Clay became pals with the Mouse. They high fived and exchanged kisses and hugs. Clay also enjoyed meeting Mickey's friends. Clay is afraid of things such as sneezes, overhead announcements, and toddlers, but my otherwise sensitive child was unafraid of giant costumed characters. Surprising and adorable.
The trip was a dream. Clay loved all the new places to crawl around and explore, new things to see, and new food to eat, not bad for contracting his first ear infection and cutting three teeth in the middle of the 12 day vacation.
It was a dream to have Clay to take on this vacation. My parents imagined this family vacation many years ago, before there were six grandkids to enjoy it with us. The trip was planned for last summer, but then I was too pregnant with Clay to sail. So the 16 Kaschube family sailors rearranged their schedules, practiced their patience, and we set sail June 8, 2014 - with two extra babies on board! Baby Clay and little cousin Claire. While I know Eric and I would have enjoyed the trip before Clay's arrival, there was a certain level of Disney magic that came to life seeing it through Clay's eyes.
The trip was a dream. Clay loved all the new places to crawl around and explore, new things to see, and new food to eat, not bad for contracting his first ear infection and cutting three teeth in the middle of the 12 day vacation.
It was a dream to have Clay to take on this vacation. My parents imagined this family vacation many years ago, before there were six grandkids to enjoy it with us. The trip was planned for last summer, but then I was too pregnant with Clay to sail. So the 16 Kaschube family sailors rearranged their schedules, practiced their patience, and we set sail June 8, 2014 - with two extra babies on board! Baby Clay and little cousin Claire. While I know Eric and I would have enjoyed the trip before Clay's arrival, there was a certain level of Disney magic that came to life seeing it through Clay's eyes.
Here's a chronological overview of the trip, but it was simply too much fun for a blog to capture. Nonetheless...
Clay was feeling kind of lonely on the beach so we headed north to Orlando. We found the Kaschube Crew and boarded the bus to Port Canaveral to embark on the Disney Dream.
Our first night back on land, my brothers and I took Mom and Dad to dinner at the Grand Floridian. (Hardly thanks enough for them treating our families to an incredible, week long, land and sea Disney vacation). We told the staff we were celebrating our parents' 60th birthdays. Their celebratory dessert wished them a Happy 60th Anniversary. These two honeymooned at Walt Disney World; quick math proves they certainly could not have been married 60 years.
After a night of rest at Art of Animation, we headed to the Magic Kingdom. Clay loved every ride we took him on, especially It's a Small World. He loved the people watching and the characters.
Overall, the idea of family vacation changed for me in a six ways:
1. Our first morning at Siesta Key, Eric, Clay and I had been out to breakfast and to the grocery store by 8:30AM. No more sleeping in on vacation.
2. I now travel as a true tourist Mom. As in, there are so many vacation pictures that this post, though cluttered with pictures, simply cannot hold them, I sported a backpack nearly the entire time, and you better believe my blonde haired, blue eyed baby did not have a hint of sunburn at any point during the trip.
3. Eric willingly goes to the beach, plays in the sand, and even gets in the water if he can score a smile from his son. This was our fourth visit together to Siesta Key, but the first time he joyfully participated in the beach scene.
4. With a baby, my see and do pace slows way down. I love to see and do on vacation, but what I loved to see more than anything was Clay and my nieces and nephews seeing and doing. In ten hours at the Magic Kingdom, we rode maybe five rides, went to a parade (which Clay slept through), and ate lunch with the Winnie the Pooh characters. But I left feeling I did not miss out on a thing that park had to offer. Clay's experience is the full experience.
5. Heading out for the day on vacation involves a real-life, hands-on game of Tetris in the form of "What more can I pack on to this stroller?" and "Ooo! An empty pocket! Here, fill it with some puffs and a poncho."
6. Being part of the second generation of three is a truly blessed position. I witnessed Clay strengthening his relationship with his grandparents, aunts, unlces, and cousins, Eric and I were blessed with child-free moments of relaxation thanks to the willing arms of the aforementioned, and we began to pass on a value that Eric and I hold so closely because it was given to us so generously - a life filled with a family who loves God, loves each other, and loves to have a good time.
1. Our first morning at Siesta Key, Eric, Clay and I had been out to breakfast and to the grocery store by 8:30AM. No more sleeping in on vacation.
2. I now travel as a true tourist Mom. As in, there are so many vacation pictures that this post, though cluttered with pictures, simply cannot hold them, I sported a backpack nearly the entire time, and you better believe my blonde haired, blue eyed baby did not have a hint of sunburn at any point during the trip.
3. Eric willingly goes to the beach, plays in the sand, and even gets in the water if he can score a smile from his son. This was our fourth visit together to Siesta Key, but the first time he joyfully participated in the beach scene.
4. With a baby, my see and do pace slows way down. I love to see and do on vacation, but what I loved to see more than anything was Clay and my nieces and nephews seeing and doing. In ten hours at the Magic Kingdom, we rode maybe five rides, went to a parade (which Clay slept through), and ate lunch with the Winnie the Pooh characters. But I left feeling I did not miss out on a thing that park had to offer. Clay's experience is the full experience.
5. Heading out for the day on vacation involves a real-life, hands-on game of Tetris in the form of "What more can I pack on to this stroller?" and "Ooo! An empty pocket! Here, fill it with some puffs and a poncho."
6. Being part of the second generation of three is a truly blessed position. I witnessed Clay strengthening his relationship with his grandparents, aunts, unlces, and cousins, Eric and I were blessed with child-free moments of relaxation thanks to the willing arms of the aforementioned, and we began to pass on a value that Eric and I hold so closely because it was given to us so generously - a life filled with a family who loves God, loves each other, and loves to have a good time.