This One's for My Mama

I was about to go to bed, and yes, it is WAY past my bedtime (as usual). But! I know my mom (hi, Mom!) checks this thing regularly, and I didn't want to disappoint (even though she'd rather me be in bed).

This weekend was pretty laid back. Friday I worked all day babysitting and doing my respite care thing. I got to play with Play-Doh for the first time in, I don't know, AGES, and I got pretty into it.
We were working hard on a pepperoni pizza. I'd say it looks almost edible!


But above is what it looked like after Brandon added his final touches. He's about to cut into it! Yum!And this was us a few weeks ago at the end of our last full day together. We're best buds! I love him. Oh, and his baby sis--also TO DIE FOR. See for yourself:
Did I already post this picture, previously? I wouldn't doubt it. I love her, too! I want the Todd family to adopt me as their Aunt Liz.

Don't Quit Your Day Job!

Oh wait, I don't have a day job. Well, not in the technical sense, like a 9 to 5-er. But I do take care of children a lot lately, and that's during the day. But today is an overnighter. I was asked last minute to come tend to four children overnight till the next night, and for a decent amount of cash money. This isn't a bad gig, considering the family lives in the nicest, biggest apartment in Manhattan I've been in so far. It's a mansion compared to my shoebox apartment! Their living room/kitchen area alone is more square footage than my two bedroom/one bath apartment. It actually feels like a "home" here. I'm sure the four kids with their toys, video games and snacks have something to do with that, too. I fed them dinner and got each one to bed in chronological order, starting with the two youngest first, then the next oldest, and the very oldest got to stay up latest. As I put the clean sheets on the bed I'll be sleeping on and cleaned up the kitchen and living room, I had this, "so this is what it's like" moment. And I must admit, I liked it. But since this is only pretend, I'm sure I'll change my tune when I actually AM a mother (though probably not of four) and am caring for never-ending needful creatures called children. So, tomorrow night I'll return to my childless cube of an apartment and savor solo time while I have it. I'm just glad this babysitting stuff is workin' out for me this summer. I've missed being around children.

And since I'm a fan of photos and side notes in posts:


I walked by this yesterday. The World Trade Center being rebuilt. I've been spending a lot of time in that area lately, walking through the narrow, grid system streets, and I can't help but think of 9/11. That whole area, covered in...well, lots of stuff. Kinda morbid, I know. It gives me a reality check, of sorts, and that's not a bad thing.

Nanny By Day, Genius By Semester. Ha.

I started babysitting last week, and it initially was going to be once a week for 8 weeks. But the two kids took to me so well, the mom asked me to come two additional days (though she only needs me half the time on those days). Today is my first day alone with them, for a full 9 hours, too. They're adorable children and really well behaved. The girl is 3 and the boy is 15 months. I would post pictures, but that is probably not a good idea without the mom's permission. You'll just have to take my word for it. They are adorable. Both have dark, curly mop tops, big, dark brown eyes and are very sweet. I must say, it's strange being around kids again. It seriously feels like ages since I've been around any. I get to play "mom" for the summer, and I'm totally ok with that. Maybe it will cure me of my maternal cravings. Below is a photo I took today during the kids' nap walk. I walk them in the stroller and they fall asleep. And I get to look out at the water and the Statue of Liberty. That's what is in the distance, behind the water taxi. Not too shabby.

On a more scholarly note, I received my grades for this semester. I can't believe my own two eyes, but the computer says it all. As all across the board! Seriously. Maybe grad school isn't as hard as undergrad, or maybe it has to do with the field I'm actually interested in that's doing it. Whatever it is, I'm just glad I'm doing something right. And I was totally kidding in the title. I am no genius. Just a girl with a big heart and more than decent writing skills.

I Will...No...I DID Survive

No, I haven't received grades, yet, but I can safely say that I survived my first year of grad school at NYU. I'm not gonna lie, I'm feelin' pretty good about it. Duh. I just finished writing my last paper of the school year, to turn it in on Friday at my last class. SIGH of relief!!!! Now I get to focus on making some money via various jobs this summer (i.e. babysitting, possibly a paid internship at a senior center, and a paid respite job with my current internship), and having FUN with that money, New York City style! Things are looking up! I've babysat a few times over the last month, and while it's not big money, it sure feels good to be earning again! Seriously, to work and get paid for it...there's just something about it. I feel like I'm contributing to society and society is contributing back...in CASH!!! Also, I get to pay tithing at church again. Once more, the ability to earn and contribute = good feelings, not to mention blessings.

The babysitting gig may be short-term and it's only once a week, but hey, it's something. I met the mom and the two kids today and the kids are SO ADORABLE! They both have dark brown, almost black adorable curly hair and dark brown, adorable eyes. And they totally took to me! I've always thought I had a knack with kids. I told the mom this, and she saw it in action and confirmed it. She was impressed. :) For some reason, kids just love me...probably because I love them first. They're like dogs. They can sense if you like them or not. Babies and dogs. I love them. They love me. There's a certain age range of love, though. Kids between the ages of 1 and 4, maybe 5, love me. Maybe that's just because that's the stage where they still rely on adults a lot. I like to think it's my golden blond hair and big smile that gets 'em every time. ;)