vegas trip

It should come as no shock that I’m allergic to last-minute deviations from Routine and Established Schedules.

That’s why both Maya and I are still so surprised that I randomly decided to take her to Las Vegas this past weekend.

Outside of Caesar’s Palace…it was 105 degrees!

I’m not sure why I did it.

Especially since my lack of planning led to ridiculously high airfare and hotel rates, which troubles the Indian in me to no end.

Also, I’m sure I don’t need to delve into my anxiety regarding airplane travel + Maya’s motion sickness.

The view from our room at the Bellagio.

But for once I just wanted to be the fun parent (which I admittedly am NEVER).

— I let her stay up until whenever.

— I fed her gelato knowing she’d get a stomach ache. (This after my sweet cousins took her to M&M World, the Hershey’s store, and fed her caramel popcorn.)

We went swimming at the hotel pool, which was amazing.

— I took her to the Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson show and then to dinner at the shocking hour of 9:30 pm.

— I even threw caution to the wind, bought myself a glass of orange juice for $7.50, and shared some with Maya (I’m very much opposed to kids drinking juice – a post for another day).

In the Bellagio lobby.

But by Sunday afternoon I was tapped out. I couldn’t answer even ONE MORE OF HER QUESTIONS.

So I did what any respectable parent would do: I handed her the iPad (which I am also very much opposed to) at the Las Vegas airport and told her that “Mama’ s going to close her eyes for a little while.”

I guess the moral of the story is that there is a place in my world for orange juice, the iPad, and a bit of spontaneity. Everything in moderation I suppose?