Orlando Magic

Back to blogging so I can retreat from my recent BAD BLOGGER STATUS......I have a good excuse. For the past six days, I have been in Florida on vacation with Bethany, Jeremy and a little cutie patootie named Levi.

Levi is the young man in my life. Through a strange set of circumstances, he has become family in the last 3 years. Now 6, he was in need of a visit to the awesome parks in Orlando. So, off we went, taking him on his first airplane ride. As we went up through the clouds, Levi looked over at me and said very softly, "Are we going to see God in the clouds?" Precious.

We started with Universal Studios, Islands of Adenture. First ride was Spiderman. It can be a little intense for a six yr old. But he wanted to go on two more times, so I guess it was a hit. We ran our legs off all day and evening long, and not once did he have a meltdown. He quickly caught on that "all rides end in a store" but never threw a tantrum that he could not buy, buy, buy every brightly colored toy that was offered on the Levi-heighth shelves.

One attraction that did not please Levi was Jurassic Park, River Adventure. The out-of-control dinosaurs were just a bit too much for the little guy. So, that ride was not revisited.

Two and a half days at Universal, a half day relaxing at the pool, and then THE BIG KAHUNA. We motored (by Escalade, no less) over to Disney World, The Magic Kingdom. We got there before the park opened ....and it was well worth the early wake up call. Mickey and Friends came riding in on the train, bounced joyfully onto a platform just above us, and began a welcome song and dance act that brought out the kid in everyone in the crowd. To top it off, the Disney characters tossed Pixie Dust into the air above our heads, and as it came drifting down over top of us, the look on Levi's face was magical. What a way to enter the park. Disney sure knows how to create an experience. He thoroughly enjoyed every venue in the Kingdom, and his pleasure made ours double.

What a way to see through the eyes of a child!