Viva Las Vegas!

A few days before we left for Jamaica, Bryon called me from work and let me know that’d he’d be gone for an entire 2 weeks nearly immediately following our return from the island.  And not just gone for business to any old place - but to Las Vegas & San Diego!

Time for a hairstyle change!  Goodbye Jamaica, Hello West Coast!
He HATED his post-braid hair so much he wouldn't look in the mirror!
Hakuna Matata,kid (this looks screams The Lion King, doesn't it?!).

A quick search for flight deals online and I found an awesome discount on flights directly from Boston to Las Vegas (as well as direct flights from Vegas to San Diego & from San Diego back to Boston).  Total bill?  $215!  Seriously, just a couple hundred bucks!  A nearly free vacation for myself and the boys?  Sign us up!

Jet setting with these two clowns again.  Watch out Vegas, here we come!

No love for the paparazzi.

Bryon’s trip was lengthened by adding on a few days in San Francisco before he arrived in Las Vegas, but we met up with him in Sin City Tuesday evening.  He arrived a couple of hours before us, which was perfect because he was able to get a rental car, check into the hotel and get the room ready for bedtime.  Maksim was a trooper on the plane, and asked to go to bed on his own at 8pm - just an hour after his usual bedtime.  He slept for the remaining 5 hours of the 6 hour flight.  On the other hand, Deklan was not interested in sleeping at all.  He contently stayed awake until 10pm EST, giving him just an hour of sleep on the plane before we landed!  It actually worked out fine because 10pm in Boston is 7pm in Las Vegas…so it made the jet lag easier to deal with the following day.

Puppy gets all the love.  All the time.

Just a monkey clinging to his best friend.

The airport was a  bit rough.  Both kids were super tired, but all Maks wanted to do was play the slot machines!  I told him that he just couldn't - which didn't go over well.  Man, I really wish I could have let him sit down and play JUST ONCE!  I totally get that it wasn't fair or fun to be surrounded by all those lights and games and not even be able to participate.  It didn't get any better as the trip went on and Las Vegas didn't have any kiddie-friendly slots!  He was so disappointed!  Maks even decided he'd be ok with playing roulette instead - but go figure, I had to tell him no to that as well!

With just 2 days to explore Las Vegas, I tried to fill our schedule with nearby sightseeing and kid-friendly activities.  It seemed like an was going to be an easy feat, but things became more difficult when I realized that most “attractions” and shows don’t begin for the day until around 11am.  Bryon was busy working each day, so the boys and I were flying solo.  Deklan started the trip off right with an early morning bath - complete with breakfast and cartoons!  He knows where the party’s at!

6am in Vegas and Deklan knows where the party's at.  Breakfast in the tub while watching tv!

For our first expedition, we headed over to the Miracle Mile Shops and walked the mall before the stores opened.  Maksim and Deklan were amazed at how the ceiling of the shopping center looked like the sky!  At 10am we caught the first indoor rainstorm of the day.  Thunder, lightning, fog and pouring rain - in the middle of the desert (and the mall)!  

Watching the rain fall.

The majority of the remainder of the day was spent at the hotel pool.  Swim, snack, sunscreen, repeat.  I literally had to drag them out of the water before their exhausted bodies shut down completely.  

Squinty eyes and out of focus, but sunshine and swimsuits - never a bad combo!

When Bryon returned from his conference, we drove to Goyemon Sushi House for some all-you-can-eat sushi.  (Maks was thrilled to have found the "Statue of Liberty - 'the small one from Las Vegas'" on our drive.)  

Bryon visits Goyemon each time he’s in Las Vegas, so we were sure to make an extra special sushi trip this time around to help celebrate his birthday as well!  After sushi, we drove the the The Mirage.  Maksim had patiently waited all day, looking forward to seeing the Volcano at The Mirage come to life with explosions and fireballs!  Bryon dropped us off at valet parking so we were able to get front row views of the action.  Maks LOVED it!  Deklan ran away yelling, “I scared! I scared!” after the first explosion (it was hot!).  Luckily, I heard Maks yell at him to “come back, it’s ok!” and I was able to grab him before he was lost in the crowd.  Despite trembling and clinging to me the entire show, Deklan keeps asking me if he can try it again someday “when he’s an adult.”

On Thursday, the boys and I took a walk down the strip to The Flamingo hotel for a wildlife habitat walk.  We arrived in time to catch the tail end of the pelican feeding.  We explored the rest of the habitat and got up close and personal with pink flamingos, exotic ducks, koi fish and so much more.  

Pelicans eating their breakfast.

Flamingos at The Flamingo!

Koi as big as my kids!

We ventured on to check out the streams, ponds and garden gazebos - and even caught a couple getting married!  It must have been contagious because these two actually expressed their love for one another in a way other than sibling violence!

Take them to a chapel and suddenly they're in love.

From The Flamingo, we walked across the street to Caesar’s Palace and discovered an abundance of statues and fountains.  We wound our way through Caesars Forum Shops and ended up at the aquarium.  Deklan was especially excited to have found “Mr. Ray.”  (He’s still trying to find Nemo.)

Because why would you simply sit in a chair sculpted like a head?  #thatchintho

Mr. Ray!

Another mall, another interactive show - Fall of Atlantis.  We stuck around for the 7 minute animatronic display of fire, water and nine-foot talking statues.  Deklan, again, wasn’t a huge fan.  Maks’ recollection of the story is a bit off-kilter.  “The brother and sister are fighting with each other and their father tells them to get along.  They don’t listen to him and fight with water and fire.  And then he kills them.  And everybody dies.”  Ok.  Close enough, Buddy.  Moral of the story - maybe you should stop fighting with your brother???

Next stop, the High Roller!  I’d been planning on taking the kids on this giant Ferris wheel in the evening to catch view of the city illuminated, but the timing was just too perfect to pass up when we walked by just as the attraction was opening for the day.  We had a clear view of Las Vegas from 550 feet above the ground.  Although each cabin sphere can hold 40 people, we were lucky enough to ride with just 2 other adults - giving the kids free range of views from every side of the observation room.  I’m glad we went when we did, as the winds picked up for the day just as we were landing.

About to be 550 feet above Sin City!

Fearless!

Cautious...but came around eventually!

Checking out the sites.

Nevada landscape.

High winds actually shut down a lot of attractions for the rest of the day.  As we exited the ride, we made a quick stop at In-N-Out Burger and also picked up 6 specialty cupcakes at Sprinkles for Bryon’s birthday celebration.  The 3/4 mile walk back in extreme winds with 2 overtired toddlers, a diaper bag and a bag full of food was brutal.  Dust in our eyes.  Winds that kept knocking people over on the walking overpasses and outdoor escalators.  Seemingly making zero progress in forward motion.  Eventually, we made it.  Naps ensued.

The remainder of the night was kind of a bust due to high wind advisories.  The street lights in Vegas were all out, which just added to the chaos.  We walked to The Bellagio, anxious to see the fountain and light show.  Unfortunately, it was cancelled.  So, we drove to Old Vegas for the Fremont Experience.  Cancelled as well.  However, now we have a 4 year old who desperately wants to grow big enough to zip line his way down Fremont Street when the light show is going the next time he’s in Vegas!

I’d considered going to Cirque du Soleil’s “O” at the Bellagio after the kids went to bed for the night.  However, with an early morning flight to San Diego in the morning (without Bryon’s assistance), I decided to call it a night and get some rest alongside the boys.  Plus, this afforded Bryon the opportunity to celebrate his birthday with his co-workers/friends Vegas style.  I think he spent most of the night at Tao and came back to our hotel room exactly 1.5 hours before he needed to chauffeur us to the airport.  Happy Birthday, old man!  How’s it feel to be 29 again?!  Just kidding (kind of)!  Welcome to 30!

Vegas was awesome to see, and I think I’ll be back sometime - sans kids.  I’d love to have another opportunity to explore - cycling around Red Rock Canyon, seeing the Hoover Dam, hiking the Valley of Fire, kayaking the Colorado River, exploring the Grand Canyon (helicopter ride anyone?), cruising Lake Mead, zip lining in Bootleg Canyon, racing a dune buggy in the desert…and enjoying so many Las Vegas shows!!!  

Uncle Tyler's Visit

Back from Jamaica for no less than 48 hours and we were driving to the Manchester Regional Airport to pick up a special visitor!  Uncle Tyler found himself working out east for a handful of days spanning over the weekend, so we were lucky enough to host him as a long weekend visitor at our house.  

Of course, Aunt Katherine sent care packages (in pink polka dotted bags) for each kid.  You know, fun stuff like whoopie cushions, stuffed animals, sticker books and more!  The boys even received handmade wooden toys brought back to the US from her latest work trip to India.  However, their favorite items just may have been the peppermint candies sent to them especially from the ponies!

Handmade toys from India

Since Maksim had no school due to conferences on Friday, it worked out exceptionally well timing wise for Tyler’s visit.  I was able to leave both boys with their uncle while I attended Maksim’s conference.  (Ahem, I’m being told that the minute mom or dad walks out of the house, Maksim is pushing the limits of his rules to no end!)  Ms. Anjali had nothing but positive comments about Maksim’s progress, which is always comforting to hear.  He’s ready now for full day Montessori in the primary classroom.  We’ve been planning on having him start full days this Fall, but after meeting with Ms. Anjali we are considering jump starting that change and beginning full days this April.  Nothing concrete yet, but it’s wonderful to know he’s progressing and thriving at school.  And I love seeing him so eager to always know everything about EVERYTHING (well, most of the time)!

Gears, gears and more gears at the SEE Science Center

Having and extra day for visiting and exploration gave us the opportunity to visit the SEE Science Center.  I figured it’d be the perfect place for these three science loving guys to spend the afternoon.  We were pleasantly surprised at how much time we ended up spending at the museum - 4 hours!  Maks’ favorite activity was learning about pulleys and racing Uncle Tyler to the top!

Pull!

Pulley racing with these science guys.

Who's going to win???

We finished off the afternoon with some time at the library and then headed to the Black Forest Cafe for dinner.  Unfortunately, Bryon got caught up at work and was unable to join us.  I love having visitors because it gives me an excuse to re-visit all of my favorite local restaurants, as well as try out some new ones, too!  Bryon and I never make time to do so otherwise!  I got my usual scallop and strawberry salad with barley and asparagus (3rd time I’ve eaten here and it’s the 3rd time I’ve ordered the same dish) and it definitely didn’t disappoint.  Tyler tried The Count, which was a Monte Cristo styled sandwich.  He said it was incredibly tasty, but almost too rich to finish in one setting!  Some fresh fish tacos with mango salsa to go for Bryon, and a quick stop at the adjoining bakery for desert and we called it a night!

Always more to read, always more to learn.  

Saturday was rainy and cold, which provided the perfect opportunity to be lazy around our house.  Well, as lazy as one can be with 2 monkeys climbing on them at all times, right Uncle Tyler??  This poor guy.  Let me tell you, what an awesome uncle!  I know my boys are non-stop high energy and completely exhausting.  Add to that and excitement of having one of their favorite relatives come to visit, and they’re out of control!  I’m sure Tyler left our house more exhausted than he arrived.  But the memories my boys have of their Uncle keep stacking up and their love for him continues to grow and grow.  Not much more I can ask for than that!

Another dinner out and we tried a new spot in a neighboring small town.  After calling Bar One to make a reservation and being told that they don’t accept them…we showed up to find ourselves facing a 45 minute wait.  Not a total bomb because the lack of waiting space in the gastropub afforded us the opportunity to drive up the road to explore a fun toy store.  With games for infants through adults, we were entertained until the store closed.  We made our way back tot he gastropub to find out that our wait was extended by another 30 minutes because the party in our reserved area had paid their bill but wasn’t quite ready to leave the restaurant.  Whomp, whomp.  Oh well.  Bryon, Tyler and the boys watched a movie in the car while I texted them photos of the menu so they could select their meals.  It made for a super quick order once we were finally seated!  The. Food. Was. Amazing.  Our spread ended up including Roasted Duck Poutine, Chicken & Waffles with local Maple Bourbon syrup, Thai Wrap, Truffle Fries and an "Up in Smoke" Burger…and somehow I was the only one at the table to need a to-go box.  Bryon and Tyler both seemed pleased with their beers to boot!

On Sunday we needed to drive Bryon to the Boston-Logan airport (he’s off to San Francisco, Las Vegas and San Diego over the next 2 weeks), so we made a morning of the trip and walked the streets of Boston.  Tyler treated us to all sorts of deliciousness at Modern Pastry.  Seriously, can this weekend include any more food?  Yes.  Oh, yes it can.  Berry tarts.  Chocolate cupcakes.  Creme Brûlée.  French puffs.  Eclairs.  It was a box from heaven.  

We spent some time roaming Faneuil Hall and listening to street performers.  We all got a laugh when the boys gave a few dollars to a gentleman playing music on plastic buckets and steel pans and he jokingly told them, “Can you go back to your Mom and Dad and ask for more?!”  Before we knew it, our bodies were freezing (hey, we are still Florida blooded) and it was time to drop Bryon off at the airport.

Our new dice from Toyland.

Tyler, the boys and I had just enough time to drive home, relax for a bit (Uncle Tyler introduced Maks to polyhedral dice and he’s obsessed with rolling them and writing down the numbers on a pad of paper…his goal is for Tyler to help him write the numbers from 1-1000) and then take Uncle Tyler to the Manchester airport before calling it a wrap.  My kids were fed, in bed and asleep by 6pm.  So much fun!

Ya Mon!

We did it!  Jamaica.  What a fun trip!

Perfection.

We were crazy enough to put our house on the market while we were on vacation in Jamaica (it seemed like an easy way to keep the house clean and maintain a schedule that was accommodating for showings).  Per usual, there's always a hundred thousand things that you need to do last minute - both for making your home "show ready" and for packing for a wedding/vacation for a family of 4.  All in the midst of a New England snowstorm!

Bryon and I finally finished everything around 1am.  Since we had a 5am flight out of Boston Logan, that meant we could sleep until exactly...drumroll...2am!  Woo-hoo for 1 hour of sleep!  We woke up and got ourselves ready at 2am, woke the kids up at 2:15am, were out the door at 2:30am, and arrived at the airport by 3:45am.  Even still, we almost missed our flight.  BUT WE MADE IT!  We powered through the day - being rerouted and catching 3 flights (2 layovers).  Maksim didn't sleep a wink the entire day.  Deklan slept for *maybe* an hour or two on and off.  However, we arrived at our villa in Montego Bay in just enough time to walk down a stretch of beach and make it to the rehearsal.  Somehow our kids made it until about 7:30pm (Jamaican time - which made for an 18.5 hour day; their typical day is 12 hours and includes a 2 hour nap!).  Actually, we were all SPENT!  My gut was a bit uneasy about how well they were going to do at the wedding & reception the following day (which meant another busy day of jet lag, no naps and late bedtime).

Things get silly when you've been up since 2:15am.

My next day began at the spa for hair and makeup.  The bridesmaids then got dressed in the bride's room and were able to get the first look at Laura's dress.  GORGEOUS!  In a nice change of pace, I was sans-kids for most of the wedding day.  That meant, however, that Bryon was solely responsible for the behavior (and survival) of the 2 youngest members of the bridal party.  They held their own with the groomsmen.  I HAVE to give props to Bryon for making it all happen - keeping both boys in line, clean and smiling.  And a special shout-out to my cousin, Nick, for his endless help all-around!

After listening to the ocean breeze all night, they experienced their first Jamaican sunrise.  Ready to get this party started!

Post-ceremonoy shenanigans.

Exploring the aqueduct.

Without giving away too many details of the special day, I'll say that we hopped on a shuttle and headed to the wedding venue for photos.  The setting was just as beautiful as the ceremony itself.  And my two little studs sure did a great job!  The reception was just as much fun as anybody could have imagined.  Maksim was extremely tired and enjoyed relaxing in Aunt Barb's arms and then getting some one-on-one time watching tv with Uncle Norm in his hotel room while the rest of us danced our cares away (yes, I danced!).  Deklan LOVED dancing!  He especially loved his "hands up" dance with Lisa.  He couldn't stop talking about it (or her) for the rest of the trip!

Post wedding day, we were blessed with awesome company.  It was such an amazing experience to travel with such a fun & diverse group of people!  Although the weather was rainy, we still called it a pool day.  Much of our time was spent in the hot tub - more appropriately labeled as the "lukewarm tub."  (Attendees - Am I right?!?)  We shared so much laughter!  It's a good thing my kids are fish...and outgoing...and just all around awesome.  They must get it from me (maybe not the outgoing part...but for sure the awesome part, as well as being part-fish.)  Honestly, it was such a special treat that our kids were adopted as part of the group.  Undeniably welcome.  Always adored.  

Chatting it up with wedding guests (and non-guests).

Ring security off the clock.

The next day, the lovebirds left the island after visiting with us in the morning.  It was a special treat for Maksim that Aunt Barb walked down the beach to our villa later in the afternoon in order to kayak out to the reef and snorkel.  Bryon, Aunt Barb and Maksim all piled in a 3 person kayak together and paddled out to the reef.  

He's ready to move to his own island!

Ocean paddle board session with Daddy.

Give this kid sunshine, the ocean and some sand, and he's totally in his element.

Meanwhile, Deklan and I spent our time on the beach digging in the sand, playing with "Big Ginger" and watching "LG" (Little Ginger) run around (Big Ginger and Little Ginger are the resort dogs - they're the nicest once-upon-a-time strays ever and came with the property!).  Unfortunately, I got sunburned.  BAD.  It was so shocking - because I never (never say never) sunburn, and there was almost zero sun.  It ended my sun exposure for the remainder of the trip (covered myself from head to toe).

By the following day, we were the only wedding attendees left in Jamaica.  We took the kids to the pool all day long (I maintained my head-to-toe sun shield) for relaxing.  As a special Jamaican treat, Maksim got his hair braided by Rosie (a Trelawny local) in her shop on the beach as we walked back to our villa for the evening.

Island drink for this kid!

LIGHTS OUT!

One more Jamaican sunrise and it was time to jet set back to the US!  I still cannot believe that I traveled to Jamaica and not once went into the ocean or a swimming pool!  

I'll miss this view.

...But not before eating one last Jamaican breakfast, prepared by Danny!  From jerk chicken, to curry, to Jamaican omelets, and amazing lemongrass tea - he was a highlight of our villa stay and he radiated such a positive vibe through his smile and hospitality!  He was born and raised in Trelawny and believes it's the best place to be!  We wish him all the best!

Breakfast of champions!

We're going to miss Mr. Danny!

With a hand-carved sea turtle from Danny, a conch shell and a sea urchin in tow (for Maksim to share with his classmates), we made our way through the Montego Bay Airport and found our way back home!

Newest member of the Jamaican bobsled team!

Until next time, Jamaica!  Respect!