Pure UK Weekend 👑

A couple of weekends ago, we travelled up to Warrington. So Jackson could compete in his first big national pageant, Pure UK. It was a very long and expensive weekend. But was a big deal as this was his first big one at 2 years old. Not only was Jackson so excited when we packed and headed out on our journey from Bristol. It was a total of about 3 and a half hours drive, up the motorway.

However once we checked into Daresbury Park Hotel, and went to our room. Which was a beautiful standard room, felt lovely and roomy with a double bed, and guest bed in. The tv was a little small, though the en-suite was lovely and sizeable. We briefly unpacked, and made use of the on site swimming pool to relax. This was lovely and quiet, and Jackson absolutely loved getting some chilled swim time in. Before an action packed weekend.

We arrived at 2pm Friday. That Friday evening was his registration and meet and greet, with fellow contestants competing that weekend. During this time, he dressed smart in his denim shirt, black jeans with braces. He loved meeting reigning beauty queens, such as Mrs Galaxy UK, and Pure Teen Miss United Kingdom. He also made friends with fellow contestants, and enjoyed the laidback friendly atmosphere. Followed by a buffet style dinner, in the hotel’s restaurant. We enjoyed roast pork with a selection of vegetables and banoffee cheesecake for dessert.

• 

• 

• 

Saturday, was the optional day. The competition for optional Saturday, ie talent, runway, spokesmodel, etc. From the morning, Jackson was dressed in his suit, waistcoat and bow tie. While he walked in the runway competition, he wore jeans and a dinosaur printed shirt. We managed to fit in an extra swim to relax also. Thank god, I packed two swimming costumes for Jackson and I. We enjoyed another meal in the restaurant, and then got Jackson ready for the evening onesie party. Jackson wore his cute monkey onesie for this.

• 

• 

Sunday, the day of the main competition. I organised all of Jackson’s outfits for the main stage. And we relaxed, took a trip to St Helens, to do a little shopping, a souvenir for Jackson to take home. When we got back, we got ready for the show. And then it started. His outfits for the rounds were; fashion wear, he wore black jeans, blue shirt with dinosaur tie, evening wear, he wore a brown/grey tartan three piece suit, matching trousers, waistcoat and bow tie with a white shirt.

During the main show, Jackson threw a few tantrums. He’s 2, and hasn’t quite grasped the concept of waiting till his turn. However that disappears when he steps on stage. However this being a big show, with loud music and very bright stage lights, Jackson got overwhelmed. He was very overwhelmed. This showed a little in his walk and attitude. He loved that his introduction included that he wanted to be a future formula one driver.

When crowning came around, Jackson didn’t get anything at all. Which was a shame, but he was overwhelmed. However as parents were very proud of Jackson. That he took part in this experience. We will certainly return back to the Pure UK stage in the future, but not when it’ll be overwhelming for him. We will make that decision in the future.

That being said, Jackson absolutely loved being a part of the pure family. And wish all the winners the best for the future during their reigns. After seeing his official photos by Media Digital Creative, he certainly has a bright future, when he’s older.

Optional Runway Round.

Fashion wear round.

Evening wear Round.

~RebeccaKLxo

Jackson’s return to pageantry.

Jackson started competing in pageantry when he was 4 months old. He has supported many different pageant systems, all over the UK. And we was really busy throughout 2019, attending at least a pageant a month. But we’ve been so very busy, preparing for his first national stage,with Pure UK. but over this last winter period, September 2019 – December 2019, for personal reasons, Jackson took a break from pageant land.

Jackson repping Pure UK.

Before this break, Jackson had competed in at least 10 pageants, which I’ve listed here. I’ve listed these in rough chronological order, including winning places, prizes and awards.

• Lakeside Catwalk Model, April 2018, at 4 months old. Placed 2nd runner up, Awarded Best Personality and Most Photogenic.
• Clwydian Beauty, August 2018, at 7 months old. Placed Master Clwydian Beauty 2018, Awarded Best Smile.
• Miss Royal Beauty, September 2018, at 8 months old, Placed runner up, Awarded Best Personality.
• Miss Autumn Rose, September 2018 at 8 months old. Placed runner up, Awarded Best Hair.
• Miss Whit Woo, October 2018, at 9 months old, Placed Tiny Tot Whit Woo winner, Awarded Best Smile, Best Hair, Best Party Wear and Best Evening Wear.
• Miss/Mr Exquisite UK 2018, November 2018, at 1 years old. Placed 1st runner up, Awarded Most Confident and Best in Fashion.
• Miss Christmas Rose, December 2018, at 1 years old. Placed 1st runner up, Awarded Best Hair and Best Fashion wear.
• Miss Emerald Beauty, January 2019, at 1 years old. Placed Mr Emerald Beauty 2019 winner, awarded Best in Party Wear and Best in Evening Wear.
• American Dream, February 2019, at 1 years old. Placed Runner Up, Awarded Best Hair, Best Smile and Best Dressed.
• Lakesides Catwalk Model 2019, June 2019, at 1 years old. Placed 1st Runner Up, Awarded Best Personality.
• Miss Ocean Dream, August 2019, at 1 years old. Placed runner up, Awarded Best Smile.
• Mia’s Mini Pageant, September 2019, at 1 years old. Placed as the division winner for boys, Awarded Best Dressed, Most Confident, Best Smile and Most Potential.
• Model of the Year, October 2019, at 1 years old. Placed runner up, Awarded Most Stylish Model of the Year.

Recently, on the 18th January 2020, Jackson made his return. He attended and competed in Miss Ice Queen, at 2 years old, he walked his best guided stage walk, and won the charity crown in his boys section, he received 4 certificates; best hair, most confident, best in evening wear & most potential. He came second.

Through the various pageants he has raised more then £85.45 for various charities including; Ronald McDonald House, Cats Protection, The Salvation Army, Giddo’s Gift, and The Christie… to name a few.

We’re so proud of him, and how much he’s grown up. I love seeing his photos, and he enjoys all the lovely friends and pageant family we’ve met. Next/this coming weekend, is the pure UK finals. We can not wait to share our experience. I will write a separate blog post for Pure UK after the busy weekend is over.

Jackson in his evening wear.

I wonder what the future years will bring to us as a family, within the pageant world.

~RebeccaKLxo

Jackson’s first theme park 🎢

As it’s the summer holidays, we decided to treat Jackson to a family fun day out, with my mum (nana) in tow. With hindsight, this was definitely a much needed helping hand on a big day out. Bags packed with plenty of snacks and drinks, car loaded up with a smaller travel pushchair. Jackson walks about 90% of the time now and will only go in his pushchair, when he wants too, once he’s finally tired out. So with Thomas the tank engine teddy, in hand, we headed off to Jackson’s first theme park.

If Thomas wasn’t the give away, I don’t know what would. But we chose to go to a hidden gem, close to Bristol. Drayton Manor Park. Located in Tamworth, UK, a nearly 2 hour drive from our hometown. Our main reason was for Thomasland. Jackson seen the latest advert on tv during Paw Patrol and went crazy, as Thomas the tank engine is his second favourite show after Paw Patrol. We arrived at the park about 11:15am, not as the park opened which would of been ideal, but it wasn’t too late. Parked in section J, easy to remember, J for Jackson. Parking was £5 per car, all day. Which I feel is very reasonable. The entrance booths, weren’t too many queues, which is a good thing with an excited toddler. We paid on the day, due to impromptu choice, but it was reasonably priced. In the future we will be booking online via their site.

We checked out Thomasland first. We measured Jackson up to the height checkers, he was between 0.8m – 0.9m. There was a few rides he could go on, with parents, which he thoroughly enjoyed, once they started. He wasn’t happy with the safety seatbelts, when waiting, but sat well, when ride was on. He loved seeing James, and really wanted to get a teddy from a game stall. Which Jackson’s dad did, and won him a red James teddy. This he absolutely loves. As we left to explore the rest of the park, they had a live show on, with the fat controller, we stopped and watched, Jackson danced and clapped along.

Jackson’s First Carousel

As we walked around the park, which was huge, plenty of food places, plenty of rides and attractions, and a happy surprise for me, there’s a zoo. So we took Jackson around the zoo too. Plenty of animals, and animal houses, too. I didn’t realise there was a zoo, but it’s a happy surprise, and Jackson loved it, and learnt a new word, duck. After he walked around Thomasland and the zoo, he sat down, ate some lunch, used the changing facilities in the public toilets and then he stayed in his pushchair, as he was tired out. He went on a little walk with nana, while mummy and daddy went on a few adult rides themselves, while we was here.

We then left, and slept most of the car journey back to Bristol. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day, and will be better planned next time. Majority of the rides have a minimum height of 1.0m. So when we return and Jackson is this height, we’ll have a better jampacked day out. We’re considering coming back for Jackson’s 2nd birthday at the end of the year.

We’re excited we did this at Drayton Manor, and found this gem so close to home too. Hopefully we’ll be back plenty of times.

~RebeccaKLxo

Family Outing: Windmill Hill City Farm.

As Jackson is now 10 months old, and a lot more inquisitive of the world around him. I thought it’d be a good idea to take him to a local farm. Ideally I would of took him to visit a proper working farm, but time and money was not on our side.  Instead while we was searching for somewhere, suitable for our son, we stumbled across Windmill Hill City Farm, located in Bedminster, Bristol. This city farm is a registered charity, so it relies solely on the communities generosity. This makes it a perfect outing for families, as entry isn’t a set fee. You donate what you can afford.

I loved how interactive the farm was from reading about it, from the play area for children, to buying animal food in the gift shop, to feed the various farm animals. You could even stroke and pet the farm animals. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of hand sanitizer around the farm, plus toilet facilities near the central hub. The central hub is the centre of the farm, and is home to the café, play area, and toilets.

This was our first ever visit to the city farm. Jackson was excited to see more animals. He loves the cats and dogs, various family pets. At the city farm, Jackson got to see many farm animals including; Pigs, Goats, Sheep, Cows, Chickens and Geese. I’ll include some pictures from the day. But I didn’t take much, as we just enjoyed the day, and made memories.

All in all, it was a fun day out and helped us spend some time together as a family. We’ll be back in the future.

Enjoy these photos of a happy little boy, taken during our visit.

 

 

~RebeccaKLxo

Jackson’s Pageant Journey. 💙🤴

Following in his mummy’s footsteps. I’ve wrote about some of my past pageant experiences, when I compete. So I’ll thought I’ll write about Jackson’s too. I started competing in them to help with my confidence, and I wish this helps give Jackson confidence too.

He started his first pageant at 4 months old, he competed in Lakeside Catwalk Model 2018. He did well in this pageant wining, best personality, most photogenic and came 3rd runner up. This is also the last pageant I competed in, where I placed runner up. It was a long busy day, getting myself and Jackson ready, and this is where I made my decision to step back from competing for myself, to focus on Jackson’s pageant career.

His second pageant he competed in, he came runner up. This one was named Star Royalty. He still brought home a beautiful little crown though. Although he was admittedly having an off day, due to teething. I’m still proud of him, and a little of his personality did come through with the songs he had on stage.

He enjoyed it so much, and did so well that he has 3 pageants coming up.

-Clwydian Beauty 2018 -August

-Royal Beauty 2018 – September

-Emerald Beauty 2019 – January

There’s loads more I’m interested in, but I’m prioritising and getting them paid off in order, while working around work and bills. I always post pictures from the pageant days on the day on my Instagram: RebeccaKLxo.

~RebeccaKLxo