Natalie B., Age 2 yrs., Take 7!

East Coast Starz weekend is a weekend we really look forward to. Once we arrive at the hotel, we register and receive our beautiful sponsor outfits. To our surprise, for Take 7, my daughter not only received one beautiful sponsor outfit, but Team Rome was selected as one of the Lucky Hours, and we received another beautiful outfit! During registration, the line was a little long, but my two year old didn't get bored, she spotted her friend and veteran Starz girl, Jazzy! Natalie and Jazzy were excited to see each other! Also, during our time in line, Natalie made a new friend named Journee, and was able to meet one of her teammates, Khloe. The girls became instant friends and endless rounds of Ring Around the Rosie made the time fly by. After registration and receiving my daughter's sponsor outfits, we went back to our room. However, that didn't last long. My daughter had brought with her a plush My Little Pony and asked if we could go back and find Khloe to show her it. The picture provided, shows the meeting! After all of this fun, Natalie was ready to go to sleep.

Saturday morning started off with our mandatory team meeting. Since Natalie was the team captain, I assumed the role for her since she is only two. After the meeting, I got Natalie all dressed for her Live Photogenic with the talented Child Essence Photography. We also opted to take advantage of the individual

photo sessions by such talented photographers. I booked Natalie's session with LeRed Photography, another very talented photographer. I would have loved to book with all of them but Natalie eventually runs out of smiles. However, these photographers are the best of the best and during Starz weekend, they offer wonderful discounted sessions. At this time, Natalie was reunited with yet another friend and veteran Starz girl, Bella! Those two held hands and were inseparable all weekend. I absolutely love the picture of these two hugging. Natalie was also introduced to two more teammates, Mackenzie and Arionne.

After the individual Live Photogenic, we went upstairs for Team Rome's sponsor outfit group pictures. We had a little bit of a wait, but Natalie, Bella, and Jazzy decided to engage in Ring Around the Rosie. That seemed to be very popular this weekend! These pictures were taken by the talented, Olesja Mueller-Astrauskas. It seemed as if Team Rome's session was taking a very long time. I was trying to peak in, but I couldn't see the girls. We could definitely hear them at times!! I believe Team Rome might have been the toughest group to capture that morning ;) When they came out, Natalie told me they listened to her favorite song, "Let It Go". I also want to add, the Live Photogenic and the Sponsor Group pictures, we always receive a link and the rights to download and have copies made.

Photo Credit: Olesja Mueller

We now had a little break until the Scavenger Hunt. We just went out to lunch and the bakery, of course, to get some treats!! The Scavenger Hunt began at 6. This was brand new for Take 7. I also want to add that Take 7 introduced the team events, and I really like this concept. The Scavenger Hunt was fun. We all went searching with the clues provided. Team Rome, I believe, came in 6th place. Up next, the Party!!! Natalie loves a good party, and she was so excited to go. At Take 6, Natalie was hysterical when I tried to have her leave the party that we had to go back in and she danced with the older girls. Well, no tears at this one for her, but she did manage to dance with the older girls. It seems as if her and Bella got with the older girls again and judging by the picture, it would look as if Ring Around the Rosie was what they were doing again! I doubt they were, considering these were older girls they were dancing with. Then, Natalie's dreams came true, Elsa and Anna appeared on stage and sang her favorite song!! Natalie and Bella were singing loud and proud, along with the other girls! We then lined up for a meet and greet. Natalie looked completely star struck meeting these two. I provided a picture to show how all of the color was drained out of her face!! After a little more time at the party, Natalie went up to our room to go to sleep. But, before she did that, she saw her friend Sydney and got a picture with her. Natalie met Sydney during the East Coast Starz limo trip in April. Natalie was the Billboard winner at Take 6, and her prize packaged included luggage, a gigantic trophy, crown, and the prize of a lifetime, a seat in the pink hummer limo for the Starz NYC trip. Natalie met so many new friends that day. The older girls (Cianna, Sydney, and Dani) carried her and held her hand throughout the day. Natalie felt so 

"cool" being with the older girls!

Sunday arrived!!! Natalie got ready to go and represent Rome with her adorable teammates. These little girls, being the youngest in the show, had so much fun! They looked beautiful! They just couldn't get enough of the runway. They all modeled individually and then came out together for their team finale. Once they were done, we went and got ready for the Sponsor show. Natalie and her team were given dressed to model and keep from Halabaloo. These dresses were colorful and beautiful. Again, they modeled individually, and then all together. It was a challenge to get them to exit the runway. They just loved being up there in front of the audience. Team Rome still had to participate in Lucky Hour but before that, there was a new, optional event the "Pose Off". Natalie passed on this one, well I passed on it for her since her posing ability is a little rough around the edges!! She looks like she is doing a karate move when asked to pose. Now, it was time for Lucky Hour. Team Rome appeared on the runway again. I have included a picture of their final pose together during Lucky Hour. Two teammates were missing from this showcase since it wasn't a "scored" event. They had fallen asleep :) Now, it was almost time for the awards! One thing I love about Starz is that all girls go home a winner with a crown and swag bag. Prior to awards, Stacie and Lauren bring in performers to sing or dance. It's always exciting to see who is going to be there because these little girls stand along the runway looking up at these performers with such excitement! Also, Natalie located her friend Kayla and made sure to get a picture with her. Natalie met Kayla at Take 6 and they danced the night away with each other at the party! Award time, Team Rome wasn't one of the top three teams, but they did a fantastic jobs for their age! The girls took some time to pose for some pictures, said their goodbyes and parted ways.

Starz weekend is a fun filled weekend. Not only do the girls make lasting friendships, us moms do too. Starz brings out the confidence in all of the girls. My daughter was so shy at Take 5, but now is a runway obsessed toddler! Lauren and Stacie are the best and I thank them for allowing us to have such a fun event to look forward to going to twice a year. East Coast Starz is a class act!!