Family Trip Day 2

Forever young

Day 2 we began our morning headed to the Fountain of Youth. It was actually the second time my wife and I had been there. We took Sofia when she was just a 1 1/2 old. But now we wanted to share a piece of legend and history with all three. Plus, I think the drink i took then, helped me to stay young.

Memorable- birds

One of our biggest memories of our first visit were the peacocks. If you’ve visited here, you know what I’m talking about. The noise and their constant presence. Michael, my three-year-old wanted to chase them around. Sofia and Gabriella both loved to see them, but after they got too close, that changed. But they did make an impression as that is what Gabriella took as a souvenir.

If it worked, we would see Ponce del Leon running around.

Sofia

We began our walk with the pictures with the figures, but then the central attraction- the fountain. The girls loved it. Sofia, my skeptic, immediately said it was fake. If it worked, we would still see Ponce del Leon running around. But she still drank with the rest of us. To Michael, it was aqua. He just wanted more.

Surprise winner-

I enjoyed the 3D globe planetarium. The show is impressive. My wife enjoyed walking through the village and the huts built by the first Spanish settlers. Gabriella and I even walked over to watch the cannon and musket demonstration. But the surprise attraction for my daughters, they did not want to leave, was the blacksmith. Watching the man go through the process of creating something from an old piece of metal enthralled them. Sofia is an artist. She loved creating pieces of artwork, and it really spoke to her. I had walked them over to the hut as a history buff, but they took it as the best thing of the stop.

I wanted to show the girls a piece of history, not realizing that it would be their favorite part. I had gone to it to sate my enjoyment of history. And then share with them. But to them it was watching art be created. It sparked a curiosity in Sofia that was a joy to behold.

We have a big responsibility

Just another lesson for me. You know God uses the things we enjoy to teach and to speak to us. He wants to spend time with us. I enjoy spending time with my girls, but sometimes I share the things I see as valuable. I think I have to spice it up for them to enjoy it too and see value. But really, they found interest in things that I enjoy- because I chose to spend time with them. Sofia had built an interest in history through her time spent we me- a history buff. It’s not the same. She could care less about battles and wars. But it is there. We have an influence on our children. We have to take it seriously- and remember our key task with children: introducing them to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Well time to hit the road….Next on to Orlando…..