Q: What about your son makes you laugh?
A: It's funny to see how feminine and girly Erica has become. I grew up as such a tomboy, and seeing her wear makeup, change her clothes 30 times before it's right, and primp—it's darling, and she certainly didn't get it from me.
What makes me laugh about Mason is his classic sense of style right now! It cracks me up that my little 8-year-old boy is so particular about only wearing skinny denim. It's also hilarious the impact So You Think You Can Dance has had. All of the sudden he will sneak in dance moves when no one is looking. Seeing that always makes me giggle.
Q: What is your favorite family ritual?
A: Our family ritual is having dinner together every night. It gives us all a chance to catch up and talk about our days. It's a classic family event that rarely takes place in households these days. I'm amazed that we've been able to make it a priority every night. Conversations about Obama, school, work ... no topic is left uncovered. Spongebob has certainly been discussed more than once.
Q: What was your proudest mom moment?
A: The bond that has been created between Mason and Erica. They spend a lot of time apart and could have easily grown up reflecting that distance. Instead, you see two siblings very close and very much dependent on and happiest around each other.
Q: What was the proudest moment in your career?
A: Winning my first world title and finally achieving the goal that we all had been driving toward for so long. The icing on the cake was having Erica as a baby there to share in that surreal moment. Being a parent at the time kept me grounded and focused enough to achieve the biggest success in my career to date.
Q: What do you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about?
A: Is there enough milk for breakfast?
Q: What's the unhealthiest thing you ever passed off as dinner?
A: Frozen chocolate-chip waffles.
Q: What was your most frazzled mom moment?
A: Changing a diaper during the middle of a surf contest or a flight has certainly been hectic!
Q: What's your favorite moment of the day?
A: When both kids are packed up, fed, and at school. It's just me and the dog, and I have a moment to breathe.
Q: What parenting issue do you and your partner disagree most about?
A: Discipline.
Q: What was your mom most right about?
A: Our styles are totally different. She's more old-fashioned and a tougher mom than I am. I have almost gone in the opposite direction and am a softy. Don't tell my kids!
WHAT'S YOUR...
...guiltiest pleasure?
My sweet tooth!
...ideal getaway?
Florida Keys.
...favorite clothing item?
Bikini and board shorts.
...current reading material?
Cooking, fashion, and coastal living and travel magazines.
WHAT'S YOUR PREFERENCE...
...chocolate or cheese?
Chocolate!
...cook at home or eat takeout?
Eat at home.
...coddle your tot or let him cry it out?
Coddle.
