A Night to Remember

I mentioned last week that I'm a super ginormous Washington Capitals fan, and that I had won a contest to receive a player jersey after a game.

This past Saturday was the big night. I went to the game with four of my girlfriends and waited anxiously and impatiently for the game to end.

After the second intermission I met up with the other "Shirts off our backs winners" to get ushered down to event level to get ready to take the ice.

Before heading down we were each given the chance to pick a giant envelope which contained the number of the player whose jersey we would be receiving.  I have never wanted to open an envelope more in my life.  Not even when I was applying to colleges.

Now, let me pause this story for a minute to answer a quick question that I had been getting nonstop when people heard about this event.  Who did I want to get?   I feel like that is kind of the same as when people ask you what sex you hope your baby is.  I mean you are supposed to say, "I don't care as long as it is healthy" but what you really want to say is "OVI, OBVIOUSLY, OVI!"

In this case I actually had a top three (not including Ovi).  I was hoping for Matt Perreault (been a favorite since he was in Hershey), Mike Rebeiro (filled the soft place I had missing in my heart when Knuble left), and Braden Holtby (in addition to being pretty awesome, people say he is my husband's doppleganger - I don't really see it).  But, as I said, I picked an envelope at random and had no idea who was inside.

Our first stop was outside the Dewars Bar Coaches Club to watch the third period, up until the 5 minute mark when we were ushered down a hallway to wait RIGHT BEHIND THE BRUINS BENCH.  It was pretty cool, but also pretty frustrating.  I am a hockey fan.  I come to games to watch hockey.  Thankfully the game didn't matter much, but when they went into overtime we were all dying as we listened to the crowd give us cues as to what was happening on the ice.

I am not really sure how I managed to get the best place in line, but I did!  Not only was I first, but I was also next to Kati - another one of the Community Service Leaders that had won and was awesome!  Kati had won for starting a mentoring program, that you can read more about her on the Caps Community Service Leader Voting Page.  

Kati and I hit it off instantly and were equally excited and nerdy about getting to go on the ice and took several photos together and of each other as we counted down the minutes to get on the ice.  Then we heard the crowd going crazy - we won!  Came back from a 0-2 deficit to beat the Bruins!  Seconds later a team the Bruins team was marching by us and into their locker room.  While they were walking by, I might have gotten reprimanded for saying, "walk of shame" a little too loudly, but I digress.

As soon as I was on the ice, I scoured the crowd for my friends and found them right next to me (taking pictures of me taking pictures of them).   

And then we saw the Caps players lining up across the ice from us - how cool, right?!?!?

Next thing I knew, I had a video camera in my face and was being told to, "open the envelope."  As I pulled the number out I thought I had gotten Ovi, and just about had a heart attack - that just would have been too good to be true.  When I realized it was Ribeiro I was delighted!  Ever since I found out he was going to be a Capital I loved him.  I think he is the kind of player that everyone hates, but really wants on their team.  He has been a lot of fun to watch this season, and I was thrilled to meet him.

As he approached me he took off his jersey and we had the following conversation -

Mike - So, I'm supposed to give you this right?

Me - Thats the idea

Mike - Are you going to put it on so I can sign it.

Me - Hell no, I need to wash it first.

Mike - What are you talking about, I don't sweat!

Me - Sure you don't!  Do you mind signing it to CAPS MOM?

Mike - Sure, Caps Moms (signs jersey and hands it over to me) Hey, we have matching scars!

Me - I doubt we got them the same way.

Mike - You don't take many hockey sticks to the throat?

Me - Nope, mine is from thyroid surgery.  Do you mind taking a picture with me?

Mike - Absolutely (and he snuggled right up like we were best friends).

Now at this moment I was apparently being shown on TV.  I know this because when I tried to use the camera on my cell phone I was getting nonstop Facebook and text message notifications.

If you watched the Post Game Show you will see me raise my phone up to take a picture, then I make an annoyed face because I couldn't get it to work while my phone was going bananas.

Finally, I got it to work, brushed the hair out of my eyes and started snapping photos.  Rebeiro was totally patient with the whole thing.

Mike - Wait, I didn't look good in that one - take another!

So I did...

Afterward I said, "thank you so much" and "hope you are back next year!" and he just smiled at me before skating away (PLEASE RESIGN, REBEIRO!)

It was only after he skated away that I noticed that Matty P. was about a foot away from me, and Ovi was next to him - pretty cool moment!

I got a few pictures of other players as they gave their jerseys away, and couldn't help but notice that non of the other guys seemed to stay and talk or take pictures for as long, so I felt extra excited to have gotten Rebeiro.

I guess I was totally caught up in the moment, watching players and talking to Kati, because before we knew it everyone had started walking back and Slap Shot had to kick us off the ice.

The whole thing was totally surreal and I cannot thank the people who got me there enough.

Oh, and yesterday we found out that we had shown up in photos from Russian Machine Never Breaks (my favorite blog) and The Capitals Outsider, which was super cool as well.

I think I will go wash my smelly jersey now, so I can wear it on Thursday!

04.29.13

Snoozing.

04.28.13

Just hanging out with the Hanson brothers.

Fantasy Land

Brett and I took our 4 tired children to Target tonight after dinner. Seems like a fun time, right? Not so much.

The three that are mobile were running in all directions, touching everything and making more noise than we would like them to in public. Half way through, the baby woke up screaming. We wondering if it was really worth finishing our shopping trip or if we should abandon the cart and quit while we are ahead. We stuck it out and ran to the check out the minute we had everything on our list.

After packing the kids into the car we closed all the doors and stood together at the back bumper of our mini van to play a little game we like to call "let's pretend we don't have kids."

Me - I can't wait to get in our expensive sports car and go for a quiet drive.

Brett - Let's go home to our clean house.

Me - I have an idea, let's open a couple bottles of wine and get tipsy.

Brett - Sure, we will just sleep in tomorrow.

Me - And can we plan a super expensive romantic vacation too?

Brett - Sure! Let's plan two.

Then we make out for a second or two (that's right PDA in the Target parking lot - deal with it), then we get back into our mini van and back to reality.

Obviously we don't remember what it is like to not have kids, but we assume this is how real couples talk.

04.27.13

Ribs!!!

04.26.13

Passed out after a day at the zoo.

04.25.13

Posing after a hike around Lake Royal.

Winning!

Every year, the last home game of the regular season is Fan Appreciation Night. Among other prizes, the Caps do a "Shirts off Our Backs" giveaway at the end of the game. All the winners for this promotion get to go down on the ice after the game, each with an envelope containing the jersey number of one of the players (picked at random). They will go down the line and as people pull numbers out of their envelopes that player will skate over and give that winner the sweaty jersey they wore in the game that was just played.


For the past few years I have tried to win an essay contest the Washington Capitals hold for the "biggest fan" to participate in this ceremony. But, despite my best efforts, I have never been a finalist.


You can see a previous entry by clicking here.


This year, I submitted this (which I wrote during a 5am feeding and didn't really like, but it was the only chance I had to do it):

There are two things that I am known for by all who meet me.  First, I am a huge Caps fan; and second, I am a mom of four.  Since, the “huge Caps fan” thing happened first, it probably comes as no surprise that I named my four kids after the Caps -  C.ampbell, A.aron, P.eter, S.teven – C-A-P-S, Caps! Caps! Caps!  Despite having four children under the age of six, I still find time to use my Caps season tickets for almost every home game.  Always with a baby strapped on my chest and a “CAPS MOM” personalized jersey on my back.  I arrive in “style” to games in my minivan decorated with Caps flags and stickers, and of course my “CAPS MOM” license tags (unless, of course, we take the hubby’s car, then it’s “CAPS D4D”).  Like my children, I was born into Caps fandom.  My parents have been season ticket holders since before I was born.  Growing up I was the baby at the games, the excited kid at Fan Club banquets and the lucky teenager who’s parents took me to Piney Orchard in the middle of the night to cheer on the 1997-98 team as they got off their plane from Buffalo after making it to the Stanley Cup finals (even though it was a school night).  Now I am the mom letting my kids stay up late to watch games, going to Caps Con, taking road trips to the Winter Classic and attending the Season Ticket holder parties.  Earning my “CAPS Mom” title!



There are other ways to win on of the jerseys off the player's back, including being nominated as a Community Leader.


This week I was stalking the Caps website trying to figure out if naming my kids after the Caps was enough to win me a spot this year, when I got an email from my mom, and then my friend Christy. They had nominated me and wanted to tell me that I was a finalist!!!


Here is the write up from the Community Leader Contest:


Jillian Gardner is a mother of four young children and currently serves as the president of the MOMs Club of Annandale, a group she joined when she moved to the area more than five years ago. She works tirelessly in the Annandale community to enrich the lives of the children and mothers in her area through her dedication to and participation in the MOMS Club. She has served on multiple committees, leading a variety of Club activities. The Club brings together a community of mothers and children that sponsors weekly activities including children's craft programs, charity drives, play dates, music events, and social occasions and supports the member moms with friendship and loads of parenting tips. Jillian brings an energy and enthusiasm that is unsurpassed to her role as president by organizing events, communicating information to members, reaching out to new area residents. Most importantly, she is heavily involved in community service. She has assembled bags for moms who were affected by the Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, participated in a Stop Hunger Now event at a local church and has put together boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Jillian also cooks meals for moms who have new babies or whose family is going through difficult times and need meals. Jillian is an amazing, selfless woman who continues to give and help others without being asked for anything in return.


I have since found out that my friends: Christy Fase, Laura Loughlin, Stephanie Reininger, Missy Okpokwasili, Alana Chang and my mom, Mary BeVard, all nominated me separately. The Washington Capitals' Community Relations staff used pieces from all of their nominations to write the essay that was used in the voting.


Once we found out that I was nominated it seemed like everyone I had ever known became my own personal cheerleader!  Sending email blasts to friends asking for their votes, posting to Facebook, and repeatedly voting.  It was incredibly humbling and I felt so amazingly blessed to have such amazing friends and family.


This morning, while hiking up a hill to get to the zoo for Peter's class trip, I got a call from the Caps - I WON!!!  The top 3 winners from the 8 people nominated got to go on the ice, and I was one of them!  She didn't mention to me what place I came in, but she did say that I had more nominations than any of the other nominees.


I just want to thank all the people who nominated me, the people who emailed and shared the link on Facebook and all the voters.  Due to my super fandom, this is the most fitting prize I could ever win, but (not to sound super corny) I more importantly was so touched by how many people were cheering for me.  I cannot express in words how much the love and support meant!


To answer some questions I have been getting...


The ceremony take place right after the game, if you are going tomorrow, stay to watch!


No, I do not think I will be on TV, but I promise to take lots of pictures!


No, I do not know which jersey I will get.  They are selected at random, but there will be one winner for each player.


Yes, I will post pictures and details to Facebook and my Blog!


Thank you again to...


Christy Fase, Laura Loughlin, Stephanie Reininger, Missy Okpokwasili, Alana Chang and my mom, Mary BeVard - Your words touched me; and sending in your nomination, knowing that this would mean so much to me, means the world!!!

04.24.13

I told them if they were good while we ran errands (for three hours) they could each pick one thing from the dollar store. They picked toilet plungers, so they could be the Super Mario Brothers.

CAPS MOM

I like to call myself the "CAPS MOM"

My license tags say "CAPS MOM" as does my Washington Capitals jersey; but some how a lot of my friends still haven't gotten it.

Most people figure it is because I am obsessed with the Washington Capitals, and that is true, but it goes deeper than that.

C. A. P. S. are the first initials of my children's names.

Yes, we did that on purpose.

Yes, we are that crazy.  And by "we" I mean it was all me, my husband was just along for the ride.

  
Child #1 - P (for Peter)

Peter was named after my father, who had passed away the year before my son was born.

His name was easy to pick.  His brother, was more of an argument.

Child #2 - A (for Aaron)

When we found out we were having a second boy, I wanted to name him Steven - my father-in-law's name.  This is also Brett's middle name and for some reason he was against it (obviously, I have now won that battle).

When I was pregnant with baby #2 we were both pretty set on the name "Aiden," but there was one problem.  Brett wanted to spell it H-A-Y-D-E-N, and pronounce the name "Aiden."  I thought that was absolutely absurd, so named him Aaron.

OK, if you want the whole story, I watched a whole lot of LOST DVDs during that pregnancy and when Claire named her island baby "Aaron" I thought it sounded good.  Plus, it was Elvis Presley's middle name.  Look it up if you don't believe me.

It was right around this time that I realized that we were 50% to spelling my favorite team's name, and (once I strong armed Brett into naming our potential third son, "Steven") we would be 75% there; so there was a 100% chance that I was going to go for it.

Thankfully, I have a very tolerant (and very fertile) husband.

Child #3 - C (for Campbell)

When we got pregnant with our third baby we knew two things: if it was a boy, his name would be "Steven;" if it was a girl, her name would start with a "C" (so we could leave the "S" open for a potential future boy to be named Steven).

Within 12 hours of learning that we were having a girl we had picked three potential names for our daughter: Campbell, Cecelia, and Charlie (apparently, we like boy names a lot).

Then we let our boys (who were almost 3 and almost 4 years old at the time) pick between the three names.

Thankfully, they agreed on one name, and named their sister Campbell.

Child #4 - S (for Steven)

I don't really think this needs anymore explanation, you get the point.

C.ampbell
A.aron
P.eter
S.teven

C-A-P-S Caps! Caps! Caps!

04.23.13

Me - How many pacifiers do you need?
Campbell - Three, mom.

04.22.13

Playhouse fun.

04.21.13

Who needs a baby doll, when you have a brother?

04.20.13

Latest amazing second hand find - the game of Perfection. Brett and I kept playing after the kids went to bed.

04.19.13

Running hand in hand.

04.18.13

Rocking the wrist bands.

04.17.13

My mini me.

04.16.13

Good morning!

Another Mom for Aaron

While I making lunch today, Aaron said something so mean.

Aaron - mom, I wish I had another mom.

I did not know what to say. He has been sick for 5 days with Scarlet Fever, and I have been busy taking care of his every need. Why was he being so hostile and ungrateful?

Then he finished his thought.

Aaron - if I had another mom, we could make her fold all the laundry so you could play with me all day long.

Heart melted. Love him.

04.15.13

Sibling love.

04.14.13

The face I wake up to everyday.

04.13.13

A visit from my sister!

04.12.13

A (belated) visit from the tooth fairy.

No School

It is currently raining cats and dogs. It is sort of cool to watch and listen to, but I wouldn't want to go out in it. I opened the front door so the kids could get a look at it this morning and Peter and I had the following conversation:

Peter - yay, no school today!

Me - what are you talking about? You still have school.

Peter - but there is bad weather.

Me - it is just rain, school is still open.

Peter - no fair! It rained so many times this year and I got to stay home. Why do I have to go today?

I want to send this post to the people who work at Fairfax County schools and have called off school several times this year with the threat of a snow storm that turned into rain. They are confusing my child.

Pin-spired - Interchangeable Art Frames

Have I mentioned I love Pinterest?

All of my walls are now decorated with some idea I have found to organize my life, display pictures or in this case, show off my kids' artwork.

Here is the photo I "pinned" - focus on the three frames in the upper right --->

Empty frames with clothes pins hot glued to the top, then spray painted a fun color.  Super easy (not to mention cute) interchangeable art frames!

I used a few frames I already had and wasn't using, and some other cheap ones from the Dollar Tree, thrift stores and Michaels.  All frames were 8"x10" or bigger.  I tried to position some horizontal and some vertical of each size to accommodate all different art sizes, and I used three colors of spray paint (red, purple and green).

Here is our new art gallery: