Friday, April 15, 2011

Of Late...

Aside from chauffeuring Jem to and from preschool, running back and forth from soccer practice, doing a little sewing (mostly refashioning some of my stuff and scrap skirts for Jem), we've had a relatively chill week. SO chill in fact, that I actually had the energy to take all three kids to the zoo for

a.) the first time without Brandon and

b.) the first time since Gavin was born (if you don't count Zoo Lights, which I don't cuz you couldn't see the animals...)

So, pictures of that excursion are down at the end of this post.


I also have decided that I am truly undecided on how I feel about this little chair.

I found it at goodwill for $9 last September. Love the chair itself...just can't seem to give it the right look.

Obviously "Sofia" had to go...and I was on a gray and turquoise kick, so that's the look it got last fall.

However, after months of gray skies, the color gray on this sweet little rocking chair just didn't work for me...and in addition, the little seat mat I'd sewn up for it looked more and more like a hot pad...no good. Plus, I'm trying to go more neural in my home decor. Too many colors these days. Makes me wanna gag when I look around and see mismatched nic-nacs everywhere.

Time for a re-do.

So, I painted it off white and made a new seat cushion.

Gavin felt he needed to climb on this baby as soon as it was upright. (And, notice the upside-down stool in the background?)

And then he felt the need to climb all over me while trying to get a decent shot of the finished product.
But, get a decent shot, I did.

So, now that it's all done...I fear it's too neutral...the cushion doesn't have enough color or maybe I just don't like the yellow ties. (In truth, I didn't feel like sewing up ties, so I dug through my ribbon stash and yellow was the best I could find...) Anyway, we'll see how long this look lasts.


Back to our trip to the zoo. We got there in time for lunch and ate our picnic out on the big lawn and soaked up as much vitamin D as possible. It was WONDERFUL to get out and do something out of the norm away from the confinements of our little apartment.


Here are the pics from the zoo. (I didn't get the camera out much...we were just enjoying ourselves too much I guess. :)




This was the first time we've EVER seen the lions outside their den.
Those bats are really cool to watch...we usually just skip these guys cuz they're back in a little dark corner and we tend to hit this area at the end of our zoo excursions. This time, we checked them out for a good 10 minutes or so.

Anyway, I asked Jem and Carter what they're favorite animal was. Carter's was the Tiger and Jem said she loved them all!
They haven't stopped asking since when we're going back...when the sun comes back out!

6 comments:

-tracy said...

I wish I was brave enough to do the zoo alone...I would NEVER do that.
Also, I think the chair looks great. Maybe you should glaze it to give the cracks more definition, and it would still remain neutral. Just a thought. :)

Sharee Gariety said...

Jen, may I just say a great big congratulations on your awesomeness for taking all three kids to the zoo by yourself. I know that the first time you do something like that is so intimidating, so the the fact that you did is monumental. GREAT JOB! Don't you feel empowered? :) Also, I love the chair and I think it's great that you can change the cushion once in awhile and get a whole new feel every time.

Travis and Heather said...

I luv the stool. I love it. I am feelin that same vibe with you and the neutrals. I was getting out holiday stuff and throwing up in my mouth because the holiday and everyday were a rainbow catastrophe. Wow, that sounded really dramatic. Welcome into my slightly abnormal brain.

fine....very abnormal.

Love the stool.

If you feel the need to change it mail it to me.

Nawatha said...

Love all the pictures. The kids are really growing!!!! Love the little rocker. You could always paint those little flowers on the back slats to match your cushion. You are so artistic, you will come up with just the right thing without anybody's help. Looking forward to seeing all of you.

Kristina said...

Is it Jem now? I was so confused. I thought you made a typo, then it happened over and over. I'm glad the zoo was awesome for you! I do love your chair. I don't think you need to change it. Just do what Sharee suggested and change the cushion every once in a while. We all know it took you a split second to whip that adorable thing up! I can't wait to see what you create.

-tracy said...

glazing tutorial:
http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/