Day 14 - Shopping, switching hotels and oh, eating a cow

We awoke lazily. The children attacked the pantry and savoured tv with what they found. We had to pack and check out today, because as part of the plan, the husband and booked a more posh hotel for us to move in to - you know, just all part of this holiday experience. When in Vegas, ooh yeah!

By the time we were done snacking (the kids), packing (the adults) and changing (everyone), it felt like a lifetime has passed. I think after two weeks of being on the road, it does take a toll on you. We loaded ourselves into the car and with time to spare and nowhere to live, we headed for the next best thing - the shops!

Today, we headed to the other Premium Outlet at Vegas, where by now, we knew where to get our ride (hello trolley vehicle) to satisfy the kids and we settled for a brunch of Panda Express, pizza, coffee and juice. I think this was also the point where because the kids asked for pizza, the husband got a giant slice for them to share (not that it was a gigantic offer, but a slice of pizza in USA size was naturally pretty fit for a giant); they attacked our chinese food with gusto, forgoing their pizza. I think this is a sign that as much as we all enjoyed our occasional junk food of fries, fried chicken and pizza; nothing beats some stir-fry and carbs like noodles or rice. Chinese, we are. 

So, the shopping began. I tackled the sports outlets like Adidas and Nike to fulfill my own needs, the kids got pairs of shoes, the husband did great spots of buys like belt and a lovely pair of Cole Haan shoes... but it was also here that we got into a little spat and I cried. Not like a baby, but sniffed enough to unsettle some tension that perhaps, unknowingly had accumulated through the holiday. 

Truth is, I think being on holiday and constantly needing to plan and be safe and watch out for not just myself, but the roads (on the husband's behalf though I know I did not have to do it) and most importantly, the children, really can be rather trying. And when the husband and I have not spent much time together in the past as while we stay under the same roof, we never really spent 24/7 with each other this much - I'll say it warrants some grumps. So anyhow, it was all good within a few moments and I think that is what made us survive - not just the trip - but our marriage so far. Everyone needs some moments to themselves, everyone needs time to give and take; we identify that we have our moments and acknowledge if we had been an ass. 

So, shopping. 

Because I wanted to snap a pic of K in - gasp - not a dress and her cute boots!

So, about two hours into shopping not only did the husband and I got grumpy at each other, the little boy got grumpy too because he was tired. And so, between the husband and I, we made him a tent - specifically, a tent for his head.

TADA!

Cheeky active sister, with unsuspecting sleephead

It was also at this point that after exhausting ourselves and wallets, we headed back to the food court to have a snack of beef sandwich with fries, and everyone awoke. We then decided to leave shopping and check in our new hotel for the next two nights, the Monte Carlo. 

Hello, room

The Monte Carlo was about 3/4 through the strip and that far away from our original stay at Circus Circus, so we had a chance to explore this other side. That night, after dumping our luggage, we decided to take a stroll in search of dinner.

First sighting of Shake Shack! So exciting!

And of course, Shake Shack was in NYC!

We approached New York, New York and because it was already pretty late, both kids were cranky. The husband had wanted to try this restaurant even though the waiting time was long. We did a pizza stopover to fill our tummies slightly, and at this point, I was not on my best behaviour. Perhaps it was this, or that, but I was just so tired of being a naggy mom. The kids were misbehaving and I felt... grumpy. And snappy. And highly irritable. 

Cue the husband who knows me well, who graciously suggested that I go take the roller-coaster ride and "let off some steam". I thought about it - but just a while - and took the offer and took off. We agreed to meet up again in an hour, back at the restaurant entrance. 

And so I stomped off to the roller coaster, with much annoyance. Everything just felt wrong, and tired, and ... you get the drift. I felt strangely liberated, and a sense of freedom as I waved goodbye to the kids and husband and took off. It felt pretty awesome. 

First stop. Tickets for one at the roller-coaster.

Sneaking a selfie with the roller-coaster. WHEE!

The ride itself was fine, wasn't as scary as I imagined, but boy, did I scream on the ride! I screamed to release my internal frustrations, I screamed because I should and I could, I screamed, just because.

After the ride, I was shaking slightly as I redeemed my belongings from the locker. And saw the family. 

Bang bang

Bang bang

I still had 40 minutes to myself, so after giving a round of hugs and kisses, I ventured off. I hit the gamblings tables for a spot of fun (uh, more like a donation to the casino) and ventured around aimlessly. I walked into the Hersheys store and marvelled at the beautiful rainbow wall of chocolates.

Hershey's - lots of them in different flavours and colours

This spot of time to myself was much-needed, and when I headed to dinner, I was more relaxed.

Gallagher's Steak Hours, est. 1927

Now she decides to be a good girl - perhaps the separation (albeit short) worked well both ways

Anyhow, dinner was this place that the husband read of and wanted to try. And I must say that while I'm a carnivore, I was totally unprepared for what I devoured that night.

My steak

Cheeky with his onion ring

Not a great pic, even gross if you may, but OMG it is THE BEST EVERRRR

After a wine, a ton of food, and such good meat, I was in a way better mood at the end of dinner. And the dinner - did I say that the meat was excellent? I totally ate a whole cow, way more than the husband and I felt like my tummy was a bottomless pit that simply needed to finish the whole cow. It. Was. So. Good.

A more relaxed Mommy with her (now-she-can-call-them) lovely children

The husband with his new hairband - giggles

While the day was somewhat snappy, I think it ended on a splendid note. The short break I had in silence with no nagging to do, nothing to watch out for except for what I wanted, it was great. And the dinner, to be able to eat all that meat with no abandon... super, duper awesome. And the wine, that glass that I just needed to take the edge off the day - perfect. And so we ended this day with yet another silly shot.

Stupidotic

It's a shop (we didn't go in) but it's a good reminder to me that while on holiday, just chillax and have fun. So don't let anything from being stupidiotic (in a good way)!

Our previous day, here.