I Blame Louis

Today was my favorite kind of day – one that I get to spend with my sweet grandson.  The idea was I should be there at 7:50 am, so mama and baba could go to an appointment, and I was on schedule – left here at 7:00 am.

If I were to go as a bird flies, I could be there in 10 minutes.  If I could be there as fast as a snail crawls, it would be about what it usually is.  But today, because it was early, I was excited and hopeful I could get there in 50 minutes.

I woke up one minute before my alarm went off at 6:59 – looked over to the most glorious red/orange/purple sunrise, and got moving.  I gulped down an iced coffee as I threw on Grand play clothes, and scooted out to Grand Ruby Flare.  We got started with an ETA of 31 minutes – I felt great!  I zoomed up the hill approaching the GW bridge, and I hauled ass over the Bridge itself (which is really one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world).  I let my GPS guide me, and she suggested I avoid Harlem River Drive and instead take Henry Hudson to 56th, and go across to 3rd.

Going the speed limit (or above), in NYC is thrilling.  I feel like Tommy Lee Jones when he’s driving on the ceiling side of Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel in Men In Black (1997) – Arthur, please watch this – it’s important.  I felt like putting on my sunglasses and singing along with Johnny Cash.  Instead, I donned my beautiful Swarovski purple shades, and listened to my cozy mystery as I flew along.

I got to 56th in record time, and then started making my way from west to east across the city.  Everything suddenly slowed wayyyyyy down.  We crawled along, for no apparent reason, until we got to 5th Avenue.  Then, the reason for the slowness was completely apparent.  There were about 14 police cars with lights on the street, blocking traffic, and leading us around huge cranes and installation trucks.  And then –

And then –

Louis Vuitton’s building came into view.  Last year, it was decorated with a magnificent necklace, but this year, they have created a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring monument.  It just tickled me so much that I could hardly stand it!  How astonishing to be in a place where a massive building could be transformed into an incredible sculpture, just for fun!!  I love it here so much.

The photo is what I took out of my front window – I’ll do justice to a painting when it’s done.

And then I finally arrived at my destination and the fun began!  I was about 9 minutes late (thanks, Louis).  Arthur was up and ready to play. I’ve missed him the last few weeks as I’ve been sick and then travelling for work.  How is possible he can grow and mature so much in just 3 weeks? 

He has now become very, very intentional about taking your hand and bringing you to what he wants- mostly his ‘Peek a Boo’ books. He also spent a great deal of time figuring out where his ears are, and we’ll work on his nose next.  We went to the baby park, and he very carefully brought me each of the brightest leaves he saw on the ground, giving them to me as though handing me the crown jewels.  I received them the same way.    We also had a hilarious conversation about what a monkey says.  We played with trucks, balls, keyboards, blocks, and mostly books.

He found his socks and solemnly handed them to me, then plopped on his bum and lifted his feet for me to put them on him.  He opted not to wear his slippers as it was very warm.  I guess the best thing of all was just being with him.  I just adore watching him grow and learn and mature.  What a gift!