I have to admit we were a little travel weary since Southwest doesn't fly directly to Vegas (silly Wright Amendment), but it was worth it once we landed. I was super excited to see everyone, and we did all the family stuff the first night there: presents, pictures, and passing out super early since our bodies were still on Dallas time.
Going to sleep early meant waking up early, too, so our family of four explored the Vegas that is just waking ... a very different Vegas than I think most people imagine. Our first stop was M&M World -- I thought I was in heaven! Afterwards, we met up with everyone else for some yummy food at Paris and watched the musical fountains at the Bellagio across the street.
That night we had Po-Po's yummy, yummy spaghetti. You know how much she loves Claire and I because Po-Po isn't a big fan of messy babies, but she went ahead and made us one of our favorite dishes. And we didn't let her down! After dinner, everyone sang happy birthday to Gong-Gong and I ... one turned one, the other turned sixty. Can you tell which is which?
Still on Dallas time, we were the first folks into the Secret Gardens at the Mirage the next morning. We got to see lots of animals including some dolphins up close. I kept trying to climb into the pool, but Mommy thought it wasn't a great idea. Xiao-Jiu took a turn wearing me (to warm up) which gave Mommy a nice break. Gong-Gong and Po-Po were there to meet us after the gardens, and then we all met up with Da-Jiu to eat at Mesa Grill -- Bobby Flay's Vegas restaurant. Tuckered out, we headed back to the hotel to nap, then more spaghetti!
Our outing the next day was to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. I got to get up close and personal with some water animals and then listen to some weird dolphin music at the end. We took the tram from there to Excalibur where I got to put coins into machines that made lots of noises. Not sure I understood it all, but I did enjoy the coins and slots. Instead of eating in that night, the whole family went down to the Bellagio to try their buffet. We had to wait in line (luckily not as long as all those people still there when we left!), but we definitely made the most of our time while we were there! We made sure we took our all-too-rare everyone picture at the Bellagio conservatory before turning in for the night -- at a time much closer to our Dallas bedtimes.
Our last big outing was to the Venetian where we got to see street performers, eat gelato, and gnosh on yummy Italian food. Then, I hung out with Daddy while the girls went out on the town (something about soaking their feet and Serendipity3?).
The week flew by, and then it was time to head home. I was spoiled by riding in the taxi (in Mommy's arms) down the Strip and thought Claire and I could just take the car home ourselves.
So that's how we wrapped up my first year! What a ride it's been ... can't wait to see what's next!
If you'd like to see more from our Las Vegas adventures, you can find them in our Vegas Vacation Album or Photo Book.
