The Luck of The Irish/Cowgirl, West Village, NY

NYCity Mama had headed out early on this warmish St. Patrick’s Day.  She had intentions to do all sorts of things: Go to the Upper East Side and watch the parade; go to a free concert downtown by the World Financial Center, or participate in one the endless amount of activities taking place for little kids across the city.

But she settled instead on going for a walk, and shopping at the market, visiting the park and buying some flowers. Last summer she had a huge, side-by-side double stroller.  She loved it in that she was able to take the kids jogging with it, but hated it in that it was wide, and heavy, and too big and cumbersome to carry.  So after a good solid summer of using it, she gave it up (and with that her jogging) and bought an umbrella stroller for her 2 year old and started making the 3.5 year old walk everywhere.  At first it was heaven not having to push around that heavy thing, but eventually it became a nuisance having to wait around for the 3.5 as he stopped at every store front with toys for him to stare at, or every building with a handicap ramp for him to run on, or even worse, yell out as he ran ahead, too far from her, while she try to catch up, running with a stroller clearly not made for such things.

So, as she strolled around her hood, she thought she would check out her local children’s supply store for another stroller.  Her fifth one to be exact.  She was hoping to find one that would allow her 3.5 year old to stand up while she rolled both her boys around.  She found a stroller at a price she could afford and though it was the only dual stroller style they had, it was exactly what she wanted and more: it came with a seat for the older child too AND neither boy faced each other which made for no more poking, nudging, pushing, pulling, teasing, etc.  It was perfect.  She couldn’t believe her luck! She bought it and strolled out of the store with it, leaving the flimsy umbrella stroller behind.

On this day, she wanted to surprise her husband and meet him downtown for  a Guinness and dinner.  But the boys had to sleep, somehow, someway. Recently, they had decided to not nap.  Won’t do it.  Will fight to the bitter end, get up constantly, and cry to not nap.  So Mama refuses to fight.  She’s got so much else on her plate during the day.  But it means that by 3:00PM they are irritable, she is irritable, and everyone is exhausted.

She laid down with them on her bed and insisted on complete silence.  She couldn’t believe her luck! In less than 30 minutes both boys were out cold, and when they woke they were both smiling and in a very good mood.

Her husband called her a few times, unsure if work was going to allow for him to leave at a decent time, his boss had mentioned something about an all-nighter to finish up some projects.  But, as luck would have it, she left earlier than expected and so did everyone in his team, including himself.

Mama was nervous about having dinner with the family in the West Village.  She has not known the West Village to be very kid-friendly especially when it comes to local eateries.  But there in the middle of pubs and wine and fancy oyster bars, was Cowgirl on Hudson St.  As they waited outside this fun looking place, Mama noticed a sticker on the door noting that it had be named one of 2008 Parent’s Picks Winners as Best Family Friendly Restaurant.  Good her luck get any better?

Well, it did.  The boys behaved the entire time. The food was AMAZING. The staff was friendly and great. And Mama and her husband were able to enjoy their Guinness, as planned. Ah, it’s good to be Irish (even by association).

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