Alaina's Bear-a-Book Drive

Every year, each NAMiss state pageant contestant brings, to pageant weekend, a stuffed toy or book (new or gently used) that will be donated to fire departments, police stations, hospitals, etc. & given to kids who are going through difficult situations. Last year, Alaina gave many of her own stuffed animals & books. Because we enjoy getting other children involved with giving, we decided to enlist the help of Alaina's classmates & teacher to bring more smiles to more kids! Beginning two weeks ago, Alaina's classmates started bringing in donations. By Monday, May 21, we collected two huge garbage bags filled with everything from stuffed toys & tons of books! It was a huge success, the kids had fun & learned that it's better to give than to receive! And as a reward for their effort & generosity, the kids were rewarded with a pizza party!

Thanks to Mrs. Chasity Easley for the support, kindness and love she shares with all of her students! She makes learning fun & enjoyable for kids & she's truly an asset to our school system! And she's just the best darn teacher ever!

***pssst... sure you don't want to come on over to 3rd grade next year, Mrs. Easley? It was worth one more ask lol***

State Pageant time again!

Alaina at Pinkolicious Birthday Party Spa ~ celebrated with her BFF Alana (yep, same name)

It's Louisiana state pageant time again for Alaina & she's ready to go! This year, we'll be a lot closer to home; the pageant will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge, LA! We're very excited & can't wait! Since it's been awhile since we posted so here's a synopsis of Alaina's several months:

Lots of school productions

• December 2011 "Christmas Around the World" - Alaina was a dancer represented Europe! They were soooo gorgeous!
• February 2012 "Black American History" - Alaina danced in two performances
• May 2012 "Fire" - Alaina danced in one of the opening performances as a firefighter to "We Didn't Start the Fire" then danced again to Cher's "Believe" in the finale with her cheer squad

Alaina is Miss Louisiana Princess 1st place Queen!!!!

UPDATED WITH RESULTS FROM NAMISS SITE & MORE PHOTOS/VIDEOS!

YAY, Alaina!!

Okies, the precious princesses have made it back to the stage & are getting their state finalist awards! I'm trying to video on my son's phone & take pics but it's hard when I'm shaking & excited! I managed to get a few photos/videos but I can't seem to get them from the phone just yet (update: video below & clear pics below are all I could seem to get lol) "/ I'll work on that soon because the pics below are SO NOT good lol... hands too shaky to get good shots... THANK GOD for the official photos!

After Alaina gets the awards, she comes to find me sitting in the "VIP mommy section". Other awards are given: most photogenic, art contest, most ticket sales, etc. Alaina sits as her name isn't called & she turns to me & says "Mommy, when is she gonna call me? I want another trophy!" I tell her how important it is to keep clapping & cheering for the other girls & her turn will come! We sit longer & more names are called & she says "Mommy, I'm cheering & clapping but she still didn't call me!" Of course I'm super sad for her because she worked hard, but I keep smiling & encouraged her to do the same.

Pageant Weekend

UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL PHOTOS & VIDEO!

OMG this was soooo much fun! Alaina met some new friends & had a blast! I don't think she realized that all the practice & work was gonna lead to a wonderful time until she got there!

Trying to figure out which way to run for fun lol!

Registration was smooth & simple! We turned in her stuffed animals & books - automatic 10% toward her overall score! Community Involvement - check!! Next stop, turning in ALL that paperwork & a couple of cool awards: Portfolio & casual wear modeling ribbon just for entering the contests! What a way to build confidence in little girls! I LOVE NAM!!!

After registration, we paid for her red carpet pics, which came out really well, then it was off to pick up her production number outfit & unpack! We ran out to grab a bite to eat then back to the hotel for the workshop! It was very helpful. Alaina seemed to think she knew everything that was discussed since she went to pageant prep in April lol BUT it was a great refresher!

The pajama party was soooo much fun! It took a lot to get my little one up on stage to dance BUT when she got up there she enjoyed herself! I even got up with her to do a couple of dances including "the twist" lol... mamas over 30 should NOT try to keep up with 4-7 year olds lol!

 Posing in the hall by the elevators before we went down to the PJ party!

Getting ready for the pageant!

Alaina has been working super hard getting ready for the pageant! She's prepared her resume, art contest photo, learned how to answer interview questions, practiced her model walk (lol - too cute) & gotten her introduction down to a science, all with a smile!

We just finished up taking photos (90 of them, sheesh)... she's a great little model although she was upset, hot & tired after awhile; we took them at the park near the Locks & the Civic Center Park. It was fun!

While this pic turned out cute as pie, she was really pouting lol... I just happened to snap the shot!

This is turning out to be a wonderful opportunity for her & it's helping her get out of that "shy shell". I'm hoping she meets some great friends pageant weekend!