Mr. Bear Misses His Chance at a National Ad

Mommy picks up the Bear promptly at 4pm to head to his callback for Playschool. They are doing a national TV ad and are looking for a 24-36 month ethnically ambiguous boy. Mommy is sure that they are looking for Bryson.

Except everything does not go to plan. First, Mommy's carefully chosen outfit (courtesy of Nana and Aunt Corey) has a raspberry stain on the front). Second, Mommy did not bring a change of clothes. And finally, Mommy's 4pm pick-up timing did not leave buffer time to go home to change.

Yet Mommy decides that the Bear can not show up to his Big Chance with a raspberry stain glaring out in front of the cameras. So she stuffs the Bear into the stroller and proceeds to run (yes run) home. She books it up the eight blocks, up the stairs, to the apartment, finds a replacement outfit, stuffs the Bear into the outfit, and then hustles back outside. Then she looks frantically for a cab, can not find one, and proceeds to run another eight blocks before somehow she is in luck (luck for a Friday afternoon when there are never any cabs) to get a cab take her the remaining (what seems like) block and a half to the studio. But no matter, they make it to the studio 10 minutes late. But just in time for the Bear to be the final appointment. The grand finale in Mommy's mind.

Yet things don't go exactly as planned. Mr. Bear and Mommy walk into the room. And they find not two people like last time but almost a dozen people in the room all staring at them. Or specifically staring at the Bear. The Bear - while he loves strangers, especially grandpas and grandmas on cruises who smile and wave to him - does not take to well to these New York marketers looking at him. 

The handler (yes, this is the official title for people who work with kids): What's his name?

Mommy: Bryson

Handler: Bryson, do you want to get on the toy?

Bryson runs behind Mommy and hides (yes, hides)

Mommy: Bryson, come sit on the toy

Handler: Do you want to press the music buttons?

The mob of people in the room: Does he want to watch the video? Tell him about the fun ride!

Handler: Yes, let's watch the video.

Mommy and the Bear watch a cute (yet not ethnically ambiguous) child ride around the Hippo toy.

Handler: Should we try again?

Bryson continuing to hide

Mommy desperate: Come on, Mr. Bear - please?

Handler: Let's not force it. Thanks for coming.

Mommy thinking to herself: This is definitely one of those don't call us, we'll call you. Boo. 

As Lola and Lolo said afterwards (Mommy had to call family for some consoling): Better luck next time!

Lola specifically advised: We need to train him on being on stage.

Ah yes. Put that on the to-do list :)

On another note, the Bear peed in the potty! So no on the national ad, but yes on the pee. Woohoo! As a reward, the Bear got raspberries. And not just two or three or six. But the whole box. He is a big eater after all.

After the less than optimal performance at the casting call, the Bear and Mommy take consolation at Madison Square Park. It is a beautiful spring day.