Girls Only Trip (old thread, link to new thread in first post)

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Beautiful trees Beth!

I love Hallmark and Disney ornaments.

I have never had a 'fancy' tree, but your living room one makes me want to!

Heather

 

[DangerMouse]

Hiya ladies! I shoulda stuck with my gut instincts and stayed off the Dis this weekend. I'm getting into all sorts of trouble over here. . .

Beth, loooove your pretty trees! Ours is very Charlie Brownish. The 5 year old neighbor girl came in yesterday and said "Oooooh, your tree is so tiny!"

Ahhh, it's been a lovely day here with kids playing outside and at friends' houses and we've actually gotten the house moderately clean and our Christmas card wrapped up -- finally! whew! Dan is sending it to the printers as I type.

Now I just have to figure out dinner (preferably one I don't have to cook) and all will be well with the world.

 

[cheshiregirl]

While looking through last years pics, I came across two from our visit to Ethel M's Chocolate Factory. We've been already this year too, but didn't take any pics.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share them as well. If anyone is in Vegas over the holidays, this is worth going out to see.
(Amy and Jane, if you haven't been yet this month, I'd highly recommend it! The kids will be in awe. It's like 2 or 3 acres and everything is covered in lights, they give free chocolate samples, and on select nights Santa is there. Best of all, it's FREE! LOL)

This is one of our favorite Vegas traditions too. We have gone at least once each of the past two Christmas seasons. Have you (or anyone else) been to the Magical Forest? We were thinking about a trip up there this year but haven't made it quite yet.

Ty has a double ear infection so we are taking it easy this weekend. We have a couple more Christmas packages that we are trying to get into the mail on Monday so we headed to Target today (my favorite!) and out to Olive Garden for lunch.

Typically this is the weekend we would have spent at DL, but fate works in mysterious ways and hopefully Ty will be fully recovered by the time we leave next Sunday. However, I'm trying to talk Dave into leaving on Saturday and staying in Victorville/Hesperia to break up the trip for Ty so that it's not such a long time being strapped in the car--15 month olds hate being tied down!

Hope that everyone else is having a great weekend!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

This is one of our favorite Vegas traditions too. We have gone at least once each of the past two Christmas seasons. Have you (or anyone else) been to the Magical Forest? We were thinking about a trip up there this year but haven't made it quite yet.

Ty has a double ear infection so we are taking it easy this weekend. We have a couple more Christmas packages that we are trying to get into the mail on Monday so we headed to Target today (my favorite!) and out to Olive Garden for lunch.

Typically this is the weekend we would have spent at DL, but fate works in mysterious ways and hopefully Ty will be fully recovered by the time we leave next Sunday. However, I'm trying to talk Dave into leaving on Saturday and staying in Victorville/Hesperia to break up the trip for Ty so that it's not such a long time being strapped in the car--15 month olds hate being tied down!

Hope that everyone else is having a great weekend!

I'm sorry your little guy is sick. We went through double ear infections on both boys when we flew out east in October. It was the first time either one of them have been sick. It was sooo hard for me to see them not feeling good. I hope your little guy makes a quick recovery, we went through 2 different antibiotics before we started feeling better.

DH is bringing Olive Garden home for us! Yum! I love that man!

I hope everyone is having a good night.

Heather

 

[mommaU4]

Beautiful trees Beth!

I love Hallmark and Disney ornaments.

I have never had a 'fancy' tree, but your living room one makes me want to!

Heather

Thanks. I love Hallmark ornaments too! That's why we have the two trees. The kids love their ornaments and have so much fun decorating their own tree.

Hiya ladies! I shoulda stuck with my gut instincts and stayed off the Dis this weekend. I'm getting into all sorts of trouble over here. . .

Beth, loooove your pretty trees! Ours is very Charlie Brownish. The 5 year old neighbor girl came in yesterday and said "Oooooh, your tree is so tiny!"

Ahhh, it's been a lovely day here with kids playing outside and at friends' houses and we've actually gotten the house moderately clean and our Christmas card wrapped up -- finally! whew! Dan is sending it to the printers as I type.

Now I just have to figure out dinner (preferably one I don't have to cook) and all will be well with the world.

Are you causing trouble?? I can't imagine you causing any sort of trouble.
Hope your night went well and you didn't have to cook!

This is one of our favorite Vegas traditions too. We have gone at least once each of the past two Christmas seasons. Have you (or anyone else) been to the Magical Forest? We were thinking about a trip up there this year but haven't made it quite yet.

Ty has a double ear infection so we are taking it easy this weekend. We have a couple more Christmas packages that we are trying to get into the mail on Monday so we headed to Target today (my favorite!) and out to Olive Garden for lunch.

Typically this is the weekend we would have spent at DL, but fate works in mysterious ways and hopefully Ty will be fully recovered by the time we leave next Sunday. However, I'm trying to talk Dave into leaving on Saturday and staying in Victorville/Hesperia to break up the trip for Ty so that it's not such a long time being strapped in the car--15 month olds hate being tied down!

Hope that everyone else is having a great weekend!

I haven't been to Magical Forest yet. I keep thinking about it, but I'm not sure it would be worth the cost.

I'm sorry to hear about Ty. Poor dear. I hope he feels better soon!

 

[mommaU4]

I am so tired and so stuffed! I had the Whiskey River BBQ Chicken wrap at Red Robin and it was so good. Then instead of a cake, Adam wanted sundaes so we had different ice cream flavors, hot fudge, crushed Oreos, nuts, whip cream, cherries, sprinkles, etc and did a make your own sundae bar.
I'm pretty sure I've gained about 10 lbs today. But it was a nice day and he was happy with all his presents.

It's been super windy here today!! Knocked down all our outdoor decorations. Our reindeer toppled over, some lights came down off the house, the light trees tipped over, candy canes fell, etc. Looked like a tornado hit outside. I'm tempted to just pack it all back up rather then try to fix it. We'll see.

Anyway, hope you all had a nice day.

 

[DangerMouse]

Are you causing trouble?? I can't imagine you causing any sort of trouble.
Hope your night went well and you didn't have to cook!

I didn't mean to cause trouble, really. But I did just figure out the poster I was having difficulties with is someone who has always ruffled feathers on the DLR board and just keeps re-registering under different screen names. I shoulda known better. I usually avoid responding to her posts, but I didn't recognize the screen name.

I didn't have to cook. I had pizza from Papa John's, Corona with lime and Dan even made homemade pumpkin pie for dessert. I think I gained 10 pounds tonight too. Feelin fat and happy right now.

 

[wendylady36]

I'm another one that gained 10lbs today! I had a slice of pizza for lunch and P.F. Changs for dinner, with a Chocolate Overload cupcake from my mom's bakery. I'm stuffed!

It's been a LONG day and I'm exhausted. I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far!

 

[Stacerita]

Time to Google him!

Then again, don't. I found out some things about my boyfriend (now ex boyfriend) that I wish I had never found out. lying, cheating, piece of...

Yikes!

Don't forget the paddle, handcuffs, eye mask, ball gag, and leash. If you're gonna do it, do it right.

I can't believe I am still going to Vegas with you after seeing this. Wow!


So today DD was in a softball tournament. We had to meet at the field at 7:45am. I didn't get home till after 6:00pm!! Holy cow it was a long day. It was cold and windy. Plus it kept sprinkling all morning. UGH! Our first team we were playing didn't show so we didn't have our first game until 10 and we lost. But its double elimination so we had to play again at 3pm. Then we ended up starting late. UGH! UGH! UGH! We won the second game so lucky us we get to be back at the field tomorrow at 7:45am again. I am so not wanting to go.


Because of stress issues and mirgaines, my doc wants me to be taking things easy. So I have had to cut out a lot of "extra" things that I don't need to do. So some of my volunteer stuff I quit. I also had to make the decision to not get to wrapped up in decorating for Christmas. This is my stressful time of the year. Instead of putting up all 13 trees, I decided to buy one new tree and new decorations for it. That way I won't stress of getting all my other stuff out and worrying about what to put up and what not. It was just easier this way. I put my brand new tree up, got the lights stung on it and the tree topper. Unfortunately, the ornaments didn't come with hooks. So now I have to buy hooks tomorrow. But I am not stressed and I feel good. As soon as I have my tree totally up, I will post a pic. Its a brand new theme that I am totally excited about.

Love your trees Beth. I almost went with a gold/bronze theme this year.

 

[kelmac284]

Evening gals!! I am back from my fun filled day. It was actually not too bad

I got the girls all purtied up and we headed to the church to practice and they were still having a bit of a hard time so I was a little worried plus they didn't have the heat on in the sanctuary and it was FREEZING in there but we finally left for the retirement home and it was farther away then I thought and I thought they waited WAY too long to leave so I was stressing getting there but we all arrived right around the same time so I guess it was ok. The kids did GREAT though and it got me all choked up. I think the old folks enjoyed it and I felt bad because they wanted us to stay and have the kids visit with the folks but we had to jam because I had to get the girls home and changed and to the parties. So I left and got them changed cuz there was NO way I was letting them go to the birthdays in their good outfits. So then the shocker came.

I think I told you that Katy had begged me to let her go to her friend's party (the one that was a sleepover) and I compromised and said she could go but just while I was at Shelby's party. Well I don't know the girl OR the parents at all but since Katy NEVER gets invited to parties I felt bad and she had asked first and on and on. But I should have KNOWN from the get go when she got NO invitation but all I got was a handwritten invite from the little girl on a piece of binder paper 2 days before the party. So I get to the house and can we say SCUMVILLE! I go in to meet the mom and I am almost BOWLED over by cigarette smoke. It was blinding and choking. I didn't feel great about it but there were several kids from her class and they were playing out in this gated courtyard and one thing I have taught my daughter well so I hoped for the best.

Then I get to the roller rink with Shelby and the first thing that happens is one of the people with the party we were going to comes in with an arm load of pizzas and the people tell them NO outside food. So that started a big hub bub and they wouldn't even let them bring this really expensive sheet cake that they had brought. Now I can understand about the pizza's but NOT the cake. I have had a party there before for Katy and they let us bring our own cake. And besides they bought the pizza's for the adults not the kids. They bought the most expensive package and had the pizza for the kids at the party FROM the place but just got extra pizza for the adults but the place would NOT let them bring it in. IT was ridiculous. So that made it REALLY awkward. But anyway it was a nice party none the less and Shelby had fun. So we finally left to pick up Katy and when I walked in I was greeted by their pitt bull and then I smelled this really strong odor of POT! I was like OMG! I could not WAIT to get out of there.

I mean give me a break. What kind of low lifes would smoke weed at a kid's party! But anyway my parents were in Truckee today and they had a blizzard up there so they came home early and the girls and I met them for dinner at Mimi's no less LOL and then it was right near a neighborhood that puts on a huge light display (like several streets worth) so mom and the girls and I went. It was a lot of fun.

So that was my day. Now tomorrow is the performances at church and then they are having a luncheon and building the gingerbread houses. So after my pics of them I will post my tree pics!

PS Beth I was telling mom that I would like to take the kids to Vegas next summer and she doesn't think there is anything for kids there. I told her that was bull. So can you prove her wrong please! I told her there are tons of amusement areas and just all the stuff to see. I am sure you know even more stuff than I do. We usually take them to Disneyland after swim team ends in August but since we are going in April we were thinking of something different. SHe wants to do a cruise but I have not been to Vegas since 97 and thought it might be fun. Suggestions?

 

[kelmac284]

And also Beth LOVE the trees. I have SO many ornaments but I have gotten lazy in my old age and I don't take out half of them. I have a lot of hallmark ones etc so my tree is pretty eclectic. I LOVE your formal tree. Ours just kind of has a little of everything.

I also have a tink tree topper. Did you get it at the Disney store? That's where I got mine.

And I also wanted to add that I got 2 more cards today. Thank you Theresa (queenbillabong) and Shelley WDWR!!

 

[cheshiregirl]

Evening gals!! I am back from my fun filled day. It was actually not too bad

I got the girls all purtied up and we headed to the church to practice and they were still having a bit of a hard time so I was a little worried plus they didn't have the heat on in the sanctuary and it was FREEZING in there but we finally left for the retirement home and it was farther away then I thought and I thought they waited WAY too long to leave so I was stressing getting there but we all arrived right around the same time so I guess it was ok. The kids did GREAT though and it got me all choked up. I think the old folks enjoyed it and I felt bad because they wanted us to stay and have the kids visit with the folks but we had to jam because I had to get the girls home and changed and to the parties. So I left and got them changed cuz there was NO way I was letting them go to the birthdays in their good outfits. So then the shocker came.

I think I told you that Katy had begged me to let her go to her friend's party (the one that was a sleepover) and I compromised and said she could go but just while I was at Shelby's party. Well I don't know the girl OR the parents at all but since Katy NEVER gets invited to parties I felt bad and she had asked first and on and on. But I should have KNOWN from the get go when she got NO invitation but all I got was a handwritten invite from the little girl on a piece of binder paper 2 days before the party. So I get to the house and can we say SCUMVILLE! I go in to meet the mom and I am almost BOWLED over by cigarette smoke. It was blinding and choking. I didn't feel great about it but there were several kids from her class and they were playing out in this gated courtyard and one thing I have taught my daughter well so I hoped for the best.

Then I get to the roller rink with Shelby and the first thing that happens is one of the people with the party we were going to comes in with an arm load of pizzas and the people tell them NO outside food. So that started a big hub bub and they wouldn't even let them bring this really expensive sheet cake that they had brought. Now I can understand about the pizza's but NOT the cake. I have had a party there before for Katy and they let us bring our own cake. And besides they bought the pizza's for the adults not the kids. They bought the most expensive package and had the pizza for the kids at the party FROM the place but just got extra pizza for the adults but the place would NOT let them bring it in. IT was ridiculous. So that made it REALLY awkward. But anyway it was a nice party none the less and Shelby had fun. So we finally left to pick up Katy and when I walked in I was greeted by their pitt bull and then I smelled this really strong odor of POT! I was like OMG! I could not WAIT to get out of there.

I mean give me a break. What kind of low lifes would smoke weed at a kid's party! But anyway my parents were in Truckee today and they had a blizzard up there so they came home early and the girls and I met them for dinner at Mimi's no less LOL and then it was right near a neighborhood that puts on a huge light display (like several streets worth) so mom and the girls and I went. It was a lot of fun.

So that was my day. Now tomorrow is the performances at church and then they are having a luncheon and building the gingerbread houses. So after my pics of them I will post my tree pics!

PS Beth I was telling mom that I would like to take the kids to Vegas next summer and she doesn't think there is anything for kids there. I told her that was bull. So can you prove her wrong please! I told her there are tons of amusement areas and just all the stuff to see. I am sure you know even more stuff than I do. We usually take them to Disneyland after swim team ends in August but since we are going in April we were thinking of something different. SHe wants to do a cruise but I have not been to Vegas since 97 and thought it might be fun. Suggestions?

YIKES!!!! Sounds like you had a crazy day and that Katy' and Shelby's parties were both interesting to say the least.

There are lots of fun things to do with kids in Vegas, but you have to be a little creative and willing to get off the beaten path of the Strip. On the Strip you have the Secret Garden with dolphins and tigers at the Mirage and the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, but neither one takes more than an hour or so to go through. You also have the shopping areas and the things like the Bellagio fountains and indoor gardens that are fun to see. Off of the Strip we have some other fun areas like the District at Green Valley Ranch where they show free outdoor movies on Friday and Saturday nights and they have a carrousel in addition to being a cute shopping area. If you are more outdoorsy we have the Springs Preserve which is a park with a hands on museum type exhibit (I haven't been there yet) and Red Rock is great for hiking in addition to rock climbing and rappeling.

I wasn't too impressed with Circus Circus and the Adventuredome Indoor Amusement Park, but I am a Disney girl after all. It has basic rides and indoor miniature golf, and a free circus show. It's okay, and depending on your expectations you might be fine with it. We also have some cool places like the Vegas Indoor Skydiving and a place that I think is called Skyzone which is a bunch of gigantic trampolines that are all placed together and create this huge room where you can do all sorts of tricks and jump and play.

As for shows, I think that all of the Cirque du Soleil shows except Zumanity are family friendly. And, Lion King opens for previews on April 22 and for the regular run on May 5.

Finally, depending on where you choose to stay, most hotels have fairly large and elaborate pools--Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay and the Golden Nugget are among the best. Some have sand bottoms, zero entry, lazy rivers, waterfalls and are often comparable to the WDW pools in terms of theming. Vegas pools are a selling point, especially if you are coming during the summer.

 

[cheshiregirl]

I'm sorry your little guy is sick. We went through double ear infections on both boys when we flew out east in October. It was the first time either one of them have been sick. It was sooo hard for me to see them not feeling good. I hope your little guy makes a quick recovery, we went through 2 different antibiotics before we started feeling better.

DH is bringing Olive Garden home for us! Yum! I love that man!

I hope everyone is having a good night.

Heather

Ty is on his 3rd or 4th ear infection, so we've been down this path before, but I feel so helpless when he doesn't feel good. But, now that we are a day into the antibiotics, he's starting to feel like himself again.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes!

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks that's what I remembered from 97. I mean is the pirate thing still at Treasure Island? I know that was interesting and then they didn't have the venetian yet but I assume that is neat to see and the Parisian. Plus when I was there we went to the New York New York and rode the coaster there and the one at the stratosphere and I know MGM had an amusement area. We also went to the Luxor and I know they had like a virtual reality egyptian ride.

I know you could spend hours just looking through each hotel with all the different shops and things. She seemed to think that the kids wouldn't be allowed but it seemed to me that they were allowed everywhere except on the actual casino floors. Is that correct or no?

Plus if I remember correctly there was like a whole coca cola shopping area that was interesting and of course there is the freemont street experience which I thought was neat and it seems like I remember a star trek museum. I mean don't get me wrong I know the place is mostly geared towards adults but it seemed like when I was there even in 97 there as plenty of stuff to see even for kids. Plus how far of a drive would it be to drive to the Hoover dam? Is that a doable day trip?

 

[cheshiregirl]

Thanks that's what I remembered from 97. I mean is the pirate thing still at Treasure Island? I know that was interesting and then they didn't have the venetian yet but I assume that is neat to see and the Parisian. Plus when I was there we went to the New York New York and rode the coaster there and the one at the stratosphere and I know MGM had an amusement area. We also went to the Luxor and I know they had like a virtual reality egyptian ride.

I know you could spend hours just looking through each hotel with all the different shops and things. She seemed to think that the kids wouldn't be allowed but it seemed to me that they were allowed everywhere except on the actual casino floors. Is that correct or no?

Plus if I remember correctly there was like a whole coca cola shopping area that was interesting and of course there is the freemont street experience which I thought was neat and it seems like I remember a star trek museum. I mean don't get me wrong I know the place is mostly geared towards adults but it seemed like when I was there even in 97 there as plenty of stuff to see even for kids. Plus how far of a drive would it be to drive to the Hoover dam? Is that a doable day trip?

Almost everything you remember is still here in some form except the Star Trek experience (it closed last May) and the MGM amusement park--it closed before I moved here 2.5 years ago.

Kids can go to the shops and the attractions, but as you said, are not allowed on the casino floor. My DH Dave almost got thrown out of the Bellagio last November when we took his mom to see the lobby and conservatory because he and Ty (who was less than 2 months old at the time) stopped to talk to his mom and uncle while they were sitting at a slot machine bank--and they weren't even actively playing at the time!

New York NY still has the rollercoaster, but it is $12 per person to ride, and the rides at the top of the Stratosphere are even more expensive considering you not only have to pay around $12-15 per ride, but it is also around $15 each just to get up to the top observation deck!

A couple of other things I thought of to do are the gondola rides (choice of indoor route or outdoor route) and Madame Tussaud's wax museum at the Venetian, the Blue Man Group, and yes, they still have the Pirates Show at TI. This is another thing that we have never done, but from what I have heard it is not as kid friendly as the original version of the show that you may have seen. It is the Sirens show and is more about hot girls than Pirates. But, if anyone has actually seen it, feel free to jump in as my info may be off base!

 

[BillyFan]

Hi Girls! I just got home from a holiday party, and now I'm off to bed. I hope everybody is having a great weekend!

 

[disney-inspired]

In this one you can sort of make out my Tink tree topper, which is now on the kids tree and instead I have a gold angel. And also last year I had no tree skirt! So after Christmas I bought a large satin gold one that is currently under there.

So there ya have it. Nothing fancy, but it gets us in the spirit of the season!

Next?

Lovely tree! We (Disney store) have a new tinkerbell topper that is the Tinker Bell from her movie, she is SOO cute. I like her way more now after seeing that movie.

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks again so much Chesire for all the info. I guess it just depends on how much my mom is convincing LOL. It is not that I DON'T want to go on a cruise (never been on one). I just haven't been back to vegas since my one and only trip in 97 and as I mentioned I was only there 10 minutes and I fell and ended up in the hospital so THAT trip didn't go over well LOL.

And I forgot to say I hope your son feels better. Sometimes I THINK stuff but forget to post it.

Anywho I got my pics done and thought I would share some.

Here is our tree for what it is worth. It looks better in person. It sure doesn't look like it has many ornaments but it is a 9 footer so they look pretty sparse in this pic but it does look better irl LOL. But I'm pretty happy with it. Beth yours looks better!

And since I talked about it so much I thought I would throw in a few pics of the girls. This is them YESTERDAY.

And then this is them performing at the retirement home

And then this is what they are wearing today.

I'm videotaping today so no pics. Although I may come home after the 2nd service so they can change and get my camera and take pics of the ginergerbread project so I may have more pics to post later but anyway that's it for now.

I will be gone most of the day again.

Hope everyone has a GREAT day!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Here's my little tree. I like it! I can't wait to get back to my big house now, so that I can have a nice big formal tree.

DH left this morning for 'walmart'. I have a feeling he is going somewhere else to get my present, but where at 9am on a Sunday? hmmmm...I need to investigate this.

Are you all good with surprises? I suck at them. I hate it when someone tells me they have a surprise for me. I'd much rather just be surprised than teased. Christmas is like one big long drawn out tease for me. I want to know what I'm getting now! Also, I have a hard time not giving presents as soon as I get them. I'm so darned excited about giving gifts, it's hard for me to wait. Patience is not one of my better traits.

OK, talk with you all later.

Heather

 

[Lostgirlz]

Hey now jewlery stores are open at that time. I wanted to touch base with you all. I'm still here we have had 4 days of storms, and flooding it's been nasty. I think i'm going insane cause I can't decide whether to to a split stay at DLH/GCH, or big themed suite, or just concierege lvl at dlh ugh choices. Im not good with needing to make decisions.