Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?: Las Vegas Trip Report, Day 1

It was our first trip to Las Vegas in nearly two years, and the first for Punky. Jenny and her mom were going to see a concert by Hong Kong star Paula Tsui on Saturday night, leaving me to babysit the boys. I was really looking forward to doing a little gambling at night when the Fabulous Brewster Boys were asleep.

For Russell, air travel gives him the opportunity to catch up on his reading

At the airport, Punky contemplates his first trip to Las Vegas (technically his second, with his first trip taking place as a 4-week-old fetus)

We stayed at the Paris Las Vegas, a nice hotel where we had stayed two years earlier with my parents. Centrally located on the Strip, we could take either the monorail, walk, or go on a short cab ride to every hotel on our itinerary. The boys were well-behaved that first night, when we visted the MGM Grand for dinner and then stopped by the Bellagio to check out the Conservatory (indoor gardens).

At the Paris Las Vegas hotel, Russell could hardly contain his excitement while Punky seems less than enthusiastic

Punky signs off at the family's plan to visit the MGM Grand and then the Bellagio

On the monorail to the MGM Grand, Russell checks out the Las Vegas showguide with his grandmother

At the MGM Grand Wok, Russell decides what to order while Punky spoons his brother

It was Chinese New Year, so the casinos were packed with Asian gamblers testing their luck in the new year, the Year of the Dog. Every casino we visited had decorated with a Chinese theme, in particular the high-limit salon areas. We were pleasantly surprised to see the Chinese theme carry over to the Bellagio Conservatory. Russell is on a flower kick, so he really enjoyed seeing the displays of Chinese characters and a giant dog.

Russell and his grandmother visit the Chinese New Year's display at the Bellagio Conservatory

Russell stands in front of a Chinese boy made of flowers

Russell to Punky:"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!"

Punky seemed out of it from the start--at dinnertime, he hardly ate anything at the Golden Wok, MGM's Chinese restaurant. Russell was more enthusiastic about everything, especially the gardens at Bellagio. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the fountain show. Jenny and her mom wanted to get to sleep early that night.

After a long day of travel and casino-hopping, Punky and Russell take a hot bath

I was pretty tired myself from all that walking. I headed out to Bally's, which is connected to Paris. For some time, I looked for an open spot at a $10 craps table, but nothing opened up. Finally, I looked around for a "Reel 'Em In" slot machine, a favorite of my parents from two years ago. At the back of the casino, there was a row of new "Reel 'Em In" machines in the penny slot area. I sat down and gambled away for about 30 minutes. During that time, I hit several bonus "fishing" rounds, and I ended the evening up $5.76. Take the money and run, I thought.