City Adventures

This weekend the kids I babysit stayed in the city for birthday parties. I didn't go to any of them - instead I had a city outing on Saturday, with Alyssa, 5 - I took her to the Childrens Museum on the Upper West Side, and everyone stopped to coo at her because she is the prettiest little chinese girl you ever did see with a pink ribbon in her hair and ribbons on her shoes. A busker on the street even freestyled a blues song to her about her being little miss rock'n'roll "did you drink your orange juice, did you go to school yesterday, did you wear those pretty ribbons, and from your boyfriend run away." It was pretty priceless. Today I took Owen the 3 year old to the same museum - he also happens to be the cutest little boy ever and he just got glasses and has the cutest style - everyone cooed again, while we walked the 4 long blocks to the metro. He fell asleep on the train and I had to carry him off and find a bench to lay him down on - when he is out for naptime, he is out, forget about it. I always assumed everyone would know I am the babysitter, and not the Mom because they are Chinese, but everyone always refers to her as my daughter or to me as their Mom. It's pretty cool strolling around town with them though - I have been wanting to share the city with someone, so we can hold hands and observe things together and be spontaneous - I got my wish, only in a different way. Owen loves trains and askes about a million questions when we are about to get on the subway and the entire time we are on it. One on one time with someone under 6 as we make our way around Manhattan is pretty awesome and even a little bit wild. As soon as we got to the childrens museum today, packed with families and kids everywhere, someone yelled " A baby turned blue, a baby is choking does anyone know CPR???!!!" I looked over and my brain reactors reminded me yes, I know CPR, I took first aid, I practiced on a plastic baby! So I ran over. It was a group of hasidic jews, and they handed me their baby in a frantic, I lay her down on the table and lightly pressed her chest - by the time I had her, she was a little shaken, but breathing again and the color quickly returned to her cheeks. I was shaken as well, as everyone thanked me profusely, and Owen, who had just woken up from his nap, grabbed my hand to go play. I was surprised the people at the Childrens Museum didn't know first aid, or anyone in the giant family. I was just happy that I could help. So that's my weekend. My week is days of work, and nights of play, since I don't really have a weekend. Wednesday was an amazing night - I ran into this dude that I think is so great and haven't seen in 7 years, and he was with this other dude that I know by name and face but never in person though I've wanted to meet him. and there they are, standing there together, while I'm having the best time and it was a shock and abit of a scene from a movie. Then one of them grabbed me by the hand, and took me to this other place that I've always wanted to go to but could never find - it was a whirlwind though I've been grinning ever since. I don't know what will come of it, but I am learning that this city knows how to deliver all that you need exactly when you need it if you will just let it.