Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

This is a day set aside to show appreciation to all the Women and Men who stand behind their spouses that serve or have served in the Armed Forces! Being a spouse of an Airman I know how hard it can be. In 1984, then President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the Friday before Mother’s Day to be designated as Military Spouse Appreciation Day!  I am fortunate to have my Husband here with me, but there are many out there who's spouses are deployed. Let us all just take a day to thank all the men and women who are the unsung heroes of the Armed Forces.

Cont. 4 Year Old and Makeup

As I said in my last post I would tell you about my experience with a pageant! I have never been one of those moms who want to flaunt my children, so when my 2 almost 3 year old came to me one day (after catching me watching a show about it) if she could "dress up like those girls and go on stage". I promptly said no way! After sleeping on it I did some research, and happened to find one in my area that was Sunday's best, and judged off of personality. I under no circumstance was going to make my child look like a doll. When I told Layla about it she was really excited about it, and my oldest also decided that she wanted to do it also. So I sent in the paperwork and fees. I actually found them both very cute dresses to wear for $10 a piece, and was going to do their hair like I do everyday. So the day comes I ask them one last time "Are you sure you want to do this?" of course the both quickly say yes.
Layla is in the two year age group, and when it is time we take our place in line next to the stage, and this being my first time doing this I have no clue what to do so I ask on of the other moms. She told me "Tell her to walk and stand on the X's on the stage" Layla is 3rd to go out on stage, and I walk with her, I have to say that little girl rocked it like she had done it all her life. She smiled dropped my hand and just did it! After she was done we take our place behind the curtain, and wait for the other girls to finish. Then this stand out in my mind so much that it makes me sick to my stomach just to write about it. A few girls after Layla was a 2 year old who pitched a fit on stage, and did not want to be there. When her and her mother got behind the curtain the mom says "Well that did not go so well did it" at this point her daughter is crying, and says "Can I have a hug mommy?' he mother then says "No don't touch me you are in time out", and the very forcefully pushes her daughter into the wall. I was mortified Layla looks at me and says "Mommy she was naughty right?" I did not even know what to say to her, thankfully I did not have to cause it was time to go back on stage to be judged and crowned. Layla made 3rd runner up, but was more interested in the candy bag that she got. It was not until the candy was all gone that she realized she got a trophy and a sash (stash as she calls it).

My Husband went with Mariah and her age group, and her and maybe one other girl were the only ones not wearing makeup. Needless to say the judges did not look twice at her. She also clammed up on stage, and would not let go of Daddy's hand. She was not hurt that she did not place like her little sister she was happy to get candy! She also got a trophy, but a smaller one, that she later talked Layla into trading her for, because it was only right she had the bigger one because she was the big sister after all. Layla had no problems with that she would take the baby one! Needless to say I think that was our first and last pageant, it was fun but in the words of my best friends little girl "I don't need anyone to tell me I am beautiful! I know I am!".

4 Year old and Makeup

So my oldest daughter Mariah has been taking ballet classes since last October. All of the practice pays of when she gets to be in the yearly recital in May. I paid for her costume back in December, and took her to practices. Well this past week when I took her I got a little slip of paper from her instructor that reads " Stage lights are extremely harsh and "wash-out" the performer's face. Heavy make-up must be worn to make the performer's facial features visible to the audience. Face: Base foundation matching skin tone. Blush - Long-Wearning medium to dark "plum" Eyes: Mascara- several coats of BLACK Eyeliner- Long-Wearing Dark BLUE on lid, Dark BROWN in crease, IVORY or Light CREAM under brow. Lips:RED long-wearing lipstick & matching liner." I have to say I was take back a bit with this. I could see some blush maybe some lipstick, but EYELINER on a 4 year old, and all the dark eye make up. I though ballet was supposed to teach my daughter how to be poised? I guess I was wrong! I am upset about doing this, but her heart will be broken if she is not allowed to be in the recital. Yes I said not allowed I was told if her costume was not in order she would not be allowed to go on stage. What kind of message are we sending to our daughters? This will be continued in my next post I would love to tell you about my experience with a pageant.