Only two months away... NAM

Miss Blue is going to be 8 this summer.

Although she will always be my baby girl.

I love her more then words could describe.
This summer as you know
she will be joining the
National American Miss family.
Before you start thinking oh dear.
This pageant company is not like the others.
It is not about who is the prettiest,
or who has the nicest dress on.
It is about what is inside.
Four main categories
Escorted Formal (Daddy's going on stage with her)
Interview
Personal Introduction
Community Involvement

It is an exciting experience that she wants
to be part of and we knew it would be good for her.
We started practicing for the pageant
a few months ago.

It was then that I realized that
Miss Blue is exactual like me when
I was her age.
Shy, timid,  and self conscience.
Instead of this just being
a fun thing to do over the summer,
it has become more.
We practice every night.
At first she was quiet and extremely nervous.
Each night she seemed to get more
comfortable saying her intro.
We sometimes have to yell and jump around
to loosen her up a bit.
But guess what?
Its working, she is coming out of her shell
more and more everyday.
Teh Dollhouse Girls has really helped her too.

Our goal with Miss Blues
pageantry is not about winning or crowns.
It is about building her confidence.
People sometimes look down on pageants.
But in all honesty a lot more goes into it then you think.
Tapping into their confidence.
Finding a way to fight their nerves.
Have the motivation to practice daily.
Learn poise and good posture.
Public speaking and eye contact.
I tell you what if I was 7 would you
catch me on a stage
NO!
I was scared senseless.
It makes us super proud of Miss Blue.
That even though she is scared
she still wants to do it.
The other day we went out to sell pageant ads.
She was so nervous but after her
first pitch she was ready for the next.
I saw the excitement and confidence growing.

Yes this pageant is expensive but,
this is priceless for us.
Having her realize how
amazing she is and that she can do anything
she puts her mind too.
To love herself cause she is one of a kind.
Miss Blue was in a horrible car accident
when she was a baby.
Almost lost her that day.
Only thing she has left of that day is a scar.
She wears it proudly because I told her
it shows the world how tuff she is.
I do though fear the day when someone says something
mean to her about it.
People are mean and I know
this first hand.
I only hope that we have prepared her
enough and she is full of confidence
 to laugh it off.

This pageant is a small step for her.
It is going to affect her life greatly though.
No matter how she does in the pageant.
We are going to be the proudest parents in the crowd.
Watching her bloom over the last few months
has be truly amazing.

We are getting down to the wire.
Only two months left.
She has two dress options.
All most all of our paperwork is in.
This is something the whole family is supporting her in.
As much as Daddy won't admit it he is kinda
turning into a pageant dad and a good one at that.
We practice as a family and have fun with it.
She knows we love her and just
want her to do her best!

I am not looking for any judgements here.
Just typing my thoughts.

Watch out world , here comes Miss Blue!
She is SUPER!

Model stance and personal introduction- Miss Blue is on her way!

Today was Miss Blues pageant practice training 

with National American Miss.

Yesterday she was practicing  her walk and all excited.

But the second she walked into the Vinoy today

I could tell her nerves took over.

The room was full of girls ranging from age 4-20.

We grabbed a seat close to the front.

The speaker was a funny young girl who kinda set

the room at ease with her jokes and light hearted spirit.

Next thing though she had the girls lined up against

the side of the wall.

One by one she has them practice 

their formal walk.

She taught them model stance and then showed 

them how to walk on stage in the circle formation.

Miss Blue did really small circle and then 

the instructor had to stand up and help her.

I am excited though how easy formal

wear is going to be.

She is going to have it down perfect by July.

She then finished telling us all about formal wear.

Then on to personal introduction.

Now honestly I still to this day can not speak 

into a microphone in a room full of people.

It is instant panic attack at just the thought of it.

Well next thing she said was "Ok girls I 

am going to have you come up one by

one and introduce your self and say something about you."

The look on Miss Blues face was horrified.

She went "NO WAY!"

But she knew she had to this is part of the training.

By the time she had gotten the nerve to stand 

up and get on line the line was really long.

Which was good though she got to hear a good

amount of the other girls introductions.

Her wait was over.

It was her turn.

Poor thing was so nervous.

She didn't look up at anyone and kinda

talked into her shoulder.

And then rushed back to her seat.

But even though she didn't

nail the personal introduction.

I was so proud of her for getting up there and doing it.

I know it took a lot for her to do that.

Being that personal introduction is 30%

of her score that is something we definitely need to work on.

Luckily Daddy has a bunch of mircophones.

But seeing how nervous she was up there, 

makes me wonder if it is my fault.

I do not like talking to people.

I am very quiet and keep to my self.

Have I unintentionally passed this on to my sweet Blue.

Has she picked up on my fear to speak in public.

I think in the process I am going 

to have to get over my fear, to help her.

I must say though I am really impressed with this company.

Everyone there was super nice and smiley.

They were having fun it was a good atmosphere.

There was no negativity there at all.

I am so excited for the next few months.

Now that we know what they expect,

we know what we need to practice.

The pageant weekend is going to be so much fun.

I really like that the NAM system prepares you.

Yes $480 is a lot of money.

But I really feel this experience is going to be

amazing and life changing for Miss Blue.

She is going to be competing with a lot 

of girls but also making friends.

We are not pushing the competition part of at all.

More we  just want her to do the 
best she can and have fun.

She got her photoshoot pictures back.

They look amazing!

We are all so proud of her.

Miss Blue is so special to all of us.

I really can't wait for her to get 

on that stage and rock it!

Miss Blue has made it half way to her sponsor fee goal.

I thought we had till July for the deadline

to get our sponsor fees in.

Turns out they need to be in April 11st.

Yikes that is next month.
So if I wasn't already stressed now I am.
Thank you to everyone that has donated.
It means the world to us too have your support.

If you want to donated that would be amazing.
She is currently $200 away from her goal.
Which isn't to bad considering 
she started out at $480.
Remember that businesses donations
are 100% tax deductible.
Also if you want to buy ad space in 
the program it is $60 a spot.
Great for websites , blogs and local companies.

If 10 people donate $20
or
20 people donate $10
She would hit her goal.

The other night when I was talking to 

one of my besties on the phone we were laughing.

Me being a bit darker and not your normal mom.

It is very ironic my little girl wants

to do beauty pageants.

But no matter what Blue wants to do 

I am going to support her 100% even if it is not

really my thing.

But honestly the pageant world is fun.

There is something magical about watching

your child on stage with a huge smile.

I love the practice and bonding me and Blue do

getting ready for the pageant.

It is fun for the whole family.

Nana is my partner in crime and I love it.

We are Miss Blues own cheering squad.

It gives the girls something fun to do.

This pageant is going to be a bit different with

the interview and personal introduction.

I think that is great though these 

are skills that are going to help Miss Blue

for the rest of her life.

Looking people in the eye when talking,

carrying herself with confidence, giving it her all,

practice makes perfect and the list goes on.

Daddy is even getting into it to which

really makes me happy.

I know she is going to be glowing on stage

as her Daddy escorts her during the formal wear.

I have a feeling this is going to 

be the best weekend of Miss Blues life.

Well it is 1 am.

I could go on and on about how 

amazing Miss Blue is or about how excited I am

but this Mommy needs some sleep!

Night, sweet dream.....

It's finalist time! Go Team BLUE!!!!

Miss Blue went to the National American Miss open call

about a week or so ago.
A closer look into OPEN CALL-
We walked in we were directed  to a area where
there were a few different tables.
They were in order of last name. 
We got on line,when we made it to the desk 
told her Miss Blues name and she handed her a papers.
One had her name on it for the photo shoot and
the other needed to be filled out.
It was easy just info about your daughter likes,
activities, honors, and anything that made her special.
Then it was on to the ballroom for the photo shoot.
They say dress snappy casual.
I say just dress her in something pretty or cute.
Miss Blue was trying on all her outfits for the week
before, she finally decided on her sequins 
Christmas dress. 
She looked darling.
Only thing is the black and sequins 
didn't really show good in the pics.
Suggestion have her wear a color that compliments her.
Also something that is going to pop 
on that white background.
This room was packed.
They had it split up in age divisions.
The photographer was having a blast
jumping around making all the girls laugh.
The air in the room was excitement and fun.
Miss Blue went up and rocked her photo shoot.
Then on to the conference room we went.
There was a NAM member putting on a 
presentation explaining about NAM.
You received MAG 1.
She went through it page by page.
Then they sectioned off the girls and took them 
in groups for the interview.
It was really fast.
I asked Miss Blue what they asked her and 
she said just stuff that was on the sheet.
Unfortunately I filled it out for her while she was doing
her photo shoot.
But luckily I know my Blue very well
and they asked her questions she knew the answers too.
They auctioned off some modeling classes.
She told us if we were selected we would hear from them.
Also said that out of the 2,500 that applied 
that only 1,000 would be called back.
I am not really sure how many girls were there
I wasn't really counting but it was a lot.
But the event was very organized and went super smooth.
It was a great time nothing but smiles.
A lot of nervous little girls though.
If your daughter gets the invite to OPEN CALL
I say go if only for the free photo shoot and
the experience.
As for how they got my daughters name I never
figured that out.
So it is still a mystery.

It was a great time!

It was a total fun girls day just Blue, Nana and Mommy.

We received a letter last week saying

that she is now a state finalist.

It is really exciting and the more I read about 

this company and experience the more excited we get.

The only draw back of this whole pageant is 

the sponsor fee.

A whopping $480, ugh.

But since this is such a amazing opportunity

for Miss Blue we are going to put in our 

best efforts to get sponsors and raise the money needed.

I really want the sponsor to be companies

that I am fans of and want to promote.

Friends businesses would be even better.

But for the next few months Miss Blue is 

going to practice her little heart out.

She got what it takes to rock the stage,

she just needs to tap into her inner rock star.

The thought of having to go door to door

asking for these sponsor fees has me feeling high anxiety.

I am very anti-social , this is like my worst nightmare.

I love Miss Blue though so I will do anything for her.

I know this is something she wants.

Her official sponsor sheet

I smile when I look at her.

She is so special to me and I am super proud of her!

So here it is people.

Want to help contribute to Miss Blue's Sponsor fee's

Click the donate button.

Anything will help.

If 10 people donated $48

or if 48 people donated $10. If 480 people give a dollar.

She will hit her goal.

One dollar , ten dollars, or one hundred dollars.

It is all just getting her closer to that goal.

Honestly I feel kinda silly doing this.

But hey if it were your kid you would do the same!

My goal as a mother is to make sure that my

kids are always smiling.

I know last time Miss Blue was on stage she was smiling.

She loved every second of it.

I know how beauty pageants get a bad wrap, but

it really depends on the person.

She is not entering to win.

She is entering for the experience, all the fun to be had

and friends to be made.

It is about practicing and giving it your all.

I love watching her practice and coming up with routines.

It is a lot of fun for the whole family.

Oh and I have to let you all know

that Miss Blue lit up when I told her 

that Daddy will be walking her out on the

stage for the formal part of the pageant.

I know I am going to be in tears.

That is going to be the most amazingly sweet thing.

So not only does Miss Blue get stage time Daddy is going

to get some time on the stage too.

It is going to be a event for the whole

family to enjoy and cheer Miss Blue on!

 So if you have a friend with a business let them know.

The money they put in is 100% tax deductible.

They get their name and business featured in the

state pageant program.

Free advertising!

This program is going to be seen by hundreds of families.

It is a win win for all!

This is also good for blogs.

I know I am going to donate some under

Life in The Dollhouse.

So my blog name will be seen and maybe 

I will gain some more followers.

I am going to blog about the whole experience.

It will be a inside look at the pageant.

So stay with us for the fun and fabulous ride.

Miss Florida OPEN CALL- We are going!

As I am cleaning my kitchen I find a stack of mail.

I go through it and find a letter from 

National American Miss.

On a whim I open it to read:

Your daughter has been referred and invited

to the open call for the 

National American Miss Florida State Pageant.

I kept reading to find out it was all free.

And included is a FREE
photoshoot, digital copies and the copyrights.

So I ask Miss Blue is she wants to go and

she gets all excited and says "YES"!

I did a bit of Googling

cause I like to do my homework.

This company is actual a really big pageant company.

Not every little girl gets invited to this thing.

Miss Blue was nominated by someone.

At least that is the information I found in cyberland.

But it seems that a lot of other moms 

are really excited their little girls got picked.

I know Miss Blue is super special

and it makes me smile to know
 someone else thinks the same.

I pre-registered for her cause,
 I figured we have nothing to lose.

If anything it will be a fun Mommy and Blue day.

Since it is on a Sunday,
 little dude can stay home with Daddy.

And the girls get to go off and have fun.

She gets a professional photo shoot.

Meets other little girls her age,

and hangs out with beauty queens all day.

It is a WIN WIN.

I know the last pageant
Miss Blue was in was a lot of fun.

She is dying to do another one.

Even if she doesn't end up getting picked as a finalist.

It is still just something to boost
her confidence and make her smile.

We are IN!

She needs to dress snappy and
get ready for her first interview.

Whoever nominated her and gave her this opportunity

THANK YOU!

She appreciates the vote of confidence.

Go check out the site

http://www.namiss.com/