Happy Kids, Inc: Las Vegas Recap : Brian Turns 40

Fun times in Vegas last week! What was meant to be a complete surprise turned into a modified surprise for my husband's 40th birthday. It really could not have turned out better.

We live in Oregon, so Vegas has always been a nice getaway for us. It's a non-stop flight, it's warm, we love gambling, I love shopping....it's a win-win. Scheduling with my husband's job and obligations as mayor got a little complicated as I was planning the trip, so I did have to tell him where we were going and the exact time and dates. But no worries....that left many surprises to be had.

His Best Friend Joined Us. One of my husband's best friends from high school and his wife were able to join us. We checked in and I casually said that I was starving and we should go to the cafe to grab lunch (we were staying at the Palazzo). His friend was there to greet us. We had fabulous beniets...our first time having them. They are the most delectable French pastry and I am not sure what took me so long to discover them!

We Partied Like Rock Stars. Well, if you call dancing, air guitaring, and doing shots to 80's music videos at the Bourbon Room at The Venetian, then yes, we partied like rock stars.

We Rented A Cabana. We splurged and lined up a cabana. We really did feel like some of the "special people", if only for a day.

We Golfed. My husband is a budding golfer. His friend and wife are more experienced and helped me line up 18 holes at the Las Vegas National Golf Club. Wow, we had a great time....and my husband golfed pretty well. If it wasn't for the PGA-level golfers getting perturbed that we were golfing too slow, it would have been a perfect day.

We Ate Ridiculously Expensive Steak. Well, I didn't, as you know I am a vegetarian. But my husband loves steak. Dining is Vegas is expensive already....then you choose Carnevino, Mario Batali's restaurant at the Palazzo and well, you indulge for one special celebration. It looks like my husband enjoyed it?

Throw in some fun gambling, a jaunt downtown, and some other good meals, and you've got a memorable 40th birthday in Vegas. It's one for the memory books.

Look for my follow-up next week: Why I Will Never Take My Kids To Vegas