Ack! Has it really been that long?!

I have know idea why I feel the need to come on here and be apologetic. It's not like the internet ceases to function when I don't blog. My lack of entries seems to point to a lack of things to say which is far from the case. I've been so busy since the beginning of August, it's not even funny.

First I had Shutterbugs camp at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens which went alright I suppose. We had a lot of boys in the class...Two of which happen to be sons of professional photographers. The first day when I got home I swore I wouldn't go back for the second, the kids were so bad (well mostly those two boys, but then the rest of the boys felt the need to join in.) But I did go back and the second day went better. The 3 other consolers and I came up with a more organized schedule and that helped things. There are a few pics below. I still have a roll of film I need to get developed with the butterfly exhibit on it. And there's no pics of the kids that were there on here since I won't put up pics of other peoples kids without permission. (Sorry about the big ugly copyright...I'm probably being presumptuous but I thought these turned out rather well and I wanted to put the logo somewhere where it wouldn't be easily removed.)

Then after that mess was over we started in on follow-ups for TJs surgery. I'm happy to say the child hears perfectly. Dr. Nelson released him for 6 months, then he has to go back and check to see if the tubes are still in place. Tristan also had a speech evaluation with Help Me Grow. According to that evaluation, he is speaking at or above a 2 year old level. So he's right on target. He's comprehending at about 48 months (4 years or Avery's age) and his physical development is around that same level. (YAY TJ!!!)

By that time we were nearing the end of August and it was time for me to get back to school. This term I'm taking just three classes but two of them involve labs. I'm taking Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to General, Organic, and BioChemistry, and Sociology. A & P and GOBC require 3 hour laboratory sessions. We're coming up on mid term (can you believe it?!) and I'm having a lot of exams and papers coming due.

Then Avery started back to school on Sept. 5. We had a rocky start but things seem to be getting better now. He's enjoying class (in fact today he was Miss Roberta's "Special Class Helper") but doesn't like having to be away from me. I've started letting him stay up for one hour after TJ goes down for nap and he and I do something fun. (Picture of craft projects forthcoming, lol.)

Anywho...Speaking of Avery...It's about time I got TJ ready to go get Avery from school. Watch for some layouts later. Oh and Dad? See that little link down there that says "Comments"? You can click that and leave some, you know. ;)

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens : Akron, Ohio : Bridge Over Lagoons

Back behind the main part of the grounds there is a wooded area. When the Siberling family orginally built the house on the property they found massive stone quarries back in these woods. (Which coincedently is where the name Stan Hywett came from...It means Stone Quarry in Old English and is actually pronounced "He-witt".) The family had the quarries mined so they could use the stone in the buildings. Then they backfilled the empty quarries with water which made a series of lagoons on the back of the property. You wouldn't want to by the way it looks in this shot, but the Siberlings actually swam here in the summer.

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens : Akron, Ohio : Stone Trail

Here you can see some of the stones that were mined from the aforementioned quarries. These little stone foot paths are everywhere. While working with the kids on observation of light we walked a trail around the back of the property called Pleasure Lane. This foot path leads from a beautiful Japenese style garden (with huge ornamental bonsai) down to meet up with Pleasure Lane.

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens : Akron, Ohio : Persistance

I know this one won't be what most think of as pretty. And yes, I saw all of those dead flowers before I framed my shot. But keep in mind that it was close to 105 degrees on the grounds that day. All the flowers were baking in the heat. They sounded like rustling fall leaves when you brushed against them. I was telling the kids that as photographers they had to keep their eyes open for a shot, no matter what the conditions. But they whinned that the flowers in the garden were all wilted and there was nothing to photograph. Then I saw this persistant little bee and I started following it. It went from one flower bed to the next, buzzing around until it found the lone flower in each that still held pollen. Then it would land. And there is beauty in persistance.