HELP!

Okay, so picture this in your mind...

A vending machine full of baby products while you're on the go.

It's called Babies on the Go.

It has all those silly things we need in our diaper bags - from diapers to orajel.

The vending machine needs a tag-line and some pictures.

The gal showed it to me and it had parachutes dropping baby items which to me meant, plane's gonna crash (this one was going into an airport) so she liked that I had a couple of ideas and I offered to blog about it to get other mama's and gals ideas.

So, what would draw you in?????

My Week in Review...

As I sit here this morning and think back upon my week, I realize just how busy it has been!!

Back to school means lots of rushing to and fro.

Thomas & his 4th Grade Teacher

On Monday, we had our "Meet and Greet" where the children have an opportunity to meet your new teacher, see the classroom, find your desk and drop off all of your supplies.  It really makes the first day of school much easier.

The Boys of 4th Grade
and yes, my little guy is the tallest kid in his grade!!!

The infamous "Homework Box"

Tuesday was the start of school for the elementary school children, so my little guy started 4th grade.  My daughter and I had the day together and enjoyed coffee at Starbucks and lunch at Chipotle.

And now she's a Junior

Driving off to school...

Wednesday was the first day of school for my daughter who is now a junior in high school.  My goodness time goes by quickly.  Thomas is really working hard on his homework this year so far.

He worked so diligently on this assignment

Thursday was schedules full-swing.  Thomas is in school all day.  I'm back at work all day, everyday.  Caitlyn has school, followed by cheer practice for 2 1/2 hours, immediately followed by coaching young girls for 2 hours.  She leaves the house at 6:45 a.m. and doesn't get home until 8:30 a.m.  We attended the last car cruise of the summer on Thursday night.

Enjoying the last Car Cruise of 2010

Friday brought on the first football game of the school year.  Much excitement as we were playing a team that has won the last 28 games they had played - we WON!!  It was my daughter's first game as a Varsity Cheerleader.

Are you ready for some Football??

Cheer on!!

Getting the crowds excited!

Saturday and Sunday bring about a great deal of things to do as well, but I hope to find at least a few moments to just enjoy life and the beautiful weather that comes about as September approaches.

I'm trying to take at least one photograph each day to build a year in photos - the years fly by so quickly, I want to hold on to it a little bit longer...

This Changes Everything...

Do you know that statement?  

Can you guess what I got?

Okay, well, I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I'm a gadget girl.

(insert inspector gadget music)

But, I really love Apple.  

So imagine my surprise when hubby hooked me up with an iPhone 4 on this past Friday.

I spent the weekend updating my calendar, contacts, and finding cool apps.

And, I can honestly say, that YES, this does change everything!!

Final Trip Pics

This is the Supreme Court Building.  

I love architecture.

This is the Old State Capital Building.

Lincoln Square was really quaint.

It made me think of days gone by.

Simpler times.

The Lincoln's home, restored.

Homes from the Lincoln neighborhood.

They just don't build homes with this kind of character these days.

The Lincoln Museum was breathtaking.

Unfortunately you cannot take photos of any of the exhibits.

But, I can tell you that I was brought to tears several times.

Seeing your child experience a dream, priceless.

More Get-Away Photos

A couple more photos of the state capitol building.

The light fixtures amazed me.

Thomas sat for a few minutes to see what it would be like.

Then we went to the state museum.

Lots of interesting information about the state of Illinois past, present, and future.

And then we visited Lincoln's Tomb.

This was really impressive and very emotional.

I was amazed at the detail there was in this tomb.

It is under this that Linoln is actually buried.

So much to read and Thomas was certain to read each and ever plaque.

People left pennies everywhere.

Thomas left one too.

This is the original "holding tomb" that Lincoln was placed in at Oak Ridge Cemetery, before being moved into the tomb where he is now.

The War Memorial

We visited the war memorial.

We were all moved by this experience.

Weekend Getaway...

Over the weekend we took a trip to our state capital, Springfield.

My son Thomas is a huge history buff.

He also likes politics.

We went to the capital building.

It's a bit fancier than I would have anticipated.

I loved looking at all the old details.

Thinking of all the people who have walked through these halls.

Looking in amazement at the attention to detail that you don't see in today's buildings.

The building is the tallest non skyscraper building in the states.

I am relatively certain that they say it's taller than the White House.

It truly was a marvelous site.

I couldn't get enough photos of the building.

And yet, none seem to capture the grandeur of the building.

But I was impressed for sure.

Thomas even got to "sign in" which I thought was a big deal.

The stairs, the marble, the light fixtures, I oohed and aaahhed a LOT

Chandeliers like this seem a bit over the top to me

I was really taken by the beauty of where the senators and representatives of our state

meet to vote.  Truly impressive.

This is the inside of the high dome on the building.

I was blown away.

Amazing details were everywhere.  

I was just really loving walking slowly and touching and admiring 

the beauty that was before me.

What about you?

Do you love to take in the details of your surroundings?

Do you ever find yourself just in wonder of those who had been in the places where you walk?

I discovered over the weekend that I kinda love history.

Who knew!?

(more pictures to come)