We recently dipped a proverbial toe into the waters of pageantry, and have easily come to the decision to pull that toe back out.

Sweet Pea was asking for several months about being in a pageant. I basically ignored the request initially, since many of her passions are fleeting at this age (5). She persisted, so I did some research.

I found a local pageant that seemed to be less cray-cray than the ones you might see on cable television (no spray tans allowed, makeup/outfits are to be age appropriate, all participants get a crown, etc), so I signed her up.



Sweet Pea was stoked. She strutted around the living room blowing kisses and twirling. She talked nonstop about the pageant. She was disappointed when I told her she wouldn't be on tv.



Checking herself out pre-pageant.

And then we got there.

Sweet Pea got overwhelmed.

She was shy.

She kept her fingers in her mouth for about half of her time on stage, and bawled on the way home about not getting a trophy (despite the new tiara on her head).



Little miss apprehensive



Needless to say, we are going to stick to pursuing alternate interests, such as gymnastics and soccer. Enjoyment and aptitude go a long way!



Lined up for their first turn on stage. Spot Sweet Pea!



You can take the cray-cray out of the pageant rules, but you can't take the cray-cray out of the parents. These two were more entertaining than their toddler.