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Episode 1
Debbie and Emily camp out on the living room floor for some informal pageant coaching - how to answer questions, how to talk to the judges, how not to always steal glimpses of mommy.
At an event, biology and the spotlight compete as Emily feels the need to "go potty" just before she's due on stage. With a little encouragement from mom, she holds back her tears, throws on a smile and does her best, before a quick sprint to the restroom. Unfortunately, a few tears will be shed later as first prize eludes the Tyes this time around.
Episode 2
The Tyes arise early to prepare for the All American Family state pageant. Emily is "not a morning person," says Mom, and seems to have a hard time getting going. Before long, she's "pageant pretty," with wavy hair and a ready smile to win over the judges.
At the pageant, mom is a little disappointed when Emily forgets to do her sure-fire "silly face" during the interview portion of the competition. Later, she admits her daughter seemed "a little out of it." While Emily does earn a trophy, she falls short of the grand prize, much to Debbie's chagrin.
Episode 3
In preparation for their next pageant, Debbie and her daughter pay a visit to Miss Kari, Emily's modeling couch. In addition to the day's poise and posture lessons, Emily is given a spray-on tan to color her naturally pale skin.
Dad David and older brother Brenden accompany Debbie to Emily's competition. On stage, she is all poise and smiles. Off stage, however, Emily complains of feeling tired and seems eager to change back into her normal clothes. At the end of the day, the family is disappointed to learn that Emily is only given a runner-up prize.
Episode 4
They Tyes head off to "Beauty Boot Camp" where Emily will receive instruction in winning ways to walk and act in beauty pageants, under the tutelage of "Mr. Michael." There, she practices "pretty feet" posture and how to make eye contact with the judges.
When Emily's patience with boot camp wears thin, mom keeps her focused with the promise of a trip to the toy store. "Yeah, it's flat out bribery," Debbie admits, but whatever works, works." Later, they go shopping for something to wear in the American Co-Ed Pageant, a competition with specific dress requirements. The purchase sets them back $500.
Episode 5
The Tyes head to Orlando for the American Co-Ed Pageant, Emily's first real scholarship pageant. This competition works differently from others that Emily has done in the past: make-up and "pageant" hair are not permitted, and the judges consider not just Emily but also the whole family's appearance and demeanor during the weekend event.
For the first time, four year-old Emily is in competition with girls as old as seven. Debbie is concerned that her daughter may not do well up against older girls with more experience. Things are made more uncomfortable for the Tyes when they find out that another pageant family objects to the presence of the film crew, and is saying bad things behind Debbie's back.
Episode 6
The American Co-Ed pageant continues, and so does the bad blood between the Tyes and those who object to the presence of the film crew documenting their story.
That aside, things seem to be going well for the youngest competitor in the field. During the interview portion of the competition, Emily impresses the judges with her sure-fire silly faces. For the eveningwear competition, she is escorted on stage by big brother Brenden, himself looking resplendent in a formal tuxedo.
Despite the earlier controversy, Emily places a very impressive fourth (in a field of 63). Thrilled at her accomplishment, the family makes plans to compete again next year.
Episode 7: Follow-Up
As a result of her involvement in the series, Debbie has been subject to nasty comments in the media, from "cyberstalkers," and most significantly from the pageant community. Some of her fellow pageant participants blame her for "the downfall of pageantry." One pageant threatened to withdraw Emily's title. The Tyes, however, refuse to give up or back down. They do, however, regret bad-mouthing a fellow family on camera, and plan to deliver an apology.
To escape some of the unwanted attention in and around their hometown, the family takes a vacation to Hollywood. On the Walk of Fame, Emily literally gets to follow in the footsteps of her favorite star, Shirley Temple. Someday, she would like to do commercials.
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