Monday, March 29, 2010
Spring Break in Vegas
Since our friends, The Robinsons, are relocating to Las Vegas, we decided to take a trip out there for Nicole's Spring Break. Keep in mind, the last time Dan and I had visited, was 13 years ago, before Nicole was born. I did quite a bit of research beforehand to ensure this was a "family friendly" vacation. However, the city still has its vagrants, and x-rated trash lining the street. There is absolutely no way to avoid it. It didn't help that we arrived on St. Patrick's Day and it was also March Madness week. Following was our agenda and recommendations should you also decide to take a trip out there.
Wed - Met up with the Robinsons for some St. Patty's Day Cheer. Ate at the Flavor Buffet at Harrahs. Quality of food was excellent and hot, priced on the high end at $22 per person. Chocolate fountain and gelato station caught my attention. Madame Tusseau's Wax museum - Some of these actors looked so real, especially their eyes and teeth, that sometimes I would almost think it was a real person and they were going to move and scare me. Mirage Volcano - Free on the Hour. Caesar Forum Shops to see the live statute show and aquarium (Free) near the Cheesecake Factory. Bellagio Water Fountain Display - Free every 15 min. Truly inspiring with the "america" music that accompanied it.
Thurs - Roller Coaster at New York New York, Scirrico's Pizza at NY NY for lunch. Great choice! Excalibur Arcade - ask the concierge or security guys for coupons beforehand. M&M's World - BIGGEST RIPOFF EVER. Didn't know the price was $13 per pound!!! Dropped $47 on M&M's that would've cost me $8 in a grocery store. So much for my "couponsense" budget. Lounged at the MGM Pool with the Robinsons. Diablo's Mexican Rest. for dinner (just north of NYNY). Excellent guacamole.
Fri - Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel. A DEFINITE MUST DO! Ate lunch at Pink's. Great Dogs and Hamburgers. Got caught up in traffic on the way to Hoover Dam. Should've left earlier than 11am. This was my second visit, and I'm always in awe of these enormous Dam and how it got built. They are building a new bridge and highway to reroute congested traffic. I hope I NEVER have to cross this new bridge. You'll see the photos how high it is. Seafood Buffet at The Rio. Needed to drive there. Price was outrageous, but a concierge attendant was gracious enough to slip me $10 off coupons for each of us. Nicole went crazy over the crab legs. I preferred the dessert buffet. Toured the Luxor and Mandalay Bay to check out their amenities.
Sat - Shopping at the Las Vegas Outlet Mall. Then off to see the Robinsons Stunning house and backyard. Nicole slept over Emma's. Dan and I attended the Fab Four show of Beatles impersonators. We were 3rd row from the front. We really had a great time and the actors did a great job singing and playing the instruments. No lip-synching. Definately a must see. Then we ate at the 9 Irishmen in NY NY. Wasn't that good. We've had better food and prices at our local "Irish Wolfhound" in Surprise.
Sun - Time to go home.
What we didn't see or do that will be on the next trip's agenda: Gondola ride at Venetian, Secret Garden at Mirage, Amusement Rides at Circus Circus, Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.
Oh by the way, did you know that Vegas has gambling? Ha ha, all week long we didn't gamble. So on Saturday, while Dan and I were waiting for our dinner table, I put $6 in a blackjack slot machine. By the time our table was ready, I only lost $3. I told you this was a "family friendly" vacation.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Lake Pleasant Field Day
Boy...Field Days are not like they use to be when I was a kid. We had distance jumping and throwing etc. Yesterday, Nicole's school held its First Field Day for the 6th and 7th graders. The events lasted from 9 am - 3pm with a lunch break in between. I volunteered, but there were some awesome 5th Graders helping out, so I really ended up taking an hour of photos and video coverage. Nicole's class was called "The Purple Rhinos". Each class wore a different color shirt.
There were relay races, water ballon tosses, Dizzy Lizzy, and some other water sports. The weather was gorgeous and some of us got burned even though we had sunscreen on. The P.E. Teachers did a great job in planning. Thanks for a great day!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Firecrackers go out with a BANG!
Today's Nicole's team, The Firecrackers, played their last volleyball game for the Winter Season. They went out with a bang! They exceeded ALL my team challenges. They played 14 successful rallies of 3-hits; 22 successful Sets; and 6 Attacks. Way to finish up the season TEAM! I'm very proud and honored to have been your Coach. I'm looking forward to doing it all over again this Summer :)
We also had a special surprise for Coach Brenda. Since this was the last week our team was together and her Birthday is next Saturday, I baked my famous faux Sander's Bumpy Cake and the Team sang Happy Birthday to her.
Nicole's First School Dance
Nicole attended her first school dance for 6th - 8th graders along with some friends. I wish I were a fly on the wall (or at least a chaperone). The event combined both her former school, Vistancia, with her new school Lake Pleasant. I liked that idea because both schools are in the same community and all the Lake Pleasant kids started at Vistancia three years ago together. I hope the schools continue combining big events.
When we arrived, we were surprised to see a policeman and his vehicle immediately outside the entrance. Geez, I suppose it was needed to ward off any nasty activity. We arrived 10 minutes early to pick her up and was able to capture some of the kids dancing. Unfortunately, I never caught Nicole dancing, she was just hanging around. Afterwards, she and 3 friends came back to the house for an hour for snacks and chat and played on the trampoline with their dresses on. I should've caught that on video :)
Nicole looked absolutely stunning. She is starting to grow up and it's just not fair.
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