Cayman Family The Wifes Story

"Want to go to Grand Cayman?" It was said in an elated, child-like voice. My husband was practically dancing with delight. Now, any normal person would have said, "Yes!" immediately, but me?? Well, I'm a mom. My son is five and my daughter is two and everything is required to filter through my increasingly addled brain (if you have kids you know what I mean) with deference to them. So instead, I said, "But, what about the kids?" He smiled. "I mean, with the kids!"

Our first destination was a lovely place called Cobalt Coast Resort on the West Bay. We were offered our choice of a two bedroom suite overlooking the pool and ocean or a cozy villa tucked romantically back in the trees. The kids hopped around pleading for the pool view. So much for romance. We took the suite.

The next morning we waved good bye to Daddy and practically raced upstairs to don bathing suits, or rather "floaty suits" (swimsuits with built in floatation devices) as neither of the kids had yet learned how to swim. On our way to the pool, we encountered a large, rather remarkable crab and spent much of the morning playing a delightful game of "pinchy crab" in the pool. Don't ask me the rules of this game, I have yet to figure them out. Later, we walked down to the ironstone shore and found a fascinating ecosystem hosting all sorts of wonderful creatures. When Daddy arrived back from his dive, it was hard to decide who had seen more wildlife that morning. Or who was more excited about it.

A snorkeling trip with Daddy was planned for the next day. Grand Cayman has beautiful reefs accessible to almost anyone with a mask. My daughter, Gillian, spent the entire boat ride wearing her mask and breathing through her snorkel. She was prepared. However, when we finally reached the first snorkeling site she informed us that the waves (small, gentle swells) were "too big for me" and spent the rest of the time on the boat.

No harm done; she was happy as a lark with unlimited fruit punch and a cozy towel wrapped around her. What more could anyone want, really? Ethan, my son, was wary of the water as well, but, wearing his floaty suit, he eventually ventured in and actually touched one of the stingrays we encountered. With something of a swagger, he then informed me that he would personally bring one up for Gillian to touch. Lucky for him, she was having none of that. A day in Grand Cayman goes by like a soft breeze. You enjoy it immensely and then it's gone before you know it. The kids and I hardly noticed Daddy's absence during the rest of our stay. At the Cayman Diving Lodge (our next destination) we played on the beach, built sand castles, relaxed in the hammock, petted friendly dogs, and took a special trip to a small, but lovely park just down the street. I had been quite wrong about this trip. Divers may still claim Grand Cayman for their own, but my children will tell you that it is the perfect family destination. Oh, and by the way, Ethan gave up his floaty suit one sunny, magical afternoon at Rum Point. With his mother, father and sister watching, he put his face in the water, kicked his feet, and swam for the first time. The next time my husband asks me if I want to go to Grand Cayman, I think I'll just say, "Yes!"