A small group of homeschool families went to the Botanical Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia recently. It was our first visit to the gardens and we didn’t know what to expect. The day was sweltering at over 90 degrees and we forgot to bring water. Yeah, real smart, eh? We made it through and enjoyed ourselves. The 25 minute tram ride was very interesting and the 30-acre property is loaded with an inconceivable amount of greenery to learn from and appreciate. It is also peaceful and worth the visit. I can imagine buying a ticket and escaping to a shaded tree with a book and blanket for hours. Quiet.
I will share a few more butterfly images later, but for now, I thought this was the most interesting. It’s a Where’s Waldo in the world of butterflies. Can you find it?!
After the tram and butterfly visit, we sweated our way to the WOW Children’s Garden where the little ones cooled off. If I wasn’t having so much fun taking pictures, I would’ve jumped right in myself. It was hot. Stinky hot.
So playtime was over and the families head out. We made our way to see a couple spots on the way out – in particular the Japanese Gardens. Since we were stationed in Japan for six years not long ago, it is like our second home to us. We loved the koi and bamboo and surroundings that took us back to that land. I had to ‘force’ my kids to stop for a quick impromptu portrait session before we had to leave. Literally minutes. Just smile, look cute, we gotta go. C’mon, please? Just go over there. Hurry!
Ok, my youngest is quick to pose for the most part, but giving me a silly grin. She is just cute anyway. She’s five.
My son is on the brink of manhood. Ok, does seventeen years old count as a man? He’s going to always be my baby so I guess that doesn’t matter. Like many young men, he hates getting his picture taken and only gives in every once in awhile. So today, here he stands by the bamboo. It one of the fastest growing trees in the world. How appropriate. Where does the time go!?
These last two are favorites. Squeezed in at the last moment, exhausted and sweaty, right before we load up in the truck. Sunlight, rays, and lens flare, trellis, park bench. Oh! I can’t pass this up! Not to mention two beautiful girls that I love with every breath. Images like these make me want to ‘force’ them to take pictures more. There could be worse punishments, no? 
Though these images are posed, quick snapshots I will still cherish them. My fourth child was too busy exploring to care about getting his ‘portrait’ taken and to be honest, I was running out of steam. I’ll get him next time. I don’t know why it’s so hard for my kids to allow me the opportunity to photograph them. But I keep trying. And forcing. Wouldn’t you?
