The first year we had the girls, I watched from afar - this was my husband's hobby, not mine. That didn't last long, but the end of the summer I was out there all the time! Last year in a beekeeping class I saw a top bar hive, and just HAD to have one for my own first hive. And it HAD to have an observation window. Now if only there was a tiny little light that would go on when I peeked in to be nosy!
It does get addicting - this is our 4th year - we're up to 6 hives in the yard, another hive up at a local school. But you meet the nicest people (ok, some of our beek friends are weird) and we're learning more and more each year.
Welcome and enjoy!