on my design blog for Scrapping Simply. Don't miss this sale!
Monday, January 26, 2009
New Freebie on my design blog!
Just added some new products and a couple of freebies to my design blog...
http://meredithcardall.blogspot.com
Monday, January 19, 2009
Both blogs updated....
Okay, now everyone can quit sending me obnoxious text messages and emails and phone calls that I need to update my blog! :)
Life has been crazy as usual around here! I believe that 2009 can best be explained through a series of photos... Enjoy! Because I don't think I am going to go back and post Christmas photos....
sick and snuggling on the couch watching a movie
yep, still sick... sitting on the CHAIR watching a movie. And yes, that is INK on Ainsley's face, not a bruise. Nice, eh?
Feeling a little bit better playing with dolls and wearing her tattered Cinderella dress. Cute tights, though, huh?! I can't believe how old my little baby girl is! School is coming up in a few months. Don't know how I am going to handle that!
Feeling a bit better, dressed in a sundress because if she doesn't wear them now, she won't ever get to! SOOOOO tired of cold weather! Isn't her hair getting long?! And when she is fresh out of the bathtub she has curly hair. It's adorable!
Oh! Wait! Not so fast! Not feeling well again... But not exactly sick either. Just cranky and tired. Both of them. Maybe it's because they don't sleep at night...And did I mention that there is a nasty stomach virus going around the neighborhood. We have quarantined ourselves in the house for fear of catching it! Or because it's freezing cold. Take your pick! :)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
New goodie on my design blog...
Go visit my design blog to download this freebie! It coordinates with my newest kit that is on sale for only $1 on Monday!!!!
http://meredithcardall.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-kit-endless-love-and-free-goodie.html
Thursday, January 01, 2009
New Kit - Funky Love
This is my newest kit, inspired by Valentine's Day
Do you want a chance to get this entire kit for free?
Stop by the 3Scrapateers forums every day to download a different piece of the kit! At the end of January, you'll have the entire kit for free!
If you are like me and patience is not one of your virtues, you can go ahead and purchase the kit now!
Purchase the kit now at 3Scrapateers for $3.99 anytime during the month of January, available now
Purchase the kit at FaithSisters for 50% off ($2.49) through this weekend, available now
OR
Purchase the kit at Elemental Scraps for 25% off ($3.75) on Monday only, available Monday
And my friend, Rach, created a beautiful layout using this kit!
Thanks, Rach!
The Enchanted Art Box at Tangie's store...
Seriously Amazing!
You can purchase individual pieces here at Tangie & Sherrie's store
Enchanted Art Box
OR you can purchase the entire collection from Tangie's store at Scrapbookgraphics!
Isn't it pretty?! Not a single commercial use product was used in creating this collection! It's all completely unique and totally amazing!Here is a page I made with it:
and another one:
and I hope to get more done later!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
SALE over at Tangie Baxter's store...
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=166301
WOW! Amazing deals on AMAZING stuff! I am off to buy buy buy!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Blog Update & Christmas Card
I just the world's quickest blog makeover! So stop bugging me about updating my look! What's that saying about the cobbler's children going barefoot? But doesn't it look cute?! I used some goods from Tangie Baxter Designs... where I am a GUEST CT for the month of December! And boy did I get lucky! It's the best month EVER to be a guest over there!
AND... I even finished my Christmas card! AND... I ordered prints! AND... they'll be ready in two hours for me to pick up! Woohoo! Meredith got something DONE! I used a big ol' hodge podge o' stuff on this card. The major players here are Krystal Hartley, Amy Sumrall, Jen U, Tangie Baxter, Rachel Young & styles from Misty Cato & Corina Neilsen. And the font is Pea Olsen. Next step... mail the cards!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
ES Dollar Days are HERE!
and here is a sampling of what we have available today!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
ES Dollar Days 12/10
and my second new kit is a collab with Theres K. Rough N Tumble is perfect for all things boy! It was so much fun to make a boy kit!
And two of my "old" products will be marked down to $1 for tomorrow only! I would suggest popping in at the store tomorrow for some amazing deals. I have seen what's coming and I know that I will be doing some shopping myself!
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Some Pictures
Yes, I am a blog slacker, but I have been really busy lately! So here are some long awaited photos!
Ainsley refuses to wear pants now and her favorite place to sit is beside the tv INSIDE the armoire! And Hannah wants everyone to notice how beautiful her hair is when it's straight. We battle every single day whether her hair will be curly or straight that day. She prefers straight, but I refuse to blowdry and flat iron a four year old's hair!
Hannah has gotten over her anti-camera stage for the most part. She was posing as a "Stylish" girl yesterday after church. She wants everyone to notice her pretty "rojo party shoes". Yes, she thinks it is normal to mix English and Spanish in the same sentence. Thanks, Dora!
She does look cute in that little red dress! She is so grown up! And so skinny! Ignore the saggy ankles in these tights!
And this is pretty little Ainsley in her new dress! She is so cute in purple. I haven't really put it on her before. Yesterday was her first day of nursery. She screamed the entire time. I finally had to go in and get her about fifteen minutes before church was over. I could hear her from upstairs in the adult meeting! Oops!
The kids pulled out a bunch of garbage from their room while Thomas and I were trying to get the Christmas decorations up. Ainsley was so exhausted she feel asleep halfway on the ottoman! What a funny kid!
Hannah was so excited to decorate the tree! She is so cute! This is HER cat & the fiddle ornament. 
Ainsley loved the tree, too! She was very deliberate about hanging ornaments. Then she would take them off, collect them in a box, rehang them and start the cycle all over again!
Hannah is so big on traditions! She wanted Daddy to help her hang the star on the tree. My poor star is cracked from the big tree fall of 2006. Gonna have to get a new one for next year.
Hannah was probably most excited about the giant musical snowglobe. That is my LEAST favorite part of Christmas. And yes, those are pretzels on the floor. Ainsley dumped out a mini bag of pretzels. Fun!
Ainsley is such a nerd! She loves to do her "cheese" smile! She wanted to help put the star up, too, so Daddy let her touch the top of the tree!
We put up bunkbeds for the girls last weekend. Ainsley decided to climb to the top of the bunkbed latter last night! Nothing is safe!
My girls are so cute! They just love to snuggle each other! Ainsley was so tired. She wouldn't nap yesterday, so Hannah laid down with her on the chair until she fell asleep. It was so adorable!
Ainsley has always hated napping in her bed. This weekend we put the highchair downstairs so she can't nap in that anymore. The poor kid is so confused! She fell asleep on the big chair wrapped up in Hannah's Christmas afghan. So sweet!
This is my living room all decorated for Christmas! Ignore the messy carpet!
This is a picture of the girls all decked out for the first day of Christmas celebrations! Hannah is wearing a light-up Rudolph shirt with a jean skirt and snowflake leggings. Ainsley is wearing a red sweater with a jean skirt and the same leggings. And of course, Ainsley is doing her cheese smile!
Okay, I am going to go clean my house now and do some more laundry!
Merry Christmas everyone!
I'M A DESIGNER AT ELEMENTAL SCRAPS!!!!!!!!!
I also stocked my store with all of my Christmas cards, QuickPages and Printables. So hop on over there and check out my store!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
New products for this week!
My store is 40% off from NOW through Saturday night! I have QuickPages for $0.89 each and cards for only $1.49 each! I have several brand new products in my store to help you get ready for Christmas... and one to help chase away those winter blues!
The first set is features Krystal Hartley's Feelin' Frosty Kit at FunkyPlaygroundDesigns
You can purchase the bundled QuickPages for added savings OR you can purchase individual pages! I also have a Greetings set with a card and a gift box! This would make the perfect little box for a gift of Snowman Soup!
Purchase QP Bundle HerePurchase QP1 Here
Purchase QP2 Here
Purchase QP3 Here
Purchase Greetings Set Here
******************************************
The next set of products feature Krystal Hartley's Angels Among Us kit at FaithSisters
The QuickPages are available in a bundled format for added savings or pages can be purchased separately. I also have a gift box available and 2 different card sets!
Purchase QuickPage Bundle HerePurchase QP1 Here
Purchase QP2 Here
Purchase QP3 Here
Purchase QP4 Here
Purchase Gift Box Here
Purchase Card #1 here
Purchase Card #2 here*************
And last but certainly not least... as promised, the QuickPage that is bright enough to chase away all of your winter blues! I just love Amy's bright colors!
This QuickPage features Amy Sumrall's Kooky Kritters kit at TheDigiChick
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Look what my "Guest CT" did for me!
I sent a kit as a prize to one of the cute kids who scrapbooks at RAKScraps and she made me a layout!!!! It's so cute! And she is only SIX! Thanks so much, Kaisa!
Kaisa used my Bringin' Back Summer kit available at FaithSisters and at my new store at 3Scrapateers. Kaisa picked this kit because she liked the bugs and they reminded her of her fourth birthday party! Click on Kaisa's layout above to leave her some love at RAKScraps! Thanks, Kaisa! I love the layout and I am so glad you like your kit! Keep scrapbooking! :)
