Pageant weekend begins

Yesterday was an exciting and nerve racking evening. As we arrived at the hotel the first thing we noticed was the MASSIVE amount of people in line to preregister for the pageant. It began at 5pm and we walked through the doors minutes after 5. This process took us an hour to complete. In that time they attempted to sell a 3 rose boquet presented on stage for 20.00, a contestant button for me with her picture for 7.00 each and a gazillion other items. I should have been prepared for the bombarding of such but wasn't. I also had a bout of my mother rise to the service as everything in me wanted to walk away from the entire thing. I HATE being a follower and it sure felt like we were just another set of crazy people. Pushing past that the excitement on my daughter's face when she recieved her number, free bag and outfit was worth every second.

I am pretty sure seeing the hotel room ranked up just as high as the pretty clothes because she was a kid in a candy store. The room only lacking in providing us with a breakfast was perfect! I especially loved this :

and this...

See previous post about pillows to understand my text to my husband asking him what kind of pillows these were :)

A relaxing quick dinner at Wendy's later we joined the 100 or so other parents/families for the preworkshop. Annabeth was taken to have a practice interview consisting of only 1 question with a critique sheet to bring back to us. She did great on her speaking skills, super on her confidence and ok on her posture. This is funny because I would say speaking slower and clearer is her weaker area in practice. Then she was allowed on stage where the girls practiced standing "pretty" and speaking their personal introduction while holding a microphone. My favorite part of it all was when the lady told them that everywhere they go they should be saying to themselves, "I look goooooood." She said in such a way you couldn't smile and she is right, what you speak in your head makes a HUGE difference in your attitude. Annabeth told me, "I have so got this!" Yay for her confidence for sure!!
Anyway, giggles and laughter commenced once in bed post practice in front of the mirror. She did get a bit crabby near the end but it was after all 10pm. Today is the big day as all judging happens throughout. I will keep ya updating on the happenings tomorrow. This is exactly what she needed, some training on being a proper, confident woman and some special girl time with Mom and Aunt Lisa. I truly am a most blessed person, as my whole family! God is good.