Star Wars and Basketball

Tonight was the Denver Nuggets Star Wars Night. Marina was wearing her Chewbacca onesie. I had on my Vice Admiral Holdo dress. We arrived early for the game, so we went in search of cosplayers. We found a group right in the lobby. We also saw groups of Nuggets dancers. So we got photos with all of them.

We walked around looking for cosplayers. We also picked up our Star Wars tumblers. They had ones with either the symbol of the Rebellion or the Empire. We decided to get one of each.

We picked up drinks and went to our seats. The Nuggets played really well in the first half and were up by a large margin at halftime.

During halftime, we took photos with more cosplayers. We found the woman dressed as Ray, who Marina had seen on screen before the game started. We asked around and found that Rocky the mascot usually does a meet and greet, so we waited to see him. Unfortunately, he never showed up.

We missed most of the third period waiting for Rocky, so we went back to our seats for the rest of the game. It had become a closer game and the Nuggets eventually lost their lead. Fortunately they were able to come back and win the game 111 to 105.

After the game we were ready to go home. It had been a very long day!

Nuggets Night

The Denver Nuggets were playing the San Antonio Spurs tonight. I bought tickets so Marina and I could go. When Marina learned they were giving away Nuggets beanies to the first 5,000 people, she wanted to leave early in hopes of getting one.

We ate a quick dinner at home after school and Marina changed into one of her Nugget’s shirts. We left a bit later than we had planned, but we made really good time on our way downtown. Marina was a bit disheartened when she saw how many people were going in to the Pepsi Center at the same time we were. But as it turned out, they still had plenty of beanies, so we each got one!

We were very early when we got to our seats, so we got up to get some snacks. I was shocked to find my wallet was missing. I decided to go to the car to see if it was there. I found it on the floor in front of the passenger seat, but it took me a while to leave the Pepsi Center and walk to the car and back. In that time Marina got nervous. She texted me a few times. So when I came back she looked very relieved.

When the game started, Marina paid very close attention. I spent more time explaining to her the rules of the game and what the statistics meant. The game itself was very entertaining. It was close throughout, but at the end the Nuggets pulled ahead and won the game.

We got caught in a bit of traffic, but it didn’t take us too long to get home. By them we were both tired and ready to go to sleep.

Night with the Nuggets

This evening was the school district's night at the Denver Nuggets game. Marina has only been to one Nuggets game before and she was excited to go. One of my coworkers and her girlfriend decided to join us.

At the last game we went to, Marina was part of the “High-Five Squad,” where she got the chance to high five the players as they entered the court before the game. She told me she’d like to do that again. As luck would have it, I got an email with the chance for her to do that again and she was picked!

We have to arrive early so Marina could join the group. When we arrived, she got a yellow t-shirt and hung around with the other kids as we waited. One little boy seemed a bit scared and, of course, Marina was there to encourage him.

When it was time, Marina happily joined the group to line up for the high-fives. I got close for pictures and despite trying to get her attention, she never looked at me. The players went through quickly. Marina was thrilled that she got a high-five from Kenneth Faried – her favorite player.

We met our friends at the door and went to our seats. I was amazed at how into the game she was. In fact, the watched the whole thing. She and the girl seated next to her because fast friends. During breaks they danced to the music and cheered loudly throughout. Marina almost won Bruno Mars tickets for screaming loudly.

The game went into overtime, but unfortunately the Nuggets lost to the Raptors 113-111. Marina said her throat hurt from all the yelling, but she had a fun time!

Nuggets High Five Squad

Marina's school district had a special for the Denver Nuggets game this evening. Marina had never been to a Nuggets game before and she was looking forward to it. She brought Grace along in a Nuggets jersey!

To add to the excitement, Marina was one of 20 kids chosen to be part of the Nuggets High Five Squad. We met at the arena early and given a yellow t-shirt. Then they were led onto the court before the game. When the Nuggets team entered, the players gave each child a high five. After it was over, Marina had a huge smile on her face. "That was fun!" she gushed.

We bought some popcorn and drinks and went to our seats. We had a great view of the court and Marina seemed to enjoy watching the game. She cheered loudly throughout the game. A group of boys her age were sitting near us, so she joined in their antics. It got her on the big screen a few times.

The Nuggets won the game and ended up tossing quite a few freebies into the crowd. Marina was hopeful to catch something, but we were too far away. Despite that, she'd had a great time at her first professional basketball game!