Hakone Gardens

About a month ago I took the kids to Hakone Gardens to go see the cherry blossoms in full boom.  I'd never been there before so I ambitiously brought along my camera in the hopes of being able to take some really nice pictures of these beautiful trees (my favorite) and the surrounding grounds... Well,  the kids were too busy running ahead of me on the marked paths and I had to take each shot literally on the fly so there was no sitting down and soaking it all in and slowly deciding up one's composition... nope, just click and chase, click and chase.  Ellie (who dressed herself I might add if you were wondering about the sparly shoes, blue socks, hippy dress and nice white sweater combo...) was for some reason really gloomy and not a single smile came accross her that morning.  I'm not sure why, although it was the day before I was scheduled to leave for San Diego for my workshop and I *suspect* she was giving me the cold shoulder...  Regardless, I did grab a few images that I didn't delete :)

I am not sure if the Cherry Blossoms are still in such a gorgeous blooming state but if you have the time, go take the family on a visit to Hakone Gardens in Saratoga.  The kids could have sat and watched the koi fish for an hour.  Ellie found a little spot and just sat there watching them twirl around by her feet as well as keeping a watchful eye on the little turtles all piled up on the rock suntanning.  It's a really lovely, quiet, peaceful place.  Too bad I wasn't able to get into my zen groove with my rugrats in tow...maybe next time I'll go alone!