Last week, I counted myself among the lucky invitees to the Baby Einstein 10th Anniversary party in L.A. Hosted by Julie Clark, the incredible founder of the company, and Jennifer Garner, perhaps the most down-to-earth celebrity to ever grace the red carpet, the event was nothing short of remarkable. From the interactive discovery zones for babies and the live puppet show featuring an incredibly talented little singer to the interview and photo ops with Jennifer Garner and the arrival of two children whose backstage access came courtesy of the Make-A-Wish foundation, each moment left me in awe.

Baby Einstein’s DVDs, CDs, and toys have helped stimulate babies’ growth and development through sounds, pictures, and colors, all while enabling parents to interact with their children in new and beneficial ways. Making it fitting, then, that during one of the highlights of the show, Alexa Bradley, a 5-year-old from Make-A-Wish, was brought out in her wheelchair, to join in the fun. Nothing , it turns out, makes her happier than watching Baby Einstein, something that likely makes Julie Clark, a generous supporter of charities she cares about, feel especially proud.

 

Next to this, the highlight of the event for me was the moment when, sandwiched between USA Today and Access Hollywood, I had a chance to interview Jennifer Garner.

First impressions: Adorable. Genuine. Authentic. Perfectly toned legs. Definitely a significant pregnancy bump showing.

Off limits topics: Violet. Ben. What pregnancy?

Celeb Factor: Really high heels. Cute dress. No doubt People magazine could tell us all how much it costs. Bargain or designer? Beats me. Braided hair expertly pinned back. Entourage of publicists, assistants, and mystery others.

The Inside Scoop? Her publicist Holly whispers how much they love her. Truly. She means it. Jen’s the real deal. Ditto another entourage member who was picking up her car from valet parking behind me. “Isn’t Jen great?” she confides. “She is so compassionate. Down to earth. Real. Really.” Clearly reverential, rare praise in the rarified world of celebs and their handlers.

Finally, I had the chance to talk to her. First thing’s first: call her Jen. Everything about Jen, from the way she smiles like you’re an old friend to her love of her daughter, her husband, and a good book, is just so unpretentious. Even her take on motherhood; you ask her what kept her up at night as a mom and her answers are as down to earth as they come: poop and counting ounces. The things you unexpectedly find yourself obsessed with as a mom. And what did she stop caring about after having Violet? Showers and personal hygiene become “optional” (although that’s hard to believe if you’ve happened to see any of those magazine photos of Jen and Violet out on the town).

She also relates how "Alias" toughened her up into a sort of ninja mom, if you will, and, of course, prepared her for being constantly tired. Jen also raves about Boston - not that I can blame her! Her sister and mother-in-law, whom she adores, both live here, and if nothing else, it’s obvious that there’s nothing better to Jen than being surrounded by family. Her West Virginia upbringing and down home roots show.

I then asked her about raising girls today. You have to be fierce, she tells me. There are countless issues to balance as a mom. It creates the interesting challenge of being a hybrid. “My mom raised me and my sister to be moms like her,” she says sweetly. And, of course, when all else fails, she has some “dynamo” friends to fall back on, claiming she practically haunts them asking advice on what they find works best.

When it comes to Baby Einstein, Jen loves how their products serve as a jumping off point for interactive play with kids, asking parents to get involved. “Also, I love the way that Baby Einstein products grow with your child…what’s amazing is that the same Baby Einstein products are discovered and then rediscovered at each age.” She has a soft spot for the company’s line of books, which, she says, “are big in my house.” She not only loves reading, but she loves reading to her daughter.

As for a message for the mom bloggers? Jen basically believes in every mom following her own instincts. She finds that there is too much judgment and criticism, inside Hollywood (such as the disparagement surrounding Suri and her bottle) and out. Jen doesn’t even know Katie Holmes, but she feels for her. It’s “mean-spirited,” she says. What the books say is wrong may be right for your child, and vice versa. It’s a hard job, she says, and we shouldn’t be so quick to judge each other.

Despite the harshness that can exist in the media, I can’t imagine anyone judging Jennifer Garner on her parenting style or otherwise, as our interview and time spent at the Baby Einstein’s Ten Years of Discovery Celebration proved her to be gracious, engaging and modest—a perfect fit to help celebrate Baby Einstein. To check out videos from the Baby Einstein Ten Years of Discovery Celebration including Jennifer Garner’s speech as well as the Puppet Show performance just click below:

Jennifer's Speech:

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