…isn’t it supposed to be inhabited by scam artists and the mob. Everything designed to separate you from your money.

We left late morning and arrived around midnight WST. Let’s just say that there were several times I was ready to leave the kids and travel somewhere by myself. Clearly the excitement, anxiety and time zone change was too much for them. I caught a rare moment of cooperation while we waited to board the plane.

We had a direct flight because I thought that would be easier on us all – but quite honestly, they could have used a break and to get rid of some of their nervous energy.  As it was, Matthew and Addison tormented the poor man in the 3rd seat of their row by alternating fighting, laughing completely sillily or falling asleep on him – and of course, Matthew had to go potty from the window seat when the guy finally fell asleep!

We got here – barely and after entertaining the cab driver with completely sassy and silly retorts to everything I said, Amalia finally was placed into time out in the hotel room.  Finally about an hour after we arrived, they settled down and fell asleep.

In the morning, we got up and went to the pool at the resort.  the weather was hot but overcast so it was nice to sit out and watch the girls (of course, it was only 9am – [can you say jet lag??] – the girls were the only ones in the pool.

After the pool, Denise and I took a cab to a local grocery store and bought food for the week.  It is so nice to be able to leave the kids for a while under the “care” of the older ones.

After lunch, we went for a walk from our resort.  We decided to go to the Circus Circus amusement park.  We got a little lost in the casino at first and ended up in a big “midway” area.  After wandering around for a while (and listening to a lot of whining)…we stepped up to a game.  It was one where you shoot water into a clowns mouth and whoever blows up the balloon first wins a prize.  The 6 kids stepped up and as they were getting directions on how it worked, this older man stepped up and plopped his money down and the water was started.  The older guy ended up winning and the kids were satisfied enough to walk away.  I looked at this guy like…”really?? are you going to basically come and take this from these kids??” but thought nothing about it…until the next one.  I noticed this guy standing around the games and as our kids sidled up, he snuck into the end of the line.  This one had the animal ring a bell at the top.  The whole way up, Riley’s toy was higher than everyone and when the bell rang, I just assumed that he won, but the barker gave the prize to this other guy.  I was livid!  The kids were mad!  It clearly was a scam – and, in my humble opinion, one of the worst ones, cuz it was perpetrated against kids.  And honestly, it was so clear that this was a scam – no subtlety in it whatsoever.

So, we quickly shuttled the kids off to the Adventure Dome.  The kids had fun and loved the roller coasters and rides.

(Nina posing for a picture – hands on hips, fake smile on lips!)

(Addison making her “I’m scared of roller coasters but I will go on all of them multiple times)

(Amalia and Matthew on this spinning ride!)

(I am becoming a teenager and hate to have my picture taken!)

(Using the “rule of thirds” to get his eyes right on the corner of the tic-tac-toe grid); he went on all of the rides multiple times!

And the girls posing with Sponge Bob.

After that, it was back to the room, about an hour at the pool and dinner.  I think the kids will sleep well tonight.

S

Categories: Family, Mothering 4, Thankfulness