Raymond's Disney Vacation

Ky and I spent the past six days with two of our grandchildren.  We traveled to Detroit on Monday and stayed overnight, catching a flight to Disney World on Tuesday.  We returned Saturday.  What follows is a reflection this morning of my time with Raymond.

(I plan to write about Kaitlyn as well, and Momma Ky too.  I want to give each their due and so am focusing on them one at a time.)

This photo is such a reflection of the spirit of Raymond.  I watch him put all that he has into all that he does.  No matter the challenge he steps up and experiences it.  He is brave; courageous for a five year old boy!  The longer I know him, the more I see characteristics of a very old soul.

Our vacation ~ 

Raymond is full of questions from the time we set out in the Van until we returned.  Usually each question begins with, "Graaaammmmmma....".  It's a word I'm going to miss now that I'm back home.  The way Raymond says it elicits warmth in my heart and eagerness in my response.  I can't wait to hear the question and to know what he's contemplating at any given moment.   He drags out the word in such a way that I know he loves me and looks to me for wisdom, answers, love, fun, support and acceptance.  He's got that!  I've no choice but to give him my rapt attention.

Many times throughout the week he leans into me, wraps his little arm around my leg and squeezes.  If I'm sitting, he climbs onto my lap and straddles me so that we were face to face.  He puts a little hand on each cheek and gently leans in.  He may kiss my nose, my lips, either cheek or just peer into my eyes.  Any of these is just fine with me.  We giggle, smile, snuggle and cuddle.  Sometimes these snuggles lead to a question or a verbal expression of our love.  Sometimes he lays his head on my chest and leans in for the ultimate cuddle.  Sometimes he chooses to share some insight or learning that he's had.  Sometimes he teases me by touching the mole above my left breast ~ "Wow, that's a big one!" he says with a laugh every time.  Now he adds often, "Baby Quinn tries to pick that off!!"

Waiting for the bus to the parks Raymond is intent on understanding the information on the TV Screen.  By our second trip he's telling us what time the bus goes and asking us what time the clock says in order to tell us then how long our wait will be.  He is completely amazed when the bus lowers down to a level that little kids can easily step up.  The look on his face is one of incredulous surprise and then approval.  LOL.  

The bus ride is a completely different experience on our way to the park vs. our way home.  Journeying to the park is full of anticipation, excitement and questions.  Travelling back to resort is pure snuggle and finger sucking time.  I can feel his little brain whirring with all his memories as he either sits on our knees or leans into us for the trip.  

Raymond has a long standing habit of sucking two fingers and sliding his hand into his pants to relax.  He's done it from as long as he was able to reach.  We talk to him on the drive about public vs. private actions.  We explain that it's not acceptable to have your hand down your pants in public.  We talk about manners, and respecting others.  We settle on, when around other people, sucking your fingers is ok, but holding your penis isn't.  We were "in public" for five days and Raymond forgot only four times!!  Sitting in the airport on the way home, during a three hour delay of our flight, Raymond is leaning on me and sleepily slides his hand down his pants.  He looks up and as our eyes meet I widen my eyes and form an "oh no" with my mouth.  He laughs and pulls his hand out.  I lean down and say, "Wow Raymond, that's only four times you forgot on our whole vacation!!  That's really great."  He smiles and responds, "Graaaammmmmma, actually it’s six.  You only saw four times."  This is followed by giggles.  

Eating out at restaurants is something we haven't done much with Raymond.  He loves home cooking and so our pattern at home is to find out what he feels like and then Momma cooks it.  Maya Grill was our choice for the first dinner at Disney.  Raymond contemplates his choices.  Appetizer was either fruit salad or green salad.  Many choices for entree including "catch of the day" which intrigues him.  He settles on fruit salad, chicken tacos with rice and veggies rather fries, and chocolate milk.  The fruit salad arrives and looks like enough for four!!  Raymond looks at it and then at me and raises his eye brows.  He digs in ambitiously.  The grapes are gone quickly, cantaloupe next and then he's stalled, just in time for his entree to arrive.   He gobbles up the broccoli and carrots, looks for a spoon for the rice (funny enough, we never received spoons at any restaurant?) tried the fork without much success, and sits back ~ satisfied.  Chocolate ice cream is his choice for dessert and he eats it all!!

Raymond was exhausted each day by 1 pm or so....this was challenging since a couple of our lunches were booked after 1.  Back in the room he climbs into bed quickly.  The beds are soft and comfy with soft white sheets and also soft cozy blankets.  The pillows are plush and perfect.  Within minutes Raymond is sound asleep and we are shocked when three hours pass and the kids are still sleeping!!  On day one we quickly realize we need to adjust our plans ~ 

Everyone is awake by 5 pm and Raymond wants to know what's planned for the evening.  He is so easy to please!!  He loves all the food at the many different places we eat.  Strawberry soup was his favorite at the Floridian Ballroom and he looks up at Gramma Ky and asks if he could have seconds.    Once again the veggies are gobbled up first.   

One of the most beautiful experiences for me is that Raymond was content and happy just to experience whatever each day held with us.  He looked to us often for approval and was so proud to open the lock to our room with his wrist band, direct us to where the elevators were, dance down the path in the dark to the beat of the music coming out of the speakers at ground level, show Momma the roller coaster since he had ridden it first, direct us through the airport, and explain to Kaitlyn the countless things that he knew more about that she did.  This was always done only to benefit her understanding, never to show off what he knew.  He watches out for her at every turn.  

Raymond is a joy.  There is so much more to share, but this at least gives highlights of Raymond on vacation.