DAY 2: CELEBRATING BY GETTING MY GROVE ON TODAY...HERE I COME MICHAEL JACKSON! EEE HEE

Well, we are so used to getting up early at home, work or not, that the hubby and I both were wide awake by 5am. The hubby immediately headed down stairs on the hunt for some hot caffeine in a cup go-go juice. I put in my order for some cold caffeine in a bottle and make it the diet kind please and thank you.

When he returned he did not heed my wishes and came back with cold caffeine in a cup with ice that would water down quickly for me. But he did inform me they had breakfast there as well so that made me forget about the watered down cup sitting beside me. He said this was the only place open for coffee this early and coffee would cost $6.95 but the kicker is....you get free refills for 12 hours. Now I'm not sure who drinks coffee for 12 hours but if you do, this is a jackpot deal. Total for 2 drinks would be $15.06. I wonder if I was supposed to get free refills as well since it was the same price.

After the kids woke up and all the daily morning routines were finished and "Karl" was ready to roll we headed down for breakfast at Johnny Rockets. We would quickly be reminded just how expensive Las Vegas was before and is going to be now. Whew! The hubby and I ordered the Johnny's Breakfast, which included scrambled eggs, tots, sausage and a biscuit. The kids ordered a sausage, egg and cheese muffin and bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. Fountain drinks, apple juice and bottled water (because the hubby had his coffee refill cup with him) were expensive as well. The total for us to eat:

Yep, you are looking at that correctly, $90.11. Geesh. For breakfast!

After that sticker shock it was time to work it all off now. We headed out the door, down the pedestrian walkway and out to the main street. "Karl" was getting a free ride. He swore he's getting pretty self-sufficient in his wheelchair but have you seen the guns on him? Yea, no. He would need to pack on a lot more pounds and be lifting those weights 24/7 for awhile. We spared him the sore arms and didn't make him wheel himself around. It would just be too much. I hate to say it but "I told ya so".

I wanted to find the Wizard of Oz display, located at the Waterfall Atrium at the Palazzo. Now I know we went in here last time but never did we see a Waterfall Atrium in there. So we would be on a hunt to find it this time. Multiple reports online said 1) it's in the Palazzo or 2) it's in the Venetian. I guess we'd just have to see. I still remained confused if they are the same or different or an extension of each other. 🤷‍♀️ Hey, it's like a scavenger hunt right? Only you'd be walking miles to find the hidden item. I guess that's the way adults do it right?

They are building a new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino that is set to open in 2027. It looks like it is going to be massive.

We eventually made it to the Palazzo and it was time to explore.

Inside it was beautiful and decorated to celebrate the Lunar New Year. A feng shui master was consulted to make sure every detail is correct. The lion dance is an annual tradition and is celebrated along the strip with dancers, drummers and fireworks. There are many restaurants and bars that have special menus for the holiday. This year is the year of the Fire Horse, which runs from February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027. The horse symbolizes speed, independence, and hard work. The horse is the 7th animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. I can remember a Chinese restaurant that the hubby and I used to eat at had place mats that told you what your sign was and mine is the horse! I guess this is MY YEAR! Fingers crossed. 🤞

So where is this waterfall??? We looked on the directory and I had my personal GPS (the hubby) take us there because I was so turned around.

We finally made it...the poppy's gave it away. I knew immediately this had to be it and knew the reference of the poppy's from the Wizard of Oz. I just hope we don't fall asleep because there were A LOT of them everywhere.

There was a short line to take your picture with the Wizard of Oz characters and Glinda the Good Witch's bubble. The family before us were nice enough to take a few pictures of all of us and vice versa.

Mission accomplished and we headed out. I looked over and seen the snow covered mountains off in the distance.

Since we were already down this way we might as well go over to The Wynn and see their Lunar display as well.

Along the way we stopped for pictures:

And we have arrived...

Then another part of the lobby:

All this walking and it was time to take a potty break. "Karl" needed to cath, which takes quite a bit of time, so what did I decide to do...

Yep, I found one of my favorite slots and put $20 into it while we waited (and rested my legs...whew) and it also took $20 to keep. Yes, I donated to the cause of the Planet Moolah and they mooed at me the entire time. I hope you enjoy your milk money. Even the hubby donated. How nice of us right?

Since Sakari can't gamble quite yet...she was busy taking pictures of herself

We decided to just head back toward Flamingo and along the way we spotted a CVS and I decided to stop to see about getting "Karl" some more bandages for his heels. They were starting to get red and he's afraid they may turn into pressure wounds and trying to protect them. The store was 2 stories and "Karl" was excited to see they had a handicapped elevator just for him. Him so special.

We decided that we wanted a little snack and remembered a cool little ice cream place that was in the Venetian shopping area and headed that way. They also had it decorated for the Lunar Year.

We have arrived at the most colorful ice cream store ever created. Time to get our sugar crave on (if you haven't noticed yet, we have fallen off our keto wagon during vacation. Hey, it's my birthday, I'mma do what I want this weekend).

Sloan's Homemade Ice Cream=yummy to the tummy. The hubby and I both got the Peanut Butter cup: 3 scoops of peanut butter cup ice cream with chopped peanut butter cups, hot fudge, peanuts, whipped cream & a cherry. I don't ever remember what the kids had as I was busy savoring every bite of my own to pay attention. It was also a chance to actually sit down and give the legs a rest...I mean they are another year older now after all.

Inside the mall is Sakari's favorite place she found last time we were there: Sugarboo & Co. They have some really neat things in there and last time we were here she found a candle that smells so good (yet so expensive) but she HAD to buy it last time. Well, she HAD to buy one this time as well. So, there's that. Spend that work money while living with parents without a second thought on frivolous things. Oh to be young again with no responsibilities. No really though, she deserves to treat herself. She's been at the same company for 3 1/2 years and we are so proud of her.

And the expensive Chakra candle she purchased (but I have to admit, it does smell like heaven and clouds)

Right outside of Flamingo was a guy posing on his bike, not moving a muscle. Just like you see in Mexico. We decided to sit along the side for awhile and watch him. You literally couldn't see him breathe at all. I don't know how they can do this. We noticed when someone would put money into his box his hat would tip as a thank you. I'm like "How'd he do that?!?" The hubby said he does it by raising his eyebrows but dang, those eyebrows must REALLY go up because it was quite the tilt. Just saying...

We finally made it back to the hotel. Whew! My legs, foot and back were in a little pain after that walk. It was time to go back to the room and rest for awhile before tonight's first show! I was so excited but yet nervous about getting there because I knew it was quite the distance away.

After getting back to the room we couldn't wait to lay on the beds and REST! We watched a little tv and then all of a sudden 💤 x3 (me, Sakari and "Karl"). I guess we all were very tired but I'm sure "Karl" really needed the nap as it had been a very busy day so far and it was still somewhat early. The hubby, well I don't know how he still had energy, especially after not really getting much sleep after a late arrival last night.

After waking up, we started to devise a plan. Our show tonight would be the Michael Jackson One show and it was located at Mandalay Bay, which is at the VERY end of the strip basically. It was going to be quite the haul that's for sure. I'm already sore. I can only imagine what it will be like walking there. But...here we go. We are leaving EARLY because it was not going to be just a simple walk there. We would have to find elevators for "Karl" and who knows what we will run into on the way. And let's mention again, I'm a very punctual person and likes to arrive early. So off we went!

A look out the window of the Flamingo as we were waiting on the elevator:

Since our room in the Flamingo was right at the Habitat, we looked out the windows as we passed by and Mr Pelican was in a little area cleaning his wings. We would find him here every single day.

A few pictures as we went by the Eifel Tower (I later looked this up only because we were watching a show on tv that was telling about how the real Eifel Tower was built and it was pretty much amazing to know they could do these things back then, being able to go up in it, and a restaurant. Then I found out you can actually go up in this replica Eifel Tower as well and they also have a restaurant there too. Maybe some day when we return since it's something we haven't done yet)

I don't think I've ever noticed that they have "stars" on the sidewalk before:

As we are going down the sidewalk, dodging those around us not watching where they are going, we all of a sudden see "Karl" going flying. Was he auditioning for the show? Nope, his wheelchair hit a part of the sidewalk that had a chunk out of it. Now "Karl" and I had this long discussion prior to the trip about him needing to wear his seatbelt. I was insisting and he was resisting. I told him it was not safe and it wouldn't be like rolling down the hallway. He still refused. Well, look who was right! His lower body was still on the wheelchair and his upper body was kissing the ground as he tried to keep from face planting in the concrete. 😮 He looked like a pretzel as we rushed to move him back up into his chair and in a sitting position. See momma B is never wrong, put your damn seatbelt on! Well, he still refused but he kept his head down the rest of the walk on the lookout for holes in the sidewalks I can tell ya that!

Ok, so we have hauled ourselves down another "block", which feels miles long, and made it to the Miracle Miles area. Now comes the fun part...there was a bridge to cross over the street (only way to get over there). However, "Karl" cannot take the escalator up obviously...or can he? Well the quick answer to that is NO! However, all he wanted to talk about was how he follows someone on TikTok that is paraplegic and he shows others how to go up the escalator in a wheelchair. UM NO "KARL" WE WILL NOT BE TESTING THS OUT! We headed down around the corner to find the elevator. We pushed the button and waited and waited and it never came. Actually, the button wouldn't even light up! Ok, obviously it's not working. Now what? We walked back around the corner where there was an escalator going up with a walkway to the opposite side of the street. Ok, we will just cross over that way and continue down. We get to the elevator for this walkway and they have it blocked off saying "Out of Service". Um...ok. Now what? How do they expect the disabled to get around if nothing is not working? Of course, "Karl" is yelling "Up the escalator! I'll show you!" NO "KARL" I'm responsible for you on this trip and I will not have your mom mad for allowing you to do something this dangerous on your first trip and tumbling down a moving escalator. STOP IT! You've already had one mishap for this trip and that's all you're allowed!

Ok, time for plan B or are we on plan C now? So, I guess we can try to go back around the corner and down the street to the next corner, hopefully cross over at a light, then back up the street to the main street and carry on. My legs are not liking me right now AT ALL. But, what choice did we have? Then off we went...complaining the entire time that they did not have a way for someone who is handicapped to cross the street. We would learn a lot this trip.

Here is a picture showing the location we were at, the 2 bridges and where we ended up walking down to in order to just cross the street. If you've been to Vegas before, you will completely understand just how far an entire block it. It's massive!

We were happy to see that once we made it to the end, there was a light that you could cross at. WHEW! Now we had the long way back to the main road to get back on track.

We had quite a ways to go to even make it to the next main area (located right at New York New York) where we would need to cross over the main street. But eventually we made it...almost ready to collapse or cry, which ever came first. Seriously, not serious. Or am I?

We were glad to know that the elevator to this area WAS working...thank goodness because I was so ready to throw in the towel and find a spot to call the ADA cab. Just saying. 😮‍💨 Meanwhile, "Karl" was still begging to try to go up the escalator. I can't with him. 🤣

Sakari took one last picture while we crossed across this familiar bridge to the New York, New York. I almost missed staying at that place.

From here we had to go into New York, New York and back out on the other side and cross another bridge over to The Excalibur. Winding our way around the never end walkways to finally make it to.....THE MONORAIL. YES!! We will finally get to ride the rest of the way to Mandalay. We caught the express monorail that went straight to Mandalay (because there are 2 of them and the other one stops at Luxor before going on to Mandalay).

After arriving at Mandalay at least we didn't have to walk toooooo far to get to where the theater was. We had about a half an hour before they allowed us in to sit down so we looked around the Michael Jackson shop that was next door. Eee Hee

They also had real memorabilia that belonged to Michael in cases along the halls.

Michael's beaded military jacket from the 1984 American Music Awards. It highlighted his 1983-1984 Thriller era. The jacket was designed by Bill Whitten and adorned with thousands of red bugle beads, crystals, gold seed bead rope and matching epaulets (the ornamental shoulder piece of a military uniform). It was on loan from the Estate of Michael Jackson. He also wore this is famous pictures online with Lisa Marie Presley.

The iconic white and blue pinstriped suit jacket and white fedora hat was worn by Michael in the 1988 "Smooth Criminal". This suit was worn during the debut of the anti-gravity lean in the video. It is the fourth piece of memorabilia on loan from the Estate of Michael Jackson.

They had other memorabilia displays, like the famous crystal-encrusted white socks and black loafers and also his gloves. I swear I took pictures of them but can't find them now. I must be having a senior moment. 😂

We decided to plop down on the floor and wait for them to open the doors. Sakari and "Karl" were the only one's with a seat. Lucky them.

Of course, this always has to happen at any MJ show or when his music is on:

It was time to line up to go in now and find our seats. As we were coming in they were taking pictures of everyone. I assumed they were trying to sell them to you after the show. I'm never interested in things like this and don't buy them so we kinda zoomed by trying to be incognito while acting like they couldn't see us. We were a smooth criminal in action. Eee Hee

We were located upstairs of course and had to take the elevator up. We located the handicapped section. They had stationary chairs (think movie theater chair that you pull the seat down to sit in), chairs that moved (think plush cushiony office chairs) and they would just remove the chair that was not stationary for the wheelchair to go into. It worked out perfect. We were also the only one's in our "section". This would be our view.

As we sat waiting for the show to begin Sakari says "OMG mom, you are up on the stage screen!" SAY WHAT?!? I look up and see these fake magazine's on the big screens with everyone's pictures coming up that they took of us walking in. NOW I know what all those photographers were doing. Eeekkkk Here's just a few (notice there are none of the hubby...how did he escape this? HE WAS the smooth criminal this time around. I think the rest of us need more practice).

The hubby and Sakari decided to go get 4 drinks and 2 popcorns before the show and it would cost $54.00!

Then the show started and it started off amazing! I know it's hard to tell in the next picture (below) but there were tons of drone's in the air and it was just amazing. I tried zooming in to show them (the red) but at that point they were over the stage instead of the audience like before.

Songs during the show:

*Beat It

*Leave Me Alone

*Stranger in Moscow

*Bad

*Smooth Criminal

*Human Nature

*Jam

*They Don't Care About Us

*Earth Song

*Smile

*Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

*The Way You Make Me Feel

*Dangerous/Dirty Diana

*This Place Hotel-(Jackson 5)

*Billie Jean

*Scream

*Thriller

*Speechless

*The Mime Segment-Interlude

*I Just Can't Stop Loving You

*Man in the Mirror

*Black or White

More pictures during the show. I was just sitting there in amazement all while wanting to get up and start dancing. Eee Hee.

Then there was the smooth criminal and yes, they did the lean!! The audience went crazy!!

More pictures during the show:

So there was one of the performers that only had 1 leg and had crutches. He danced, he swung himself around, the threw himself down on the floor, he did handstands on his crutches and he even did breakdancing. He was absolutely amazing and if you didn't see his leg was missing, you wouldn't have even known he was different than the others. He was simply amazing!!!

This part of the show was so neat and entertaining and left you wondering how they did it. Behind the curtain transforming into different objects and different sizes and it told a story to MJ's "Earth Song"

There were 4 characters that left us scratching our heads and wondering what they were supposed to represent and why they were part of the show. I ended up looking this up when I got back because it puzzled us. According to online:

The 4 main "misfit characters" called the Hero's: Clumsy, Shy, Smarty Pants, and Sneaky-journey through the King of Pop's musical world while guided by his spirit. It states they sneak into the theater to see the show and discover 4 objects belonging to MJ: a black fedora, black shoes and socks, sequence white gloves, and sunglasses. As they touch the objects, they are warped into the musical world of MJ and meet the paparazzi and tabloid media. They must find the objects again to overcome their own personal insecurities.

I guess it might have helped to read this before the show (had I know this was part of it) so that I could have followed along a little better and knew what to look for and why it was being presented. But, during the show, we had no clue (and obviously others online are looking for answers as well according to my search).

They had a segment of the dancers during MJ's "Man in the mirror" song and Michael appears and dances with them! (He was a hologram) He would dance along with them and then turn into dust and appear somewhere else. It was amazing!

Of course thriller made me want to get up and start dancing...Sakari and I have learned the Thriller dance while on cruises in the past and participated. Eee Hee

At some point my phone died and so did I. I couldn't believe it! 😡 Why oh why didn't I charge my phone while we were taking a nap. In my defense, I had no intention taking a nap and was just so tired I fell asleep watching tv.

Well, since my phone had died I just remained mesmerized throughout the entire show. People were swinging and flying and popping up out of the floor and it's an amazing show! If you go to Vegas, this is a must see!

Once the show ended it was time to battle the crowd and head to the elevators. Back to the monorail we went for our short ride over to Excalibur.

"Karl" was hungry, well not really because he can't feel when he's hungry but just knows he has to eat, and he was insisting on eating at New York, New York. He wasn't sure what he wanted, he just wanted to eat there.

The kids opted for pizza and a drink, which would cost $21.57 for 1 person. The hubby picked a bacon cheeseburger and fries and I picked the Cheese Steak and fries and 2 fountain drinks for a whopping total of $59.39! 😲

I could tell that "Karl" was tired and it felt so late. Yes, our legs were hurting and we knew it was going to be quite the walk back to the hotel, especially with all the detours involved with the wheelchair situation. I made the executive decision to just call the ADA cab to get us back. We headed out to the taxi area and the taxi stand attendant gave us the number to call. Of course I had to use Sakari's phone since mine was a dead Fred. Honestly it felt like such a long wait before they ever showed up. I guess I was expecting it to be quicker since they came super fast at the airport. They did tell me there were no other calls in front of us so they were on their way. However, after waiting awhile Sakari finally got a text saying they were leaving to come get us. Eventually they showed up, loaded up the "Karl-meister" and back to the hotel we went. It would cost us $17.52 to go down literally 2 Vegas blocks. Honestly, I didn't care if it cost $50 at this point if it was going to save my legs, foot and back.

We finally made it back to the room and we were all ready for bed. The hubby gave "Karl" his bedtime hug (helping lift him into bed) and he was out so quickly that he was snoring. Seriously!! Snooooorrrr-ing💤

If you think I'm exaggerating about the foot/legs and back hurting here ya go:

Yep, we walked 7.93 miles today and boy was my body feeling it.