I'm Ba-ack!

Actually, I've been back since Monday, but am only now caught up and recovered enough from my mini-vacay to actually talk-rather, blog-about it. It was a fun, yet surprisingly exhausting trip. Aren't vacations supposed to be relaxing and regenerating? I guess not if you go to the city that never sleeps.

We flew in late Thursday night and after taking forever (and risking our lives in one of the city's shuttles)to get from the airport to our hotel, party animals that we are just ended up checking in and going to bed. That was after spending an hour changing rooms because they put us on a smoking floor and my sister's room was excessively stinky. The next morning we wanted to start off Vegas style so we went to a buffet and then spent the rest of the day wandering aimlessly around the strip, in and out of casinos-seeing the sights.

Friday night we saw Tony and Tina's wedding which was funny but stressful because the cast is all up in your face the whole time trying to interact and get you to dance, etc. I guess I am the kind of spectator that just likes to watch and be entertained because it got on my nerves that I couldn't just sit there and enjoy-I had to be worried about who was coming my way and what they were going to say or try to get me to do. One of the cast members was very disappointed because he had pegged me as the "crazy lady" and had expected me to be wild when he saw me laughing and being loud outside in the line for the show. He was especially let down when he wanted to loosen me up with a drink and I had to inform him that I do not partake.

Saturday was shopping at the outlets which was fun but pretty unremarkable. I didn't find anything I couldn't live without, although I did end up with two new pairs of shoes. Go figure. We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. A little pricey but I guess you pay a little for the fun ambiance and moving jungle animals. (The picture is of Hillary and I trying to escape a vicious man-eating snake. Can't you just sense the fear?) That night was my favorite when we went to see Cirque Du Soleil's KA. It was breathtaking and as I had expected, worth every penny. If you have never seen a Cirque show, you have to put it on your list. I spent the whole time amazed, wondering over and over again, "How did they do THAT?" AMAZING!

Sunday we got up early and went to Hoover Dam, which Hillary hadn't seen before. Although I've seen it before, it was worth seeing again. It is pretty cool and definitely a piece of modern history. That afternoon we split up and Hillary and Justin went to see the Bodies show which had been in Salt Lake the month before so we had already seen it. Kent and I went to see the sharks at Mandalay Bay. On the way through the casino, I stuck my traditional $5 in one of the slot machines. Three spins into my play, I won $200! JACKPOT! I cashed out, considered myself lucky and ended my gambling streak right then. That was pretty cool.

Sunday night we did the "famous" Rio buffet, then headed to Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum at the Venetian. It took some doing (and about an hour of wandering around aimlessly) to find it, but we managed and it was pretty fun. You have to look twice at some of those wax people they are so real looking! We figured we better call it a night at that point since we flew out the next morning. So that was my trip to Vegas. Lots of fun, but it flew by really fast. I guess time always does when you're having fun!

Viva Las Vegas!

I am ever so reluctantly leaving all this:
To spend a few days relaxing here:

Looks pretty relaxing, no? The forecast calls for temperatures between 65-71 degrees throughout the weekend. It will be difficult, but I will try to enjoy myself. Now, how can we, you may ask, middle-class average citizens that we are in the midst of a terrible recession and economic slump, be jetting to Vegas to party our cares away? No we cannot afford it and I don't know what we were thinking when we planned the trip except that the air fare was ridiculously cheap and we just received our measly TAX REFUND which we wholeheartedly intend to blow as we do our part to stimulate the weak economy! We are patriots, through and through! Plus the trip is our anniversary AND Valentine's Day combo celebration. We didn't even get each other a card so we could save every penny for our luxury getaway. We are leaving the boy with his Meemaw (my mother) and my sister and her hubby are coming with us. We get to go see this:...which I hear is hilarious and dinner is included-BARGAIN! We will also be seeing this:
Not a bargain, but I have seen a couple of other Cirque Du Soleil shows and they are fantastic and worth every penny. We'll call that our splurge. None of us are much for this:

So we can save more money for doing this:
...at the outlets of course! Vacation on a budget-what a way to travel! I guess we are what you might call "low-rollers." I'll be sure to report on my fantastic trip upon my return.

Monster Trucks

I done did it! I went and seen one a them Monster Truck rallies folks are always talkin' about. You know the commercials where the guy is screaming, "MAXIMUM DESRUCTION! BLUE THUNDER!" and his voice echoes and you have to turn the radio down. Yes, one of those. You can now call me 100% bona fide white trash extraordinaire. My son loved every single second of it. I guess with a nickname like Bubba, the love of monster trucks is inevitable. It wasn't as painful as I had imagined it might be-the earplugs were extremely helpful. I have to admit that the flying dirt and the overwhelming stench of gasoline were nice touches to the overall ambiance. Happy Valentine's Day Bubba!

KIDZ-Who Couldn't Use A Little Inspiration?

I stumbled onto Tara and her site a couple of weeks back through Blog Around The World. She is a local mom of a beautiful girl with special needs. She has started the blog, KIDZ to spotlight kids like her daughter with a variety of special needs from ADHD, to Down Syndrome to Spinal Disorders. The stories are informational and inspirational-reading about these kids makes me want to get involved and do something! So, head on over to Kidz for a little inspiration-you'll be glad you did!

The Entertainer

Andrew has always had what we'll call, a "flair for the dramatic." Ever since he was just a wee little thing, his retelling of stories such as The Three Little Pigs, complete with blow-in-your-face Big Bad Wolf Action, have been a hit at parties, camp outs and family gatherings. Recently, he has taken this gift to a whole new level. He is into creating one kid variety shows that he performs at the drop of a hat, anywhere and everywhere. They started in our basement and he has now performed at Grandma's house, the doctor's office, even my classroom at school. The kids think he's hilarious! He always starts with, "Ladies and gemplemen, boys and grils," (SIC)followed by clapping so the audience will know what to do. The shows definitely vary and always include singing, dancing, storytelling and gymnastics of some sort. He says he wants to grow up and drive a street-sweeper (last week it was a garbage truck), but I think maybe my little actor will end up with a star on the Walk of Fame! Here is a sample of one of his latest-although certainly not most stellar performances (it's the only one I have been able to get on tape). I will update later with a better example of his showmanship, but this will definitely give you a taste of his "talent." Enjoy! (Sorry I don't know how to rotate the video, so you'll just have to kink your neck to watch it).

Crafty Fun

This is a little game I am playing along with from Desi's blog. I can never resist a game, so here's how we play: The first three people who make a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift sometime in the next couple of months from none other than...ME! Yes, that's right I will make you something "swell" with my very own little hands! It might not be something you particularly want or need, but something nonetheless. However, if you choose to be one of the lucky three, you also have to put the game on your blog, get in touch with your crafty side and make something for three people, etc. If we all keep playing, soon everyone in the whole wide world will have a little crafty handmade something of their very own to love and cherish forever! It doesn't get any better than that. If you are lucky, I'll make you something useful and practical like these:

Reality vs. Fantasy

These are the movies I wish I had been able to see:











This is the movie I got to see:

SIGH...such is the life of the devoted mother of an almost five year old son. It was a cute flick (completely unrealistic of course) but lacked the drama and romance I am missing in my grown-up life.