Go for Gambling

We just got back from a belated Mother's Day trek to Sin City, and I have to admit it, it was pretty sinful (and not on my part, I might add).

Las Vegas is a relatively central meeting spot between my house in L.A. and my mom's in New Mexico, so the city is a natural and neutral destination for us when we want to plan simultaneous getaways. Besides, my mom loves Las Vegas – and always has. My sister and I cut our carnival teeth on the games at Circus Circus, back when that was the only (kid) game in town.

But these days, it's a whole new game. With all the ritzy resorts and naughty nightclubs and shows, it can be a real eye-popping experience for kids. For instance, while my mom and I hit the casino games, Steve decided to treat the kids to a day of splashing and sunning at the pool. What he got was an eye-full of teeny weeny bikinis and overpriced rum drinks.

So he retreated to the desert, or more specifically, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where the kids scrambled over rocks and Steve didn't have to worry about their cannonballs making a splash in the middle of someone's romantic poolside moment.

Of course, that's not to say there aren't resorts there where parents and kids can relax and soak up some resort-style recreation. Avoid the abundance of jiggle and glitter on the Strip by checking out Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort's SummerFest. Not only are these activities and attractions "kid safe," they're target right to kids – and their Las Vegas-loving parents.

The resort, located about 25 miles miles east of the Strip near Lake Mead, is rolling out its SummerFest activities from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Parents and kids can check out:

• Kids' Concierge: A special welcome desk for kids that includes a gift and information about all the activities.


• SushiSKool: Master Sushi Chef "Fuji" Fujita offers classes for kids to develop their sushi-making and eating skills ($20, reservations required). Adults can partake in the "Maki Mommies" all-you-can-eat sushi and wine special or sign up for adult sushi-making classes of their own.


• Pool: Parents can let their children splash and play at will at the kids-only pool, which has a waterslide, playground and lake-front beach as well as games, contests and other activities. The Fisher-Price KidBana offers shade and Fisher-Price toys near the splash pool.


• Kids' Club: Find nature hikes, fishing, basketball and other activities.


• Mini Moulay: Moms can bring their daughters in for special salon treatments.


• Dive-in Movies: On Saturday night the pool area is transformed into a "dive-in" movie theater with family-friendly flicks. Roast s'mores at the fire pit during movie nights, too!


• On the Water: Take a kayak or a guided Gondola tour.


• Other Stuff: Loews Loves Kids program is ongoing and features a gift pack for kids younger than 10, access to a "Kids Kloset" packed with games and books, children's menus at restaurants, cribs and roll-aways and child-proofing kits for guest rooms.


• For Parents: Date Night includes romance films and drink specials in the lounge, and the sushi and sake classes make for a fun evening out, too.

The property is tucked away from the (some would say) gaudier side of Las Vegas, overlooking the scenic, manmade Lake Las Vegas, so the pace is a bit less frenetic. There's even a Kids Camp ($80 for 10 a.m.-5 p.m., ages 3-12), which offers supervised fun and meals so adults can hit the links or the spa (or the Strip). And if you want to bring the family pet, too, the property charges just $25 per stay and offers a range of services for the four-legged.

And the best part? Kids stay for free in their parents' room, and you'll find other specials, such as the Loews As You Wish offer (stay two nights, get the third free; includes food and beverage credits, based on the length of stay). Rates start at about $209 per night ($119 without the package and food credit).

Get Some Character

Just the other day, I was thinking that I really needed someone or something to remind me that I must remain a free spirit. And I really wanted someone to help me do the things I can't do myself. And lastly, how great would it be to turn annoying people into stone?

Thankfully, my little character from the (Original) String Doll Gang arrived, and all my troubles were over.

These darned guys are cute, and your tweens and teens will be clamoring for them, if they're not already. Fresh from a company called Kamibashi, the critters are $10 each and are all handmade and fair trade by Thai artists – and come in more than 90 different "personalities." Isabelly "shimmies your shyness away," while the adorable Farmer Jones "helps you make greener choices." Napoleon "reminds you that you don't have to be tall to think big." All are cute and ready to clip to a backpack (or purse!) to give you that extra boost you might be needing.

Be sure also to check out Kamibashi's DEBO Super Heroes, created by the Thailand DEBO (Do Everything By Ourselves) Collective. The little vinyl fabric fellows, $10 each, can help you land a great parking spot or make sure you never have a bad hair day (who doesn't need that?). There's also the Koonin Family Pets ($10), made in Thailand from leftover scrap fabrics by members of the Koonin family. Each one has a birthday, name tag and a personal motto that you can select (I liked the "Touch me, and you die" as well as "Fish are cool, they stay in school"). Lastly, there are the Blabbos Buddies ($6 each), also cute little fabric friends. They come in four different shapes but are made with various fabrics, so no two are the same.

Bread Winner

Critically ill children waiting to have their wildest dreams come true through the Make-A-Wish Foundation can enjoy a bread-making party, courtesy of select Southern California locations of Panera Bread.

The restaurants have teamed up with the organization to offer "Upcoming Wish Parties," during which children receive personal artisan bread-making lessons from expert Panera Bread bakers and enjoy an afternoon of sampling sandwiches and desserts.

The first one is this Saturday, May 16, from 2-4 p.m. in Marina Del Rey (4720 Lincoln Blvd.), Irvine (6372 Irvine Blvd.) and Redlands (470 E. Cypress Ave.). Come by and add your donation to the "Community Breadbox" and help these kids celebrate!

I've Got Mail: Hot Wheels

Yes, Barbies were my first love growing up. But I've always had a strong love for Hot Wheels – and have found renewed interest in them now that I have a 4-year-old gearhead in the house.

The new Hot Wheels Color Shifters are particularly cool. Using "color memory technology," this latest generation of tiny vehicles can change color if you give them a dip in cold water (even affecting those flames on the side!). The car goes back to its original color as it warms back up to room temp.

There are 60 die-cast classics in the collection – from camo to rescue – and retail for $2.99 each. The Hot Wheels Color Shifters Color Blaster playset (say that three times fast) allows car nuts to customize and launch their rides into racing action. The set also comes with a spray gun and dunk tanks. It retails for $22.99.

Can I Quote You?

Me to Jack, when he was about 3-1/2: Jack, we're going to go to a baseball game! This will be your first Dodger Dog!

Jack: (Gets excited, but stops and thinks for a second...) Can I get a Dodger Cat, too?

Kids actually do say the darnedest things. Parents, however, have a hard time remembering some of those darned things. Kate, who's now 8, had a million of them – and right at this moment I can't recall a single one to recount here. There's hope for me and others with this cute new release from Chronicle Books: My Quotable Kid (hardcover, $14.95). This important little journal takes up just a small amount of shelf space while still allowing you to capture plenty of those cute quips for all of eternity – or at least until that child's first prom, when you're going to want to pull it out and relive them in front of his date.

The book offers plenty of space on each page, which also has an area for the "who, when, age and where" categories.

The trick for me now will just be remembering that I have the book.