*stars! they're just like us!*

They go shopping at the M&M store on Times square!

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Suri satisfy a chocolate craving at the M&M store.

(that was for all you US weekly readers AHEM Tammy)


While Brendon and Danelle were here we headed into the city for a look around. While there, I began to question my sanity. Why in the halibut are we in the busiest part of NYC (times square) at the busiest time of the year with our three children and 2 month old nephew? Navigating strollers- impossible. Annoying people- abundant. Having a up close encounter with Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and Suri Cruise- PRICELESS.

I am still star struck. And Jared is still rolling his eyes at me.

So here's how it happened, second by second. I will relive every moment for you because I know you want me to.

So at about 4:37 we leave the Toys R' us megastore with kids kicking and screaming because we didn't stay very long. It was super crowded and just plain awful and we weren't going to stay there a second longer. I figured it would be less painful if I bribed them by saying we'll go to the M&M store which proved to be equally as crowded and after we trucked to the second floor, chose our overpriced M&M's in fuchia and lilac (Mia) and midnight and forest (Sam), and bought them I was *again* questioning my sanity. We were pushing and shoving through mobs of people trying to reach the elevator. Somehow, I ended up with Mia, Sam and Eli and decided I would go down the escalator and let them wait to get on the elevator. Jared had the stroller and Brendon and Danelle and Kent were somewhere in the crowd. I was focused on my final destination... the escalator. So while I am walking through the crowd I see a man walking toward me that looks just like Tom Cruise. "Man," I think to myself, "that guy could be Tom Cruise look-alike." It didn't even occur to me that it could be the real Tom Cruise. I couldn't help but look at him again. "He really looks like Tom Cruise," I think. Then I look again and notice that he is walking next to Katie Holmes, who cooincidentally is carrying Suri. "THAT IS TOM CRUISE!" I scream in my head, outwardly trying to act cool and collected. By this time they are right next to me (so close that I could reach out and touch his black sweater that probably cost more than my overpriced M&Ms.) Not many people in the crowd have noticed them yet, including Jared, who had his back turned to them as they were coming up right behind him. As Tom passes Jared he looks inside the stroller to assumibly comment "what a cute baby"... alas, there is no baby- so he looks at Jared and Jared shrugs and Tom smiles. Too bad Eli wasn't in the stroller. I could have told him that once a movie star said he was a cute baby, but he didn't so I can't. Anyway. At this point people start noticing them and pull out the cameras. The nice person in me planned on being respectful and letting the poor little family buy their M&M's in peace, but I figured, hey, what's one more obnoxious person taking a picture of them? And we all know how obnoxious I can be, so I shamefully snapped the one above (notice Tom and Suri in the middle of the pic), and also this nice pic of the back of Katie Holmes' head. Check it out:


She's right in front of Tom, who is right in front of the big lady body guard. Notice Tom's arm around her shoulder. How sweet! Now don't tell me this isn't a quality pic. It's artistic.

Observations: Tom seemed very cool and collected about the whole thing. He was smiling and courteous to the people around him. He actually seems like a really nice person. Not snooty at all. Katie seemed really uptight and kind of pissed off. Maybe because she was holding Suri and feeling protective? Tom looked, sadly, a little old in person. You could see the wrinkles around his eyes and his hair kind of dyed and he's short-- mayb 5'8". BUT, when he smiles he still looks like the hottie we know from the flicks. Katie is absolutely stunning in person. Flawless skin, hair, and impecably dressed. She's a bit taller than Tom. Suri is just adorable.

So that was my chance encounter with the rich and famous. You have to admit, that's a pretty good star spotting.

Here's the most important part of this post:
Now that I have seen Jared and Tom Cruise side by side I can honestly say that Jared is hotter than Tom Cruise. It's true folks.