Days of Firsts

It's been...WOW! That's pretty much how I sum it up. Last night, Caris' first appearance, albeit small, on a national television show, and today, Bryson's first goal for his J.V. waterpolo team resulting in their first win of the season. We're off to a roaring start. What can I say? It's like riding a roller coaster around here. The highs are real damn high, with lots of screaming on the way down.

Caris thought I was making too big a deal out of her tv thing. She gets embarassed and would rather keep things on the downlow. Especially at school. Only a few of her closest friends know that she even does background work and she prefers it that way. But dangit, there was a lot of work behind that BIG two minute appearance, and all the other appearances to come. That two minutes of screen time represented a 12 hour day. Lots of standing around, lots of waiting to be called, lots of down time, lots of set up time, lots of blocking time. Then there's the drive to get to LA and back again. She's worked on two made-for-tv movies, one of which didn't get picked up by the network and won't even be seen...and who knows when or if the other will ever air. So, I didn't think it was too big a deal to invite those couple of friends over for pizza and tv. After all, when Averie had her television days last year on Ellen, we did the same thing. You GOTTA make a little to-do. Create your own fan club. Right?

We all gathered around the television in our little living room. Caris and her friends all huddled together on the couch, Averie and Bry on the loveseat, and Charlie and I sharing an easy chair. There was lots of giggling and lots of "SHHHHHHHSH"ing when the show finally came on. We've never really watched this particular show before, so we didn't know the premise other than it was a family sitcom. Jamie Gertz ("It's Always Something; The Gilda Radner Story) and Mark Addy (The Full Monty) are both talented, funny actors and as the story unfolds, we get a sense of the "acerbic wit" of their characters (like that Aaron?). Suddenly, and almost in unison, Averie and Caris blurt out..."Dang, they're MEAN parents! I'm glad YOU GUYS aren't like them." Well hey, score one for us! We're not mean! Wooohoooooooooo! Yay Charlie and me!

Soon, the pool party scene, and again lots of "SHHHHHHHHHHHSH"ing. Good thing too, because if you blinked, you would have missed her. She had one REAL good full front shot...bikini and all. And before you could say "That's my kid!" it was over. Caris covered her face with a pillow the entire time, only peeking out long enough to ask; "Is it over?" To which, her friends mockingly asked for her autograph. The phone began ringing before the epilogue began and we never really got to watch the end of the show. Family and friends all over the place were calling to tell her they'd seen her. It was a lot of fun....for two minutes of air time. Next show; "Unfabulous" on Nickelodeon, Sunday, October 10th. She has a "walk-by" in a juice store. Maybe we'll do burgers that night.