Last year for my daughter's 11th birthday, after going to the movies, we came back to the house and ate cake and opened gifts, etc. I had gathered some of my formal wear, make-up, high heel shoes and placed them upstairs. I told them they had an hour and a half to get prepared for the beauty pageant. Everyone was to get dressed, apply make-up etc.  While they were busily getting dressed I went downstairs and got the pageant stage prepared, music (Back Street Boys) of course and video camera ready.  For the runway, I used a long carpet runner and for the center stage I used my stair exerciser (the only real time it has been used). I asked one of the girls to volunteer to be MC and we did happen to have a microphone and the whole pageant was a hilarious success. Afterwards, the girls danced and watched the pageant show and kept them entertained for hours.  The party was a hit and the talk of the school.