Today was our Family-Friendly Adventure Day in Vegas! The kids had a blast and I am happy to report that we never saw a single discarded porn flyer all day. Instead, we enjoyed Midway games at Circus Circus, the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace, lunch at the Rainforest Cafe in the MGM Grand, M&M World, the World of Coca Cola, swimming, and carnival rides at the AdventureDome at Circus Circus. Annika has asked if we can come back to Las Vegas sometime and stay for our entire vacation, so it's safe to say the Strip has been a big hit.
We had some coupons for free Midway games at Circus Circus and hit them up after breakfast.
The kids each tried a "fishing" game where you had to use poles to catch your fish. The lady running it gave Daniel another turn so that he won a prize, too.
In the end, the kids each ended up with two different prizes from two different games...and they each won a (somewhat different) stuffed banana.
On to Caesar's Palace and the Forum Shops!
I really like how the ceiling is painted to look like the sky. It was also amusing that at the spot below, I think different members of our family must have taken at least 6 different pictures for people coming by, yet it never occurred to any of us to ask for someone to take one of our whole family.
The big reason for visiting the shops = The Apple Store! The nearest Apple Store is 2+ hours from Manhattan so this was really nice - my iPhone power button has completely stopped working and the phone is still under warranty. I was able to get a brand new phone right on the spot AND its power button works quite well.
The kids spent a lot of time checking out the aquarium inside of the Forum Shops and especially loved the sting rays.
On to the MGM Grand! We were bummed to learn that they had gotten rid of their actual lions as of January 2012, but the kids enjoyed the statute nevertheless.
We had lunch inside at the Rainforest Cafe! Pricey for what you get but the ambiance can't be beat for two animal-loving children.
We hiked over to M&M World, where they have about every color of M&Ms possible. We bought a bag with special gold, platinum, and silver-colored ones. (And since Will and I have about two weeks left of this no-sugar deal, we will not be partaking...)
They had a free 3-D movie inside! I am honestly not sure of the point of the movie other than it was chock-full of gratuitous violence. However, both of the kids loved it so they were marketing it to the correct demographic.
Leaving the store!
The World of Coca-Cola! When Will and I originally visited in 2001, there was a giant statute of a polar bear where you could sit and have your friends take a picture. Now, they have a polar bear character with professional photography (and pretty ridiculous sales techniques...). Daniel does not like anyone in a costume and did not join on.
Our big adventure here was trying the Around the World Tray! This was great - 16 different unique Coca-Cola soft drinks from around the world. It should really be called "trays" plural, since the package is served on two separate trays.
It was actually quite a bit to drink - 16 cups in all! It came labeled with the name/country of each drink.
We had a great time picking a random number and all taking a sip of each drink. (Will declared that the No Sugar Rule did not apply to this international taste-testing experience...) Annika was much more adventurous than I would have thought and tried every single one, even after experiencing some duds. A must-try if you are ever at a Coca-Cola store!
I think the highlight of the kids' day was when they decided how they were going to spend their birthday/cat-sitting/allowance money that they had saved. I was kind of aghast that they each decided to spend ALL of their savings on a GIANT stuffed animal back at the Rainforest Cafe. However, they are each absolutely delighted with their purchases and have declared it was worth saving up to have something so wonderful. Daniel chose a gator and Annika a tiger.
Daniel with the alligator outside. We measured and his giant stuffed alligator is exactly as tall as he is, 44 inches!
Later at the hotel, I holed up in the room for several hours to work on a long-overview work project. Will graciously took the kids to one of the hotel swimming pools, which had a regular pool and a very nice hot tub (behind the pool).
Daniel was kind of hesitant about going in.
Annika reported later that the hot tub was fabulous.
The final adventure of the night....riding the amusement-park-type rides at the AdventureDome! This is an indoor "theme park-ish" place that is inside of Circus Circus. It was also cheaper to get an all-you-can ride bracelet than at the county fair last week, and even cheaper after applying our hotel coupons. Score!
In line for one of the shows. Daniel absolutely LOVED the "Happy Feet" show and requested to see it a second time.
On the Thunderbirds!
Ferris Wheel! The kids were in "Car 3" together. It is nice that many of the rides like this one have 42-inch minimum height requirements, since Daniel clears the bar at 44 inches.
We are planning to sleep LATE tomorrow morning, and then head over for a tour of the Hoover Dam. Then, it's on to our 4 hour and 19 minute drive to our hotel in Anaheim!
3 comments:
Wow, kids doing Vegas! Who'd a thunk!? So much fun that Disneyland might be a distant second. No, I doubt that. Enjoy!
About the infamous iPhone power button problem: do you mean the power button along the top edge, or the big Home button on the front? My Incredible 2 died. I ALMOST ordered a used iPhone 4 for $175ish, but it would be out of warranty and I read lots of power button problems.
Dad, yup, the power button along the top edge. It has been broken for several months. I found some work arounds (there is a special accessibility setting where you can turn it off and turn on by plugging into the power cord) but so nice to have fixed!!
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