I never thought I’d be cool enough to spend time with movie stars. The prospect of movie sets and actors and all the fancy schmancy things surrounding Hollywood just never were on my radar of anything I’d have anything to do with.
But October 2013, that all changed.
We lived in Savannah Georgia at the time. My twins were about 17 months old and I was around 38 weeks pregnant with my little guy. Suddenly we started seeing the city transformed into a movie set. Talk of Antonio Banderas being in Savannah for filming was a buzz and at the most, I thought, “Well cool! Maybe I’ll catch a glimpse of an actor somewhere! And if nothing else, it’s neat to say I lived in the city while a big motion picture was filmed there. Especially one my boys would likely want to see.”
Filming started and Sponge Bob was in our midst!
Pretty soon, word came that they were in need of identical twin toddlers to be extras in the movie. I thought, “Oh my goodness! I happen to have that!! It gets no cuter than them, so let me send in a picture!”
A few weeks went by and I’d forgotten about it, assuming they’d chosen someone else’s children. Then one morning, I was at work and I got an email!
I couldn’t believe it!!! My boys? Extras? In a real movie!??
We of course confirmed and agreed to be there. It was such an amazing experience. They treated us like royalty, putting us in our very own trailer, supplying snacks and drinks all day, and when we were on set, we had our own person assigned just to us who held umbrellas over our heads to keep the sun away and made sure we were comfortable and cared for.

It was a little strange and made me feel kind of uncomfortable being treated extra special like that, but it was really awesome!



Long story short, Ethan is who made it into the film. They wanted twins just in case they needed to switch them out, but Ethan did so well they just kept him. I felt bad for Connor but he still got to wear the clothes, get the royal treatment, and get paid, so he’s alright!
So, Ethan had his 15 seconds of fame early in life. He’s “Baby in stroller” being pushed by Nina Repeta down the sidewalk, having to dodge Sponge Bob and Patrick headed straight for them on a bike! Pretty big time stuff guys!!


It was a 2 second sliver of the movie as “baby in stroller,” but it was an awesome, once in a lifetime experience! At least for common folk like us! 🙂
Fast forward to this weekend…the premier weekend of the movie being in theaters.
I knew I wanted to take the boys to see it. They don’t totally understand that they were actually in it, but they will someday! They do like Sponge Bob though and have never been to the movies before, so this was a perfect opportunity.
The night before, I told the boys we were going on a date! A very special date, just me and them. Gigi and Pop Pop agreed to keep Luke and the date was set! They were so excited to go to the movies and eat popcorn and watch Sponge Bob with Mommy! It felt like Christmas Eve!
The next morning we woke up and the first thing they said was, “Mom!!! Is it time for our date!??” Be still my beating heart. I couldn’t wait to take my sweet peas on their very first date. We got dressed, took a few pictures, and we were on our way!
It was enough that it was a date with my sons; but the fact that I was on a date with a real live star of the movie was humbling. 🙂 Truly, a gift!
I wanted to bust into the movies and announce, “This is my son Ethan! He’s the baby in the stroller in the movie!!! And he’s MY date!!!” I contained myself and tried to act like everyone else, just there to see a movie. They may not have known they were amongst a star, but I did. And not only a star, but his stunt double too! It gets no cooler!
The only thing cooler might have been being able to make it to the red carpet premier party we were invited to in Savannah. Now that would’ve been an even more spectacular first date. Since we couldn’t make it, a regular home town movie theater sufficed. They didn’t cut us any deals even though we are practically Hollywood royalty at this point. But it’s ok. We will still thank them at the Oscar’s. 😉
Three movie tickets to Sponge Bob 2 in 3d: $27. Two junior sized popcorns: $9.50. Being the one to take your sons on their very first date: Priceless.
Aside from the awesomeness that is seeing your child’s face in a movie, it was such an honor taking my sons on their very first date. They may be movie stars but they’ll never be too cool for their mama!
That is so cool! And what handsome little movie star/stunt doubles they are!
I use to take my boys on “dates” when they were little. It was a way I could spend quality time alone with each of them. They loved it!
http://madcraftingmama.blogspot.ca/
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Thank you so much Melinda! It was really a blast and i plan on doing many more dates like that…both individually and all together. I actually hope to do dates with them even when they’re old! Haha…their wives won’t mind, right!? ☺
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So sweet! I bragged to Elijah about this. He was very impressed.The first movie date for my kids and I was not near as glamorous, but nevertheless memorable. It was Cars 2 for my major McQueen fan Timothy. With Elijah and Sarah and their special needs in tow as well, I was way anxious about how they’d handle the sounds and the big screen and such, but they were riveted and calling out cheers. Nothing like being out on the town with your kiddos!
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Aww thats sweet Marisa! What a brave and worthy adventure! It sounds glamorous to me, and i know it was for your precious kiddos!
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Loved this post!! So cool. You should be a proud momma!
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Thank youso much Kim!!! I am 😀 movies or not! 😉
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Awe… How exciting!! That was so special. I was so happy for you so I could only imagine the extreme joy that you felt with your sons. Truly a blessing!! And you and your boys are a blessing to all who follow you. God bless you, Rachael!!
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Oh wow, that just made my day! That really means a lot, thank you! And yes, it was a great time!!
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Oh my gosh, how awesome is that?! Psh, you are practically Hollywood royalty at this point! 😀
Your boys are soooo cute!
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Haha, right!?? Thank you so much!!! 😀
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Rachael, You receive the “coolest blog post of the day” award! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Proud Mama Moment for sure! The pictures were so good. I’m telling my friends I know someone who’s famous 😉
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Haha thank you so much Traci! I appreciate that 😃
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How exciting! What a great memory for you and your family, Very cool.
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It is shelah! Thanks for reading and commenting! ☺
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Rachel this is GREAT! What a sweet date with your boys. And I LOVE Spongebob. I’m not (too) ashamed to admit it. 🙂
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Hahaha, that’s funny! Thank you so much! It was an awesome experience for us all around. Very cool! Thanks again!
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So much fun! That’s so cool you guys got your own trailer! How awesome to be able to take the boys to see it-and their first movie in the theater too!!
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Yes Tarynn, it was all around such an awesome experience…and a memory that’ll last us forever! Thank you ☺
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That’s awesome!!! We took our boys to see SpongeBob Saturday morning. And I remember the baby in the stroller!!!!! So cool!!
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Oh my gosh really!?? Yay that’s soo awesome 😀 thanks for telling me!
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This is so cool! I loved hearing the story of how they found you and what it was like on set!
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Thank you Lauren! It was really very cool!
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How fun for them to be in a movie at such a young age. Living near Hollywood, I always see movies being filmed so maybe one day we can be extras. I’ve seen my fair share of movie stars though. =)
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Haha I bet you have Melissa… I saw several when I lived in New York. You kinda realize they’re just people like us too, but it is cool! This was a fun experience for us!
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Very cool story. Dates with our children, the best!
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That’s incredible! I love SpongeBob, so we’ll be seeing the movie. I’ll look for your son. How exciting!
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Absolutely Michelle. Loved it!!
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Omgosh, they are just too adorable! What a fun experience. Now I want to go see the movie to see your son in his movie debut.
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Aww thanks Tricia! It was a cute movie…especially that one scene haha 😉
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What a great story! Your family is so cute! I can not wait to take my son on his first date! You are so blessed with those three boys! Thanks for sharing this story!
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Thank you Amy! I really am so blessed and it was a great day! You should see the movie…it was cute!
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What a cool experience for you all! The date and the movie both look like such fun!
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It really was…Thank you!!!
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Love this! If I was at the movie theater, I would’ve instantly recognized them and asked for their autograph! They are too cute! 🙂
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Haha aww thank you Ai! I do feel pretty honored to have movie stars for sons lol
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That is so fun. What a special experience to see one of your children on the big screen.
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It really was Theresa… Thank you!
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