an Afternoon in Tucson

I say this often, but I think it's worth repeating. Sometimes, stepping away from the computer, disengaging from things that take up our time and refocusing that extra time into more meaningful experiences can be renewing. Like a breathe of fresh air. Speaking of which, it's Spring here and with a very rainy Winter it created a very green Spring. A few weeks back a friend on Facebook posted this quote about the desert:

         "In order to find the desert beautiful, you have to have very small eyes."

That is a perfect way to describe life spent here in the desert where our terrain is sometimes hard to see past. I wish someone had pointed that out when I first moved to the Valley, it may have made the transition a tad smoother. :) Now though, I suppose because I passed the 10yr. mark and there appears to be no immediate plans to move out-of-state, I try to take in little details. The cactus buds getting ready to bloom, the tiny hummingbird nest near our front gate, even the way the air smells  in the evening while the golf course is being watered. I think when you stop to appreciate all the small things, much like stopping to smell the flowers, it makes time slow down a bit. 

In honor of Spring, I wanted to take the kids out exploring and we decided to take a day trip down to Tucson to visit the Sonoran Desert Museum. Basically a zoo of native Arizona animals/reptiles, mixed with a Botanical desert garden. It's nestled into the rocky hillsides just outside of Tucson which created a perfect backdrop for photos and we were there in time to see the wild flowers still in bloom! The kids and I thought it was great, a little warm in the mid-afternoon (bring a hat & water and arrive early) - there was lots of walking and even more to see and discover! 

The kids gave the museum 4 thumbs up - Chase liked the animals and Alaina really enjoyed the walk through bird aviary and the hummingbird garden. Definitely worth putting on your list of things to-do when visiting Southern AZ!

Oh! and I even had some time to scrapbook over the Spring Break ~ in case you thought I had given up on scrapbooking :) I did a little guest designing for Little Black Dress kit club. I can post all of the photos later this week, it was a fun color palette to work with!

Home Tour- Chase's Room

Little Chase's bedroom. I love his room and just like his big sisters room I went with an eclectic theme that included all of his favorite things; cars, trains, horses, books, and maps. I'll admit that his room was completed long before Alaian's was finished. Being 3 and a boy, Chase is just.... less fussy about the contents of his bedroom. Give the boy a book and a blankie and he's content! That also meant that I could choose almost anything really and make it work for his space. 

Initially, his room was painted the most horrendous shade of a terra-cotta brownish-orange but with a little help from the husband and 2 coats of primer, his walls were a bright white and a blank canvas!

My favorite part of his room? The bookcase! I was roaming, almost aimlessly one afternoon, around a local estate furniture warehouse when I ran into this 7ft. wood bookcase. It didn't have a price on it, was a tad bit dated and it kind of reminded me of something from 'That 70's Show' - I didn't love it but I could see the possibility for potential. So, I asked for the price just for fun and... wait for it.... wait for it... $39. SOLD! For the price - I'll make it work! So Peter and I lugged the wooden monstrosity upstairs and I filled the shelves with all of Chase's book, a few of his vintage horses and a couple little trinkets here and there.

{the vintage horse bookend also came from the same furniture warehouse! I love going there, I always come home with something random, from old furniture to little figurines!}

As if the 3 large shelves weren't enough space, the bottom cabinets open up to hold more of Chase's toys, puzzles, coloring books and a basket of crayons. His 70's-ish dark bookcase has certainly grown on me! 

In front of his bookcase, I created a little reading area for him with a leather chair found at a garage sale, a basket of board books and a poof for his little footsies. Every evening he comes to the top of the stairs and yells down to me "Mom, can I read a book?" He really is such an easy going little guy!

Next to the book case we put up this white plaster head of I think an English Pointer (could be German?) Chase really loves dogs and it seemed like a good fit for his room. Then the kids were playing one night and an old black & gold sombrero somehow ended up on his head and it just stuck. Peter says "that's ridiculous" and it kind of is! Which is probably why the kids think it's so amusing!  

As for the rest of his room, it's fairly simple and not quite as interesting as a hunting dog wearing a sombrero but Chase seems to really like his new bedroom! 

The dresser was actually found at the same furniture store as his bookcase - what luck I have at that place! I'm almost a tad embarrassed to say it, but the ladies that run the front desk there know me by name. *blush* However I've come to look forward to being greeted as Ms. Anderson when I walk through the doors there. (Sometimes you forget that you had a name other than Mom, Mommy, Mama.) Back to the dresser - I've had a difficult time tracking down dressers that are large enough for all of the kids' clothes without being too tall. So finding one with 6 draws was a step in the right direction, plus because it was previously used it was at a great price! Can't beat that! 

Peter and I both really enjoy antiquing, when we met he had a great collection of Antique mirrors and I'm a big collector of hand painted vintage art, we're a match made in thrift store heaven! :) I spent what felt like a really long time arranging and rearranging different combinations of art vs. mirrors in the kids' rooms. The great thing about hanging artwork in a collage grouping is that it can be changed whenever we acquire a new piece.... which tends to be quite often as I'm always on lookout for great little pieces. 

It wouldn't be Chases room without a train set on the floor!

Chase has the larger of the 2 closets but because he's a boy he has less stuff to manage. I keep 3 baskets tucked underneath his bed for his entire car collection, Leap Frog games and overflow toys from the toy box. For being so young, he does a really great job at keeping his room cleaned and organized... I'm guessing this will change as he ages but for right now I'm basking in his rooms tidy glory!

I gave Alaina my girly toys from the 80s (Rainbow Bright & Straw Berry Shortcake anyone?) and Chase has ended up with a few others. Fisher Price toys were always a favorite of mine growing up and I'm happy that this new little generation thinks they're just as cool! 

I think that about does it for Chases room! I'm so happy and relieved that the kids' bedrooms are all finished but more importantly that both are happy in their bedrooms. Feel free to leave me links to your kids' rooms! I love checking out what other mommies have designed for their little ones!

Happy Monday! ~ Tara