Tales from the Motherhood: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Hollywood Days - Scott Baio Again

If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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This post is a rerun. However, there is a new bonus photo at the end of the post. And Scott Baio is turning 50 (if you had a crush on him that means you're old too). He and his wife (his real wife Renee, not me his 1985 wife) are hosting a big party that you are invited to. For real. It is a fundraiser for their Baily Baio Angel Foundation on September 26th in L.A. Please go on my behalf and present him with my letter. Actually, Renee has already seen this letter and has told me she feels quite threatened :)

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Before I almost married Kirk Cameron I almost married Scott Baio. I think I wrote this in 1985. I was 10 years old.

But once again, by the time I actually met the guy I was over him. Story of my TeenBeat life. I first met Scott shortly after I landed the role in Lassie. We had many of the same producers and crew (from "Charles in Charge") and both shows were done at Universal Studios. Scott also directed two episodes of Lassie. At that time he was dating Pamela Anderson. I remeber her hanging out on the Lassie set one day.
Somewhere I have a picture with Scott. If I ever find it, I will sell it to you.

UPDATE:

I found it! Please mail me one million dollars. Scott doesn't look super thrilled to be posing for this pic with me, but I know he was just dying on the inside and dreaming about our future life together complete with a "manion and butler." But I was only 15 and he was 30 so it just wasn't the right time. Oh well. If you watched "Scott Baio is 45 . . . and Single" like I did, you know he met his match in Renee.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Princess Fairy Camp

Lydia had "Princess Fairy Camp" last week. On the last day they had a "Princess Ball" performance. It was adorable and she loved it. In fact she basically asked for her own encore performance. The teacher obliged. The first time. But when Lydia shouted "Again! Again!" after their second run through of the princess dance . . . it was a no go and the fairy princess was returned to the King and Queen.

My brother took these sweet pics. Pin It Now!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Stylin' Saturday - Jersey Girl

Jordis's fashion tip for the week: "Wear it big and wear it backwards, Yo."

Friday, June 25, 2010

Taylor Swift and Nostrils

Pin It Now! Lydia likes Taylor Swift music and she is not afraid to sing with fervor. Lydia also unabashedly flares her nostrils with passion. She is multilingual and expressive. Let me know if you can figure what language this is as she belts out "Change."

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Hollywood Days - Alyson Hannigan

Pin It Now! If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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I first met Alyson Hannigan on the final callback for The New Lassie. After audtioning hundreds of girls for the part, they had narrowed it down to five girls. Alyson and I briefly met before the audition in the waiting room at Al Burton's office at Universal Studios in Hollywood. I was the inexperienced one (had done over 15 commercials, but no movies or TV shows) and she had starred in My Stepmother is an Alien with Kim Basinger. Obviously, I ended up getting the part. I am sure it wasn't because my acting skills were superior, but simply because I looked more like the Lassie family who had already been cast. Maybe they knew she was less of the Lassie-girl type and more of the vampire-slaying type?

I don't remember where first I re-encountered Alyson again, but it may have been at this photo shoot for 16 magazine.

We went to a lot of the same charity events.

(I think this photo was taken at a charity event of some sort: Alyson, Brian Austin Green, Carol-Ann Plante, me, Jodi Peterson)

At some point we became friends. Good friends. In fact, during the time I was in Hollywood she was one of my best friends in the business. We were an unlikely pair. We had pretty different upbringings, personalities, and styles. She was an only child from Atlanta. I was a Californian who grew up with two older brothers. And yet was a bit more of a tomboy. I was usually working every day on Lassie so we didn't have much time to hang out during the day and she ended up on a show called Free Spirit, but we hung out when we could on the weekends.

(Here we are at an Athletes and Entertainers for Kids' Halloween event for underprivileged children: Alyson, Jodi Peterson, me, Tracy Wells from Mr. Belvedere, and Jay Underwood from The Boy Who Could Fly)

I believe it was on hiatus from Lassie that Alyson and I were in a commercial together. I think it was for Hallmark, but I can't even remember that part. I just know it was a big deal to be in a commercial with one of your best friends - considering there are a million people in L.A. all auditioning for the same commercials. We had fun. Here we are messing around on the props truck. I in my mom jeans and Alyson in her Valentine's shirt.

Unfortunately, our friendship dissolved after a fallout over a guy. Pathetic, I know. It was the night of my surprise 16th birthday party. Here is a pic of Alyson and I before the drama.

Still not sure exactly what happened, but she ended up crying on the shoulder of this guy, Rich Landes. Or something like that.

I met Rich when his brother Michael guest starred on an episode of Lassie. (Random fact: Paul Walker tried out for this part as well . . . as per my request. I think it was sometime after our short-lived romance. But they went with the dark-haired look instead.)

Rich was a surfer guy from Laguna. Rich was my best guy friend, who I really liked. And he gave me some indicators that he liked me too. Before my surprise party he took me out to dinner, which he did a lot. We hung out a ton and talked on the phone (a real life, land line phone!) every day. Alyson knew how much I liked him. Long story short, I was heart broken when they got together at my birthday party. Or so I thought. There was some miscommunication with all of it. But shortly thereafter Alyson and Rich became boyfriend and girlfriend.

To their credit, Alyson and Rich called me so many times after that night and apologized. There were many messages from them on my answering machine. It was just a messy situation. He obviously liked her and not me. I couldn't be mad about that. It was just the way it all happened that was so crushing. My 16 year-old self forgave them (at some point), but I did not want to resume friendships with either one of them. Alyson and Rich ended up dating for a while after that.

I am happy to report that Alyson and I finally reconciled years later because I finally reached out to her. (As I mentioned, she had already reached out to me numerous times, but I didn't respond.) I don't even know how we reconnected (it was before the internet), but we met for lunch in Westwood when I was at UCLA. We kept in touch a bit after that and then lost contact. If you happen to know her or anyone who knows her I would love to get back in touch with her so send her my way. UPDATE: Thanks Rach for referring me to her twitter handle. We are now reconnected! Gotta love modern day technology.

I have not seen her show How I Met Your Mother, but I know a lot of people who love that show and I've been meaning to watch it. I am very happy for Alyson and all of her successes - especially her recent journey into the motherhood!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Sarcastic Parenting - Don't Try It

The other day Elijah was whining because I turned off the movie he and Lydia were watching because we needed to go somewhere. (One of these days I will post about how evil and awesome and necessary and bad-attitude producing and helpful television is for children.) So I said sarcastically, "Elijah, why don't you whine and cry about it?" So he threw a mini-fit. He threw something and yelled, "AGHHHH!"

So I sent him to his room for a time out for throwing the toy and for losing control and for having a bad attitude. We talked about it later. That's when I realized . . . oops.

He told me that he really thought I meant to to "whine and cry about it" and so that's what he did. So I apologized for my sarcasm and explained to Elijah what sarcasm is. He told me not to do that anymore. I apologized again and agreed.

Later that night I told Shiloh and he laughed really hard and said, "Are you kidding me? You can't use sarcasm on Elijah like that. Now that's bloggable."

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day 2010

Happy Father's Day to my Daddio. The one and only. The man who is approaching 70 years old with only 3 gray hairs.

(My dad and I back when I had better fashion sense. And I think those are the greatest man jeans I have ever seen.)

(At my graduation from UCLA)

Dad, thank you for all the time you spend with my kids. They love your guts.

Jordis loves her Bam-pa.

Love you Dad!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Stylin' Saturday - one hot mama

Pin It Now! This is a Stylin' Saturday re-run. Because it's summer and that's what happens in the summer. I wish I could say this post was from when I had a newborn because it would explain some things. But no, it's from April of '09. Jordis 10 months old.
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This week is dedicated to...me. Just one day. One awesome outfit.

Let's start at the top.
Daughter's clip in hair. Always a good look for the Mom. Actually, not sure whose clip it is. Someone left it at Danika's house and she gave it to Lydia. It's got a pony on it. Sorry if it is yours.
Baggy sweatshirt from 2002 with a stain on the shoulder or spit up or something. Once again, unknown origins make a great look - not sure where this sweatshirt came from. Sorry if it's yours.

Elijah took this shot. I think he wanted to hone in on a very important fashion rule.
NEVER match your blacks.

This is a versatile look. While indoors it is best worn with soft slipper socks. And it is best if the back in black outfit is entirely unflattering.

When venturing to the outside of the home be sure to grab some colorful flip flops. AND make sure you have not showered in two days before you make that trip to the outside world. In case you're wondering - I did venture out like this. To Danika's and the dry cleaners. Lydia joined me in her tutu.

Elijah wore this. We were one screaming fashion statement family.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Soccer Moms

Pin It Now! This is a re-run from May of 2007.

So much to post, but so little time. Lucky for you. Let the photos do the talking. However, I must pose the question: Am I now a soccer mom? I got a minivan for Mother's Day. We were going to need one for the next kid. Speaking of the next kid, we don't really have an update on the adoption. We are just plugging away, doing our part. We had our first interview with the social
worker, went to an all day seminar on attachment, filled out a ton of paperwork, got fingerprinted, passports, etc. No news on Moses being officially adoptable yet or the agency in Kansas getting licensed by the Philippines.
Okay, back to minivans and soccer.
Wikipedia says regarding the soccer mom,
"In North American social, cultural and political discourse, soccer mom (and less used soccer dad for the male equivalent) refers broadly to a demographic group of women with school-age children."
Hey, that sounds like me. But wait, it also says this:
"and is associated with modern material conveniences such as the SUV and cell phone."
Not me. No SUV. Maybe that is the cooler soccer mom car. Hmm...
And Wiki fans, there is more,
"The term can carry pejorative connotations, where the soccer mom may denote a woman who is aloof and has little responsibility or occupation, other than providing basic transportation for her children.
HEY, that's me! Just the wheels! My kids affectionately call me "Driver lady." Actually, that would be kind of cool if they did.

"In feminist circles, the soccer mom may refer to a woman who has given up on a promising and successful career, particularly after having some early aspirations and achievements." Oh yes, gone are all aspirations and achievements. Children are simply worthless commodities! I guess the people who connotated this have never seen the fruits of my labor. TWO WORDS PEOPLE: PINK EYE!

And lest you think that my current career isn't challenging, Elijah has pink eye too.
And this next part is my favorite.
"In this context this may carry the meaning of someone of diminished individual character. However, the word is not entirely negative, those described as soccer moms sometimes take pride in the term as affirmation that they are dedicated to providing attention, recreation and positive social contact for their children."
Basically it is says, soccer Moms are not complete losers. They still have some character left. Just ask them. They affirm themselves. "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough... I think I can." That's the mantra I say as I chuck all aspirations, achievements and character out the window... of my minivan.

Okay, I wrote more than I had ASPIRED to write. I must have dug deep for that.
Here are some pics from Mother's Day. Went to my parents' house.

Many of you know about the peacocks that roam freely around our neighborhood. This dude came by to wish us a Happy Mother's Day.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I signed Elijah up for soccer this summer. Pin It Now!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Hollywood Days - The Karate Kid

Does it get any more classic than the original "Karate Kid" movie? Shiloh and Elijah saw the remake version. They liked it.

Could it be as good as the original? What do you think?

I think no way in Jose.

Will there ever be a better bully than Johnny? Never.

So here's to you Johnny. I've posted about him (Billy Zabka) before, but in honor of the Karate Kid . . .

When I would hang out with Billy he would sometimes get recognized. This was 5 years after Karate Kid came out. He responded differently each time someone recognized him and it was usually funny. I remember one time we were in a parking lot walking to the car and someone said to him, "You really look the guy from Karate Kid." He jumped into a karate pose and said "What?" But they didn't see that. So then Billy said something like "Really? Wow. I wish I were him."

It's funny that Billy played such a great jerk in so many movies like Karate Kid, Back to School, Just One of the Guys, and European Vacation. Because he is such a nice guy in real life. And hilarious. It was such a blessing to have him in my life during my days. I haven't seen him in years, but I will always think of him like a big brother. And once again, thanks to God (via facebook) for reconnecting us!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Potty Training is the New Black

Remember how I was working on putting together a manual to share with you my tricks for the 270-potty training method? Well, apparently long-term potty training is the new black because millions of you emailed me and asked "What's your secret to the long-term potty training of your strong-willed child?" Well friends, I am happy to report that I have a new and improved method coming your way. Lydia is brining potty back. In her pants. However I am struggling with what to title my new method.

Please help me out and vote for your favorite title for my future best-selling . . . pamphlet:

1. "The No End in Sight Potty-Training Method"

2. "Potty Training Your Strong-Willed Child. Why Bother?"

3. "The One-Year Plus Potty-Training Method: Guaranteed to Have no Guarantees"

4. "Potty Training Your Strong-Willed Daughter: Take Away her Lip Gloss"

5. "Potty Training: When She Says She's 'ready' to Ditch the Pull-Ups . . . She's Just Joking"

6. "You Think You're Done Potty Training Just Because you had a Dry Spell for few Months? You've Never Been More Wrong."

7. "There's a Potty in my Pants All Year Round"

What's your fave? And how much would you pay to know my effective tips so you too could experience the beauty of potty training for more than a year?

If you are new to my blog and didn't get to read the excerpt from my book about potty training then go get caught up and see where the magic started for my Lydia. Pin It Now!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Totally Desperate (Fit) Moms

Pin It Now! Come join me over at Fit Moms Fit Kids Club where I did a post for the Totally Desperate Moms. I will be posting over there once or twice a month. My friend from UCLA, Annett Davis, started this website and a movement to get moms motivated for health. But what does she know about health? She's only a current pro beach volleyball player and former Olympian. Whatever. I bet she can't do a triple pirouette.

For real though, come take the pledge which basically says that you have decided to be intentional about doing your best to model a lifestyle of fitness and good health for your kids. It doesn't mean that you will be perfect in your health endeavors or that you have to delete those fatty recipes you have up on your blog. Just don't eat those things for a living.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Jesus and Michael Jordan

What do Jesus and Michael Jordan have in common? Elijah's affection.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Hollywood Days - Mario Lopez & Friends

Pin It Now! If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

(Me and Mario Lopez at Sea World on TeenBeat magazine weekend. There's my bud Christina on the right!)

Today I did my Confessions of a Former Childhood Actress post over at SurferWife's blog. I have only virtually met her through the blogosphere. She is full of spunk and she doesn't hold anything back. You've been warned. On Fridays she talks about celebrities she waited on/met when she lived in Santa Barbara and worked at Palazzio. She has a highly scientific method of ranking the celebrities based on her encounter with them. I decided to clear the record (kind of) for some of the celebrities she ranked. Go check it out.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

UCLA Dance Team

Pin It Now! This post has nothing to do with motherhood or Hollywood so if it's your first time here at "Tales from the Motherhood" go ahead and be confused . . .

One of my former dance teammates, Kheron, posted a note on facebook (scroll down) and it brought back a flood of good and classic memories from when I was on the dance team at UCLA. We spent Christmas together in Hawaii in 1999 for the Aloha Bowl.

I spent many hours with these girls - we practiced a lot including 5 hours per day, 5 days per week in the summer.

To mix it up we had special dress codes for different practices. Here we are getting our ice blended mochas on (the breakfast of champions when you're 19 years old) before "Clash Day" practice. That's Kheron on the far left and Kim on the right. You can read about Kim as a new mom in Chapter 5 ("Newborns: The Black Hole") of my book.

In addition to games, we practiced during the school year--sometimes at 6am. We usually had quality snacks at our practices like chips, soda, pizza, and the like. If I knew then what I know now as far as nutrition goes . . . it probably wouldn't have been any different.

We cheered and danced together at football games, men's basketball games, women's basketball games, and women's volleyball games. We even made a few pathetic appearances at soccer and water polo games - by request. Never to be requested again.

If you were ever on a dance team or cheerleading squad or actually any kind of team with a bunch of whack jobs (and I mean that in the best possible way) you might laugh at this. Even though there are inside jokes throughout.

This is the note Captain Kheron gave us before our first football game. She is one of those shy, quiet types . . . until you get to know her and then her hilariousness comes out.

* Everything is 2x's through except Funky Fried, which is three.

* Remember when to clap and when not to clap in OPC.

* Look on 6 in Taking Care Kick Line

* Remember funky claps

* If you need to pick your nose or murf, remember there are people watching you at all times so take extreme caution.

* Half time - Be there by 4 min on the clock, at 2 min be in line.

* If you're skirt falls off, PICK IT UP!

* Pyramids...KNOW THEM!!!!

* Watch your lines

* Think about all the things you were corrected on at practice.

* I heard Michael Jackson is going to be there and he's looking for dancers, so perform like you've never performed before. :)

* On cookie ow, don't forget to slap then grab

* Give Kheron some money - just thought I'd slip that one in there.

* If you mess up, Don't even trip.......Really, because if you trip and fall then you'll just cause more attention.

* Be sharp and don't forget to SMILE!

* When in doubt, wack it out!

* Voices be loud like you always are

*** Most importantly.....Where you're dancin' is where you're dancin'! Pin It Now!

Monday, June 07, 2010

My Speaking/Book World Tour

Sike! "Made you look now you're in a baby book!" (That's what Elijah brought home from school.) There will be no world tour because I still have (and want) my day job. The motherhood.

I am lining up my small Southern California speaking/book tour for the fall. A week in Orange County in October and a week in the L.A. area in November. I am close to getting all my dates and churches finalized and will post those times and places soon. So if you live in Southern California maybe you can come harass me or bring me flowers or be my back-up dancer.

In the meantime, here are some more pics from the Design 4 Living Conference that fabulous photographer Becky High took.

Me and the real world touring speakers - Elisa Morgan and Debbie Asldorf.

You can read my other post about my experience at the Design 4 Living conference.

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Welcome friends, family, randoms, lurkers, blog addicts, fellow desperate moms, and Bono. This blog consists of mostly funny stuff that will make you feel better about yourself. Lots of mom comedy, non-Kodak moments, and un-fashion tips. On Wednesdays I write about my life as a former childhood actress complete with posts about how the entertainment business works, actors I met (or stalked), people and animals I worked with, my Hollywood friends, and photos of former teen heartthrobs. And if that’s not enough to draw you in to follow me . . . I have done some amazing giveaways. A rubber chicken, millions of doll hairs, and unlimited supplies of air. Come join the party.