Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Our town has a special Christmas celebration each year. We've never gone to any of the events, but this year Claire decided she wanted to build her own gingerbread house and enter it in the gingerbread house contest.

We went to an old fashioned candy store and selected some candy we thought would look fabulous on a gingerbread house and I picked up a few other items to have on hand for the project.

After mixing, cutting and baking the dough, we put together the gingerbread house and began decorating. Claire had so many great ideas for her house. I was merely her little helper. When the gingerbread house was complete, Claire was so proud of her work. We stressed that even if she didn't win first place, the most important thing was that she tried her best. This had to be stressed over and over, since winning first place is an important goal for a 5 1/2 year old.

We dropped off the gingerbread house on Friday night for judging, then came back to pick it up and see the results of the judging on Saturday afternoon. We were absolutely thrilled to see that Claire had won first place!!!! She was so excited!! She received a beautiful medal which she displays proudly in her room and shows anyone who visits our house. Way to go, Claire Bear!!!!