Vegas, Baby!

Sorry about the lull in posts. Am I the only one that actually takes LONGER to unpack and get settled after a vacation rather than getting packed and ready? It's been so long since I've actually been on one-and with kids-that I'd forgotten how much work goes into washing all the clothes, and getting everything out of bags and actually getting back into the routine of life. Also, I've noticed that most of my posts start out with some sort of "sorry it's been so long", apology. This coincidentally happens with all my journals that I try keeping, as well. Does this mean that my blogging days are numbered? Could be.
So I'm not a millionaire. I know. I'm shocked, too. The last time Jeff and I were in Vegas was a little over seven years ago. At that time you could actually put coins into the machines/slots and gamble. So if you had a load of change just lying around, Las Vegas was the place to go. We did. But this time, it wasn't.
Now you're supposed to bring cash only, or better yet, pay for some sort of credit card that attaches to your pocket, and plugs into a machine so you can play for a little receipt of paper that says you can go to one of the cashiers and should you get lucky, they'll give you money. I was never lucky. I wasted a whole ten dollars. I hate this new way of gambling. It's too scary and you can't trick yourself with carrying around a dirty plastic cup of change. So I'm still as poor as I was before, (ten bucks poorer, actually), and for that, I'm glad it wasn't a vacation just for Jeff and me. I'm glad we'd decided on doing a lot of activities and maybe "trying our luck" at gambling on the side, rather than the other way around, as our luck in the gambling area sucked. Big time.
We actually stayed in Primm, Nevada. At Buffalo Bill's. This was because we got rooms for $3.00 a night. We had to get two rooms, because we now are larger than a family of four....but at three bucks a night, we did it without complaint. Also, having two rooms was really nice. Jeff would sleep in and the kids and I went to the other room and watched cartoons until he finally graced us with his morning presence. Our first day there was pretty relaxed. We checked in, and found out that the pool was only heated on the weekends. (Total bummer). That was the thing the kids were most looking forward to...but luckily, I've got great kids. They were satisfied with a few dips in the hot tub, and they still enjoyed the trip. We asked the kids if they'd like to ride on the rollercoaster. It was coincidentally Jeff's 32nd birthday, (LOVE YOU, BAYBEEEEEE!), and he said that riding would be something he'd like to do, but neither one of the kids wanted to try it. Because one of us had to hang with Syd while the other rode the "Desperado", the kids cooperation was mandatory...and no dice. Riley said it looked way too scary, and Cole said he'd try it, but "later". Anyway, our first night there was very low key.
The next day we went to "The Real Las Vegas", as Cole called it. Because we were staying in the "Fake Las Vegas". Our first stop was the Mandalay Bay. I would have loved to stay there--that place is huge and has so much stuff going on. (Instead of just a pool, they have an entire water park...and it's not closed on the weekdays. Fancy that). One day, for sure. We went to the aquarium they had there, and the kids, Jeff and I were really impressed with it. Kory and Amy had mentioned it to us, and they also told us about the miracle that is Google text/search--it allows you to have directions sent to your cell phone by text--why do I never know about any of this stuff? This is a white alligator. Apparently they are way cooler than the green ones. They had little misters going on and off inside the area that contained the wildlife. It made my normally oily complexion exceptionally shiny. And didn't have any effect on Jeff's face at all. Proof positive that is IS harder to be a woman. Obvious proof.
They had little remote/phone thingies that we had to carry around and listen to the back stories of all the featured animals. I can see where this would be a good idea for those people there that were on a date, or just random couples that were killing a few hours until happy hour. But when you've got kids and babies and loads of other crap that requires your hands, it was just stressful. So I didn't get the stories on each animal, but I think I figured everything out just the same. Then we got to the actual sea-life part, and this was equal parts really cool, and creepy. We saw a lot of sharks--thus the aquarium's name, Shark Reef. They had a tank with tons of jellyfish and an Octopus...I kind of wonder if this would be considered impolite in Octopus society, however, they didn't say anything, so...
Syd's favorite part by far was the the lion fish tank. It had the perfect amount of fish and florescent lighting and they would swim right next to her face. I thought it was funny to see a four month old that interested in what was going on around her--she actually paid attention to everything. Let's see, the kids got to pet sting rays, and though this was the cause of death for Steve the Crocodile Hunter, the kids love it each and every time. I am a little relieved by the fact that some say they remove the barb that excretes poison or whatever, but just a little. They still carry salmonella, are saddened by the fact that their sole existence now is just being handled by noisy people all day, and are slimy. So points for me in touching one, as well.
I've never been one to overly freak out in confined places, but after watching the sharks above, below, and to the sides of me, I began to think about the possibility of the tanks cracking or buckling under pressure. And how we would all die and there'd be no escape. Five minutes into those kinds of thoughts, I was ready for the the tour to be over, and we made our way out. It was a really great experience, though. I really want to take the kids to the aquarium in Seattle. I've never seen one that compares, and I know that they'd love it. Ahh...just keep taking these vacation baby steps, and one day...This is Cole and Jeff taking a breather at the Luxor. It wasn't that exciting there, as you can tell by Cole's face.
Then we went to MGM Grand and visited M&M and Coke world. There was an actual lady dancing on the bar at MGM. I was kind of mezmerized as it was about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and people were just drinking and not paying attention to her....Worst. Job. Ever. I almost took a picture, but thought it way too "touristy" for me, even. Then it got me thinking about strippers...as there are billboards and flyers everywhere to go see them. And though as a stripper you normally have a rock'n bod....you also have to dance/jiggle in front of a bunch of creeps while they occasionally stare, leer, and eat. I really come up short when I try to see the upside of it. I guess if you're successful, the money would be the only positive. As I watched that lady dance on the bar for all that she was worth, I imagined that I'd just be a fat stripper that would get pissed no one was noticing I'd skipped breakfast, lunch and dinner for the last two months in a row, and I'd have to admit defeat.
Coke and M&M world were quite interesting...Coke moreso than M&M in my humble opinion, as M&Ms are, I believe, the biggest waste of space in the candy world. (Unless they are almond or peanut butter). My little family disagrees with me, however, but this is my blog, so I can voice MY opinion. The last pictures are of us on the Strip. Though you can't tell, Jeff was actually holding both Riley and Cole up level to him. He was way bummed that I didn't show that in the actual picture, as he was using severe muscle all the while I was trying to get a photo that worked with him and the kids in it. But I feel like I need to explain for all his hard work; that he's still a complete and utter "He-Man", even at the old age of 32.
Our final day in Nevada was Cole's birthday. Happy 6th, Bubbers! All he needed was another year of courage, and he was willing to go on the Desperado with Jeff. Technically he was about an inch shy of the height limit--but that sneaky kid stood on his tiptoes while he was being measured. And no, he had no coaching from either one of us. Not one to be shown up by Cole, Riley decided that she'd go with me after Jeff and Cole got back. I was excited to go, but going with Riley could turn into a nightmare--as she's that kid that pukes when being spun on the swings. So while Jeff and Cole went and rode the rollercoaster, Riley, Syd and I went to the arcade and played games. FYI, Riley and I are pros at skee-ball. Or however that's spelled. Either way, we'd totally kick your buns. We were trying to figure out how to redeem our tickets into prizes when Jeff and Cole came back--Jeff looking bright-eyed and Cole looking green and grateful to be alive. He told Riley it was the scariest thing he's ever done, and Jeff was concerned that some crying would be involved in the middle of the ride, but Cole held it together. Let's just say he wasn't up for a second round, not by a long shot. (Seriously wind-blown hair). Then Riley and I went. I was actually getting a little scared...not of the ride, because I've been on it a few times, but because I just knew that Riley was going to barf all over me, and in addition to having to apologize to the innapropriately intimate couple seated behind us was going to be awkward. As we started off there was a little decline before the huge climb to the very top, and Riley screamed at that...so I knew things would just get progressively worse. For about thirty seconds we were pulled straight up into the air, everything below looking like toys. And then the couple of cars in front of us got to the drop, and we watched them fall before being jerked along with them. I spared a glance at Riley and her eyes were popping out of their sockets. And then we were freefalling. Straight down. The force of the rollercoaster made it hard to turn my entire head, but as I screamed and simutaneously tried to peek at Riley, I saw her look of terror and heard her screams of, "OH MY GOSH!!!!!!OH MY GOSH!!!" repeatedly and the expression on her face would probably be the same had she been being eaten by a pack of ferocious, rabid dogs. From there, in addition to my screaming out of fear of the drop and speed, I was also screaming in anticipation of flying chunks of whatever she'd eaten that morning. But to my surprise and pleasure, none came. We finally came to the point we'd started from, and I spared her a glance. She was deep breathing and finally looked up at me. She started out softly: "That....was....AWESOME!" She was glowing with excitement. Ahhh....that's my girl! :)
Following the rollercoaster rides and arcade, we went to the outlet stores at the Primadonna Casino. No pictures were taken, while there, sorry. Not that you all haven't seen an American Eagle or Gap or Bath and Body Works. Rest assured, though, I got some great deals. Some of the stores shouldn't have been able to have the word "outlet" attached to their titles, as an outlet makes you assume better prices. But, I guess that's just the rule of retail. All in all, our trip was WAY too short. There were so many things that I wished we could have done. If you go to Vegas, a day simply doesn't give you enough time to get past more than three casinos. But though the getting home and re-situated was a bit harder than I'd imagined, I'm ready for our next outing. It IS nice to be in our own beds, though. Until next time, dear readers. One day, I shall be all caught up. Maybe.