'Eddie the Eagle' soars once again

In theaters on February 26, "Eddie the Eagle" is the can't miss movie of the first half of 2016.

In what has to be the "feel good" movie of 2016, the most infamous ski jumper of all-time, Michael “Eddie” Edwards, and his legend are brought back to our conscious with "Eddie the Eagle" to be released February 26, 2016 by 20th Century Fox.

Starring Taron Egerton, Christopher Walken and Hugh Jackman, this is the improbable tale of a courageous British ski-jumper (Taron Egerton) who never stopped believing in himself – even as an entire nation (and world) was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and grabs the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Eddie never gives up and as the world watches, the underdog soars (kind of) to Olympic glory.

I like so many, was watching in 1988 as Eddie became the symbol of the Calgary Winter Olympics. The film may play loose and free with the actual facts, but it's a colorful effort that is beautifully shot and too short at only 105 minutes. At times the movie plays homage to the 80s and although Edwards was typecast as the loveable dork, he did some have athletic prowess and this movie should serve as a lesson for those trying to decide if they have what it takes for the endeavor that sits in front of them.

We all know how the movie ends, but it's still fun taking the journey with Eddie, falls and all.

It's an Olympic year, so you would have to get out and see this movie regardless, but the reason to get out and see it is that it's more than an "underdog sports movie" or a showcase of that athlete coming over insurmountable odds, it's a movie with "legs" and Eddie uses them as he launches off the ski jump in Canada.

5 Stars in an age where there aren't too many 5-star movies in existence.

Noelle Pikus-Pace: Winning A Silver Medal Was A Dream Come True

Photo courtesy of www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Skeletal racer Noelle Pikus-Pace  has a lot to be happy about. She recently won her first Olympic silver medal at Sochi. The mother of two was also sponsored by AT&T and was involved in their national ad campaign in support of Team USA. Noelle and her family appeared in one of the commercial titled Hours. She also filmed another video for AT&T in which she talks about her training.

The free AT&T’s #ItsOurTime app allowed fans to upload a “U-S-A” chant that was shared via Facebook, Twitter, or email. The user generated content also populated a virtual wall of support at ItsOurtime.com, as well as on a Times Square billboard on the day of the opening ceremony. Celebrity Baby Scoop recently caught up with the athlete to discuss the ATT campaign, her time at Sochi and family life in Utah.

CBS: Congratulations on winning the silver medal in Sochi!  Tell us what it meant to you to be able to share that experience with your husband and kids.

NPP: It was a dream come true, not just my dream, but our dream, our family dream come true.  That’s why the minute I crossed that finish line I just had to be with them.  I had to get to Janson and the kids. They had all given up so much for so long for that moment.  It was mine, it was 100% ours.

CBS: Tell us about making of the AT&T commercial.  Were your children excited to be in it?

NPP: I am so proud of the AT&T spot, they did a great job capturing our daily life when we are at home. It was a perfect snapshot of our family. Lacee has loved being involved in all the media, she picks out outfits, we do her hair, so she loves the production part. Traycen is almost 3, so he just follows what Lacee does when they are filming. They do not really get the magnitude of it all, but one day they will.

CBS: Did your kids enjoy being at the Olympics?  How did dad keep them busy?

NPP: They loved all the great things we got to do. Not sure they realized it was the Olympics. They have been to every World Cup event this season and know everyone in the skeleton community, so it probably seemed like they were at another event with all their friends. We were able to do some great things as a family while traveling, visiting the sites in each location (what better way to see the world?), visiting friends, celebrating the Christmas holiday and birthdays (Lacee turned 6 in Austria), etc. We always have a bag of toys and goodies for them to play with. Most of the time Janson is getting them to stay active and burn some energy, they are running, climbing and exploring everywhere we go.

CBS: Is the commercial representative of a day in your life?

NPP: Absolutely, it is organized chaos. Janson and I try to plan at the beginning of every week the best we can and then we just jump right in. One minute I am training and the next minute I am running to soccer games, getting food on the table, etc. It was a perfect window into our lives.

CBS: You travel so much during the year – where is your home base?  How do you stay connected to your family?

NPP: We live in Eagle Mountain, UT, just outside of Salt Lake City. The four of us traveled the world together for the season and into the Olympic Games. Honestly, AT&T kept us connected. I could call my mom and dad, my sister, friends from anywhere in the world.  We were calling, texting, emailing, updating social media, taking a million photos and video all from our cell phones through the AT&T network. They kept us connected and also enabled us to document and share our journey.

CBS: When you’re not training – what does the family like to do together?

NPP: We spend time together playing games, cooking in the kitchen, playing outside, etc. We love gardening and cooking together.

CBS: How did you decide to become a skeleton racer?  How old were you?

NPP: In high school, I ran track and field and through my coach found out they needed athletes to try to bobsled. While training , our coach asked for volunteers to try something new. Before I knew it, I was on a skeleton sled and my coach pushed me down the track. I think I was the only one who jumped up at the end and wanted to go again. That is how it all started.

CBS: What are your children’s (Lacee and Traycen) personalities like?

NPP:  Both kids are great little travelers and have been adaptable to moving around, to my training and to not being home since late fall. Lacee is  sweet caring and very social. Traycen is all little boy-curious, into everything, and follows everything his big sister does. Both are high energy, so keeping them busy is key.

CBS: How do you balance training and motherhood? Do you struggle like most moms trying to “do it all”?  Do you have childcare help?

NPP: I have the best husband in the world, we are a team and manage everything with our family. We set the schedule together at the beginning of the week which has included my training at home and at the track. We do not have childcare even when we were traveling around the world. We just jump right in and stay as flexible as we can since we know things do not always work out perfectly.

CBS: Do you have plans to have more children in your future?

NPP: Absolutely.

CBS: What happens after the Olympics for you?

NPP: I just arrived home after solid travel since October for competitions. So, the immediate answer is laundry. We will be focusing on getting back to our lives in Utah. We have had such a great support system in our community that I need to share this with everyone back here. Once I take a deep breadth, I will also focus on my speaking career and hope to keep very busy with that. I do a lot of volunteering here at home in any way I can, so I will continue to do so. I want to write a book and have many other goals to share my story and help others.

U.S. Athletes Arrive in Sochi

What do athletes think of Sochi as they arrivce?

Mia Hamm: From Medals to Motherhood

Courtesy of Celebritybabyscoop.com

Interview conducted by www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Olympic mom Mia Hamm has been named one of the most influential women of all-time in sports. The soccer star says she’s “flattered and honored” by the title, but “there are still doors and opportunities that need to be opened for young women in sports, including my two daughters.”

Mia opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her three kids – 6-year-old twin daughters Grace and Ava and 1-year-old son Garrett – and the joys of motherhood. She goes on to talk about passing on healthy habits to her kids, and her best tips for raising multiples.

CBS:  Tell us about partnering with Tom’s of Maine and the brand’s Wicked Cool! toothpaste. How did you hook up with them and why is this important to you?  What do our readers need to know about the toothpaste?

MH:  “As a mom and an athlete, I am excited to work with Tom’s of Maine to talk about what’s inside a healthy routine. I try my best to create healthy routines for my family and especially to pass on healthy habits to my kids.

Wicked Cool! natural toothpaste from Tom’s is designed for kids 8+, is accepted by the ADA and doesn’t have the dyes, saccharin or artificial flavors often found in other brands. I also hosted their Wicked Cool! Story Hour and Live Chat, during which I read my book Winners Never Quit and answered questions from fans. Check it out!”

CBS:  Can you tell us about the Mia Hamm Foundation?

MH:  “I created the Mia Hamm Foundation to benefit issues that have affected me. The Mia Hamm Foundation has two areas of focus: raising funds and awareness for families needing marrow or cord blood transplants, and continuing growth in opportunities for young women in sports.”

CBS:  How are your children doing? The twins are 6, what are they into? Do they play soccer or sports?  If so, would you ever volunteer coach their team?

MS:  ”They’re very active with gymnastics and softball and just being six year olds at the playground or in the backyard. I initially said I wouldn’t want to coach my child’s team, but now I do understand why parents do take that role. Yes, I would do it but for the time being, I’m happy cheering from the bleachers.”

CBS:  Garret is one. What’s it like having a baby still in the house. How do all the kids get along?

MH:  ”It’s great. I’m back to limited amounts of sleep but enjoying every minute of it. The girls are really great helpers and he adores them. They get so excited to see him everyday.”

CBS:  What are your greatest rewards as a mother? Biggest challenges?

MH:  “The greatest reward is seeing them happy and healthy. The biggest challenges are maintaining patience during a long day and balancing the time with your kids while not losing the importance of staying connected with yourself.”

CBS:  Do you have a favorite “mommy moment?”

MH:  ”When the kids first smile and you know it’s not gas [laughs]!”

CBS:  With three kids in the family, how do you make sure you get special and equal time with them individually?

MH:  “You try to find moments  – whether it’s running an errand or their activities – where you can make sure you get that one-on-one time so they get your complete attention.”

CBS:  Any tricks to raising twins? What’s the biggest challenge? Do you see any benefits?

MH:  “Take the help when it’s given and be flexible. No matter how many books you read or advice you get, each child is different. Don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go the way you expect. Benefits of having twins? I didn’t have to think about playdates!”

CBS:  What are some special activities you like to do as a family? 

MH:  “We like to go to the beach and the park. We walk a lot as a family.  And we like to spend time with our entire family – grandparents, uncles, aunts who are close by.”

CBS:  Mother’s Day is quickly approaching. Do you have any Mother’s Day traditions? How will you celebrate this year?

MH:  ”This year will probably be a quiet day followed by a nice dinner.  The girls really like to make cards so I’m looking forward to that. Garret will probably just slobber on me [laughs]!”

CBS:  You and your husband both travel a lot, how do you divide parenting responsibilities?

MH:  ”He is a great and active dad, which makes it easy. If it doesn’t work where one of us his home, his parents are close by to always help out, which we’re so grateful for.”

CBS:  Do you still play soccer?

MH:  “Only once a year in the Celebrity Soccer Challenge, which my husband and I started a few years ago. It’s a fundraiser for my Foundation and Grassroot Soccer, founded by Ethan Zohn.”

CBS:  You have been called, “One of the most influential women of all-time in sports.” How do you handle such an important title?

MH:  ”I’m flattered and honored but I think there are still doors and opportunities that need to be opened for young women in sports, including my two daughters.”

CBS:  What’s up next for you?

MH:  “The girls are finishing up their first year of school and I have a soccer camp this summer called TeamFirst Soccer Academy that I conduct with my former teammates Kristine Lilly and Tisha Hoch.”

Usain Bolt Races Against History

Check out this graphical comparison by the New York Times.

See how far Usain Bolt would've beat every other 100m medalist in Olympic history.

Evolution of the human race, literally. Bolt wins back to back 100m, 200m and 4x100m golds!