Busy Philipps first captured our hearts as the tough Kim Kelly on Judd Apatow’s cult-favorite Freaks & Geeks. Twelve years and one kid later, and we’re still swooning over her role as Courtney Cox’s best friend on Cougar Town. But behind the glittering, ultra-talented exterior is a whip-smart and wickedly funny mom, one who looks just as chic reading bedtime stories as she does walking the red carpet. Who can forget her stunning turn in Dolce & Gabbana at this year’s Oscars, hand-in-hand with real-life BFF Michelle Williams? (Philipps is also godmother to Williams's six-year-old Matilda). At home with daughter Birdie and husband Marc Silverstein, a screenwriter, Phillipps's life is filled with arts and crafts, make believe games in the outdoor fairy house, and silly portrait sessions in a full-size photo booth, all punctuated by an almost-constant flow of laughter. But for Birdie, humor is just the start—the super smart three-year-old shows off her dance moves, high-heel-tromping skills, and impeccable manners.
Birdie, three, April 2012
1. "My iPhone
2. Epicurian lip balm
3. Dark chocolate chips
4. The funny things Birdie says like, 'that question is boring to me', or 'that song sounds like a movie', or 'I changed my name to Easter.'
5. Giant water cups
6. Birdie's naked dancing
7. Telling secrets to each other."
"My proudest moment was when, at Birdie’s parent/teacher conference, the teacher raved about Birdie's uniqueness. And told us that Birdie makes sure to hug her every morning when she gets to class."
Coach X James Nares Tote (doubles as bin for Birdie's stuffed animal collection)
On Busy: Splendid dress
On Birdie: Jelly the Pug dress
"I realized the importance of not making statements or promises that I might have to break. So now, I don't tell Birdie I will for sure put her to bed on a night when I'm only in the first scene of the day and I should be finished in time, because who knows what could happen? They might add a scene or move things around. It's better for kids to be pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed."
"I'm super into all her games! We love to play 1-2-3 OWL!, where we put our faces together, close our eyes and say the name of the game in unison. Then we open our eyes and I say, 'Hello baby owl', and Birdie says 'Hello mamma owl.'"
"She inherited my long hair, my nose, and my love of dancing. She's also been very verbal from a very young age. People always give me the side-eye when I say that; I know they're thinking, 'Wonder where she got that from...'"
"My husband and I take turns being the disciplinarian. It's hard for me to say no to her but, I can really see the difference when she feels like I will let her get away with something. So we make a concerted effort to put forth a united front!"
"During my pregnancy, I craved sour cream. I hate it usually, but for the entire nine months, I ate it by the tubful. And guess what Birdie's favorite food in the world is? I didn't even give it to her—she had it once at a restaurant, and then all of a sudden, she was asking for 'crema' with everything. We laughed so hard when we figured out what she was talking about!"
"To be a good wife when you're really focused on being a good mother, that's the hardest thing of all, especially in the beginning. But you have to try. Date nights are important, but it's also important on your date to talk about things other than your kid. I think getting away together is also really valuable, even if it's just one night. You have to reset every once in a while!"
"Manners are very important—the please's and thank you's, and handwritten thank you notes. I hated my mom for making me do that, but now I love that it's just part of who I am."
"The hardest part about being a mom is remembering that the hard times are fleeting and that she's just learning, and so am I."
On Birdie: On Busy:
"One of our favorite things is arts and crafts time—we both love to be crafty. Most of the time, I end up finishing the project while she runs off to do something else."
"I love lying in bed with Birdie right before she goes to sleep. We'll talk about her day, she'll tell me stories about kids at school, and Tinker Bell and Terrance."
"The body image stuff is so hard with a girl, and poor thing has an actress for a mom! Good lord. I try to be healthy for her and lead by example.”
"My husband and I saw this amazing wallpaper by Geoff McFetridge and knew that we had to have it for her room (funnily enough, Birdie ended up being in the same class with the artist's daughter)."
Geoff McFetridge wallpaper
Acorn Snow White mobile
"Literally the only difference in my style since becoming a mom is that I now pay attention to the shortness of my dresses and skirts. With kids, there's always a lot of bending over and sitting on the ground. And I'm not really into jeans—I'm a lady who likes to get dressed up generally. If I wear my workout clothes to bring Birdie to school, I go to workout right away, then go home and shower and get dressed. I'm not into the whole wearing yoga pants all day long trend."
"It was such a pain getting back into shape after having Birdie. I gained a whopping 80 pounds when I was pregnant, so taking it off took some real time and commitment. I did it slowly, since I was breastfeeding and dropped the majority of the weight in the first year. Then once I stopped breastfeeding, I was able to be more aware of what I was eating and the rest came off. But finding the time to work out is always tough, especially when they're little. She's in pre-school now, so when I'm not working, I drop her off at school and then go right to the gym or a spin class. It's awesome."
1. Favorite thing about your home: "My bedroom"
2. Favorite part about growing up in California: "Disneyland"
3. Favorite food: "Burger that my dad makes"
4. Favorite thing to do with your mom: "Go to Disneyland" (Busy: "We just went, so it's on her mind.")
5. Favorite music for dancing: "Mamma Mia"
6. Favorite fairytale character: "Tiana and Aurora and Ariel and Belle and Jasmine"
7. Favorite fictional character: "The little bear from Blueberries for Sal"
Coach Classics Leather Mini Crossbody (Birdie's favorite candy hidden inside)
"The best things about being Birdie's mom: Her kisses, cuddles and sweetness. When she tells me I'm the best mama ever."
"We are big readers in our house. Birdie loves to read my old books from childhood, and one of her current favorites is Moomin, Mymble, and Little My. And the play kitchen that she got for her second birthday is the greatest thing ever. I don't think she's ever going to tire of playing 'restaurant'. We have so fun with it.”
"We really work on manners and 'speaking with kindness' but sometimes, if she's tired, she can be a little uncharacteristically cranky. The worst is when she acts like that in public. I just want to disappear."
"Jumping and twirling on the bed is her favorite, sleeping is my favorite."
Birdie's collection of barrettes, headbands, necklaces, and bunny ears
"I'm such a sucker for online sale sites, so I love Zulily, The Mini Social, and Rue La La for kids clothes. And Birdie loves her Toms shoes."
"When I have no time to get ready, I just put on lip balm, sunscreen, and braid my hair, then wrap it on top of my head (great for when your hair's a little dirty)."
“She's really cuddly, which, as my husband says, is my dream come true. I know there will be a time where she won't want to any more, but that's just too sad to even consider so I'll just enjoy it now as much as possible."
