The Nix Family: July 2013

This may sound lame, but we really had no idea what to do for a family vacation this summer. We didn't want to fly somewhere, knowing the cost of getting wherever we went wouldn't be worth it (toting the kids to cultural events or museums? No.).

So, we were left with our three directions. For a while, we were planning on San Diego ... again. The kids didn't seem excited about Sea World, but we figured we'd find some things to do - Legoland ... again, the beach and, of course, swim in a hotel pool. Because, really, that's all the kids want to do, anyway.

Then, one of the Las Vegas hotels emailed a cheap deal and it made perfect sense. We'd go to Vegas. Sure, Kevin and I go once or twice a year, but the kids have always been curious about it. And they'd get to do the one thing they want to do most: swim.

We booked a cheap room for four nights at the Monte Carlo, came up with a pretty long list of kid-friendly activities to do over four days and went for it.

Overall, we agree the vacation was a success for the kids. Riley enjoyed counting limousines (42) and Holden had lots of questions about the hotels and gambling (asking again and again why he couldn't play!). Vegas did it's Vegas thing by nickel-and-diming us at every turn with its jacked-up prices and no-outside-food-at-the-pool-type rules. Kevin struggled with this a bit. Usually, we go and gamble and drink and it's simple. It's not that way when you're being a tourist with kids.

Also, we expected more swim time. But the pool hours at the hotel were 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., which curtailed our plans for early morning and after dinner swims. We tried to keep the kids up late so they wouldn't be roaming around our hotel room at 6 a.m. It worked out mostly ok.

When we first arrived, we headed over to the Mirage to get Shirley Temples, the Venetian to see the gondolas (and got to see a fun marionette show) and Treasure Island to see the pirate show. The pirate show, though, was canceled a minute before it was scheduled to start due to "technical difficulties." After standing in 100-degree heat for 10 minutes to get there in time - that was a bummer.

The volcano was cool ... well, at least Holden liked it. Riley continued his fear of all things fire - a theme that persisted throughout the trip.

On day two, we had our first morning swim after breakfast in the hotel room (we were at least smart enough to bring lots of food and a cooler!). There was a regular pool, a lazy river and a wave pool. It was fun .. but CROWDED - even first thing in the morning.

We ventured away from the Strip for a reasonably priced lunch (Denny's) before heading back to Circus Circus' Adventure Dome. This is not the Circus Circus I grew up going to. Gone was the black big top with the trapeze shows and, in its place, a pinkish glass dome filled with rides and games. The kids, interestingly, were not at all into the rides (which was kind of a relief - saved us lots of money and vomit). We blew a lot of money on the mid-way games for stuffed animals. Holden and Kevin played Laser Tag and the kids each got an Icee. Riley billed Circus Circus as one of this top two favorite things he did in Vegas.

We went back to the room for some rest, and this happened:

That night, we had a really fun and yummy dinner at Benihana's (the kids' first time). Holden woke up grumpy from his nap, but snapped out of it when the onions transformed into a volcano. Riley was scared of the fire, but loved the flying shrimp tricks.

We headed over to the Bellagio to watch the dancing fountains (Riley's other top two activity). It's so beautiful and still gives me chills!

On Tuesday, we got up and headed west to Red Rocks National Conservation Area. The weather app promised a high of 79 degrees there, so we thought it would be a comfortable break from the 100-plus degree weather we'd been in. It was still very, very hot. And Kevin and I were very, very stupid to only bring one large bottle of water for the four of us. For a while there, we thought we were gonna lose Holden in the red, soft sand.

Despite how uncomfortable it was, it was actually a fun time. The kids love to scramble and explore. He whined a lot, but Holden still put this adventure in his top two.

We rounded out the day with lunch, slushies and swimming. I got in about 45 minutes of gambling time at a $5 blackjack table - and broke even. We had dinner in the food court at the hotel and then Kevin took a turn at his luck. The $5 table was gone, so he tried video blackjack ... without a lot of luck.

The next day, we swam in the morning before heading east to the Ethel M. Chocolates factory (with a stop along the way for some amazing tacos!). The self-guided tour was quick but interesting. The best part was choosing chocolate to buy at the end.

We took another break in the hotel room before heading out to explore New York, New York, the Luxor (the kids were pretty intrigued by the pyramid throughout the whole trip) and then the Excalibur, where we had tickets to see the Tournament of Kings dinner show. We played in the arcade, the kids won more crap and then it was show time. Riley was immediately scared by the loudness and the pyrotechnics, and only saw about a third of the show (he stayed slumped in his seat with his hands over his ears). Holden, though, thought it was a blast and cheered heartily for our King of Austria. We ate with our hands, pounded the table and enjoyed the jousting. (Holden also named this among his top two.)

One more swim and it was time to hit the road home. We're learning a lot about expectations, not only of ourselves and the kids, but of the places we go. Sure, Vegas threw us for some loops, but the kids had a trip they will always remember.

Suddenly, we're a family of runners.

It started nearly two years ago when Kevin decided he wanted to run the L.A. Marathon. Despite the fact that he wasn't a runner. And never ran before. Ever. But he did it - and it was amazing! He continued training and is now an official triathelete.

For their part, the kids have always been active. They are in Running Club at school and have their extra-curricular sports, too.

For me, I had soccer and yoga. Sure, I ran in soccer, but not long distance. And those sprints late on Tuesday nights could really kick my butt. On Superbowl Sunday, we all did the Redondo Beach 5K. I had Riley in tow figuring we'd take it easy, but was surprised to find I wanted to run more than I could.

So, a couple weeks later, I went on a run. I'm not one of those people who will tell you I love it. I don't. I actually kinda hate it. But I know the benefits and now, after the Village Runner 4th of July 5K, I know how great it is to race for real. I ran it in just over 36 minutes - way better than the 42-minute goal I set for myself.