Parker is a finalist in the Gap modeling contest!

I was online shopping for a winter coat one day - searching some of my favorite sites. As I entered the Gap site, an advertisement caught my eye that read "Gap Casting Call - enter your photo here. Your child could be the next Gap model!". So, I entered the site, added Parker's photo and went on with my shopping.

On Thursday, November 1st, I received a phone call at work. What sounded like a telemarketer, I soon learned was confirmation of Parker as a finalist! I received 2 affidavit forms that needed to be signed, notarized (thats when I started realizing that this was serious stuff), and sent back in to confirm things. So, on I went with the forms and sent them in. The email that I received read:

"Congratulations! You have been selected as a potential top 20 Finalist in the Gap Casting Call.

As a Finalist, you win a babyGap photo shoot prize package, consisting of: (i) a trip package for you and your child featured in your submitted Photo to the babyGap/GapKids photo shoot, including roundtrip, coach-class air transportation for two (2) from a major airport near your home to San Francisco, CA; five (5) days and four (4) nights accommodations at a hotel (single room, double occupancy); and a $500 gift card to cover travel expenses. Each babyGap Finalist must travel between November 13 and November 17, 2007 or the prize will be forfeited. Please see the Official Rules for further prize details and eligibility requirements. This prize has an approximate retail value of $7000."

On Friday, it was ALL confirmed with a phone call from Gap Corporate. I learned that there were over 800,380 (to be exact) entrants for the contest. 5 kids from each of the 4 categories were chosen as finalists. And - my boy, Parker is one of them :)

My mom, Deb, is going with Parker and I to San Francisco next week! So far, I've been told that we will be picked up - at the front door of our house - in a Town Car at 8:30 am. on Tuesday, November 13th to fly out of the MPSP Airport at 11:40 a.m.

When we arrive in San Fran we will spend our days doing the following:

Tuesday, November 13th – travel to San Francisco
Wednesday, November 14th – clothes fitting
Thursday, November 15th – meet & greet with all 20 finalists & dinner with the Gap crew
Friday, November 16th – photo shoot with Stefano Azario, who is flying in from France!
Saturday, November 17th – travel home

I'm elated - to say the least! And, so proud of Parker. When I told him we were going on an airplane he looked at me and said "No thanks, mama. Maybe later". We've since then talked more about going on our trip next week and Parker has warmed up to the idea. When I asked him last night where we were going in an airplane he said "San Fwancysco, mama!"

Here's the winning photo that I uploaded onto the Gap site. I'm so proud to be a mama to this boy!

So...mark your calendars! Go to www.gap.com on Tuesday, November 20th to vote for Parker Knutson!!!!!

I'll be posting more details daily - be sure to check back for updates :)